Letters to the Editor

May 2005

Dear Editor:
I happened to pick up a copy of the April Waterbury Observer recently and I was offended when I read your hagiographic account of the "Rowland Tragedy."

I remember a mustachioed young Rowland in the General Assembly already swollen with a sense of entitlement and arrogance. He accomplished nothing notable in his service there, but had the very good luck to run on the Reagan ticket against a truly distinguished legislator, U.S. Representative Bill Ratchford. Although he ran some 70,000 votes behind Reagan, the landslide carried him into an office he was scarcely qualified to hold.

Again he accomplished nothing memorable as a Congressman, but his ambition lead him to run for governor so thereafter. When he lost he went on the payrolls of some of the largest corporations in the state which assured themselves that should he ever again win high office they would have no problems with him. He never explained what he actually did to earn $400,000 in this period. His governorship was marred almost from the beginning by a series of ethical lapses, minor to start with, but as his sense of impunity grew, finally reaching the $200,000,000 level of the Enron deal. His accomplishments as governor were all financed with bonded money, leaving the state with one of the highest per capita debts in the country. Future generations will pay for all of the Rowland adornments in Waterbury and other places in the state.

The most amazing political resume in the state belongs to Raymond Baldwin who was Republican House majority leader in the General Assembly, elected governor three times, elected U.S. Senator, and finally served as Chief Justice of the state Supreme Court. No one else has held all three of the state's highest political offices. Baldwin was so honest and trusted he was a selected on a bi-partisan basis to be co-chairman of the Constitutional Convention in 1965 which created the first new constitution for Connecticut since 1819.

No one can remember the good works, if any, of Frank Hayes as mayor of Waterbury. For years and decades he has been remembered only as the central figure of a municipal corruption scandal. In the years and decades ahead John Rowland will be remembered as the first governor in Connecticut history to be imprisoned for corruption. A disgrace, not a tragedy.

Morton J. Tenzer
Associate Professor of Political Science Emeritus, University of Connecticut

Dear Editor:
I would appreciate it if you would print my letter in your newspaper.
I am a 5th grade student at Coronado Beach Elementary School in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. I have adopted your state as a class project. Please send me one postcard from your state. Please do not send me anything but a postcard. We are unable to accept letters or packages due to safety precautions. I am writing in hopes of getting a postcard from as many different people as possible. It would be great if some will take the time to write a short note on the postcard telling me something interesting or special about your state.

I hope your readers can help me with my project. My classmates are also doing this project. Each of us has chosen a different state. I would like to become an expert on your state. Please accept my thanks in advance for your help.

Sincerely,
Sydney Bragh
Coronado Beach Elementary School
3550 Michigan Avenue
New Smyrna Beach Florida 32169

Dear Editor:
What does being an American mean to me? It means having the right to voice my opinion whether people agree with me or not. Having the right to write to any elected officials whether I voted for them or someone else. The right to call in talk shows being radio or T.V. and voicing my opinion on any subject or topic that I so choose. Having the right to protest my government's policy that was enacted and voted on by our elect officials. Having the right to participate in any meetings that are open to the public. Having the right to vote on election day, and also hold any elected officials accountable for their actions and having the right to vote them out of office, the right to have a lawyer to represent you in a court of law. These rights are given to each and every one of us because we as Americans live in a Republic called the United States of America and don't let anybody tell you different. Remember our veterans throughout the history of this great country died to give us these basic rights. Something I believe we should always honor and hold dear to our hearts and never forget. The true reason why we call ourselves Americans. Some people may read this letter in the newspaper and say what's your point. All I can say is than God we live in a free country where I can write letters to any newspaper in this country. Something else we should never take for granted and always cherish, our heritage, culture, our native tongue, which is English. And pass this great idea on for generations yet to come. Doing this simple thing will be the greatest accomplishment we as a free people can ever do especially when we stand by our constitution guaranteed.

Sincerely,
Martin F. Spring

Dear Editor:
Re: "The Fall-John Rowland" April 2005 Waterbury Observer....most people don't have to look up the word tragedy to know what it means.

Anyone who lets The American Heritage Dictionary tell them that smug, arrogant, lying, thieving, treasonous politicians are anything but... is living in "Mickey Mouseland." The elite take care of their own. The definitions in that dictionary were not made up by some "toothless and unkempt" homeless man. If only they were. And anyone who lets George Carlin convince him that "a family of nine getting wiped out by a train" is not a tragedy might start looking for another guru.

George Carlin titled his book Brain Droppings for a reason. John Rowland is a criminal (and, yes, "the future of the Republican Party," hopefully), George Carlin is a buffoon, William F. Dow III I'll guess is "Bones," Meehan and Dorsey are members of that club, Attorney Nora Dannehy is a saint and a prophet and Justice is a snob.

P.S. If you think one year is a long time, check it out - 2005 is 1/3 gone.

P.S.S. A newsperson on National Public Radio (not Garrison Keillor) reassured listeners, and I paraphrase closely... after completing his prison term, John Rowland will probably find work easily - most likely in Washington.

As The Honorable Nora Dannehy said, "...we are all lost."

Andy Sewell
Litchfield

Dear Editor:
The Waterbury Veterans Memorial Committee extends to you a cordial invitation to be present in this year's annual Memorial Day parade and the ceremonies on the Waterbury Green, which will immediately follow the parade, on Sunday, May 29th.

The parade will step off at 1pm, with assembly time at noon from Freight Street, Waterbury. It will travel east on Grand Street to Bank Street to Exchange Place then turn west onto the south side of the Green and continue on West Main Street and disburse just past the Elk's Lodge.

Your presence in giving our Veterans of all wars or conflicts their due respect and honor on Memorial Day weekend is most welcome. Memorial Day is a time to remember. We remember our Veterans who left their homes and loved ones during national crises to protect and safeguard our Freedoms. We appreciate your effort to be with us in the parade and the ceremonies that follow. We cannot forget our Veterans and all that they have done for us.

The "Spirit of Patriotism" is alive and well in Waterbury, the Nutmeg State and the Country. With the help of the Good Lord and the participation of people and groups in the Community, it will continue to grow.

Patriotically yours,
Col. John Chiarells, (Ret.)
Veterans Memorial Committee

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