Join your town’s boards and committees

The recent 2025 budget discussions in Lebanon generated a tremendous amount of civic engagement. Hundreds of residents attended meetings, submitted comments and contributed their perspectives and ideas. Many people expressed a desire for more information and for a greater understanding of what’s happening in Lebanon’s government — a sentiment no doubt shared by many residents in other Upper Valley communities.

I encourage anyone interested in understanding more about their local municipality and in having a say in its development to join one of their local commissions, boards or advisory groups. These important groups can exist and benefit their communities only because of the time and contributions of engaged volunteers. Conservation and historic commissions, planning and zoning boards, housing and energy committees — no matter your area of interest, there is likely a local group looking for members. It’s an excellent way to contribute to your community, to understand how your municipality functions and to have a say in its future.

Nicole Ford Burley

Lebanon

The writer is chairwoman of the Lebanon Heritage Commission and a member of the Valley News Reader Advisory Board.

Book banners
don’t speak for parents

In the article regarding Gov. Sununu’s withdrawal of his nominee for state librarian (“Sununu ditches librarian nominee”; Dec. 19), it appears that the governor has succumbed to the concerns of some about the nominee’s position on library censorship. According to the article, those opposed to her nomination contend that her views on censorship infringe on parents’ rights.

However, that view presupposes that all parents are in favor of such censorship. I would respond that their actions, if they result in book bans, infringe on the rights of parents who want their children to be able to read a wide variety of books and to learn about different ideas. Those who want to ban books from libraries do not speak for everyone and should not be given the power to decide for everyone what they can or cannot read.

Susan Mattson

Lebanon

We read what we want

I recently saw in the news that the governor of New Jersey has signed into law a "Freedom to Read" bill. His state now joins Illinois and Minnesota in protecting their rights from the arbitrary banning of books in their states’ schools and libraries. In light of current political leanings, I think that more states should adopt a law of this kind.

In closing, I'd like to say that I live in Vermont and should read what I want.

Carrie Cooker

Tunbridge

Lebanon firefighters offer thanks

On behalf of the members of the Lebanon Permanent Firefighters Association, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the citizens of Lebanon for their overwhelming support in helping us secure additional staffing for our department. The outpouring of encouragement and advocacy from our community has been truly humbling and demonstrates a shared commitment to public safety.

To everyone who signed our petition, spoke at meetings, wrote emails, called city councilors and proudly displayed our signs on your lawns or places of business — thank you. Your voices made a difference, and because of your efforts, we are proud to announce that four new firefighters will join our ranks in 2025.

This critical increase in staffing will help us better protect the lives and property of our residents and visitors, ensuring that Lebanon remains a safe place to live, work, and visit.

We are honored to serve this community and deeply appreciate the trust and confidence you place in us every day. Thank you for standing with us and supporting our mission to provide the highest level of service.

Joel Coelho

Weathersfield

The writer is president of the Lebanon Permanent Firefighters Association.

Puzzled by Hartford’s new lanes

Thank you so much for the article explaining the awful reconfiguration of the travel lanes to buffers and bike lanes in Hartford (“State completes cycling lanes on stretch of Route 5”; Dec. 21). We have family in West Hartford and when coming into that area from Springfield, Vt., a few weeks ago, we were puzzled by the lines and lanes! We had no idea what had happened: Someone in authority losing their mind while working on ways to move traffic through those areas?

Now we know and it isn’t very pretty.

And of course it has snowed several times since we visited, but I wonder how motorists are dealing with lanes disappearing under that snow, and as winter proceeds, perhaps staying under snow and ice in some areas. We’ll be sure to avoid those $3 million dollar mazes from now on.

Jo Ann Duprey

Springfield Vt.