Editor's Notes: i) This op-ed was submitted by Eric Knapp, who is employed as the Town of Old Lyme's Land Use Coordinator. He is writing here as a private citizen.ii) This is the opinion of Eric Knapp. Zoning in Connecticut is 100-years-old this year. West Hartford was the first town in the State to adopt zoning regulations in 1924. The practice did not make its way to this … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: The Future of Zoning
Op-Eds
Op-Ed: Take Time to Listen, Tell, Learn, ‘a Better Story About Haiti’
Editor's Note: We received this op-ed from Rev. Steve Jungkeit, who serves as the Senior Minister of The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme (FCCOL.) In the winter of 2020, just before Covid stopped the world, I sat with a friend on a hillside overlooking Deschapelles, Haiti on a clear starry night. There were scarcely any lights to be seen, for few people in that … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: Take Time to Listen, Tell, Learn, ‘a Better Story About Haiti’
Op-Ed: Facing the Realities of Rising Waters in Shoreline Connecticut
Editor's Notes: i) This op-ed was submitted by Eric Knapp, who is employed as the Town of Old Lyme's Land Use Coordinator. He is writing here as a private citizen.ii) This is the opinion of Eric Knapp. I have lived in Connecticut my entire life. My career as a lawyer involved representing property owners and land use commissions across the state, but especially along the … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: Facing the Realities of Rising Waters in Shoreline Connecticut
Op-Ed: Old Lyme Needs to Do Better on Major Projects
Editor’s Note: This op-ed was submitted by Howard Margules of Old Lyme. Our town’s major projects—Halls Road, Lymes’ Senior Center, Sewers, Shoreline Gateway, and Affordable Housing—are all vital to our town’s future economic viability. They also share something else in common: they have been “works in process” for quite a while, and all remain unfinished. It … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: Old Lyme Needs to Do Better on Major Projects
Op-Ed: The Democratic Promise of Small Towns vs. the ‘Escalating Erosion of Democracy in Lyme’
Two years ago, my son—a student at Lyme-Old Lyme Schools—attended a regional wrestling tournament, where he witnessed a remarkable act of ethical behavior. One of the matches featured two giants from rival high schools. Not long into their spirited contest, those colossal opponents collided in an unplanned way. They sent each other to the ground in pain. The breathless silence … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: The Democratic Promise of Small Towns vs. the ‘Escalating Erosion of Democracy in Lyme’
Op-Ed: Old Lyme Resident Celebrates 45 Years of US Citizenship; Anniversary Sparks Recognition of Need for ‘Vigilance’ to Preserve Democracy
1/18: Updated with revised title: One July day in 1961, my mother and I landed at Idlewild Airport (now JFK) to join my father in America. My parents made the decision to emigrate from Scotland in search of a better life for their two-year old son and any other children who might follow. That move would eventually include my two sisters. January 9th marked the 45th year of … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: Old Lyme Resident Celebrates 45 Years of US Citizenship; Anniversary Sparks Recognition of Need for ‘Vigilance’ to Preserve Democracy
Tidings of Comfort (Food) and Joy
Editor's Note: We are delighted to re-publish this mouth-watering piece by our friend and former colleague at 'Main Street News,' Linda Ahnert of Old Lyme. She wrote it back in 2005 but has recently updated it for us. "There’s a happy feeling nothing in the world can buy, when they pass around the coffee and the pumpkin pie" . . . and, of … [Read more...] about Tidings of Comfort (Food) and Joy
Op-Ed: ‘Why Do They Believe They Need a Gun?’ Thoughts From Across ‘The Pond’ on America’s ‘Gun Culture’
Editor's Note: We received this opinion piece from a reader in England. I’m not sure how welcome a contribution from overseas will be. After all, criticism from outside can tend to overlook shortcoming closer to home. But the so-called "gun culture" of the USA (which I’m certain doesn’t affect the whole population) is one of the consistent puzzles that baffles us on this … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: ‘Why Do They Believe They Need a Gun?’ Thoughts From Across ‘The Pond’ on America’s ‘Gun Culture’
Op-Ed: Are We a Civilized Country?
Editor's Note: Tom Soboleski of Ivoryton, Conn., submitted a powerful op-ed to LymeLine.com after the Sandy Hook massacre. We published 'Proposed Path to a Safer Society' on Dec. 20, 2012. In light of yesterday's tragic events in Uvalde, Texas, Soboleski contacted us yesterday to ask if we would consider re-publishing it and we immediately agreed. He has added a new … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: Are We a Civilized Country?
Op-Ed: Eliminating Mask Requirement in Lyme-Old Lyme Schools is Premature, Shortsighted
Compared to the peak of the Omicron surge three weeks ago, case numbers are decreasing -- both locally and nationally. Compared to where we were before Omicron -- from summer through Thanksgiving -- case numbers are still high. With that said, we are seeing fewer people getting COVID, and that positive trend is likely to continue. The period of the pandemic where masks … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: Eliminating Mask Requirement in Lyme-Old Lyme Schools is Premature, Shortsighted
Op-Ed: Lampos Makes His Case, ‘I’m Not Running “Against” Anyone, But Rather “For” Old Lyme’
Editor's Note: This op-ed was submitted by Jim Lampos, who is the Democratic-endorsed candidate for Old Lyme Selectman and also for one of the two seats on the Old Lyme Planning Commission. I am honored to be on the ballot for Old Lyme’s Board of Selectmen this November 2nd. The Board of Selectmen has been meeting since our town’s founding over three hundred years ago, and … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: Lampos Makes His Case, ‘I’m Not Running “Against” Anyone, But Rather “For” Old Lyme’
Op-Ed: Save Our Beautiful Dark Skies From The Threat Of Light Pollution
Editor's Note: This Op-ed was submitted by Alan Sheiness of Lyme, Conn. How often have you stopped to notice how wonderfully bright and alive the stars are in our peaceful town of Lyme, especially once turning off one of our ‘major thoroughfares’ like Rte. 156 or Brush Hill Rd.? That dark sky up there is a part of our world. It is as much a gift to us as are the forests, … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: Save Our Beautiful Dark Skies From The Threat Of Light Pollution
Op-Ed: Connecticut May Have ‘Reopened,’ Be ‘Returning to Normal’– But Don’t Criticize the ‘Still-Masked’
In May, Connecticut's COVID-19 protocols for masks and face coverings were relaxed to coincide with newly-modified Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, and the new, less stringent, rules then became effective statewide. Masks are not required for anyone outdoors, and the “vaccinated” are not required to wear masks indoors. Conversely, the … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: Connecticut May Have ‘Reopened,’ Be ‘Returning to Normal’– But Don’t Criticize the ‘Still-Masked’
Op-Ed: Since Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Have Been Open All Year, Why Has OL Park & Rec. Summer Camp Been Cancelled?
Editor’s Note: This op-ed was submitted by Melissa Chapps of Old Lyme. It was updated May 10, at 1:40 p.m. Being the only school district in the region to offer full-time, in-person learning, from the start of the school year, Old Lyme chose to be “all in”. In doing so, we have been the leader in how it is possible to safely reopen. We have been the model, not only to our … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: Since Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Have Been Open All Year, Why Has OL Park & Rec. Summer Camp Been Cancelled?
Op-Ed: Faculty, Staff at Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Deserve Cash Bonuses
Editor's Note: This op-ed was submitted by William Fitzgerald of Old Lyme. In Old Lyme, we claim to value education. Now is the time for us to step up and show we mean it. The Board of Education recently put out a request to crowdsource gifts for teachers. While this gesture is well-intentioned, it's not enough. Our school staff - every adult who worked in the building, … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: Faculty, Staff at Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Deserve Cash Bonuses