We are fortunate here in Old Lyme that three different organizations made the decision to commit a vast amount of resources, primarily in terms of innumerable volunteer hours, to prepare pages and pages of well-researched comments on the Federal Rail Authority's (FRA) Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). These comments prepared respectively by the Town of Old Lyme, … [Read more...] about Opinion: With Thanks to the Groups That Have Already Sent Comments About the High-Speed Train Route to the FRA … Now It’s Our Turn
Op-Eds
Op-Ed: Old Lyme Urgently Needs New Historic Survey; Current One Dates Back to 70s Leaving Town Vulnerable to High-Speed Rail and Other State, Federal Projects
11/06 UPDATE: We note that an item on tomorrow's regular Historic District Commission agenda is "FRA Plan Update." The meeting is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. in the Old Lyme Town Hall. Editor's Note: The author of this op-ed, Gregory Stroud, is the Executive Director of SECoast, the non-profit dedicated to organizing and educating the public to protect the Southeastern … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: Old Lyme Urgently Needs New Historic Survey; Current One Dates Back to 70s Leaving Town Vulnerable to High-Speed Rail and Other State, Federal Projects
Op-Ed: Follow NEC Future’s Own Findings, Abandon Alternative #1, Statement from Old Lyme Selectwoman MaryJo Nosal to the FRA:
Today we welcome representatives from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) at Lyme-Old Lyme High School, 4:30PM. The following is a statement I planned on reading if the meeting format had allowed for public comment: Congress established the Northeast Corridor Commission in 2008 and it was “chartered to facilitate collaborative planning … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: Follow NEC Future’s Own Findings, Abandon Alternative #1, Statement from Old Lyme Selectwoman MaryJo Nosal to the FRA:
Opinion: Let Your Presence Make a Difference (Since Your Voice Can’t be Heard) — Go to the FRA Meeting
Back in February of this year, we wrote an opinion piece titled, "The Menace in our Midst." about the proposed high speed rail route through Old Lyme, about which we as a community had just heard. Surprisingly, not a whole lot has changed since then with the exception that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has finally decided to pay Old Lyme a call. That meeting is … [Read more...] about Opinion: Let Your Presence Make a Difference (Since Your Voice Can’t be Heard) — Go to the FRA Meeting
Op-Ed: Support Sound View’s Historic District Designation With its Numerous Benefits; Ignore Inaccuracies Being Circulated
COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE ARE NOW CLOSED: Sound View residents have been receiving letters from Heidi DiNino-Fields of Hartford Avenue urging them to register their opposition to the Sound View Historic District designation. These letters are filled with incorrect information, designed to confuse and frighten residents into opposition. Among the more blatant lies are that owners … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: Support Sound View’s Historic District Designation With its Numerous Benefits; Ignore Inaccuracies Being Circulated
Op-Ed: Malloy in the Middle
Last week, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders tried to force the Democratic National Convention into a shape more to his liking by demanding that Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, a supporter of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, be booted from a high-profile chairmanship. He failed, but the fact that he tried says something about both Malloy and the dangerous state of our politics … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: Malloy in the Middle
Op-Ed: Carney Says Proposed State Education Budget Cuts Will Seriously Impact Region 18
Does Governor Malloy have a problem with communities that succeed? This is a question we need to ask ourselves. Year after year, the schools of the 23rd District work diligently to provide quality education to our youth. Our teachers and administrators add to the success of our state by instilling the proper foundation to produce the industrial, business, and community leaders … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: Carney Says Proposed State Education Budget Cuts Will Seriously Impact Region 18
Op-Ed: Hains Park Boathouse Options Could Save Funds While Also Supporting Rowing Program Needs
As an engineer and rower, I frequently look at form and function and have provided several suggestions to the Hains Park Boathouse Improvement Committee (HPBIC). When developing a project, each feature should be considered for its benefit and its cost. The newest Boathouse plan for Hains Park in Old Lyme favors form over function, and is less sensitive to disruptions and … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: Hains Park Boathouse Options Could Save Funds While Also Supporting Rowing Program Needs
Op-Ed: Lyme P & Z Needs to Separate “Agricultural” Activities Associated with Farms from “Commercial” Activities
Editor's Note: Last week, Christopher Roosevelt of Lyme sent the letter below to the Lyme Planning & Zoning Commission on behalf of the Lyme Rural Protection Group. We are publishing it as an Op-Ed due its length. 'I thought I would reiterate my recommendations regarding separating farm/agricultural pursuits from “commercial” activities of wine tastings and wine … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: Lyme P & Z Needs to Separate “Agricultural” Activities Associated with Farms from “Commercial” Activities
Op-Ed: Proposed Northeast Corridor High Speed Rail Route Cuts Through Old Lyme Historical District, Public Comment Now Extended to Feb. 16
One month ago, with little fanfare, the Federal government announced a plan to modernize the Northeast Corridor by rerouting high-speed rail lines over a new bridge crossing the Connecticut River, across the saltwater marshes at the Lieutenant River and through the historical district of Old Lyme. The plan appears so nonsensical, from a local perspective, that it is very … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: Proposed Northeast Corridor High Speed Rail Route Cuts Through Old Lyme Historical District, Public Comment Now Extended to Feb. 16
Op-Ed: Thoughts on Old Lyme’s Wastewater Situation and Where Blame Lies
With my growing family, my wife and I moved to Old Lyme over 55 years ago. Then it was another coastal town with a small, stable year-round population and a large vacationer transient group who came here to enjoy the Long Island Sound shoreline beaches for about 10 to 12 weeks in summertime. Many of these visitors scheduled their time here to mesh with summer school … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: Thoughts on Old Lyme’s Wastewater Situation and Where Blame Lies
Op-Ed: Valley Warriors Need to Reconsider Outdated, Distressing Mascot
I am a proud alum of Lyme-Old Lyme High School, class of 2010. I could not have asked for a better education or community. One of the most important experiences I had as a student there was my involvement in athletics. I enjoyed every moment of cross country that did not involve running, and during basketball games, I ensured that the team’s bench remained warm at all times. I … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: Valley Warriors Need to Reconsider Outdated, Distressing Mascot
Op-Ed: We Can All Help Protect Long Island Sound
Water quality begins at the point of discharge, not in relocation of bottom materials from one location to another. It is a very important distinction to make when talking about one of Connecticut’s most precious assets, Long Island Sound. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently released a draft Dredged Material Management Plan. Digging up the material at the bottom of … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: We Can All Help Protect Long Island Sound
Op-Ed: Connecticut’s Publicly-Funded Campaign System Is A Joke
Here’s one last poll I’d like to see the numbers for — how many Connecticut residents woke up Wednesday morning excited about four more years of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy? Unfortunately for Republican candidate Tom Foley, it appears voters chose the devil they know (or is it the porcupine?) instead of the devil they didn’t know ... Click here to read the full article by … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: Connecticut’s Publicly-Funded Campaign System Is A Joke
Op-Ed: The Road to Disaster is Paved with Good Intentions — Thoughts on The Boathouse Issue
In 2013 the Old Lyme community was excited to learn that it had been granted a $478,000 Connecticut Small Town Economic Assistance Program (CT STEAP) grant to expand the Boathouse and improve Hains Park. This grant was made possible by hard-working individuals involved with the District 18 rowing teams and the local Old Lyme Rowing Club (OLRA), which includes rowers from … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: The Road to Disaster is Paved with Good Intentions — Thoughts on The Boathouse Issue