Editor:

I would like to spread some positive news. We adopted a 10-month-old kitten a month ago from the MSPCA in Centerville. She is a gorgeous torbie named Kash. She makes us smile and laugh all day long. Such a joy in our lives. I want to thank the MSPCA. You are top notch and brightened our world and Kash’s. 

I figure a bit of good news could do us all well.

Kathleen J. Dunton
Harwich

Editor:

Congratulations to the town for forging a concept for providing better space for our seniors. With both the select board and the council on aging agreeing on a renovated facility, it appears that a solution is finally at hand.

I still have a reservation to express — that being that a town with such wealth should not settle for Band Aids but a full operation, meaning that we should be getting a new facility. Funds for the town annex, the fire station, the water treatment plant, the plan for a new transfer station, all were provided without a whimper. So why should we settle for rehab for the most important building in the town, especially since we are the town with one of the oldest populations in the state? Why can’t someone in town put together a group of citizens who each contribute $500,000 to provide a $4 million kitty so we can have new? Especially since those with such money would be logical users of the place. 

One party in town has been very generous in a civic way. Why can't the numerous others do the same? It's a shame.

Phil Richardson 
Chatham and Tiburon, Calif.

Editor:

The South Chatham Public Library's February Love Your Library fundraiser is winding down and the library wants to thank all those who have already shown their support of the library and its services to the community. All funds raised will be used to offset operational costs and will enable the library to continue to offer a first-rate selection of books to all ages. Anyone wanting to make a tax-deductible contribution may mail it to the South Chatham Library, P.O. Box 436, South Chatham, MA 02659. In addition, we send many thanks for those who contributed canned foods and non-perishable items to our Souper Bowl drive in January. Food items were donated to the Chatham Food Pantry that is supported by St. Christopher's Episcopal Church. 

Peggy Holland, president
Board of Directors
South Chatham Public Library

Editor:

Remember that line from the movie “Field of Dreams?” That applies to growth everywhere. But if there is limited room for growth, only maintenance of the present space can happen. Less building = less use of natural resources = less people. The Cape has a finite clean water supply. I believe that, sadly, things have to reach the point where people realize we cannot grow anymore because we have reached a state of serious pollution. This small "island" needs to get back to a place where there is a balance of population. Seniors and second home people need to be "replaced" by workers. I have ideas, but no answers. But I bet a lot of you have some answers…offer them to the radio stations and the papers.

Anne Stewart
Harwich 

Editor:

Hitler believed in lies. He said that "the magnitude of a lie always contains a certain factor of credibility since the great masses of people…more easily fall victim to a big lie than to a little one." He shaped the culture and religion of Germany with lies that were soon reflected in laws. Next, Hitler looked for a pretext for exercising greater control. Just as the Reichstag fire was an excuse for suspending personal liberties, so he created other opportunities that gave him the privilege of bypassing conventional means of justice. The nation that had been seduced by propaganda was then headed for persecution. The lies became laws!

Laws always reflect a nation's priorities, agenda and values. In Nazi Germany laws were no longer seen as resting on a theistic, much less a Christian, view of the world; indeed not even natural law was recognized, When Hitler got the Reichstag to give him the power to make the laws, the laws he made were arbitrary, drafted to fulfill the goals of the state. The Nazi proclaimed, "Hitler is the law." As Göring put it, the law and the will of the Fuhrer are one! Right and wrong was whatever Hitler said it was!

Sound familiar to anyone out there? Maybe we are starting to see something like this happening in Washington, D.C.? Let's make America great again by killing our democracy?

Taken from “Hitlers Cross” by Erwin W. Lutzer.

C. Cameron
Harwich

Editor:

As residents on Old Harbor Road near the town property at 127 Old Harbor Rd., we strongly support its development into affordable and attainable housing. This will reinforce and expand the neighborhood's diversity and appropriately increase density within walking distance of many of our town’s merchants and public resources. 

As reported in your paper, the architects and the members of the select board appear focused on making the buildings fit organically into the village streetscape. We applaud that attention to good design.

We look forward to greeting new neighbors as they walk past our place to Main Street. 

Madonna Hitchcock
Tom Hitchner
Chatham

Editor:

Nearly 26 percent of Cape Cod residents are 65 or older. This is higher than the state average of 14 percent and the national average of 13 percent. The annual appropriation which funds the Older Americans Act is within the continuing resolution which is set to expire on March 17. The continuing funding provides a lifeline for approximately 11 million older adults and their family caretakers.

These programs include legal assistance, nutritional services, senior center programs and caretaker support. Please contact Senators Warren (617-565-3170) and Markey (617-565-8516) and Rep. Keating (508-771-0666) and urge them to protect and to support all of the Older American programs and services.

Mark I. Berson
Orleans

Editor:

Chatham should look at other towns' solutions as to how to help those who have trouble paying their taxes. Wellfleet, for example, has had a fund, for years, to which better-off taxpayers (summer or year-round) can make voluntary payments to the town. 

Michael Westgate
Chatham

Editor:

Lauren Arcomano, executive director of the Chatham Conservation Foundation, recently notified the public in The Chronicle that some trails will be under surveillance with cameras in order to enforce their leash policy for dogs. To be sure, people who hike with their dogs need to be respectful of the rules as well as others using the trails. But I believe this is an extreme measure to take to enforce the policy. I hike frequently on CCF trails to enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of nature. Signs are posted at these trails notifying visitors of the use of cameras but regardless, I feel this is an invasion of privacy. I am very grateful for the work that the CCF does to preserve land and make it available to the public. However, Ms. Arcomano and the leadership at CCF should reconsider this heavy-handed approach to enforce a policy. 

Jack Gatzuras
South Chatham