Editor:

Articles 28 and 29 in the Brewster Town Meeting address plans for the 10 acres of the Long Pond Parcel along Route 137. This is not a conservation versus housing issue; it is about finding the best places for both.

Brewster has spent millions of dollars to protect clean drinking water. Since the housing rush of the 1970s and 1980s townspeople have recognized the importance of protecting our wells and the Zone II areas that feed the wells. Our prize-winning Wells 1 and 2 are the ones that will eventually be impacted by any pollution flowing from these 10 acres.

Housing in this area will destroy 10 acres of trees and understory plants that help absorb rainwater, Cape Cod’s only source of water. They filter out impurities and take up unwanted nutrients before the rain replenishes the groundwater. Instead, hard surfaces allow rainstorms to carry sediment into roadways, wetlands and groundwater along with contaminants and insidious pollution.

This is not a competition. It is a choice, a hard choice because we all know that housing is important. But it is a choice we were not given during the planning process. In all the surveys and meetings, we have only been given choices of different kinds of housing and development. Never has there been the choice of housing or conservation. Never.

Beth Finch
Brewster

Editor:

I urge Brewster residents to vote in favor of the Brewster Conservation Trust’s two citizens petitions to place a conservation restriction on the 10 acres of town-owned property on Long Pond currently earmarked for affordable housing. I believe that there are four compelling reasons to support these articles.

Most importantly, the Long Pond property is in three sensitive watersheds. The high quality of drinking water in Brewster is due to the purchase of undeveloped land around the public wells. We should not allow housing to compromise these achievements. It is also important to note that to achieve a net zero impact on all three watersheds, many additional homes will need to be hooked up to the affordable housing water treatment plant, resulting in additional costs which at this point are unknown. 

The 70-acre Long Pond property and adjoining conservation acres are one of the very few remaining large parcels of undeveloped land left not only in Brewster but on the entire Cape and should be preserved to protect habitat as well as water resources. 

Lastly, it is very likely that Brewster will need to build two or three decentralized wastewater treatment plants in the future, or possibly a centralized system. Now is the time to research the best locations for these treatment plants, focusing on densely populated areas which will allow the hookup of the greatest number of homes at the lowest cost. Lacking this criteria, the proposed affordable housing project is the only reason to build a wastewater treatment plant on the Long Pond property.

Susan Bridges
Brewster

Editor:

 The upcoming Brewster Town Meeting will consider two articles sponsored by the Brewster Conservation Trust that would restrict any future use of the Sea Camp parcel on Long Pond to conservation and passive recreation. These articles would eliminate the use of the parcel for affordable housing which was included in the comprehensive plan for the parcel approved by town meeting in May, 2024. Adoption of either of these articles at this time would not be good public policy.

 I currently serve as the chair of the Sea Camps advisory committee and I also served on the Bay Property planning committee. It should be noted that the views expressed in this letter are mine alone and I am not speaking on behalf of the committee. My reasons for opposing adoption at this time are: (1) a conservation only approach lacks a balanced approach to the use of the land; and (2) eliminating any possibility of any housing of any kind at this point in time, without further investigation and analysis, is a rush to judgment.

 There is no dispute that there is a significant need for more housing for middle and lower income families. The Long Pond parcel provides an opportunity to make some small contribution to solving this problem. While I am a conservationist at heart, I believe good public policy should seek to strike a balance between competing interests. Under the current plan for the property, 60 of the 70 acres will be held for conservation and passive recreation. A balanced approach would at least consider using some of the remaining 10 acres for other important government uses absent a compelling reason to restrict the property in its entirety to one use only.

 Second, we need more information to determine if there is a compelling reason to restrict the use of the property as proposed by these articles. And, that is exactly what the select board is trying to do by engaging the affordable housing trust to conduct a feasibility study. I don’t believe residents would favor an approach that proposed housing on the property without regard to such a study. Why then should we eliminate housing without regard to the results of a study. Making a decision before all the relevant evidence is gathered is a rush to judgment. Accordingly, I urge residents to reject Articles 28 and 29 at this time.

Karl Fryzel
Brewster

 Editor:

 Massachusetts is a home rule state. What does that mean? Adopted in 1966, it grants towns the authority to self-govern, adopt charters and pass local laws. This includes not only the regulatory bodies of the town but also enables residents the opportunity to propose changes via citizen petitions. Why? The town’s departments, boards and committees fulltime job is to be focused on daily operations and immediate problems. However, residents not caught up in the red tape of town day-to-day operations can have a different perspective. Citizen petitions enable thinking “outside of the box” of the silos of town operations, where town government doesn’t have the bandwidth to address pertinent issues. Citizens' petitions can make a valuable contribution to town government. They can advance a better social structure within which we all want to live. 

Patrick Otton
Harwich

Editor:

 A week ago my husband experienced a life threatening event. I tried to drive him to the hospital but quickly realized I needed help and called 911. In minutes the Brewster EMS arrived with two wonderful professionals that provided care and got him to the hospital in time. I can gratefully say he is back home today and recovering. Our emergency services saved my husband's life.

 Of the many items before the Brewster voters at our town meeting on May 4 is an override that will invest in our emergency workers by raising their pay to be comparable to most of the other towns here on the Cape. I personally can not think of any service here in Brewster that deserves fair and equitable pay more than these professionals that are here for each and everyone of us if and when needed.

Kathleen Miller
Brewster

Editor:

In 1863, President Lincoln said, “Government of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth.” Only one candidate running for Chatham Select Board lives up to that historic statement embodying the idea of democracy with government existing to serve its citizens and created and run by those citizens. 

I am voting for Carol Gordon. Her record of dedication to her community and all property owners has been a 26-year-long endeavor to bring opposing factions together to reach solutions and solve town issues. She will represent all of Chatham. Unlike her opponents, Carol wants to hear from everyone. If elected, she will have open office hours to encourage the public to share their opinions, ideas and criticisms, and she will address their concerns with the select board during open meetings.

 Her goals are to prevent hidden agendas, bring transparency to town administration, put the public's needs first and lower excessive spending. Her courageous efforts to put health, safety, conservation issues and density conditioning for the Main Street Pennrose project were outstanding. Carol supports the delay of the residential tax exemption and the extensive finance committee workshops to redraft a plan targeting only those truly financially distressed. 

She is deeply concerned about water usage and utility overextension, conservation and overdevelopment. Her accomplishments include two terms on the board of health, president and founder of South Chatham Village Association for 26 years, implementation of a historic district, nurse, physical trainer, respected business owner and expertise in advertising, marketing and public relations. She will bring diplomacy, respectability, positivity and perseverance to our governing board. 

Anne Timpson
Chatham 

Editor:

 Lately there’s been several articles emphasizing candidates’ experience. How do we measure experience? Being on a board, having a particular occupation or bringing people together? 

 Carol Gordon, a local successful business person, moved to South Chatham in 1999. By 2000, she brought South Chatham together by forming the South Chatham Village Association which, as president, 26 years later boasts close to 100 members. It is Carol’s goal to listen and represent all of Chatham. 

 Not to mention she has served on the historic business district commission. As well as presently serving her second term on the board of health. 

 Her knack of bringing people together speaks for itself. If that doesn’t qualify as experience, I don’t know what does. 

Michelle Kleinkauf 
North Chatham

Editor: 

Many good, well intentioned people work hard to help their towns. Over time a small influential group on town boards may figure out how to more effectively get things done but often, unfortunately, at the expense of the democratic process. Our newest member of the select board, Stuart Smith, has given hope to those who have felt left out of the process. He has refocused attention on the needs of all of Chatham's citizens including those who feel they have been unheard. He's also made insightful analyses of our finances that can help us understand better what the numbers really mean, how the monies get moved around, etc. Recent letters supporting candidates have said many years of work on boards and committees produce knowledge of how things work. But this is also the way some people learn how to network and get into the political “in crowd.” I've examined the lists of signatories for the nomination of all of the candidates. This and watching where some of the signs of candidates are positioned can help assess who's connected with the political “in crowd” and who's not. I'm convinced that the best candidate to help Stuart continue his efforts toward town government transparency and listening to the needs of all of our citizens is Carol Gordon. Carol has demonstrated fairness, decency and objective judgement.

Lou Hieb
Chatham

Editor:

I am writing to express my enthusiastic endorsement of Meredith Fry, who is running for select board in Chatham. I have had the pleasure of knowing Meredith for 16 years, ever since my family and I first moved to Chatham. From the very beginning, Meredith has been a beacon of warmth, friendship and community spirit, welcoming us with open arms and introducing us to many of the friends we cherish today.

Meredith is not just a friend; she is a pillar of strength and kindness. When my wife, Mary, passed away unexpectedly in 2023, Meredith was a constant source of support. She went above and beyond, even helping to decorate our home for Christmas that first difficult year without Mary. Her compassion and dedication to the people around her are unmatched.

Meredith's love for Chatham and its residents is evident in everything she does. She is deeply committed to making our town a better place for everyone. Her ability to connect with people and her unwavering dedication to serving our community make her an ideal candidate for the select board.

I have no doubt that Meredith Fry will serve Chatham with the same passion and integrity that she has shown as a friend and community member.

Marty Cavanaugh and Family
Chatham

Editor:

I’m writing to share why I will be voting for Meredith Fry in the Chatham Select Board election on May 14.

 Meredith Fry’s passion, dedication and deep love for Chatham are exactly what our town needs right now. She has spent 20 years serving as a member of Chatham Park and Recreation Commission, showing a long-standing commitment to the people, places and future of our community.

 Chatham is facing important decisions, especially when it comes to protecting our environment and keeping our beaches safe and pristine. Meredith understands the delicate balance between thoughtful development and preserving the character of the town we all care so deeply about.

 She moved to Chatham in 2002 and has raised three children here with her husband, Shannon St. Pierre. Her roots in the community run deep, and her dedication is clear in everything she does. She is relentless in her pursuit of fairness and a result that serves the greater good.

 Meredith is not aligned with any special interest group and will make decisions independently, always putting the best interests of Chatham first.

 As we look ahead, Chatham faces major challenges around housing affordability and the risk of becoming a ghost community. I believe Meredith Fry has the experience, heart and commitment to help guide our town through these issues responsibly and with Chatham’s future in mind.

Lori Fanning Smith
Chatham 

Editor:

We have four qualified candidates for one select board seat this year. I hope those not elected consider running again. For this election, I am choosing Randi Potash.

 I have followed her work on the zoning board of appeals. She quickly learned the nuances of zoning and fairly reviews applications before the board. She ensures a complete and balanced review of issues, weighing the impacts on all parties.

 She applies sound judgment, which will carry over to the select board.

Thadd Eldredge
West Chatham

Editor:

I am writing to express my support for the Chatham Select Board candidacy of Randi Potash. Having followed Randi’s dedicated public service over several years, I have been impressed by her energy, leadership, intelligence and critical thinking skills. Her training as a lawyer specializing in mediation and arbitration has served her very well in her roles as Chatham’s representative to the Barnstable Assembly of Delegates; as a long-standing, active member of the Chatham Zoning Board of Appeals; as a member of the human services committee and the bikeways committee. Randi’s leadership skills were much in evidence as she chaired the ZBA during its recent deliberations as it considered the Main Street 40B application.

Chatham would be well served yet once again if Randi were to be elected to its select board.

Jeff Dykens
 West Chatham

Editor:

 I always look forward to all the natural beauty re-emerging each spring here on Cape. For this beauty to persist will require thoughtful approaches to managing our community in a way that ensures this is a vibrant place to live as well as one that values its natural resources.

 It is with this in mind that I was excited in the last week to learn that Bruce Semple is running for the Brewster Select Board. Bruce is enthusiastic and intelligent and his values-based leadership skills would benefit the Brewster community.

 Bruce has demonstrated endless energy in support of community-based organizations. This includes volunteerism and time commitment to educational organizations, community service, and working to preserve our natural resources through the Brewster Ponds Coalition (board member) and Mass Audubon. 

 Most important to me, Bruce’s leadership style, demonstrated as the president of the Rosemary Tracy Community Association, would make him a great addition to the Brewster Select Board. Bruce’s background as a systems engineer has given him a natural ability and enthusiasm for working to solve multi-faceted problems, while doing so with an openly communicative and highly collaborative approach. He has a very easy-going style that has been particularly helpful when topics that generate controversy or conflict have arisen. He cares about people, the environment, and the community and demonstrates his values every day in his interactions with others.

Roy Proujansky
Brewster

Editor:

Brewster is fortunate to have a candidate like Bruce Semple stepping forward for select board. At a time when our town faces increasingly complex challenges — from climate change and water quality to housing and long-term fiscal stewardship — we need someone who combines real-world problem-solving experience with a deep, demonstrated commitment to this community. Bruce brings exactly that.

 Over a 40-year career as an IBM systems architect, Bruce built a reputation for tackling large, complex problems for some of the most demanding clients in the country, including NASA, the Department of Defense and major global organizations. That kind of experience is directly relevant to the work of the select board, where thoughtful analysis, sound judgment and the ability to weigh competing priorities are essential.

 Equally important, Bruce has extended those skills to the public and nonprofit sectors, investing them here in Brewster. His leadership across multiple local organizations, including service on the town’s energy and climate committee and active involvement with the Brewster Ponds Coalition, reflects both the breadth of his interests and the depth of his commitment. He understands that protecting our natural resources, particularly our ponds and watershed, is fundamental to Brewster’s future.

 Bruce is also someone who knows how to work with others. He listens, collaborates and brings people together to find practical solutions. In a role that depends on balancing diverse perspectives and building consensus, those qualities matter.

Fran Schofield
Brewster

Editor:

 1985: “These former members have detailed cases of slapping, kicking, restraining…” – The Cape Codder; 1993: “They slapped him… harder, harder.” – WCVB Chronicle; 2008: “Stories ranged from slapping, kicking, restraining…” – Cape Cod Voice; 2020: “I was hit. I was told it was discipline.” – WCVB I-Team; 2024: “Members have had water thrown in their faces, been slapped, or endured other physical abuse.” – Ortolani lawsuit.

 Four decades. Same allegations. No recent deep investigations. And yet, a full-page paid advertisement is printed. And the response is an article focusing on an alleged online comment.

 Let’s be clear: threats should always be taken seriously. But why does a paid advertisement receive immediate attention…while decades of documented allegations remain unresolved?

 Why is a paid narrative given space while survivor accounts are still treated as “claims” and generally ignored? Why isn’t the same level of scrutiny being applied across the board?

 This isn’t about one article. It’s about what gets prioritized. What gets validated, and what continues to be minimized.

 At what point do we stop looking away from what makes us uncomfortable?

 Shawn DeLude
 Orleans
 Bonnie Zampino
 Harpers Ferry, W.V.

Editor:

Most of you know the origin of “The Day the Music Died” as Feb. 3, 1959, the day Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and "The Big Bopper" J. P. Richardson were killed in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, together with pilot Roger Peterson. Well, there is a new date coming for “The Day the Music Died.” 

 This new date is predicated upon the announced pending sale of radio station WFCC-FM, home of WFCC Cape Classical 107.7, to K-Love, a Tennessee-based Christian broadcasting network. When the sale becomes final, perhaps as early as next month, the lights will go out for Cape Classical. This will leave a huge void for broadcast classical music, and I for one am unanimous in that, while being hopeful that someone will come along and quickly fill the void.

 The popularity of the Cape Cod Symphony, the continued rise of small chamber music orchestras like the Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra, the strong presence of the fantastic annual Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival, and a plethora of other small groups show that there is a real appetite for classical music on Cape Cod. This is all well and good, but we, I for one, need to have a 24/7 classical music radio station. 

 In the meantime, support Cape Classical 107.7.

 Thanks to the whole team at Cape Classical 107.7 for those long and late hours of fantastic classical music programming. If there is any way, do not let us deal with another “The Day the Music Died.” 

Steve Clouther 
Harwich

Editor:
I respectfully disagree with Jarvis Hunt, who suggests private well users should not be restricted by regulations imposed on users of public water supply for watering of lawns.

The primary reason for the restrictions is preservation of the aquifer from which Chatham draws its public water supply. Google Copilot suggests the Chatham Water Department (CWD) is concerned by expanding use of private wells because they draw from the same aquifer as do municipal wells. Additionally, CWD believes private wells undermine conservation efforts. Those residents using private wells for potable water are under separate regulations and should be exempt from this suggested non-potable regulation for their drinking water.

Some suggest the cost of drilling a private well should allow their exception to the regulations. I would argue costs incurred for such drilling will, over time, be more than offset by CWD non-potable water charges.

I do not believe one yard should be greener than another simply because one owner drilled a well and the other drew from the public supply. We all share one aquifer and should be under the same restrictions. As the aquifer becomes too shallow we all run aground.

Bob Hertz
South Chatham

Editor:

I’ve been watching the ongoing debate about the residential tax exemption with growing anger and an increasing sense of betrayal! In the broader government community where the abandonment of morals is rife, Chatham has thrown both its ethical standards and its moral values on the bonfire. Shame! 

 As I watched with admiration the recent No Kings demonstration in Chatham, I was struck by the irony of a protest against a wannabe king and four kings in Chatham sitting in the select board seats. With vigorous dissent from its chairman, the four have voted to do exactly what sparked the American Revolution by imposing unequal taxes on those without a voice in their taxation. As moral philosophers would say, just because you can doesn’t mean you should. 

 We’ve paid taxes to Chatham for over 46 years and for 15 of the last 25 years voted in our local elections. We invested large sums with local contractors to build and maintain a new home, we’ve patronized the full range of local merchants like the Chatham Village Market, Wes the barber, the Impudent Oyster, Chatham Jewelers, Forest Beach, the local Shell gas station — all that make a village; we’ve also proudly supported local ventures like the Orpheum Theater, we worship at St. Christopher’s, we continue to receive medical care locally, including from our outstanding EMT crew. One day we realized our best interests would be served by voting elsewhere. Nothing else changed. We continued to patronize all of the above. Then you four poked a stick in our eye and betrayed us. 

 We’ve lost a great deal of respect for the four of you. If the RTE prevails, it’s unlikely we will continue the full breadth of our investments in the town. Why should we? We have been betrayed!

John Trimble
Chatham

Editor: 

 In the hopes of correcting and clarifying some statements made by Roz Diamond in the April 9 issue about the Alice Stallknecht murals in the Atwood Museum’s Mural Barn, I point out the following:

The murals do depict women engaged in occupations such as Annie Eldredge as a teacher, the Richardson Sisters as yard goods store owners (about where Puritan’s is now) and Edith Proudfoot doing her job as town registrar during town elections in the final mural of the trilogy. Considering the era, there were fewer women working outside the home than today. While we cannot be sure of the exact denomination of the people depicted, the first two murals were designed to hang in the Congregational Church, a Christian church. It is therefore appropriate that the portraits would reflect the religion of the congregation and even that of our town between 1930-1945. “Christ,” the only portrait where a model was used, appears in all three paintings. Alice dots the paintings with all the churches in our town at that time, all but one of Christian faith. The other was the First Universalist Society. 

 The murals are historically accurate of the time they were intended to represent, almost 100 years ago and not our present years. In what is almost a mission statement, the museum has reproduced in Alice’s own words her intent on capturing “the Everyman” and a cross-section of our town in that era. I and the other docents are careful to explain the time represented in the murals, but there is also ample signage to explain the era and the artist’s goals.

 Chatham is incredibly fortunate to have this significant art at our Atwood Museum’s Mural Barn.

Linda Simonitsch
Chatham

Editor:

 A few weeks ago, there were several demonstrations across Massachusetts with the theme “No Kings.” I find it ironic that people in Massachusetts are concerned about our country’s drift towards authoritarianism but not concerned about Massachusetts support of its towns being governed as kingdoms. Massachusetts’ laws require that a person must be a legal resident of the municipality to vote. A few other states allow nonresident taxpayers to vote.

 We have witnessed that whenever unchecked power is given to a small group of people, they are likely to abuse that power by stretching their logic to justify such abuse. A current example is the residential tax exemption (RTE) implemented by select boards to increase the tax burden on nonresidents even to the extent that nonresidents could end up subsidizing far more affluent residents.

 In towns such as Chatham and other Massachusetts seasonal communities, the majority of the tax base is paid by nonresidents who cannot vote or participate in town government. They provide a financial structure that allows such towns to have relatively low tax rates which keeps their tax bills lower. It is a pretty good deal for the full-time residents who use the schools and other services far more often than part-time residents.

 I believe that the “No Kings” mantra should apply to all governmental jurisdictions and not just the federal government. One can argue that many towns in Massachusetts are more of an oligarchy (rule by a small group) than a democracy. Something to think about for those who are concerned about our fragile democracy.

Don Drinkwater
Chatham

Editor:

One of the little things I look forward to each morning is to read my newspaper and enjoy a peaceful cup of coffee. This was interrupted today with my neighbor's lawn maintenance company turning on multiple gas powered leaf blowers at 7:47 a.m. and continuing until 9:12 a.m. That's over one hour of continuous loud noise, all for the beautification of a Chatham property lawn! Of course, my neighbor wasn't even home as it is a summer home.

A typical gas-powered leaf blower registers 70 to 75 decibels at 50 feet. For bystanders, the noise disrupts sleep, raises stress hormones, and has been linked to elevated blood pressure and cardiovascular rise at sustained levels above 65 decibels. What about the operators of the blowers after an hour of continuous usage at high decibels? Is their hearing affected?

According to EPA data, gas-powered leaf blowers account for 43 percent of volatile organic compound emissions. Independent testing has shown that running a commercial two-stroke leaf blower for 30 minutes can produce hydrocarbon emissions comparable to driving a pick-up truck thousands of miles!

As of now, these Massachusetts towns have banned the use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers: Orleans, Brewster, Brookline, Lexington, Winchester, Cambridge, Lincoln, Newton, Arlington and Marblehead. 

It's long past due to ban these gasoline leaf blowers in Chatham, a supposedly progressive town. 

Ed Fried 
West Chatham 

Editor: 

At the same time that I was holding my breath praying for sound judgment and integrity to return to our national body of government, I was reading the profiles of the four candidates currently running for a position on the Chatham Select Board.

Here in Chatham we have four dedicated, experienced talented individuals willing to devote their time and expertise to the town of Chatham. I saw a pool of knowledge, varied experience, enthusiasm, concerns for the development of our town in the best interest of those of us who call this home…the calls for integrity, clear communication, transparency, trust, building strong community, teamwork, preserving Chatham’s beauty, perseverance, concern for seniors, willingness to listen and communicate…all things that are lacking in our current national agenda. Why do we have to select one? 

Because that is the way we have always done it? The way we have always done it does not seem to be working real well right now, and our communities need to build integrity from the ground up and create a strong sense of community. Why can we not find it possible to enlist the talents and experience of all of these qualified candidates for the betterment of our Chatham community? Perhaps the time has come for change on all levels and we re-evaluate how we select our leaders and be truly looking after the welfare of Chatham. I would like for us to recognize a gift when we see one and not turn away any of these talents and dedicated individuals who are offering to serve their community.

Gail Tilton
North Chatham

Because of space constraints in our print edition, the letters that follow are being published online only.

Editor:

When you drive around Chatham you will see candidate signs of residents pledging commitment to bring ideas, dedicate effort and deliver actions for the betterment of Chatham. Each of these candidates brings interest and care of our community, and I commend them for seeking this opportunity. I’m pledging my support to Randi Potash because of her demonstrated history of commitment to and experience in supporting Chatham. 

 Randi’s community resume includes representing Chatham as speaker on the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates, chair of the zoning board of appeals and served on the human services committee. And Randi is also an experienced attorney and certified mediator. These are tangible and impressive accomplishments. 

Virginia Fenwick
North Chatham

Editor:

If you are not satisfied with our current local government and would like to see positive changes, I ask you to consider voting for Carol Gordon. Carol will support changes to be used for the public good. She will be a good steward of taxpayers’ dollars, foster accountability and support greater civil participation to enhance local government’s ability to better function. One of the issues she has advocated for is to bring all important decisions to town meeting, not have them made by a handful of people appointed to a committee or trust, who all have the same objective or goal. It is we the people who should voice our opinions and directly affect changes in our community. Town meeting provides that opportunity.

 Carol has proven competency and leadership. She will work for all of us and all of Chatham to make it a better community, holding on to the best of what we have while embracing the challenges of the future.

Nicole Stern
Chatham

Editor:

As a longtime summer resident and visitor to Chatham for over 60 years, I am writing to the voters of Chatham hoping they will consider voting for Carol Gordon for the select board. As a property owner but not a voter, I think Carol will serve the year-round residents of Chatham and seasonal residents/property owners like myself. Her honesty and integrity is an important character trait when running for public office. We need new, fresh thinkers on the board to bring a fresh perspective to town government. Her experience as a healthcare provider and serving on the board of health as a newer member brings a fresh perspective to that board. I believe Carol will do the same, elected to the select board. Carol is a local business owner, enabling her to bring that experience to the select board and the community. It is important that town government break from the same old power brokers that have been running the town behind the scenes for more than 15 years. Carol will bring scrutiny and critical thinking to town government and a fresh perspective. Carol’s experience with the South Chatham Village Association and the South Chatham Library organizations have brought her closer to the community along with her over quarter of a century living in Chatham. 

Cheryl Nelson
Chatham, Fort Myers Beach, Fla.

Editor:

Bruce Semple has my total and enthusiastic support for the Brewster Select Board. Public service, even in small towns like Brewster, can be difficult and time-consuming. Bruce has demonstrated he is more than qualified to serve effectively. I’m impressed with the breadth of his community activities. He’s president of two volunteer associations and rolls up his sleeves to help build Habitat for Humanity homes. Bruce's commitment to thoughtfully protecting our water and natural resources is proven by his service on the board of the Brewster Ponds Coalition — a group dedicated to protecting and restoring Brewster’s Ponds. Brewster faces budget challenges like nearly every town on the Cape. We need capable leaders who understand municipal finance and how taxes impact residents. I trust Bruce Semple to provide the leadership we need to address those issues.

Daniel J. Harkinson
Brewster

Editor:

Brewster is a great place to live for many reasons, including its beaches, land conservation, recreation opportunities and a dedicated town government. Our town government works best when capable, experienced leaders serve on the select board. That’s why I’ll be voting for Bruce Semple for select board this May. 

I got to know Bruce during Brewster’s first Civics Academy, through his work with the Brewster Ponds Coalition and the Habitat for Humanity construction team. Bruce participates in many community activities and understands Brewster’s challenges, especially protecting our water resources. He has years of professional experience as a collaborative problem solver on teams. He’s served on the Brewster Energy and Climate Committee and volunteers for several organizations. I support Bruce as a steady hand for Brewster's future.

Peter Jelinek
Brewster 

Editor:

Bruce Semple is an outstanding candidate for Brewster Select Board.

 He is a true community leader with a track record of contributions to Brewster. I know Bruce, and his even-handed leadership, through the Barnstable Amateur Radio Club where he serves as president. Bruce has shown himself to be competent, capable and considerate of others. I value all of those characteristics in an elected official.

 Bruce had a remarkable career with IBM where he helped solve major corporations’ problems with computer solutions. His résumé includes that he holds an impressive 17 patents but I know Bruce as a down-to-earth, common sense community leader. 

Lemuel Skidmore
Brewster

Editor:

I am happy to endorse and support Bruce Semple for Brewster Select Board. In working with him on the board of the Brewster Ponds Coalition, I came to appreciate how he can consider the many aspects of issues and find a productive and fair balance between many priorities. He is committed to protecting our environment and takes a long-range look at Brewster's needs, particularly regarding safeguarding our water resources. He is effective at reaching out to the public and interested parties on issues, considering different views and needs when making decisions, and following through on actions. In other words, he is a responsible, fiscally responsible, thoughtful leader - the type Brewster needs. 

Note that, while I am the president of the Brewster Ponds Coalition and on the Brewster Board of Health, this endorsement is my personal view, and not related to those organizations.

John Keith
Brewster

Editor:

 We are committed to supporting and ensuring Brewster’s future, and well-qualified leaders help to shape that future. We will be voting for Bruce Semple for the Brewster Select Board. If you don't know Bruce, or perhaps never heard of him, please take a look at his extensive qualifications and experience to see why he will have our votes. 

Bruce Semple brings leadership skills from his professional experience in technology at IBM, skills which have been demonstrated in his diverse volunteer work for Brewster. He serves on the Brewster Ladies’ Library Finance Committee and has served on the energy and climate action committee. He’s president of his neighborhood association and volunteers at Mass Audubon and Habitat for Humanity. Bruce also serves on the board of the Brewster Ponds Coalition, a group that advocates for protecting and improving Brewster’s waters. In all of this, he has demonstrated not only his ability to lead, but also to collaborate and build consensus. His priorities for Brewster should resonate with all of us, careful spending, protecting our environment, housing for all. He will listen to, and engage with us, on issues that are important to us.

Sharon Tennstedt
Mark Martino
Brewster

Editor:

We care about Brewster’s fragile environment, so we’ll be voting for Bruce Semple for Brewster Select Board. Brewster is a beautiful town because we’ve carefully protected open space. That has proved to be a smart investment because it’s protected our drinking water and helped us avoid the expensive sewer projects other towns around us are grappling with.
 Bruce Semple has shown his commitment to Brewster’s natural resources by serving on the Brewster Ponds Coalition executive board. He’s also been a leader in the Brewster Recycling Commission’s Fixit-It clinics that extend the life of broken household items (and keep those out of our trash).
Dru and Michael Lindgren
Brewster

 Editor:

I am happy to offer a letter of support for Brewster Select Board Candidate Bruce Semple. Both as a result of his professional and volunteer roles, Bruce is highly qualified to serve on the select board. He has been engaged in Brewster committees and issues for some time, including the town’s energy and climate action committee, as an election day worker, on the Brewster Ladies’ Library Association’s finance committee, and on the boards of the Brewster Ponds Coalition and the Barnstable Amateur Radio Club.

Since meeting Bruce through the town’s Civics Academy last fall, I have been impressed with his commitment to our town and his thoughtful, articulate demeanor. During the departmental presentations, he always asked extremely astute questions, getting to the heart of the real issues at play. Based on what I know about him and what I observed during the Civics Academy, Bruce Semple would be a terrific asset to Brewster’s Select Board.

Randy Kolstad
Brewster

Editor:

Two candidates are running for one spot on the Brewster select board. I think the choice is clear: Bruce Semple. He actively serves the community in many ways. And frankly, he’s a really nice guy. 

Laurel Labdon is running for the select board for the fourth time. Since her last loss, she was appointed to be on the Brewster Community Preservation Committee about a year and a half ago. I served on this committee in the past. It plays an important role in recommending projects to be voted on at town meeting. Laurel Labdon has missed almost half the CPC meetings since she was appointed.

The select board handles a $60 million annual budget. They manage difficult land acquisition negotiations, legal issues, licensing and labor contracts, and they meet frequently. I trust Bruce Semple to handle those and all the other responsibilities. 

Peter Johnson
Brewster

Editor:

 After reading Roz Diamond’s letter in the April 9 issue where she criticizes Alice Stallknecht’s murals, I came away with the impression that she wanted an open apology. Do the townspeople portrayed in the murals or their descendants owe an apology for the color of their skin? Does anyone?

 Alice Stallknecht’s murals are a snapshot of a New England town in time, not an affront on race or gender meant to be dissected decades later. The locals didn’t prevail upon the artist to paint their likenesses; she made the request (sometimes demand) of them. Alice’s son, Frederick Wight was quoted, “Everyone was related to everyone else — the town was a family.”

 Ms. Diamond calls into question the historical accuracy of the murals painted between 1931 and 1945, but as a former mural barn docent and also having known some of the subjects personally, I claim otherwise. Every face has a name. Even Reggie Nickerson’s father was identified by only a cigar and a hand. Three generations of the Kendrick/Proudfoot family are painted in one mural! The assertion that women were not represented is made false simply by the presence of the Richardson ladies, proprietors of their own shop on Main Street. Annie Eldredge, a strict but respected teacher and principal in the Chatham schools, appears high up in the display nearby Anne Rogers and Ethel Hammond standing proudly in their Girl Scout uniforms. Even Alice Guild, who led the effort to form the Chatham Historical Society, is depicted in “The Circle Supper.” We know these murals to be the concept of the artist by virtue of the fact that she painted them. If Chatham in 1945 was such a dreadful, homogenous place, it’s likely Alice Stallknecht would not have been inspired to paint shipwrecked Nova Scotian fishermen giving thanks to the town that paid their way home, a practice that lasted until the late 1950s.

 I think the suggestion that the Atwood House, Chathamites or their families should explain why the subjects look as they do is inappropriate, as it would be for anyone. It would also be an insult to the talent of the very capable woman who painted the murals.

Jared Fulcher
Chatham