Letters to the paper are not fact-checked and do not necessarily represent the views of The Bridge.
Praise for the New School of Montpelier
Editor,
Last week our son Ned, who suffers from autism, graduated from the New School of Montpelier. This fine school educates students with significant disabilities. They are truly wonderful people who work very hard and sometimes must deal with difficult behaviors.
As an example of their thoughtful caring, they staged a beautiful graduation ceremony for Ned, attended by his family, friends, teachers, and fellow students. Jayne Albano, who has used her musical gifts to teach and entertain the school’s students, was the master of ceremony and led the assembly in songs that were Ned’s favorites.
The staff prepared a lavish spread of Ned’s favorite foods, and a tasty cake bearing his likeness was served. They presented Ned with graduation gifts that included a monogrammed water bottle, suspenders bearing guitars and musical notation, and a pair of mirror sunglasses that gave Ned a CSI: Miami look that he very much enjoyed. Jayne also presented him with a karaoke-style machine that Ned will love using to sing his favorite tunes.
We especially want to thank Linda Copping and the school’s staff for planning the celebration and the teachers, friends, and students who attended. These include Aaron, Alanna, Casper, Chad, Christine, Claudia, Curtis, Dana, Glenn, Heather, Hilary, Joel, Julia, Kara, Kaylee, Kyle, Mike, Nat Frothingham, Natira, Ned’s Uncle Tim Reeves, Nicole, Ricky, Stephanie, Susan, Sydney and her mom, Tara, and Zack. We apologize if we left anyone out.
The New School taught Ned many skills but more than this, they taught him patience and kindness by their example.
Ed, Laurie, and Ned Morrow
Why Vote for Women
Editor,
This election cycle I will be looking to vote for as many qualified female candidates as I can, but before you start writing your response, please listen to why:
1. Women and men are equals and therefore should have equal representation.
2. The U.S. is ranked 104th in women’s representation in government., with less than 20 percent representation in Congress.
3. There is no country in the world where women have attained equality. This makes women second-class citizens, reliant on the largess of men to consider their needs and priorities.
4. Women see the world differently because their life experience is different. Women representatives are much more likely to prioritize issues important to women’s daily reality, such as reproductive rights, equal pay, healthcare, paid family leave, children, families, and the environment.
5. Women in office have been shown to work harder and better represent their constituents.
So consider the world we face today. The earth is in danger of extinction, the rich just get richer, and the majority of the population gets left behind. Men have had hundreds of years in this country to get it right, I say #TimesUp. Women are the future.
August Burns, Middlesex
What Do You Think?
We welcome your letters and opinion pieces. Letters must be fewer than 300 words. Opinion pieces should not exceed 600 words. The Bridge reserves the right to edit and cut pieces. Send your piece to: editorial@montpelierbridge.com.
Deadline for the next issue is August 31
