Letter to the Editor
Itchy Back
I’m glad to hear who other professional doctors [“Top Doctors,” April 2006] would recommend, but I notice that many of the top doctors are in the same area. I’m reminded of bears when they have an itchy back.
WIth 3,419 surveys sent and 395 returned, a small percentage rated their colleagues, and from the results, probably from concentrated areas.
I’m not a statistician, but I suspect the information doesn’t tell the whole story, but rather a slanted story. These are probably excellent doctors, but there are excellent doctors in the Lakes Region and in the North Country, too. I’d rather see their morbidity rates and results of patient surveys rather than those of other doctors.
Leonard Campbell
Center Harbor
The (Not So) Good Fight
It’s hard to argue that Mr. Chichester and his associates as featured in “The Good Fight” [April 2006] weren’t successful with their “the sky is falling” anti-nuke campaign. Based on the excellent safety record of the nuclear industry, one could argue that their results didn’t save a single life. Contrast this to the coal industry, in which 234 have died since 1999.
If instead of coal-fired power plants we had nukes, 40 tons of mercury
wouldn’t be emitted to the air each year. (In China, it’s 400 tons of mercury per year.) Nukes don’t contribute greenhouse gases that scientists agree contribute to global warming.
The Clamshell Alliance should take credit for causing electric rates to be 33 percent higher due to their obstructionism, and in New Hampshire among the highest in the nation.
To many of us, these people are more villainous than the heroes your article makes of them.
Bob Nerad
Newbury
Slick and Sensible
In response to Arnie Arnesen’s “Tale of Two Georges” [March 2006], I am concerned that she appears to be supporting the action of “Sensible” George. It is perfectly understandable to be disturbed by the actions of “Slick” George and outraged that such actions are allowed under current Medicaid laws and regulations. However, we should also be disturbed with her premise that it is morally OK for Sensible George to place the burden of his care on the shoulders of the people of New Hampshire when in fact he has assets to pay for it.
It is this belief that one’s children have a right to inherit the fruits of their parent’s labors that is placing a burden on every state’s Medicaid system.
While it is perfectly natural to want to leave assets to your children, especially family homesteads and businesses, there is something wrong when such actions place a monetary burden on society at large. While losing the assets one has built up over a lifetime seems unfair, I would argue that it is also unfair to ask society at large to pay for your care so your children are able to have their inheritance.
I am certainly not in favor of trying to put lawyers or accountants in jail who, within the bounds of law, are seeking to help their clients protect their assets. However, it is vital that strict limitations are placed on this practice, or eventually the burden of caring for both Slick and Sensible George will cause the entire system to collapse, thereby restricting the ability of the truly needy to receive quality care in their time of need.
Todd E. Gray
Keene
Lost in N.H.
Regarding the disappearance of Keene from the Monadnock Region [“City and Town Statistics,” March 2006]: What a pity the city has moved to parts unknown. Where are all the pumpkins going to go in October? And the Court? I guess the criminals will have to leave Cheshire County.
Furthermore the art and cultural events classic to the area will be no more. Keene State college will no longer provide the country with top-notch teachers and safety engineers. Maybe the city has gone too green for its own good, but remember it has been deeply involved in conservation and ecological programs. Why, our Christmas Tree is lit off the grid. How sad the national politicians may never again have their pictures taken at Lindy’s diner or kiss babies in Central Square. The vibrant downtown with its locally owned boutiques and local service business may never inspire outsiders again.
As a local resident, businessperson and member of the Keene City Council, I beseech you to find Keene and replace it and its 22,000 residents back in the Monadnock Region.
Hoping to be found soon.
Ruth R. Venezia
Councilor at Large
Keene
Editor’s note: Apologies to all 22,000 Keene residents. Our real estate section listed info on the 10 largest cities and on the choicest “bedroom communities” in the state. Since Keene is neither one of the largest cities nor any kind of bedroom community, it did not meet either criterion. Had we thought it through, we’d have extended the city size to include Keene, one of our favorite places in the state. We’ll try to make amends in a future feature.
So There
Since Jennifer Lee, an infrequent reader, bestirred herself to write primarily in order to send a negative message to you [April 2006], I would like to pass on to her the observation that she might benefit from a review of the use of “either/or” and “neither/nor.” Other than that, and aside from her snide use of the word “juvenile,” the letter was well written.
Since I am being snide myself, however, I wouldn’t want you to publish my name, please! 😉
I enjoy your magazine, quite naturally some issues more than others.
Name Withheld
Brookline
Feeling Frost-y
I no longer wish to receive New Hampshire Magazine. It does not reflect the image that I have of New Hampshire. Expensive restaurants, state-of-the-art kitchens and suburban mindset just doesn’t hold my interest.
If I may quote, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I … I took the one less traveled by.”
Coco Adams
Hillsborough
Editor’s note: Sorry our paths must diverge. Perhaps they will reconnect somewhere farther up the road.
A Homely Magazine
Re Mr. Robert Blandy’s letter [April 2006]: Please do not make your great magazine a real estate brochure. I did not renew my Down East Magazine subscription because of the overabundance of real estate ads.
And please ask the newt to come out of hiding I can find one or at the most two in each issue. Case in point is the April issue — one newt is on page 77. Where, oh where, are the others?
Barbara Buswell
Winnisquam
Editor’s Note: Those newts are shy creatures and manage to find very clever hiding spots. Keep at it, and no doubt you’ll figure out their wily ways. See page 11 for last month’s newts.
