Letters to the Editor

Editor, The Monument:

It seems that each new issue of the Monument takes shot at someone. You can always count on the editor taking a stab at Gray News editor Ray Clark. Ray and other citizens want to help the library so let's see if we can sabotage that effort. No good deed in Gray goes unpunished.

Not long ago, former council chair Pam Wilkinson was a target. And former councilman Dick Barter has been a favorite mark. That will teach them to volunteer in this community. And remember that rascal Dan Maguire? He had the temerity to run for school board.

The Monument ambushed him right before the election with anonymous character slurs, suspiciously similar in style, leaving him no time to respond. I don't know Mr. Maguire or what he stood for, but this certainly didn't demonstrate much of an ethical standard for a newspaper.

A visitor once remarked, after reading a copy of the Monument, that for such a small town Gray seems to have a wicked mean streak. No wonder so few of us are willing to run for town council.

No wonder Matt Sturgis, a thoughtful, moderate member of the council, walked away in disgust. Is Mitch Berkowitz next?

On a number of occasions I found myself in enthusiastic opposition to our prior council. But I never forgot they were neighbors, giving of their time and energy. I suspect the tenor of the Monument says more about the editor than about Gray.

Enough with the anonymous rants and snide editorial attacks. This is unprofessional and destructive behavior, unbefitting a community newspaper. A little less self-congratulation and self interest, and a little more self-examination and humility is in order.

Steve Bunker, Gray

Hi Elizabeth ~

Just wanted to say thanks for the nice photo spread and write up of the Russell Craft Fair last week. It was nice to see so many people pictured in the local paper!

Sheila Myhaver, Gray

To The Editor:

The following article appeared in the Gray News, November 17th, 2005.
"Planning and Traffic Engineer Ralph H. Sawyer of the State Highway Department said last night that "there is nothing on the drawing boards" for the Gray bypass."

"Sawyer spoke at a meeting of the Gray Citizens Committee. The highway official suggested that Gray alleviate its traffic problems by changing parking methods on the main street."

"He also said that the Gray Soldiers Monument in the center of town seriously hinders traffic there and that the removal of this monument should be considered by town officials."

The citizens committee is concerned about town traffic problems and had heard that the state planned to build a highway to bypass the business district."

The article was dated August 16, 1962, forty-two years ago.
I wonder if, 1) anyone can remember an article on this subject that has an earlier date and, 2) can anyone tell me why after we continually pass transportation bonds for road and bridge repair and the like, why it has taken forty-two years, or thirty years, or twenty years, what's going on.

The survey stakes are now in place, property taken by eminent domain and a ton of words and excuses have been given us by the state Transportation Department. Wouldn't it be a lovely thing if we could finally see something substantial happening; like the actual bypass, even though it will most likely be outdated and an ineffective means of solving Gray's traffic problems.
Additionally, why didn't the proposed bypass include an overpass on Route 4/115/202 that lead to a new Exit 63 (formerly exit 11) toll interchange for all entering and exiting traffic and, the eventual elimination of the old one? This would have greatly improved the flow of traffic in and around Gray center.

Warren I. Ward, Jr., Gray
[Note: This letter was edited for length]