Bob O’Shea took a strong stand in last week’s Press about those who avail themselves of arrangements by our town government and of FEMA to help homeowners dispose of debris from last December’s ice storm. Mr. O’Shea considers this service to be “too suburban” and a wasteful “bail-out” that will be used by those whose aim is to opportunistically pamper themselves at the expense of our children’s education and our library.
Mr. O’Shea self-righteously applauds himself but offers nothing to the rest of us in the way of helpful approaches or solutions.
Where are his neighborly suggestions for those among us who own no chain saw, nor truck, nor trailer? Who oppose burning the debris out of concern for air quality? Or who have no place to do a safe burn? Does he know the costs of hiring a local tree or landscaping business for the cleanup? The quotes we gathered for this service amounted to equal or double our monthly food budget.
So, I’d like to applaud our town officials and FEMA for recognizing a townwide problem of no one’s making and for figuring out how to provide services to taxpayers who need them. The funds for these services will support local businesses and individuals. I believe that the roadside cleanup allows those who are able to get their fallen limbs and branches to the road where they can be taken care of in an environmentally appropriate manner.
If there are heroes to celebrate this spring, I’d like to sing the praises of those in the Lions Club who have offered to assist our elderly who are not able to move their debris to the road. What could be more neighborly and helpful?
Claudia Jarratt
Under Pin Hill Road
