The Suffield Observer (https://thesuffieldobserver.com/category/opinion/editorial/page/7/)
In February 2020, most Suffield students had found themselves continuing to endure a busy and demanding schedule, on track to finish the school year strong; however, Covid-19 suddenly put the year on pause, instilling boredom, fear and loneliness in many.
The coronavirus is no laughing matter. Since March, it’s been difficult to even chuckle.
Well, we are back. With this July edition and an August edition planned to follow (rather than our customary single summer edition), we happily return to our printing roots.
The last several weeks have changed the lives for all of us. The COVID-19 reality has created a storm of varying proportions worldwide. For some, it’s more a time of forced catching up and slowing down, but for many others, it’s scary, disruptive and life-changing in disappointing and terrifying ways we never could have imagined even four months ago.
Included in this issue, you will see a Letter to the Editor from Michael Stevens, regarding his perception, undoubtedly shared by others, that too many articles, editorials and cartoons demonstrate a negative tone, particularly in respect to our First Selectman.
For years, Suffield has worked at trying to build a community center in Suffield. As early as 1995, the town studied how this might be done. In 2002, the town created the Community Center Steering Committee, chaired at that time by Tim Reynolds, to plan and implement the construction of a new indoor recreational facility. Over time, committees were created, studies were made and proposals were presented to the town both in 2003 and then again in 2014, but nothing ever stuck until 2015, when the town finally voted to convert Bridge Street School to a community center. The expectation, of course, was that this project would see fruition.
I have been involved with The Suffield Observer for many years. During that time, it’s not unusual to hear comments from people working on the paper, as well as from citizens in town, saying the paper is too liberal; I wish the paper would be more middle of the road or conservative.
At the risk of being overly dramatic, I must say that without a reverse in direction, I fear that our society and democracy are in trouble. Self-interest, greed, hypocrisy, and the desire to beat one’s opponent at any cost seem to carry the day while civility, fair play, and a willingness to compromise are on life support in the public arena. Not only in politics is this true, but it is bleeding into other areas as well. Well-heeled parents pay to have their children’s SAT scores altered or bribe athletic directors to get their kids into prestigious schools. The Astros and the Red Sox cheat to win baseball games and a World Series and are not stripped of the championship honor.
Recent events ranging from, among others, the problems with the Town Hall renovations, the development of Ffyler Place, the police department’s morale, and the stalled Bridge Street school/community center bring to a head the realization that complex problems face even a small town such as Suffield and that expertise in the area of public administration is needed.