Arlington Park restoration commendable

I would like to commend Selectman Keith Squires and park Superintendent Gerry Woodard and his staff on the restoration of the Arlington Park and golf course after the devastating effects of hurricane Irene.

Thanks to the efforts of the staff and the many volunteers the park actually looks better than it did prior to Irene. I would like to give special kudos to Gerry Mattison former superintendent, who volunteered his time, and Rodger Cooper of Rodgerland who provided the equipment to aerate the greens and fairways on the golf course.

I would also like to credit the volunteers from the Arlington Garden Club for efforts to improve the landscape with their flower gardens around the park. I am not a resident of Arlington, but am continually impressed that such a small town like Arlington has such a fine park and sports complex.

CHARLES KENISON

President

Arlington Golf Association

Shushan, N.Y.

Relay dove race a success

The Bennington Relay for Life’s 50/50 dove race was held June 30 at 5 p.m. The doves were released at the Vermont Veterans Home gazebo and they returned to their home loft at LeBlanc’s Auto Recycling and Repair, East Road, Bennington, Vermont

A total of 150 people picked a dove at a $10 donation for cancer. The doves had names like "Fast Eddy" and "Speed of Lite." The first dove in the home loft was "Color Me Gone" 4110. We had three winners of $250 each. First, Linda Brown, second Sara Burnell and third Monica and Bridgett from Hair-N-Now. Relay for Life received $750.

The race was fun and exciting, everyone calling the names and hoping their dove would be the winner. They also enjoyed the exotic pheasants and peacocks that are at LeBlanc’s and are open for the public to enjoy anytime. I appreciate everyone who donated and also those who attended.

DORIS LeBLANC

Bennington

Vermont needs a digital open meeting law

During recent statewide and regional discussions about applying the Internet to local government, participants have asked ourselves whether the current open meeting law allows all that has become possible.

The Secretary of State and interested citizens, journalists, legislators and officials should meet at a statewide conference to discuss updating Vermont’s open meeting law to allow online transparency of government and prevent online collusion.

HOWARD FAIRMAN

Vernon