We have increased lawlessness in Bennington County

Lately, families in our country have suffered immense suffering and tragedy as a consequence of shooting and rampage in Colorado, Virginia and elsewhere. Some have characterized the events as terrorism. Do we have terrorism on this scale in Vermont? Up to now, the answer is no.

However, talking to some people we may have terrorism right here in Bennington County but on a lesser scale. With increasing frequency, homes and people have been robbed in Manchester, Dorset, Sunderland, Sandgate, Shaftsbury and Bennington. Some homes, like on River Road in Arlington, were also trashed.

I live on the Batten Kill river and have witnessed trashing of the river, blockage of roads and bridges, terrible profanity, underage drinking, public urination and nudity, and deliberate intent to cause serious injury.

In regard to the latter, I have witnessed youngsters throwing bottles into the river and its banks. Broken bottles will cause serious injury to swimmers, boaters and others. A few youngsters have threatened to do damage to homes. Do we want our children to be exposed to the foregoing? I will ask the governor to create a special task force to look into these untoward matters and change the lawless atmosphere in Bennington County.

A few residents have picked up trash on a frequent basis. Due to age, health, etc., I cannot continue to do this.

DR. DONALD

and JANET VALERINO

Arlington

My experiences as a landlord

To expound on Mike Lochner's letter on July 17 regarding we greedy landlords and our overpriced 2-bedroom apartments, according to the Banner's editorial staff and reporters, I will use my experience with a 2-bedroom duplex as an example.

I charged $750 per month for several years for each side. Last year, both tenants vacated. Before I could show these "inferior" units to prospective tenants, I made repairs -- paints, wall repairs, floor coverings, etc. I paid local contractors about $6,000 to rehab one side. The other side was $10,725.

I increased the rents to $895 per month. This $145 increase would take about 3 1/2 years and 6 years, respectively, to recoup my expenses. Of course, other costs had been increasing steadily, such as fuel oil, electricity, water and sewer, insurance, trash removal, lawn care, snow removal, etc.

Incidentally, the rents included heat, hot water, electric, trash removal, grounds maintenance and snow removal.

As so often happens, the media will report the truth -- but not "the whole truth and nothing but the truth," as the saying goes.

RON ALDERMAN

Bennington