Thursday, February 22, 2007 Older Editions

LETTERS

Israel should face scrutiny, as others do

Editor, Townsman:

In the past few months, these pages have featured a continuum of views on the Israel-Palestinian conflict. These range from efforts to suppress dialog and reflection on US foreign and military policy, to efforts to allow many voices to be heard. Among these views are charges of anti-Semitism, defined by the Anti-Defamation League as, "hatred of the Jewish people and/or Judaism, the Jewish religion ... [particularly] when it targets the Jewish people as a perceived race." The merest intolerance for any group has no place in our society and is rejected by peace organizations. Those for which justice-seeking is a constitutive element of peacemaking are the most credible of these. One of the Wheels of Justice endorsers, the Fellowship of Reconciliation, in 1927 helped organize the National Conference of Christians and Jews. FOR's Chicago chapter was instrumental in forming the Congress of Racial Equality in 1942. CORE later provided the Montgomery Bus Boycott with its philosophical commitment to nonviolence.

Claims of anti-Semitism deserve scrutiny. Much of what has been featured in these pages has been based on distortion, ad hominem attacks, and guilt by association. Any critique of Israel, or of US policy toward Israel, has been labeled as anti-Semitism. For example, Lawrence Muscant of the David Project Center for Jewish Leadership claims proudly the pluralism that allows non-Jews full participation in Israel's political system. Evidence suggests that policy debate within Israel is vigorous. Then why, when we outside of Israel call for vigorous debate, is that labeled anti-Semitism? Are we in the US to abandon our tradition of civil and plural discourse for fear of such accusations?

Muscant made the claim that anti-Semitism inheres in holding "Israel to a higher standard," in "singling out Israel." This ignores the fact that Israel already is singled out by US foreign and military policy. According to the World Policy Institute, "Israel had been the largest recipient of US foreign assistance for almost 30 years, and since 1985 has received about $3 billion in military and economic aid each year." ("US Weapons at War 2005" June 2005).

Eric Danis argues, rightly, that we should be outraged that Hizbollah fired about 113 Chinese-made cluster munition rockets containing 4,407 individual submunitions into Israel (as reported by Human Rights Watch). The submunitions have a high rate of failure, and thus the same effect as landmines on civilian populations. But as US citizens, we must also inquire about the 2.6 to 4 million submunitions deployed by Israel into Lebanon, leaving behind an estimated one million unexploded. When the testimony of the Israel Defense Force itself indicates that some of these were deployed with no apparent military objective, does it single out Israel to ask questions about weapons manufactured in the US and sold to Israel? Should Israel be held to a higher standard? Jimmy Carter thought so, when he considered the friendship between the US and Israel and the long walk Anwar Sadat took away from his Arab friends and toward the Camp David accords.

We of the Merrimack Valley People for Peace (MVPP) pledge not to act out of fear. In these pages, the Rev. Ralph Galen showed leadership both by apologizing for underestimating fear, and by urging us not to act upon it. Personal attacks upon the pastor only strengthen our resolve to participate in the culture of respect for the dignity of every human being. It is in this spirit, and out of the diversity of our membership that the MVPP has formed a task group on Israel-Palestine.

Richard M. Hudak II

68 Stevens St.

The writer is an adjunct instructor of sociology at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Endicott College and Merrimack College, and has a sophomore and an eighth-grader in the Andover Public Schools.

Attention on unkempt lawn

Editor, Townsman:

Pursuant to the article in the Feb. 8 Eagle-Tribune with the headline "They've been so unkind to us."

It begins: "Mary Santangelo's messy yard has gone from being a mere neighborhood annoyance to becoming a town meeting bylaw proposal, and the resulting attention brought on by her family has bordered on harassment, she said yesterday. Drivers go out of their way to pass by her 27 Kirkland Drive home to stop and stare."

Please refer to the Aug. 10 Andover Townsman's page nine feature, with pictures of the Santangelo's yard on 27 Kirkland Drive ("Not just any seeds - Andover seeds"). The article's subheadline was "Heirloom seeds and bulb business has owners seeing gold while neighbors see only weeds."

I believe that Mark Santangelo and Heather Stockham, owners of Andover Seeds, have themselves brought all this attention to the property. My grandmother always told me, "Be careful what you wish for because you might get it."

Janine Leonard

22 Kirkland Drive

Jobs well done

Editor, Townsman:

It's not every day that I can say, "Today, we got our tax money's worth out of the town of Andover." More often, I am frustrated by the failure of town leadership to handle town funds responsibly. But that's a subject for another letter. Today, I want to commend the Andover Fire Department.

At 10:45 a.m. on Feb. 15, my children's nanny called me at work to tell me that my daughter (who eats peanut butter every other day without incident) had eaten part of a cashew, thrown up, and now was coughing, developing hives and swelling. Lucky for me, I work just five minutes from my home in Andover. During my drive home, my nanny called back to say that she had called 911, and an ambulance was on its way. No more than 2 minutes later, I was pulling onto my street behind the Andover Fire Department ambulance. That speedy response is reason enough to write a letter, but the conduct and professionalism of the staff who helped us deserves special note.

Emergency responders Brian Landry and Jeff Condon (I hope I read their name tags correctly) were calm, decisive, kind to my young daughter and comforting to me. When my cell phone had no service in the ambulance, Landry gave me theirs so I could call my husband.

I know that's their job, that's what they are paid to do. I just want them and everyone in town to know how much I appreciated their doing their jobs well. An hour later, when they returned to Lawrence General Hospital on another assignment, they poked their heads in and asked my daughter, "How is my little buddy?" My daughter was thrilled.

Tracey E. Spruce

23 Woodhaven Drive

First new moderator in decades should be Samuels

Editor, Townsman:

For the first time in over 25 years, Andover is going to have a different person serving as Town Meeting moderator. Because one person has served as moderator for so long, most of us became complacent about the position's responsibilities, and it is these critical responsibilities that are the reason that I am voting for David Samuels.

Town moderator has two responsibilities that none of the other elected town officials perform, responsibilities that eclipse the day-to-day responsibilities of other town officials:

(1) running annual Town Meeting, our expression of direct democracy, and managing the discussion, debate and vote on all warrants, including the proposed town budget along with all other financial decisions that we, as voting citizens, have to make each year at Town Meeting; and

(2) appointing the members of the Finance Committee.

This latter responsibility is probably the least well known responsibility the moderator performs, yet is of equal if not greater importance. This is because the Finance Committee should be serving, on a year-round basis, as the financial conscience of the citizens, bridging the budget planning efforts of the selectmen and School Committee, and providing unbiased analysis, perspective and recommendations on budgets, town financial issues and other town warrants. A strong Finance Committee can set town budget strategy and protect the town from the day-to-day tuggings of town operating entities that can cause budget excesses to develop over time as the stealth byproduct of managing town and school system services.

So as our town prepares to have its first new moderator in almost three decades, I am delighted Samuels is running. I have known him since he and his family moved to Andover over 17 years ago. His resume of town service speaks for itself. But even more important than his resume of service to the town, or the resume of any other candidates for moderator, are the two things Samuels will bring to the position and which set him clearly apart:

(1) his absolute devotion to encouraging participation at Town Meeting by all residents, no matter how long or little someone has been a resident of Andover, and his belief that everyone's views on town matters deserve equal weight during debates at Town Meetings, and

(2) his belief that the Finance Committee ought to be playing a strong role, as a financial board of directors for the residents, in overseeing the managing of the town's finances and construction of its budgets.

The budget challenges that Andover is facing and will continue to face are great. The right moderator can make the difference in how the town addresses these issues, without breaking the bank, when we, as town citizens, exercise that final say that belongs to us when we debate and vote on budget and warrant matters. Samuels is the right person at the right time to take on the critically important responsibility of moderator.

Bob Pokress

3 Cherrywood Circle

School Committee: Silberstein is committed

Editor, Townsman:

As a retired special education teacher who worked 33 years in the Andover Public Schools, it is wonderful to ask people to vote for Debra Siberstein on March 27.

Siberstein is intelligent and committed to the children, parents and teachers of Andover. She is knowledgeable and has the experience to understand the concerns and issues that confront our schools and teachers. Moreover, she wants to talk to you about these concerns and issues.

People like Siberstein make Andover the wonderful town it is and Andover will continue to be special with committed public officials such as Debra Silberstein.

Sondra Finegold

11 Lavender Hill Lane

Return incumbents

Editor, Townsman:

School Committee elections are upon us. Two members of the present committee are running for reelection. Both are excellent people, each in their own right.

Dick Collins is a great human being, an advocate for young people, an educator with brains, passion and heart.

Debra Silberstein is a lawyer, an advocate for many great causes from seniors to youth. She has uncommon wisdom.

Both have been able leaders. While I do not agree with everything they do, one thing is certain. Both are fine people, and we are fortunate to have them. I support their reelection.

Larry Larsen

3 Bryan Lane

Challenger's complaints are off-base

Editor, Townsman:

In reference to the letter "Candidate: New leadership needed to control spending" by Robert Coffill: First and foremost (in checking on the facts with the current School Committee chairman), Superintendent Claudia Bach was awarded an increase inclusive of a compensation package. Yes, there is a vast difference. I might suggest that Coffill look at comparable school systems and check out their superintendents' compensations. The real issue is not how much a person is compensated, but how well the job is being done. I totally support a person being compensated for performance, and clearly, Bach is doing an extraordinary job.

As a parent of a special education child, I would hope Coffill is satisfied and delighted with the exemplary services his child and others are presented with here in Andover. I wondered if he had the opportunity to speak with any parents of out-of-district students. His statement "Andover has a reputation that if you want out-of-district placement for a child, move to Andover," is erroneous at best. As the parent of an out-of-district student, I did not want my child to be out-of-district. Who wants to see their child traveling out of town and missing out on the community and social component? Neither was it an easy task. My son is outplaced for only one reason: it is what he needed. The process was extremely arduous and most lengthy. I, too, spend a great deal of time advocating for my son, as well as many other students in Andover. Andover does not provide services that parents want, Andover provides services that students need. (And, just for the record, we lived in Andover, prior to my son's diagnosis.) You will not get what you want for your special needs child in Andover, but will always receive the services that your child needs in our hometown, or out-of-district.

I am not knowledgeable enough to speak to the details in the school budget; to do so would be unfair. But I trust our leadership and our superintendent, and can speak to the fact that our school system is clearly run for our students, not to benefit adults. I am very fortunate to have three children within our school system all with unique needs, strengths and weaknesses. Andover meets all of their academic and social needs. I see increased health, music and physical education here in Andover when other systems are cutting back on services. I know the Andover schools are for the children. Why should we try to fix something that is not broken?

Bernadette Lionetta

9 Punchard Ave.

Fire still burns

Editor, Townsman:

Should Dick Collins serve another term on the Andover School Committee? Has he earned the privilege to continue to serve the town of Andover in this capacity? Is he someone that believes in public education as a means of promoting the betterment of society? That last one was a little much; however, the answer to all three questions is a resounding "Yes."

Through his service to the community, Collins has risen to iconoclastic status. He continues to work with students in a volunteer capacity at Andover High School. He teaches summer sessions at Phillips Academy and has served for two terms on the Andover School Committee. Dick, what does retirement look like to you?

I know this: The fire still burns and the fire has always been that which is best for the children of Andover. Let what motivates him motivate you to go to the polls and cast your vote for him to continue to serve with great distinction.

Tim McCarron

33 Marland St.

Selectmen race: Vispoli is independent voice

Editor, Townsman:

Alex Vispoli has been an extremely effective selectman in our town for the past three years, currently serving as the chairman of the board. When he began as a new selectman, Vispoli demonstrated his ability to be a quick study for the complex operations of our town as well as a congenial colleague with the incumbent selectmen.

Vispoli has both a collaborative and decisive style of leadership, using each approach when appropriate. His method is to study the facts, gather the opinions of those affected, and then determine what's best for the town. He is patient, open-minded, and takes the time to understand pertinent information before making a decision.

Vispoli has proven that he will scrutinize expenditures and always look for better ways to maximize the value of taxpayer dollars. He helped to initiate a full review of town car use that will result in a new policy. He advocated studying options and alternatives before purchasing replacement town vehicles and equipment.

Vispoli has proven that he is a proactive communicator. He proposed and established an annual mid-year public department fiscal review providing residents an option for hearing how Andover delivers services as well as providing the opportunity for residents to give input directly to the town department heads. He also initiated an open forum so that Andover residents can learn about major town project plans. At Vispoli's urging, an Interstate 93 Interchange Task Force was formed to protect Andover's interests for this major proposed project. He has also been an effective bridge-builder between the selectmen and the School Committee.

Vispoli is guided by his belief in honest and open communication, respect for all opinions and fiscal discipline. He is an independent voice for what's best for Andover. We have lived in Andover for almost 22 years and have known Vispoli and his family for more than half that time. We trust him because he is an intelligent advocate for Andover. He has vision, dedication and an independent voice. We are lucky to have someone of his caliber in a leadership position in Andover.

Leslie and David Silverstein

26 Burton Farm Drive

Experience and drive make Samuels the choice

Editor, Townsman:

We have known David Samuels for over 17 years. Samuels was a cofounder of the Service Club of Andover, serving the needs of the developmentally disabled and making a difference in the lives of town youth in the Service Club's Career Mentoring Program. Most recently, he has committed his time and energy as a School Committee member.

Most people's only exposure to the moderator is at Town Meeting, where he is responsible for "running the show." As a trustee of the Massachusetts Dental Society, Samuels has moderated large meetings. He is the general chairman of the Yankee Dental Conference, with almost 30,000 attendees; it is Boston's largest meeting.

As a result of his involvement with children, adolescents, parents and seniors, Samuels has the pulse of this town. But this is not why we strongly believe he should be moderator. Yes, he is qualified for the job, but more important than what he has done, is what he will do. Samuels is committed to improving the budgeting process. He will appoint Finance Committee members committed to working with both the town and the schools to come up with one budget. The boards must work together for the good of our town with no political agenda. Samuels has the experience, commitment and drive to make it happen.

Brad W. and Joanne L. Heim

15 Chongris Circle