Drop ‘Dilbert’

I am writing to urge you to drop the comic strip “Dilbert” from the Valley News comics section. The creator of the strip, Scott Adams, has crossed a line with his recent widely publicized racist rant, and I believe it is inappropriate to continue to support his work in our community newspaper.

This is not the first time Adams has been widely criticized for his racist remarks. He has in the past made derogatory comments about Muslims and African Americans, and has defended white supremacists on social media. His statements are not only offensive, but they contribute to a culture of hate and division that we should be working to overcome.

As a community, we must hold ourselves to a higher standard. We cannot allow the normalization of hate speech, even when related to something as seemingly innocuous as a comic strip. By dropping “Dilbert,” the Valley News can reinforce the message that racism has no place in our community.

Thank you for your consideration of this important issue.

Dave Hale

Hartland

‘Dilbert’ perpetuates racism

It's time for the Valley News to join other newspapers in dropping Scott Adam's Dilbert comic strip in light of his latest rant and tirade against minorities, particularly Black people. Continuing to publish the strip is tantamount to supporting and perpetuating divisive and racist attitudes.

Dipankar Choudhury

Hanover

Yes on Mount Ascutney school board challenger, no on budget increase

Windsor’s Mount Ascutney School Board finally, this January, officially settled with former Principal Riley over her ousting in 2020 for daring to make truthful statements on her private Facebook page about matters which, at the time, were immune from criticism according to captured activists like those who still make up the School Board.

That school board postponed and then cancelled the only meeting they would have had after this settlement but before upcoming elections. Quite a few frustrated members of the public have been patiently waiting to get questions addressed that the board has refused to touch over Riley’s firing, due to “pending legal matters” finally over. Now, they’ve pushed out meetings past the election and avoid scrutiny.

Windsor voters are being asked to reelect a board member (Amy McMullen) who has been a leader through the now-proven false firing of former Principal Riley — costing the district untold amounts of reputational and financial harm.

Voters are also, insultingly, being asked to approve a massive 16.5% increase to the school budget, which the same board has been squandering over this horrible error — of which none will even apologize for — while siphoning off tens of thousands (or more) to friendly activist consultants claiming expertise in issues like “equity,” where there is not even evidence of benefit, but plenty of clout to chase in claiming fealty to, especially among others friendly to the activism that drives it.

Change comes a seat at a time, and there is an excellent candidate — Kaitlyn Gould — running against incumbent Amy McMullen.

On March 7, vote Kaitlyn Gould for the Mount Ascutney School Board — a dedicated mother of kids in Windsor schools who will be a voice for all stakeholders, seeking to do what is in the best interest of all students, not to push personal causes or make unwise activist-driven decisions. I endorse her independently and without any affiliation.

Additionally, vote no on the insane 16.5% budget increase. This board has shown they have anything but fiscal responsibility in mind and need to make major changes to refocus finances away from activism, back to academics.

Dan Worts

WIndsor

Sesame warning

I want to inform the community that many more commercial breads, and other baked products, now contain sesame. In response to the new federal law listing sesame as an allergen, many companies are now actually putting sesame flour into their products. It is more cost-effective for them to add sesame than clean their equipment. People who are allergic to sesame may not know about this change, and think their favorite brand of baked goods still has the same ingredients. It is important to let everyone know.

Ellin Mehrbach

Lyme

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