Letters to the editor

Woodrow Wilson social studies teacher made lasting impact

Mr. Harold Panciera is a beloved social studies teacher at Woodrow Wilson Middle School who retired recently from 38 years of service with the Middletown Public School System. It was an honor to have been one of his students in seventh grade. During my eighth-grade year at Woodrow Wilson, he offered his condolences when my father died in 2010 and that lives on in my heart. Mr. Panciera served us well as a teacher and his legacy will never be forgotten. He taught his students well and was a dedicated teacher who gave me the honor of getting to know him for two years.

I will certainly miss his generously and compassion. Mr. Panciera is a very great teacher, mentor and role model to the entire staff and student body who worked alongside teacher Mr. John Geary. It was very interesting to learn what Mr. Panciera taught us over the years.

It was a very special honor to have had Mr. Panciera as a teacher and I will forever miss you and your willingness to teach students. He has turned Woodrow Wilson Middle School into a great success and learning environment for students, staff and faculty .

Congratulations on your retirement and farewell to a great teacher. The heart of Woodrow Wilson will always remain alive for me because he taught students and myself to be successful in everyday life as it goes on.

Save UConn’s Faculty Row from demolition

The nine historic cottages built circa 1890 to 1930 known as Faculty Row on the University of Connecticut campus are considered a treasure by many former students, officials and faculty who have had fond memories of this revered complex. The sign placed at the entrance to this mini-campus enclave tells of its importance in the early history of the university.

The present plan to demolish these nationally registered historic cottages is regrettable. Alternatively, an adaptive reuse of these buildings should be made a top priority by the administration, as they represent an invaluable component of the university’s historic fabric.

Additionally, these wooden cottages, their lawns and flowering trees offer a brief, peaceful oasis for students and others who seek environmental relief from the ubiquitous brick-andmortar towers that dominate the entire UConn campus. Please preserve Faculty Row! To help, please visit Save UConn’s Faculty Row on Facebook and click the i-petition link to sign and comment. Also, please send an e-mail to Todd. Levine@ct.gov at the State Historic Preservation Office urging him to do everything possible under the law to save Faculty Row from demolition.

What would dictate Trump’s Supreme Court picks?

The Democrats are all in a tizzy about the kind of Supreme Court nominations Trump would make. But he isn’t a regular conservative, actually? What kind of judge would he nominate?

It’s no mystery. Mr. Trump would nominate the best-looking female lawyers in America. Aside from his personal wealth, good-looking women are, and have always been, what is most important to him.

This is not a problem, however. Beautiful women can be fabulously intelligent, too. For instance, how about his current wife? She’s a total knockout and that speech she gave at the convention was so awesome that people are still talking about it!