LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
On Nov. 13, Norwich Free Academy hosted local veterans for a reception and football game as part of their Military Appreciation Night. The night started with a reception and hors d’oeuvres in the atrium and included the football game versus Stonington.
The attention to detail for this event was incredible, including invitations using military time. This is a premier event and we look forward to next year’s edition. I encourage all veterans to look for and plan to attend next year’s event.
I would also like to recognize the many students who took the time to introduce themselves to the local veterans. All of them conducted themselves in an exemplary manner. The students in attendance proved that we leave our country and the world in good hands.
The Norwich Area Veterans Council would like to commend the staff and students of Norwich Free Academy for hosting our veterans. The Norwich Area Veterans Council would like to specifically acknowledge Head Master Davis Klein, AD Eric Swallow, Molly Hudson, and Linda Ververis for the contributions. Dennis Baptiste, chairman Norwich Area Veterans Council Norwich
I own Hot Rod Cafe and I love New London. I had to share this note from a great customer who also loves New London and comes from Groton to patronize downtown businesses. Here is the Facebook message I received.
“An empty parking lot. Your place was closed so went to another establishment for 2.5 hours. Ended up with a $25 fine. This area loses my business Monday through Friday. We were only people downtown.”
It’s an example how local bureaucrats can actually harm businesses. Overzealous parking ticketing is part of the reason we don’t open for lunch during the week. Seriously, New London Parking Gods, who are you ticketing for? All it’s doing is chasing business away. You’re not doing it for us, it’s not like most business owners are complaining that we need more ticketing.
I’ve come to accept that this isn’t a town that really wants to or perhaps doesn’t know how to help make downtown more customer and business friendly. That’s fine, please just don’t hurt us. If downtown gets so crowded with people parking all day that shoppers have nowhere to park, please have at it. But ticketing the only two customers in an empty parking lot is silly. Roderick Cornish New London