An alternative solution to proposed changes for New Lenox Road

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

To the editor: We are residents of Rolling Hills and oppose changing a location that has been low-level retail (Different Drummer's Kitchen) to high-level commercial (McGee automotive) based on the inherent dangers that this change creates for pedestrians, schoolchildren and drivers on New Lenox Road, a busy, country road that many people walk on.

There is a school bus stop at the entrance to Rolling Hills, just 20 to 30 feet from the intersection with Route 7, a four-lane, high-speed highway. It is challenging to safely exit the Rolling Hills driveway currently; increasing the traffic density on New Lenox Road by adding curb cuts will increase the number of accidents.

A traffic study conducted by MDM Transportation Consultants for Rolling Hills and made available to the Lenox Zoning Board of Appeals indicates there are solutions to modestly modify the intersection at Route 7 and New Lenox Road so that vehicles heading south could perform a U-turn and enter the McGee property from Route 7 and have no curb cuts on New Lenox Road. The solutions are consistent with MassDOT transportation regulations and, importantly, do not decrease safety for pedestrians, schoolchildren and drivers on New Lenox Road.

Seems like a no-brainer to us. We hope it is to the Lenox ZBA.

David Burghardt and Linda Burghardt, Lenox

Applause for Mount Greylock production of 'Oliver'

To the editor: Even a brief lift out of our sometimes dispiriting real world is a gift.

Mount Greylock Regional School gave us that with their production of "Oliver." From the first glimpse of the set to the excellent acting, singing (both solo and ensemble), dancing, costumes and lighting, we were treated to a display of talent, hard work and sheer joy that inspires confidence in this generation.

Under the superb direction of Jeffrey Welch, Jacqueline Vinette and Sam Tucker-Smith, the students proved themselves capable of producing something absolutely beautiful. What could be better than that?

Judy Reichert, Williamstown

Americans should boycott Fox News over its harmful lies

To the editor: Fox News knowingly spread false information in order to increase their "bottom line" and expand their audience.

Their wanton actions worsened the divisiveness that already existed in America. Fox News top executives and journalists willingly sacrificed their personal integrity to the detriment of democracy. Their wrongful behavior is reminiscent of autocratic regimes like Russia. They, too, promote propaganda and hide the truth from their people. The current war in Ukraine is proof of what can happen when the general public is fed lies and kept from knowing the truth about their government leaders. Is that what we want for America?

Fox News should be made to make restitution for the harm they've done. Journalists who participated in this deception should be fired immediately. Such action would serve as a deterrent to others who might be tempted to cause harm to our democracy. America needs to be able to trust that the media projects facts not conspiracy theories.

I would like to propose that Americans boycott Fox News. Show them that we condemn their actions and will not allow them to put our democracy at risk.

Beverly J. Tobin, Pittsfield

Even with insulin price drop, I'm skeptical of Eli Lilly's professed altruism

To the editor: As an insulin-dependent diabetic (Type 1), I read Eli Lilly's news release regarding its price drop for insulin as a perfect example of corporate dissimulation in the first degree.

CEO David A. Ricks went to great lengths to shine his company's contributions to making insulin affordable with "aggressive price cuts."

Mr. Ricks is a wealthy Lilly veteran of 25 years rising to the top through his marketing and sales experience. Skyrocketing cost for insulin - not to mention the cost for pumps, infusion sets, CGM's and all other necessary accessories to keep mostly children and young adults alive in families struggling financially - remains a huge problem.

Eli Lilly is a rich pharmaceutical company who benefited from the extraordinary price gouge of insulin.

Altruism is not at work here, guaranteed.

Bob Volat, Housatonic

Don't dismiss benefits of single-payer health care for Mass.

To the editor: In her thoughtful March 1 letter to the editor, Lucy Kennedy brings up several important issues concerning a Medicare for All plan for Massachusetts.

She is concerned that the payroll taxes that might be used to pay part of the costs would cause businesses here to be less competitive. Actually, the opposite is true. About 10 years ago, a team led by Dr. William Hsiao, professor of economics at the Harvard School of Public Health, designed a single-payer system for Vermont. Their study projected an annual savings of 25.3 percent when compared to current state health spending levels, a reduction in employer and household health care spending by $200 million, creation of 3,800 jobs, and an increase of the state's overall economic output by $100 million.

Such a benefit would be even larger in more populous Massachusetts. Business taxes would increase, but would be more than offset because companies would no longer have to provide health insurance for employees. Unfortunately, the Vermont plan was not implemented, largely due to misinformation by the for-profit health insurance industry.

HD.1584, a state House bill, would consolidate all insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, into a single state-organized plan, funded largely by payroll taxes. It would cover costs for essential health care services for everyone. For physician practices and hospitals, this would largely eliminate the inefficiencies and administrative costs of dealing with multiple plans. It would greatly reduce the five to eight hours per week physicians - even more for nurses - spend dealing with insurance-related issues, which would of course free up more time to see patients. Canadian physicians have found this to be a very attractive component of their single-payer system.

I agree with Ms. Kennedy that health care financing is a complex national problem. However, the Canadian single-payer system started in a single province: Saskatchewan. Because health care outcomes improved and per capita costs decreased in that province, it quickly spread to the rest of the country. Similarly, Massachusetts could serve as a model for establishing an efficient universal health care system with lower overall costs for businesses and patients, better health care outcomes and much less hassle and overhead for hospitals and physicians.

Please urge your state representative to work diligently to get HD.1584 passed.

Dr. Charles I. Wohl, Lenox