Letters to the Editor

Sirens a necessity

To the Editor:

In the wake of this storm that devastated Darien this past weekend; leaving many without power for days, the town fire department was in full force. What many people haven't realized is that the fire department's radio system failed. All three departments were unable to receive calls from the police department because of catastrophic radio failure.

The Darien Fire Department's backup dispatch center served all three town fire departments as the primary dispatch center to notify the firefighters throughout town of emergencies to respond to. The fire horns were also relied on as a crucial alert system for the town's volunteers.

People always question having the horns, calling it old technology and labeling it as a noise burden, but this past week the fire horns proved how valuable they are; enabling the firefighters to respond to the needs of the residents of Darien.

Shane Smith

Lieutenant -- Darien Fire Department

Boy Scouts Tag Sale around the corner

To the Editor:

It's nearly spring and the town curbside pickup is scheduled to begin. While this is a valuable service, there is a true recycling alternative: the Boy Scout Tag Sale.

By donating your reusable items to the Darien Boy Scouts, you won't have to put your items on the street, and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that these items are being recycled and used by another family, while raising money to support the Boy Scouts in our community. You will also receive a tax-deductible donation.

The Boy Scouts are scheduling pick ups for items that are too large to fit into your car. Please call 203-656-1830, ext. 3, to schedule a pick up for April 10, 17 and 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m; or, drop by the Scout Cabin, 140 West Ave., on April 14 to 17 and April 21 to 24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

We are eagerly seeking furniture, lawn furniture, lawnmowers, lawn and garden tools, sporting goods, electronics, stereos, computers (Pentium IIs and newer), TVs (less than 10 years old), housewares, dishes and decorative items, pictures, collectibles, lamps and linens, knick knacks and jewelry, books, games and toys, bikes, trikes and scooters and holiday items.

If you would like to donate a small boat, call 917-887-9068. Unfortunately we cannot accept pianos, clothing, mattresses, sofa beds, typewriters, exercise equipment, skis or building materials such as sinks, windows and doors.

Also, please join us for tag sale, Sunday May, 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. It's a great event. On behalf of the Darien Boy Scout Troops 35 and 53, thank you.

David Rucquoi

Officials must step up

during health-care talks

To the Editor:

In the next few days the House of Representitives, the Senate and the President will have before them an opportunity to pass landmark health-care reform. This countries flawed health care system is a problem that been before us since Teddy Roosevelt. Some have tried to address it. All have failed. It is now time for our elected officials to step up with their vote and affirm that this country stands for the belief that health care is a right for all of our citizens.

What we have now is a system that is unsustainable. A system that has seen insurance companies profits quadruple and premiums double. A system that discards those with pre-existing conditions and leaves countless millions with no coverage at all. The bill is not perfect and will be expensive. Yet the Congressional Budget Office, a non-partisian referee, has affirmed that this bill will save us $180 billion over the next 10 years. I applaud Congressman Himes for his efforts to address this long standing problem and for his support of health care reform.

Randall Klein

Darien