What Great Leaders Do
To the editor:
Re Carl Goveia’s “Stop the Bashing” letter [July 24, page A2]:
Donald Trump will not go down as a great president. He is neither a Christian nor a strong man, nor is he presidential.
A Christian would not prey on women or belittle the handicapped, veterans, or a world leader. Nor would he separate families or take food designated for the needy of the planet and have it destroyed.
A strong man does not attack the press and universities, ban books, rewrite history, stack the courts, promote gerrymandering, or fire staff members for telling the truth.
Great presidents lead by example, surround themselves with expert advisers, promote education, and practice stewardship with the highest regard for the nation’s land and natural resources. A great president understands the reasons for government, supports labor, regulates banking so that it works for all, not just a few, and tries to ensure that when corporations take their business to another country, the stitchers, steelworkers, and fabricators aren’t left in hollowed-out towns and cities.
A great leader helps people understand that you don’t fish out the last cod. He exemplifies personal health, believes in science, and learns from history. A great leader understands that the right measure of diversity and inclusion raises up humanity and society for all.
Mexico is not paying for the wall. The people who pay taxes are. Many men and many civilizations have built walls all over this planet. The ones that still exist are tourist attractions.
This backward slide will not be good for anyone. If allowed to continue at this rate, the Trump-inflicted plague will come to the doors of the rich; it will come to the folks with all the guns; and it will certainly come to those who bought the trinkets, the Bibles, and the sneakers.
Ted Thomas
Wellfleet
The RTE Is ‘Ill-Conceived’
To the editor:
Full disclosure: my husband, with whom I don’t always agree, serves on Eastham’s select board.
The residential tax exemption (RTE) is one of the most divisive and ill-conceived ideas to come before our town. It pits full-time and part-time residents against each other, creating an “us versus them” dynamic that goes against the spirit of community Eastham has always valued.
Our family’s property taxes would increase if the RTE passes — but that is not why I’m opposed to it. I’m against it because it’s built on a false assumption: that part-time residents are wealthier than full-time residents. That thinking is inaccurate and unfair.
When public policy is fundamentally unethical, it will always do more harm than good in the long run.
At a recent town meeting, I was shocked by the tone of the discourse. I heard comments laced with sarcasm, including someone saying they were “sorry part-timers couldn’t afford additional taxes.” Another referred to part-timers as “rich and entitled.” That kind of rhetoric may feel justified in the moment, but it damages the fabric of a small town like ours.
The social cost of this plan is not fully understood by many who support it. Their thinking is driven by emotion and stereotypes rather than facts.
The part-time residents I know contribute in meaningful ways — volunteering, donating, supporting local businesses, and sharing a deep love for this community. They’re not the cause of the housing inflation we have seen in the past few years. It’s costlier to live on Cape Cod, and we all share this burden.
Let’s focus on real solutions to our housing challenges — not policies that divide and alienate an entire group of neighbors. The RTE hasn’t worked in other towns to make housing more affordable and there’s no reason to believe it will work here.
Paula Bruns
Eastham
Cruising in the Harbor
To the editor:
Like Kiki Herold [letter, July 31], I think whale watch boats should be prohibited from cruising within Provincetown Harbor because of their disproportionate size compared to kayaks, skiffs, pontoons, motorboats, and sailboats. While I trust the whale boat captains are experts at navigating, the risk of an accident likely rests with the potentially inexperienced boaters and kayakers surrounding them.
I understand the popularity of watching the sunset on a boat accompanied by music, snacks, and friends. I don’t understand why the whale watch boats cannot create a similarly enjoyable experience just outside our harbor and beyond Long Point.
Christine Nolder
Provincetown
Speaking of Those Whale Boats
To the editor:
I’ve always experienced Provincetown Harbor as a uniquely peaceful and sacred space — a place where people connect with the water, nature, and each other in a quiet, respectful way. The presence of a large whale watch boat significantly alters that experience.
The harbor is not just a recreation area — it’s an ecological, cultural, and spiritual anchor for this community. I hope we can continue to treat it with the care and balance it deserves.
Those who share these concerns should make their voices heard by writing to the select board or speaking at its meeting on Monday, Aug. 25 at 6 p.m. Every voice matters.
Nicole Barnum
Provincetown
Construction Time
To the editor:
Section 13.2.21 of Provincetown’s General Bylaws says this about “Construction time”: “Exterior repairs and construction shall not take place until after 7 a.m. and closing time ending at 9 p.m.”
I live right next to a house that is being almost totally redone. This is our second summer of a living hell from early morning to dark.
Construction hours should be limited to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the same hours as other businesses.
Julie S. Smith
Provincetown and Newport, R.I.
What’s an ‘Enlightened Despot’?
To the editor:
Re “Controlling the News” [Letter From the Editor, Aug. 7]:
In this column quoting former White House Correspondents’ Association counsel George Lehner, I wonder about your reference to government by an “enlightened despot” being more efficient than democracy. That phrase seems like an oxymoron.
We need more journalists to yell and scream about press freedom. It’s being eroded — no, it’s being grabbed — and the likes of First Amendment defender Lehner are few.
Where are the intrepid reporters of yore? Why are powerful people afraid? From those who hold power in colleges and universities to the writers like Jonathan Capehart, who quit the Washington Post, why do they cave to a despot whose mind is not at all enlightened but reeks of the dimmest demagoguery?
Barbara Leedom
South Yarmouth
Remembering Ken Oxtoby
To the editor:
I write on behalf of a group of longtime Truro Central School educators to acknowledge with deep sorrow the passing of Ken Oxtoby — a devoted member of the Truro Central School Committee and a tireless advocate for public education in our community.
Ken served for decades with wisdom, compassion, and unwavering commitment. He was a strong supporter of students, educators, and families, always working to ensure that the needs of our school community were thoughtfully and fairly addressed.
His knowledge and calm, principled presence helped shape the strong foundation upon which our school continues to grow. Ken Oxtoby will be long remembered by all who had the privilege of working with him.
Debra Raymond
Eastham
Bare Walls Transformed
To the editor:
Thanks to the Provincetown Public Arts Foundation and the nine talented artists who painted the trap sheds on MacMillan Pier. Their efforts have transformed bare walls into a very beautiful outdoor gallery.
The Independent is to be commended for Abraham Storer’s excellent article [“The New Muralists of MacMillan Pier,” Aug. 7, page C1] that explains all the artwork as well as giving nice insight into the artists.
All involved in this project should be very proud.
Jim King
Provincetown
Letters to the Editor
The Provincetown Independent welcomes letters from readers on all subjects. They must be signed with the writer’s name, home address, and telephone number (for verification). Letters will be published only if they have been sent exclusively to the Independent. They should be no more than 300 words and may be edited for clarity, accuracy, conciseness, and good taste. Longer pieces (up to 600 words) may be submitted for consideration as op-ed commentary. Send letters to [email protected] or by mail to P.O. Box 1034, Provincetown, MA 02657. The deadline for letters is Monday at noon for each week’s edition.
