Allowing dogs off-leash under voice control didn't work: Letters

Allowing dogs off-leash under voice control didn't work

Nov. 17 − To The Editor:

I read Mr. Newby’s letter to the Portsmouth City Council today that quotes an anonymous city official that wasinvolved in changing the leash law in 2005. It insinuates that the decision to change the ordinance wasarbitrary or capricious. I too, as Portsmouth chief of police at the time, was part of that conversation.

The change came about because the voice control ordinance at the time permitted dogs to be off leash on citysidewalks and property, if under the voice control of their owner. It simply didn’t work. That’s why it waschanged. It was done after much discussion and with complete transparency.

I have owned numerous dogs. The last one for 15 years. She listened marvelously if I had a piece ofimported provolone cheese in my hand. Not so much when a pesky squirrel crossed her path. Wewalked her on a 15-foot retractable leash; no great hardship.

Simply put, the majority of dogs are great companions. That doesn’t mean they get to chase runners,skateboarders, other dogs and children. The City Council has more important things to do than deal withrescinding a leash law that has worked for the last 15 years. Listen to the police chief and the animalcontrol officer. Their opinions, which Mr. Newby is so quick to discount, is based on their knowledgeand experience. It’s what you pay them for.

Michael Magnant

Portsmouth chief of police (retired)

Think about plastic, then join us in action

Nov. 22 − To the Editor:

Jim Splaine’s excellent column “Exhibit has me thinking about plastics” inspired us to echo him in encouraging everyone to think about plastic. But we want to go beyond that and urge readers to take action. Substantive research documents the pervasive and detrimental effects of plastics, from production to disposal, on the environment and on human health. In Dover and across the state, grassroots groups are trying to fill the gaps left by governmental inaction.

Microplastics, tiny pieces of plastic, are being found in the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink, and human body tissues, from lungs to placentas. According to a 2019 World Wildlife study, we each ingest about a credit card’s worth of plastic each week. We are only beginning to learn the negative consequences of microplastics for human health, but we clearly need to take action.

Most of us are familiar with the effects of plastic on wildlife and our environment. Whether we are talking about marine life eating or becoming entangled in plastic or UNH researchers finding microparticles of plastic in our NH waterways, it is clear we need to take action.

The fossil fuel industry, losing revenue as consumers respond to our climate disasters, is seeking to maintain profits by increasing plastic production. Increased plastic production means increased plastic waste which is projected to triple by 2060, according to the OECD's Global Plastics Outlook (2022). Two thirds of this waste is expected to be made up of packaging, consumer products, and textiles.

Plastic producers would have us believe that recycling is the answer to the problem with plastics. However, the latest report from Beyond Plastics (2022) indicates only about 5% of plastics actually are recycled. Most plastics enter our already over-taxed landfills where they can persist indefinitely as they break down into microplastics. The report states that "The problem lies not with the concept or process of recycling, but with the material itself…. Despite the stark failure of plastics recycling, the plastics, packaging, and products industries have waged a decades-long misinformation campaign to perpetuate the myth that plastic is recyclable.″ Shifting the burden of dealing with plastic pollution to individuals and municipalities requires us to shoulder the costs through our taxes, our health, and our environment. We need to take action.

Neither the New Hampshire state government, nor the federal government have taken significant action to address plastic pollution, so grassroots efforts are proliferating in the state, including here in Dover. Our Dover Plastic Reduction Group provides education and action about reducing plastic and choosing reusables and other alternatives. The Dover Plastic Reduction Group works with the NH Network Plastic Working Group’s Ten Towns initiative, which now includes 38 towns across the state taking similar actions, and the Surfrider Foundation with their Rise Above Plastics efforts.

So take stock of your own plastic footprint and the plastic that is polluting our neighborhoods and communities. Think about the less visible consequences of plastic proliferation. Then join us to take action. Contact the Co-leaders of the Dover Plastic Reduction Group: Kristine Baber (kmbaber@gmail.com) and Mike Atherton (jmatherton.3@gmail.com) for ways to become involved.

Kristine Baber, Mike Atherton

Dover

US should stop supporting Saudi Arabia until it stops helping Russia

Nov. 22 − To the Editor:

America has been protecting Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States from invasion and pirates with our naval fleet and Air Force for decades.  The Gulf States were supposedly our allies.  Unfortunately, these Gulf States, including Saudi Arabia, have decided to ally with Russia when that country is invading Ukraine.  They cut their exports of oil causing the price of oil to rise thus helping Russia finance its war in Ukraine.

These countries have a right to act in their own interest, but they do not have a right to expect this country to protect them when they are acting against ours.  I suggest we withdraw our naval fleet and let the Saudis know it will not return as long as they choose Russia and profiteering over us and our allies.

Walter Hamilton

Portsmouth

Sen. Hassan voted against lifting COVID-19 emergency declaration

Wanted to let everyone know that Maggie Hassan was one of 36 United States senators, all Democrats, who voted against lifting the the Federal Covid-19 Emergency Declaration.  Is this how she reaches across the aisle?

Thom Gibney

Greenland

COP 27 was a win

Nov. 27 − To the Editor:

COP 27 was the 27th time the countries of the planet have convened with the intent of solving climate change. At this gathering the central debate was over payment of damages to the 3rd world countries for the damage that has being done by fossil fuel burning. After a week of debate, sometimes rancorous, an agreement to compensate for loss and damages was struck in overtime.

This was a historic moment.

The US is not only the largest emitter of CO2 on the planet, it is one of the richest countries in the world. Hence, it was of particular importance that our country be part of this historic agreement. We joined pretty much at the end after the EU stepped up and argued for our participation.

Some argue that COP 27 was a failure because it did little to establish fresh policies to curb emissions so that global temperature increase does not exceed 1.5 degrees Centigrade. This is not a political goal it is a goal grounded in science. The planet does not care about our arguments.

However, in the absence of cooperation among nations, there is no way we will limit global warming to 2 degrees much less 1.5 degrees.

As the Secretary of the UN said in closing, “We have the power, the power to act or the power to do nothing”. Said another way, we are at the table or on the menu of climate change. Currently in the US, over70% of people believe climate change to be of concern, but only 8% are taking action to address it.

The most powerful step is to call or email our Members of Congress and the President. Ask for a dividend from pricing carbon. Putting a price on carbon is the most powerful step available to reduce emissions, but proceeds need to return to households.

The biggest and perhaps hardest step is the first step. Joining an organization like Citizens’ Climate Lobby is not only a source of support, but it also recognizes that we are all in this together.

Wes Tator

Portsmouth

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Allowing dogs off-leash under voice control didn't work: Letters