Welcome to 2018 and Wolcott’s new tax rate of 32.82 mills! (Jan. 1 story, “Wolcott to levy extra tax”) A supplemental tax was implemented to counteract cuts in state aid. We now face the harsh reality that more money will…

I saw the Republican-American’s editorial page started off the new year with another complaint from another right-wing snowflake, Susan Stamper Brown (Jan. 1 column, “Suggestions for liberals as the new year dawns”), crying about how the minority President Trump is…

During the late 1970s, the United States confronted significant difficulties and shortcomings. Among these were a poorly performing economy and the Iranian hostage crisis. It might be debated that then-President Jimmy Carter laid the groundwork for a vibrant economic recovery…

This is in response to the Jan. 1 article “4 months shy of April Fools, ‘king’ seeks his rightful title,” in the Brass Tacks section. The article was about West Haven resident Wilson Figueroa, who felt he was “King of…

Following up on Dr. Edward Volpintesta’s Dec. 30 letter, “Government-run health-care system is more democratic,” it must be noted that no government can do anything more efficiently and cost-effectively than private enterprise can. Not necessarily better nor fairer, just more…

It is obvious to many observers of life today that our society is going downhill. Each year, people celebrate and wish one another a better new year. Yet better will not happen without behavioral changes. Recently, Torrington Police Sgt. Steve…

In response to the Dec. 16 story “Borough doctor accused of sexual misconduct,” we have been patients of Dr. Robert Matusz for more years than we care to count. He never has been anything but totally professional in his care…

The Dec. 30 editorial, “Still optimistic in Trump era,” begs the reader to weigh the good and the bad of President Trump’s first year in office. The editorial concluded that the former outweighs the latter. I cannot agree. While the…

This is in response to Harrison Connery’s Jan. 1 article, “Greenway project stuck in planning limbo.” The planning of the Naugatuck River Greenway, originally known as “The River Walk,” dates to 2000, and involvement of landscape architects Milone & MacBroom…

The words to a song by Harry Chapin are especially meaningful to me. The phrase “I let time go lightly when I’m here with you” is sung throughout. There are certain people in my life now whom I reserve those…

This is in response to the Dec. 16 story “Borough doctor accused of sexual misconduct.” I have been a patient of Naugatuck’s Dr. Robert Matusz for many, many years. The slightest thought of impropriety by him, or any of his…

This is in response to the Dec. 13 story “Boy’s death ‘preventable,’” about 17-year-old Matthew Tirado of Hartford, who was starved to death in February, and had broken ribs and a cut on his head. Joette Katz, commissioner of the…

This is in response to Eileen M. Calli’s Dec. 23 letter, “Dr. Robert Matusz was treated poorly by newspaper.” I agree with everything Ms. Calli wrote. I have gone to Dr. Matusz for years. He also took excellent care of…

I generally find myself sympathetic with Republican-American editorials, but the Dec. 15 editorial “Roy Moore lost on his own” gave me substantial pause. What clearly sunk Judge Moore was the spate of stories reflecting his putative interface with females much…

Once again, my friend and neighbor J. Mark Harran (Dec. 12 letter, “Murphy releases more false data on concealed carry”) has fallen in line with his National Rifle Association colleagues to argue that an expansion of gun rights and gun…

I thank Jean B. Bieluczyk for her Dec. 27 letter, “For doctors, socialized medicine the biggest threat.” It’s hard to understand why more residents don’t express their views on the problems with our health-care system. Many patients and doctors freely…

I have been going to Saint Mary’s Hospital a lot lately, for many reasons. Each time, I use the valet to park my car. Each time I go to the hospital, the people who work there are very kind. I…

As Morris residents, we and some others are frustrated and unhappy with the economic situation of Connecticut, our town and our own fragile financial resources. We know how hard our Board of Finance has worked on the budget. Board members,…

The Dec. 19 article, “Alderman get an update on sewage spill into river,” would lead readers to infer that Waterbury city employees somehow were the cause of the massive Oct. 9 sewage spill into the Naugatuck River because of their…

This is in response to the Dec. 16 article “Borough doctor accused of sexual misconduct,” about Dr. Robert Matusz. I found myself compelled to offer my comments. I have worked with Dr. Matusz for more than 30 years. During that…