I am writing this post in response to a letter to the editor I saw in the Addy Indy two weeks ago; it ran March 11 under the headline “Don’t trust VTrans on Middlebury rail project.” I had to let some time lapse to cool off before I wrote.
This letter blamed Jim Gish, the VTrans liaison for all the works being done downtown, for their frustration. And yes, the works are frustrating and inconvenient, more so for the businesses downtown, but that is no reason to shoot the messenger. It is not Jim’s fault that an extra three weeks are needed. To say things like Jim is putting “red lipstick on this pig” is unconstructive and childish.
I would want someone who is optimistic and forward-thinking like Jim in this position rather than a Chicken-Little crying that the sky is falling all the time. I wonder what the writer had hoped to accomplish with his letter?
Yes, next summer is going to suck downtown, but if we pull together as a community instead of laying blame, maybe we will see the light at the end of this tunnel. I for one would like to thank Jim for working hard and diligently at this thankless job. Thanks, Jim!
Annie Magri
Middlebury