A recent article on the front page of the Addison Independent reminds me of why we now have Trump, Musk and company in Washington, D.C., shutting off funding for many U.S. government agencies. The article noted that the proposed skate park renovation in Bristol will be partially funded with $140,000 from the ARPA. The ARPA is a direct handout from our federal government. Why, in heaven’s name, is the U.S. government spending $140,000 on a skatepark in Bristol, Vt.? I am not sure that is what our founding fathers envisioned as a primary (or even secondary) role for our federal government.

Jim Peabody

Bristol