Letter To The Editor – A Personal Response

To the Editor:
This letter is a personal response to Lenore Humphrey’s March 26th Letter to the Editor.  Her Letter was an attempt at character assassination, full of innuendo and misleading statements.  So let’s set the record straight.  Clearly, she believes her ancestry dating back over 200 years to the Petersburgh area entitles her to a position of community respect, while others more recent to the area (called newbies by Ms. Humphrey) are advised to keep their wallets open and mouths shut.  I respectfully disagree.
First, she tries to demean my character because I have spent over 20 years as a banker, a word she ascribes with “a bad taste in (her) mouth.”  Let’s be very clear. As a banker I have helped hundreds of companies raise millions and billions of dollars to build factories, develop new products and services, hire more workers and build local community wealth. I am very proud of my professional contribution to society.
Second, she discloses my home’s assessed value and annual property taxes and suggests that as a result I am trying “to throw my weight around.”  Frankly, I would hope all taxpayers are concerned about their level of property taxes.
Third, she uses quotation marks on the word “Crackers,” thereby implying I actually used that word to describe some people in our community.  Let’s be clear on this charge, I have never used this derogatory term nor would anyone at the Petersburgh Town Hall meeting suggest I did.  She would have known that fact had she actually been at such meeting as the Editors Note to her diatribe explained.
Fourth, and most incredible, was her accusation that I was asking people to “roll over and do things (my) way.”  Again, had she been at the meeting in question, she would have known that the discussion between Petersburgh and Berlin councils morphed into how both communities could share services in addition to sponsoring joint youth activities.  Therein, I asked a few respectful and persistent questions about economic development, common zoning rules and enforcement of building codes and ways to improve the quality of life for all community residents including enhancements to the Town’s new website. As a voter, I believe that by asking questions of our government officials, communities can make better judgements and more informed decisions.
Lastly, I’ve been fortunate to work with many local residents in the construction of my home, many of whom have become my friends.  Had she taken the time to ask around, maybe she could have spared the readers her malicious commentary.
Heinz Noeding
Hill Hollow Road, Petersburgh