HEALTHCARE WOES

The premise of "Sick of It" (August 17) was that it is difficult to be ill in America if one does not have financial resources or the ability to navigate complex bureaucracies. No one could dispute the premise. However, to use the town of Hull as a prop to dramatize this national issue was disappointing. Author Charles P. Pierce's characterization of Hull would lead one to believe the town is somehow down on its luck. Nothing could be further from the truth. Hull is a vibrant seaside community with a broad range of housing options in close-knit neighborhoods. If you are interested in sending your children to schools that have seen more than $60 million of renovations in the past five years, then Hull is your place. If you are interested in the alternative-energy revolution, Hull is your place, as we have two wind turbines installed and four more on the way.
PHIL LEMNIOS
Town Manager Hull

Regarding the high rate of cancer in Hull: I raised my five children here. Now they all live elsewhere. Last year, my youngest daughter, now 31, was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia, and our next-door neighbors' son was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at the age of 21. This spring, his brother was diagnosed with aplastic anemia and needed a bone marrow transplant. Coincidence? I think not.
SUSAN FITZPATRICK
Hull

We have already become George Orwell's 1984. Now it seems we have become Samuel Butler's Erewhon as well. We punish our citizens by allowing entire families to become financially ruined when one of them becomes seriously ill. And yet we allow corrupt, immoral, and criminal persons to become wealthy and famous by buying the magazines and watching the TV shows that promote them. Those books were written as satires! Nevertheless, here we are.
JENNY CONNORS
Gloucester

While most will undoubtedly recognize that the intent of Pierce's article is to point out the dire situation and outlook facing uninsured (and insured) Americans, his slanted characterization of the town of Hull will also likely not go unnoticed. I am happy that the South Shore mist and rain on the day he visited served as a convenient and dramatic backdrop for his gloom-filled article. However, most residents identify the town with sun-filled beach days (I am writing this from the beach), which, along with great restaurants and boutiques, serve as a glue for many families and friends in Hull and Greater Boston.
JOHN STRUZZIERY
Boston

Thank you to Pierce for his article. It inspired the following limerick: Said a sick man from Nantasket, "We're going to hell in a handbasket. The health system's broken, The people have spoken, A Band-Aid just will not mask it!" During this election season, let us all inform our candidates that we will require of them real reforms to the country's healthcare crisis.
SANDRA GAGNON
Manchester, New Hampshire

DANGER ON THE TRAILS
Thank you for educating people ("A Beautiful Place to Die," August 17). My wife and I took seven years to climb the White Mountains' 4,000-footers. We turned back twice from Tripyramid, once due to bad weather, another time because we lost the trail while hiking when the leaves were mostly down. On that autumn trip, my wife slipped and dislocated her elbow. We walked out with her arm in a sling.
ED LAWRENCE
Natick

I have been snowboarding the White Mountains for 10 years, and you really never know what kind of weather you are going to get not only day to day but minute to minute. Let's hope your article will inform the weekend warriors.
REED HEIL
Doylestown, Pennsylvania

GARDEN OF DELIGHTS
For the past two years, I've participated in the Roxbury garden tours led by Discover Roxbury, of which I'm a board member. Patti Moreno's garden ("Green Acres," August 17) has been one of the highlights of these tours. She shows that even in the most urban of areas, we can feed ourselves. I know that with her example, more people will follow suit.
CANDELARIA SILVA-COLLINS
Dorchester

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