Lights Of Hope Brighten Cheshire

A community continued to heal Saturday. The 2nd Lights of Hope rally was held in Cheshire.

[exposem]

Good Luck, Dr. Petit. I hope you've read a book called Many Lives, Many Masters by Brian Weiss.

[BURBAN]

Dr. Petit needs peace, not a constant reminder of his girl's death. Alot of the town folks feel the same. Raise your by another means, rather than lighting up cheshire streets with lite bags, especially at the beginning of the Christmas season. Leave Christmas and Mr. Petit with the peace of God, not your money maker scheme, no matter how you give the $ away and want to do good.

[Sorghum Neighbor]

Burban:

We all read your ridiculous letter to the editor. Judging by the response from the vast majority of the town, you are clearly in the minority.

You are a disgrace for somehow trying to use religion or god in an effort to defend your absurd position.

Here is a suggestion: If you do not like the candles, don't participate.

If you don't like having the event in Cheshire, MOVE.

If you don't like the fact that the event imposes on YOUR Christmas.....TFB

And please do not speak for Dr. Petite, own up to your OWN opinions and state what everyone else could easily interpret.......that you are a religious whacko, who clearly clings to a bible to compensate for their own pathetic and miserable life.

[burban]

WOW! God is always capitalized. The folks who want to give to charity are wonderful people and I'm sure you are, too! The disgrace is using the beginning of the Christmas season to generate $ for 3 loved woman who were murdered. We all know it's purpose and how $ has helped those in need. I suggested, to at least do this fund raiser at a different time in the year. Not to use bags with candles along Cheshire's state owned Rte. 10 or side streets to light up our town during this season, but to raise $ without physically reminding us all of the tragedy. Many fund raising committees use means other than making a specticle of people who died. Your suggestion not to participate or to move, shows how angry you are and it's not what reasonable people do to others. TFB, is what whacko's express, not peaceful minded folks! So, obviously, you aren't able to understand that Christianity is good, comforting and within all our hearts. I do hold the bible and it's teachings close to my heart. Apparently, you are very hurt by my opinion to discontinue this sort of spectacular display of lights and memorials on our streets. Neither you or I are pathetic and miserable, but disagree. Don't personally attack other when you disagree.

[Concerned Cheshirite]

Burban:
Wow, I just saw this post and I am totally amazed by your ignorance.
The first thing I will tell you is to re-read your last sentence: "Don't personally attack other when you disagree".
I suggest you go and look at www.cheshireslightsofhope.com and see the mission of this wonderful non profit charity.
See when this charity began in a home with caring people.
Before you judge, get educated.
This began 2 years prior to the Petit tragedy in local neighborhoods in Cheshire to show a sign of unity and hope for a better tomorrow. It went townwide after the tragedy when the organizers felt the entire town needed to show unity and hope.

It is disgraceful that there are people like you who would rather complain about a wonderful event like this that has pulled this town together.
Tell me Burban, what have you done to make this world a better place? What have you done for your neighbor?
And then you make the ridiculous statement that "Dr. Petit needs peace and not a constant reminder of his girls deaths". Again, a clueless statement.
Do you know him personally? Do you know that is what he wants? He is an active participant in the event.
And again, it is not a reminder of their deaths, but a reminder of their lives.
There are also many others who light candles for their own loved ones, whether they are ill, diseased or away. Everyone does it for their own reason.
Please learn about the event before you critique it.
The worst part of your statement is "Christianity is good, comforting and within all our hearts.", if it was in your heart, you aren't showing it very well.
You seem like a person who likes to shake things up,guess what, you are in the minority. Thank God for that or this community would not be such a good place to live.
So whats next to pick on??Girl Scouts and their cookies?
Give it a rest!

[A True Christian]

burban wrote:

WOW! God is always capitalized. The folks who want to give to charity are wonderful people and I'm sure you are, too! The disgrace is using the beginning of the Christmas season to generate $ for 3 loved woman who were murdered. We all know it's purpose and how $ has helped those in need. I suggested, to at least do this fund raiser at a different time in the year. Not to use bags with candles along Cheshire's state owned Rte. 10 or side streets to light up our town during this season, but to raise $ without physically reminding us all of the tragedy. Many fund raising committees use means other than making a specticle of people who died. Your suggestion not to participate or to move, shows how angry you are and it's not what reasonable people do to others. TFB, is what whacko's express, not peaceful minded folks! So, obviously, you aren't able to understand that Christianity is good, comforting and within all our hearts. I do hold the bible and it's teachings close to my heart. Apparently, you are very hurt by my opinion to discontinue this sort of spectacular display of lights and memorials on our streets. Neither you or I are pathetic and miserable, but disagree. Don't personally attack other when you disagree.

I am ashamed that a person with this mentality would claim Christian values when discussing why this even shouldn't take place.
As a TRUE Christian, we always look for hope and unity, just what this event represents. We don't mourn their deaths but remember and celebrate their lives.
Perhaps you should take a long look into your soul and see what it your purpose here.
I hope this event continues to bring hope and unity to this wonderful community for many years to come.
My hats off to the organizers!

[Truly Touched in Cheshire]

BURBAN wrote:

Dr. Petit needs peace, not a constant reminder of his girl's death. Alot of the town folks feel the same. Raise your by another means, rather than lighting up cheshire streets with lite bags, especially at the beginning of the Christmas season. Leave Christmas and Mr. Petit with the peace of God, not your money maker scheme, no matter how you give the $ away and want to do good.

People do show their ignorance in many ways. You are just an incredible example of how low people can sink in life.
If, as you say, "Alot" of people in town don't agree with it, how do you explain 100,000 candles lit in a town of 29,000?
Perhaps you should ask the people involved why it is important for them. Ask Dr. Petit if it is important to him. Ask those suffering with MS if it is important to them. Ask the thousands of young people who participated and who may get a scholarship if it is important to them. Ask the church leaders if it is important to them. Ask the businesses who donated so much if it was important for them.
You will find that you are in the minority.
And, if you are the same person who wrote the letter to the Herald (which I am assuming you are), we also know quite about your Christian values from reading recent police blotters.
So, who is doing the right thing?

[Burban]

This is a morbid and heading down hill fast. This back and forth dialogue should be put to rest, also. I validated my opinion, confronted this yearly ritual of luminaries on Cheshire streets at the onset of the Christmas season. To elaborate any further to clarify my point of view will not reach you morally. Ethically, if raising money is more important than separating it from a Federal Holiday, than obviously it's a matter of competency and information, and not a matter of intelligence or knowing better. We all need peace not just Mr. Petit. You win! I'll be looking forward to observing the lights of this fund raiser and three lovely ladies memories each Christmas season on the streets of Cheshire, along with our nation. You all are doing a fantastic job. The manifestation of the luminaries is fine, but it's your timing that is desturbing. No respect for others can go both ways my dear.

[Rena Dean]

Don't give up now Burban! There are people who agree with your stance of separating money and the sacredness of a national holiday. Why don't these good fund raisers set their candle bags at a local park instead of on your main & local streets? Or adleast demonstrate their unity of hope in the warmer weather so the volunteers and cleanup it's so harsh. These good doers have no respect and just self righteous. Sounds like your town have more Nero's and money than morals.

[corky2]

I'm appalled at the igorance of the cheshirelightsofhope supporters inability to see that there are other point of views and at others personally slandering burban. Rena's suggestion to take this spectacular event or demonstration of unity off the streets and into private or town own property, not on route 10 state own highway, is a wise one. If every fund raiser did this it would be all about them and not a holy season. The supporters must think their cause is more important."When we all allow financial interest to dominate common sense, we all lose", quoted by Dr. Petit's sister. When the town and state are in a budget crisis, you'd think these rich people won't be complaining about taxes? How much $ did they get from the cheshirites? A package of 10 luminaries at ($10.) divided into 100,000. is only ten thousand out of 29,000. of the town. That's not even half of cheshire's population. So, this is how it is explained. It doesn't matter if you knew or know the petit's personally. What else could Mr. Petit say or do, but go along with it all. In spite of it all cheshirelightsofhope will most likely bring it closer to the holy season, if not within days.Blast burban for mentioning chirstmas and the other half of Cheshire agrees or don't participate and their aren't moving!

[corky2]

Blast burban for mentioning chirstmas when half of Cheshire did't participate and they aren't moving out either! There are other people that live in cheshire and hanukkah is included in this holy season, hello!

[Rena Dean]

cheshirelightsofhope president refers to the luminaries as being part of the memorializing the tragic murders of the Petit women contrary to it just being a fund raiser. The luminaries parade along rte.10 and streets detracts from the holiday season. Be it a cross, flowers or candles, it's all the same. A marker for the scene of a murder or accident within a town needs a rest. No one is saying to forsake this worthy cause, but to be more rational about it's forum. Finding another venue such as a town park, renting an area or cemetary is more appropriate. To deny that it's not a vigil is covering up it's purpose. Recognizing how to be more transparent and truthful about why such a public display exists, would be acceptable. The parade of luminaries along the ground is inescapable and fightening to others who don't want to be annually reminded of this horror. Especially on the eve of the holidays. This is not a festive holiday celebration. To separate fund raising from a fed. hoilday is not to much to respect. The other 2/3 of the town who did not buy luminaries may if displayed differently. You need not have known the petits to make comments or state opinion. The name & murders were in national newspapers. So, please reconsider the time and place to do this sort of spectacle.Thank you burban for being the first to speak up, you are not alone.

[corky2]

cheshirelightsofhope may have realized that fundraising should be fun, not slave driving. Good hearted kids work their hands off in the freezing cold putting out bags of dirt that their filled for hours, on to the gutter side of roads. Looks like the fundraiser's idea of using candles maybe moved to Barthlem Park! Good place to address & dedicate this agenda appropriately. Now people can walk through the vigil night to pay their respect with no public interference. Cleanup does not disturb the traffic for two days afterwards, either. Hat's off to the cheshirelightsofhope organizers1

[Rena Dean]

I attended the basketball fundraiser and the Hop dance last night, basically for the Petits. What a diffence in committee members from the cheshireightsofhope. For some reason these folks don't have a problem with appleasing and respecting the citizens of Cheshire's request to move the luminaries off Route 10 and into the park. It's the fire dept. that is handling it up now. Christmas and the holidays maybe enjoyed and freed from imposing fundraiser's parade of lights. The good volunteers given a break from working on the streets in the freezing cold evenings and traffic back to normal from two days of gutter cleanup. It's good to know that cheshirelightsofhope came to their senses. Now they may get alot more donations and praise from the 3/4 of the town that didn't buy luminaries.

[Burban]

Sorghum Neighbor wrote:

Burban:
We all read your ridiculous letter to the editor. Judging by the response from the vast majority of the town, you are clearly in the minority.
You are a disgrace for somehow trying to use religion or god in an effort to defend your absurd position.
Here is a suggestion: If you do not like the candles, don't participate.
If you don't like having the event in Cheshire, MOVE.
If you don't like the fact that the event imposes on YOUR Christmas.....TFB
And please do not speak for Dr. Petite, own up to your OWN opinions and state what everyone else could easily interpret.......that you are a religious whacko, who clearly clings to a bible to compensate for their own pathetic and miserable life.

What is ridiculous is U not understanding that the luminaries being filled with sand and candles is a slave driving effort done by mostly youths. It is pain staking work done by good hearted kids voluntaring.Then trucked to the sides of Cheshire roads & main drag of Rte. 10. Then each candle lite. Besides, the timing of this event being at the eve of the Christmas & Hanukkah season, these luminaries are distracting for the drivers and away from the holidays, question is why a fundraiser is allowed on a state highway and for what reason? It's not to celebrate a holiday, but memorializing the dealths of the Petits. Secondly, the majority of the town didn't participate in this fundraiser. Only approx. 10,000 did out of almost 30,000. Not even half the town. There is nothing wrong with religion or God because 90% of this nation celebrate God and Christmas. This is the christmas season, not a season for a parade of luminaries for a fundraiser or to make a specticle of these good woman. I just suggested to move this event to a more suitable place like a town park because for two days in the brutal cold these luminaries disrupt traffic and are unsightly afterwards on our roads. So come down and relax, it's not the end of the world. Take care and glad you feel so strongly about the cheshirelightsofhope.

[Proud to Live in Cheshire]

I don't think you understand morality at all when I read your posts.
This isn't just about raising funds, it also is not coinciding with any holiday, otherwise it would be held on December 24th. It was originally meant to coincide with Winder Solstice, which begins on December 21st. It is the shortest day of the year and the originators wanted to light up the darkness as a symbol.
You are the one bringing religion into it.
Perhaps you should speak with the hard working people who run this event and you may find that they are good people trying to make their town a better place, not ripping it apart the way you are.
It amazes me when people, like yourself, look so hard to find fault with something that is so good.

Burban wrote:

This is a morbid and heading down hill fast. This back and forth dialogue should be put to rest, also. I validated my opinion, confronted this yearly ritual of luminaries on Cheshire streets at the onset of the Christmas season. To elaborate any further to clarify my point of view will not reach you morally. Ethically, if raising money is more important than separating it from a Federal Holiday, than obviously it's a matter of competency and information, and not a matter of intelligence or knowing better. We all need peace not just Mr. Petit. You win! I'll be looking forward to observing the lights of this fund raiser and three lovely ladies memories each Christmas season on the streets of Cheshire, along with our nation. You all are doing a fantastic job. The manifestation of the luminaries is fine, but it's your timing that is desturbing. No respect for others can go both ways my dear.

[Proud to Live in Cheshire]

corky2 wrote:

I'm appalled at the igorance of the cheshirelightsofhope supporters inability to see that there are other point of views and at others personally slandering burban. Rena's suggestion to take this spectacular event or demonstration of unity off the streets and into private or town own property, not on route 10 state own highway, is a wise one. If every fund raiser did this it would be all about them and not a holy season. The supporters must think their cause is more important."When we all allow financial interest to dominate common sense, we all lose", quoted by Dr. Petit's sister. When the town and state are in a budget crisis, you'd think these rich people won't be complaining about taxes? How much $ did they get from the cheshirites? A package of 10 luminaries at ($10.) divided into 100,000. is only ten thousand out of 29,000. of the town. That's not even half of cheshire's population. So, this is how it is explained. It doesn't matter if you knew or know the petit's personally. What else could Mr. Petit say or do, but go along with it all. In spite of it all cheshirelightsofhope will most likely bring it closer to the holy season, if not within days.Blast burban for mentioning chirstmas and the other half of Cheshire agrees or don't participate and their aren't moving!

I am rather apalled by your ignorance.
I personally know many of the people who are involved in this event and who dedicate endless hours organizing it. While people like yourself sit back and complain. These people have nothing but good intentions. They are not publicity hound, and they don't make a cent off of this event, unlike many of the other charities out there that pay people to organize their events.
As I mentioned in my respose to Burban, this event was originally set to coincide with Winter Solstice, not Christmas or Chanukah. Perhaps you should speak with these people instead of sending anonymous posts and you will find out what their intentions are.
Nobody is being forced to participate in this event and the committee is continuing to tweak it to make it more enjoyable and easier to manage. The committee is already looking into other ways of lighting of the night so it isn't taking up Rt. 10, but it is in the planning stages still.Perhaps you should join the committee and offer your support?
When you look at 100,000 candles sold at $10 a piece you aren't looking at households. There are 9000 homes in cheshire, you do the math.
When you talk about slander, go back and re-read yours and Burban's comments. You will see that both of you attacked this organization with false facts. I don't mind if you had valid points, but I don't see any.
Again, this is a totally volunteer charity that has dedicated to raising money for local charities and has even established a $2,000 scholarship to a Cheshire resident.
They don't deserve the bashing you and the others are giving them.
It is always better to light a candle then shout in the darkness.

[Proud to Live in Cheshire]

Burban wrote:

<quoted text>What is ridiculous is U not understanding that the luminaries being filled with sand and candles is a slave driving effort done by mostly youths. It is pain staking work done by good hearted kids voluntaring.Then trucked to the sides of Cheshire roads & main drag of Rte. 10. Then each candle lite. Besides, the timing of this event being at the eve of the Christmas & Hanukkah season, these luminaries are distracting for the drivers and away from the holidays, question is why a fundraiser is allowed on a state highway and for what reason? It's not to celebrate a holiday, but memorializing the dealths of the Petits. Secondly, the majority of the town didn't participate in this fundraiser. Only approx. 10,000 did out of almost 30,000. Not even half the town. There is nothing wrong with religion or God because 90% of this nation celebrate God and Christmas. This is the christmas season, not a season for a parade of luminaries for a fundraiser or to make a specticle of these good woman. I just suggested to move this event to a more suitable place like a town park because for two days in the brutal cold these luminaries disrupt traffic and are unsightly afterwards on our roads. So come down and relax, it's not the end of the world. Take care and glad you feel so strongly about the cheshirelightsofhope.

Were you at the volunteer days?
I was, and more than half the people there were adults. The youth that did show up were there mainly to get community hours that are required.
When you look at 10,000 kits being sold, it wasn't sold to 1 person but 1 household. I have 4 people in my house and we purchased 2 kits. There are 9000 homes in Cheshire. To sell 10,000 kits is really more than half the households.
The first event was scheduled to be held on Dec. 16, to coincide with Winter Solstice, it was postponed due to a storm to Jan. 6 so it wouldn't interfere with Christmas. The second event was on Dec. 6, 3 weeks before Christmas. If we held it in March or April, would you complain that it was interfering with Easter? You seem to think it is all about religion and remembering the dead. This event started on a smaller scale 5 years ago. Long before the Petit tragedy.
The lights of hope people are only out to do good, it is a shame you can't see that.

[Rena Dean]

Does the state of CT permit this fundraiser's parade of candles on their Routes for any fundraiser? Perhaps crosses or flowers along route 10 can be done 4 other charities. Business & the majority of residents start decorating for the holidays after Thanksgiving. The luminaries have been associated or thought to be part of the decore, but as mentioned it is not, so why not take the candles off route 10 at least during this season.

[Proud to Live in Cheshire]

Rena Dean wrote:

Does the state of CT permit this fundraiser's parade of candles on their Routes for any fundraiser? Perhaps crosses or flowers along route 10 can be done 4 other charities. Business & the majority of residents start decorating for the holidays after Thanksgiving. The luminaries have been associated or thought to be part of the decore, but as mentioned it is not, so why not take the candles off route 10 at least during this season.

I guess the state was okay with it since they allowed it.
Tell me what your real issue is?
While Rt. 10 an Rt. 70 are littered with political signs for 2 months or more, you are concerned about white bags with candles that burn on 1 night 3 weeks before Christmas?
Many of th businesses on Rt. 10 donated to have these luminaries placed in front of their businesses.
I do know that the coimmittee is re-thinking the Rt. 10 lighting for this years event, but there will always be naysayers like yourself.
I really loved your comment from a previous post hwere you said: "For some reason these folks don't have a problem with appleasing and respecting the citizens of Cheshire's request to move the luminaries off Route 10 and into the park."---tell me what citizens requested this?
You and the other negative posters on here have no clue to any of the facts. I suggest you speak with the Lights of Hope people so you can get your facts straight. Remember, 10,000 kits were sold to residents. There are 9,000 private residences in Cheshire, you do the math and tell me how many people were against this event.
It amazes me when good people take it upon themselves to freely dedicate their lives to raising money for chariteies to make this world a better place and then we have people like you Rena who just want to complain.
Maybe you should consider donating some time to a worthwhile cause and begin to feel good about your community instead of bashing the good things that happen.