The arrest of Danna Folden of Goffstown for allegedly causing her mother.s death through negligence has been the subject of much shocked discussion around town. A few residents who knew her commented that they didn't believe she could be responsible.

The fact that Folden had personal issues that may or may not have kept her from being the best caretaker for her 91- year-old mother, while unfortunate, is not as important as the facts.

And the fact is, there are a lot of people walking around, working and taking care of families while suffering from various mental illnesses. It's also a fact that many people with these issues commit crimes.

Just because a person has a lower IQ, is unstable or otherwise incapacitated does not mean they are above the law. The police investigated the situation, and she was formally charged with negligence.

Those are the facts.

The circumstances surrounding the case and Folden's issues will come out as legal proceedings unfold.

Those who think Folden can't be judged for her mother's death simply because of her problems need to hold their own judgment until the justice system does its job.

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To the Editor:
As the closest neighbor to the intersection of Shirley Hill Road and Wallace Road, and one that I pass through twice a day, I thought I would share my feelings about a blinking traffic light at that intersection.

For 25 years, I have been a part of this neighborhood and for years, before everyone had a cell phone, my home was the proverbial phone booth for those requesting the police or emergency services to respond to the intersection of Shirley Hill Road and Wallace Road for vehicle accidents.

Let's face it, you will never solve the problem of people racing up and down Shirley Hill Road to get to school, work or recreation. The nature of the road lends itself to those that enjoy speed and maneuvering tight curves.

On more occasions then I can count, as I attempted to back a trailer into my driveway, I was nearly hit by a speeding vehicle that at the posted speeds would have no problem seeing me upon their approach, thus allowing the 20 seconds I need to finish my driveway entry. Even backing my 26-foot antique fire truck into the driveway had one impatient driver continue driving towards me, never stopping and missing my front bumper by no more then 6 to 12 inches.

Placing a blinking light at the intersection of Shirley Hill Road and Wallace Road will mean nothing to those entering the intersection from the east and west at above posted speeds.

Any one that regularly passes through the intersection of Shirley Hill Road and Route 114 can tell you that there are dozens of red light violations there each day, so what makes anyone think that a blinking light will cure the problem at the other end of Shirley Hill Road?

The only way to reduce the accident numbers at Shirley Hill Road and Wallace Road is to place stop signs at all corners - yes four stop signs - and police the intersection regularly. Stopping all vehicles approaching this dangerous intersection will allow time for each driver to make a safe move through the intersection when it is their turn.
Bruce Lemire
Goffstown

To the Editor:
I have been very impressed with Cathy Ewing and the Main Street Program for putting together so many great events here in Goffstown. I think it is wonderful that my wife and I can take our children to these local events and have a great time with our friends and neighbors. It truly is one of the things that makes this such a nice community to live in.

To that, I would like to thank the people who put it on, the Main Street Program and Cathy Ewing.

I would also like to thank them for letting my students be a part of the day by having the cardboard boat event and working with us to make it fun and educational.

Bruce Normand was a huge help getting the boats in and out of the water – thank you. Thanks to John Miller, Tom Nault and the rest of the guys from the search and rescue team from the fire department, especially not having the buoy across the river before the dam. Thanks to Goffstown True Value Hardware for donating duct tape to the students and being so helpful.

I would also like to extend a huge thank you to Claude from Cherokee Disposal, a Goffstown company, for donating a dumpster to put all the wet boats in after the event. You helped keep our town clean and saved my back.

I would also like to thank Frank McBride, the principal of the high school, for supporting me and the projects we do in school to educate our students. It was a great day with great weather and an event that madefor a great weekend.

Thanks to all!
Mark Campbell
Goffstown science teacher
Goffstown

To the Editor:
I am writing to tell those who have never been to go see the very beautiful Boscawen Military Cemetery where our loved ones who served are buried.

My son Bruce is buried there, of which I.m very proud. My other two served in Germany and Vietnam.

The planning of this and the talent there makes one very proud.
Arlene A. Upton
Goffstown

To the Editor:
During one of Rep. Charlie Bass' town meetings last March, he made reference on two occasions to what he called the "death tax." Each time he said it, a sizeable number of the people present quickly corrected him shouting, in unison, "inheritance tax!"

Of course, it isn't difficult to understand why Charlie wouldn't want to remind the rest of us that this is, in fact, an inheritance tax - one that would fall on him and other wealthy elites like him.

But the tactic is a typical rightwing way of distorting the issues through language. Thus we have a "Clear Skies" program that pollutes the atmosphere, a "Safe Forests" initiative that opens old growth forests to logging, "No Child Left Behind" designed to destroy public education and, most recently, a "progressive benefits reduction" to Social Security. Sounds like "progressive taxation," doesn't it?

But, failing in his effort to destroy Social Security through privatization, Bush is now trying to render it useless by cutting middle class benefits to the vanishing point. He knows, as well as Charlie Bass knows, that for wealthy people like them that Social Security check is chump change. They couldn't care less if their benefits are cut. But once middle class benefits are substantially reduced, Social Security becomes just another program for the poor and highly vulnerable.
George Duncan
Peterborough

To the Editor:
I wish to commend Ray Cote and Don Duhamel for their tireless efforts to assist Vietnam veterans in need. For those lessfortunate veterans, it's wonderful to know that someone cares and is there to help them.

However, I must say that the facts just don't support the assertion that only about 10 percent of Vietnam veterans have made a successful adjustment to civilian life after the war. Documented information refuting this stereotype is as near as your computer's search engine.

One excellent source is the book "Stolen Valor," by B.G. Burkett and Glenna Whitley. To paraphrase those authors, Vietnam veterans are as successful or more successful than men their own age who did not go to war; that a disproportionate number of Vietnam vets serve in Congress, one has been Vice President of the United States and another Secretary of State; they run Fortune 500 companies (Frederick Smith of Federal Express); write screenplays (Bill Broyles, formerly of Newsweek); and they report the evening news (Jack Smith of ABC).

Actors such as Dennis Franz and game show hosts like Pat Sajak served in Vietnam. Beyond the famous, the ranks of professions such as prosecutors, attorneys, and public safety agencies are filled with Vietnam veterans.

There is honestly no facet of American life that has not been positively touched by Vietnam veterans. They are in large part running the everyday life of this country now.

A U's. Labor Department study in 1994 showed that the unemployment rate for Vietnam veterans was 3 percent, which is lower than the 5 percent for Vietnam- era veterans who served outside the Vietnam theater, and also lower than the 4.9 percent unemployment rate for all male veterans of all wars.

Again, there are veterans who are in need of assistance, and I commend those who provide it. It's important, though, to not infer from those numbers that the majority of Vietnam veterans have not made a very successful and contributory adjustment to life in these United States.
James C. Pitts
Franklin