When we got a call at this newspaper telling us to be prepared for a surprise guest at the Weare Middle School groundbreaking, we never even considered the possibility that Weare’s most famous resident – U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter – would be the surprise.

Souter has been silent throughout the controversy over taking his home by eminent domain for the proposed Lost Liberty Hotel. We’re willing to venture the guess that Souter counted on the people of Weare to see through the craziness surrounding the proposal and vote it down, which, of course, they did. He didn’t need to make a peep to preserve his family’s homestead.

When it comes to the community, however, Souter came out to the groundbreaking for the new Weare Middle School and showed his soft spot for Weare, its schools and for one teacher in particular – Miss Purington, known now by her married name, Betty Straw. Souter remembered his sixth-grade teacher for her lessons in history and grammar, both subjects he relies on regularly in his work on the court. Souter made an impression on her, too, as a very bright boy.

We hope all Weare’s children and teachers come away from the old school and the new one with such fond memories. Those who helped with this groundbreaking have a memory worth treasuring already.

— Editorials published by Neighborhood News Inc. are written by an editorial board. The board is composed of Publisher and President Amy J. Vellucci, Executive Editor Ginger Kozlowski, Managing Editor Christine Heiser and News Editor Susan Clark.

To the Editor:
A letter to Mrs. Doiron of Medvil:

I have seen your letter in The Goffstown News and cannot believe what I read. Yes, I happen to be one of those disappointed “no” voters and I am offended by your accusations that “one or two among them slashed the signs.” Just who are the “one or two among them?”

Please do not make these kinds of statements if you do not have the proof to back them up. Did it ever occur to you that we had lots of windy days when your signs were put up, and the wind could have been the problem?

Shame on you, Mrs. Doiron, and stop putting the blame on the “no” voters.

I beleive in the Golden Rule you mentioned, “Treat others as you would have them treat you,” but I also believe in the Ten Commandments. No, (number) eight, to be exact, which you and your group might follow: You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

Nat Loiselle
Goffstown

To the Editor:
This is an open letter to the board of selectmen and the police chief and a plea to my fellow citizens. Speeding along Shirley Hill Road has become very scary from the standpoint of those of us who are trying to enter Shirley Hill Road from intersecting roads. The intersection I and my neighbors are most concerned about is Tanager Road and Shirley Hill Road.

When entering Shirley Hill Road, the line of sight uphill and to the west is 150 feet at most before the road curves and dips, preventing us from seeing oncoming traffic. Traffic traveling at the posted 35 mph speed limit might be seen in time.

Traffic going faster than that most certainly is not. Too many times now, after carefully looking both ways for oncoming traffic, immediately after pulling out onto Shirley Hill Road, I have had speeding vehicles come right on my rear. In one instance, the vehicle was going so fast it tried to pass me just as another vehicle was approaching heading up the hill. I said a lot of prayers very quickly. I have already seen a motorcycle T-boned at this very intersection, bodily injury resulting. It is only a matter of time before someone is killed.

I said this is a plea. It is a plea to my fellow citizens who travel through this area to please slow down. Living out in the suburbs means you will have a longer commute to work or to play in Manchester. That’s just the way it is. It is a plea to the board of selectmen and the police department to come up with a solution to slow the traffic down and/or improve the line of sight so we can see the speeders coming.

The police department is usually consulted when new developments are built to ensure that planning takes into account what is needed for safe vehicular traffic.

The town found a solution for the drivers who were running the stop sign at Shirley Hill Roadand Wallace Road. Surely a solution can be found to make our intersection safe. Already some of my neighbors will travel miles out of their way to get to Shirley Hill Road via Addison Road rather than try turning onto Shirley Hill Road from Tanager Road.

Maurice Demers
Goffstown

To the Editor:
After reading a story of suspected danger, (Wilmington News Journal) “Parents worry about safety of power lines,” the name I think that would stand out is “The Day Glow Kindergarten.” After all, that would fit the guidelines of “the geographic location” of the power lines that can be seen in the background of the picture that was in the paper.

Ray Cote
Bow

To the Editor:
When something you cannot live without benefits students in your community, you make an effort to come out and give your support any way you can. I’m talking about chocolate and scholarships.

The Goffstown Mother’s Club recently sponsored its 14th annual Chocolate Lover’s Fantasy hosted at the beautiful Stonebridge Country Club.

Once again our all-you-can-eat chocolate buffet was a tremendous success. Close to 185 tickets were sold for the event.

Thanks to everyone who purchased tickets, and helped to consume all of the chocolate confections, which were most generously donated by area businesses. Thanks also, to those businesses that donated door prizes in lieu of chocolate.

We’d also like to thank everyone who helped us promote the event. You know who you are, but we’d like to let everyone else know how much we appreciate your generosity:

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant, Panera Bread, Putnam’s Waterview Restaurant, Stop & Shop Supermarket, Tinker’s Seafood, Van Otis Chocolates, The Wayfarer Inn, Weathervane Seafood, All That Candy, Raddison Hotel, Chili’s Bar & Grill, Hannaford Supermarket, Jake’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream & Sweet Shoppe, Carem’s Cakes, New Boston Tavern, Karen’s Kitchen, Famous Dave BBQ, Bread & Chocolate, Theos Pizza Restaurant & Lounge, Slammer’s, T-Bones Great American Eatery, Just Like Mom’s, Frederick’s Pastries, Jacques Pastries, Kay’s Bakery & Take Outs, Michelle’s Gourmet Pastries & Deli, Angela’s Pasta, Tressel, Manchester Country Club, Fratello’s Ristorante Italiano, Candy Kingdom, Backroom Restaurant, Black Forest Café & Bakeries, Chez Vachon, Sully’s, Shaw’s Supermarket, Cactus Jack’s Southwest Grill, TGI Friday’s, Sam’s Club, Longhorn Steakhouse, Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, Lollipop (Pam Bridge), Highlander Inn, Richard’s Bistro, Stonebridge Country Club, Apotheca Flower Shoppe & Tea Chest, Jo-Marie’s Country Shoppe, Yankee Cupboard, Howe’s Pharmacy, WZID 95.7 FM, GTV, and Neighborhood Publications.

Ann Corriveau
Goffstown

To the Editor:
Barbara Griffin just doesn’t get it! After (unfortunately) being elected chairman of the Goffstown Board of Selectmen (BOS), she had the audacity to “talk down” to newly elected and people’s choice Nick “the communicator” Campasano.

The apparent reason for this verbal spanking was that Nick refused to vote for Griffin for chairman of the BOS for a list of good reasons! Nick carefully and smoothly chose to be diplomatic in explaining his reasoning but do you think Griffin could accept that? No, she chose to spew her verbal venom just like she did to the audience attending the deliberative session, only this time I think Griffin has been waiting for the right moment to attack the credible newcomer and the honorable method he has chosen to conduct business!

Griffin apparently did not like the idea that the outcome of the vote was not unanimous.

Well, Barbara, the people of Goffstown have come to understand that the way the past BOS did business was very suspect! Our democracy relies on a system of checks and balances, which has been absent with the past BOS.

To think that you expected a unanimous vote on your nomination communicates to the voters that the unpopular form of governing that caused the voters to mistrust the past BOS is expected to continue under your reign.

Most voters will never forget the unanimous illegal vote to change the chain of command of the Goffstown Fire Department.

They made it clear at the March elections that they did not approve or trust the style of governing that the past BOS practiced. Unfortunately, three of the five BOS members on that board still occupy their seats, but in time that will change!

Congratulations Nick, the people sent a mandate to the BOS, you heard them and your “no” vote proves you are not working for the “Good Old Boy Network” or the BOS chairman, but for the voters that elected you!

Bruce Lemire
Goffstown