YourNeighborhoodNews.com: The Hooksett Banner

It’s a bit shocking to see a $1.5 million price tag on the old Hooksett Village School for renovations to that building. However, it will undoubtedly be far less expensive to bring that old building up to code for its new use as a town hall and community center than to do anything to the current town hall offices or build a new town hall. It had been noted for years that any major changes to the old school building’s use would force upgrades to be made to meet safety codes.

We’re happy to see some action on the move too. Letting that building sit vacant is an invitation to vandalism and decay. The sooner the move can be made, the better. We hope that the community center doesn’t get left too far behind in the plans, though. It was made clear with a survey of voters’thoughts that a community center is greatly desired by the people of Hooksett.

Now we have to wonder what we can do with the old town hall – and whether that’s another million-dollar project on our horizon.

-Ginger Kozlowski, Editor

I felt that the committee planning the renovation was eager to hear and address all town concerns that were expressed. My disappointment was only with the town residents.

Out of what appeared to be 70 to 80 chairs set up for the meeting, most were empty.

If you are a taxpayer with no children in the school system this will affect you.

If you are a parent of small children that are not yet in the school system this will affect you.

All the questions that I had at the last meeting have been answered to my satisfaction. There is only one other question that still lingers in my mind: What could be more important to taxpayers and parents than money and education?

To the Editor:
The Fixit Program wishes to thank the Hooksett Wal-Mart for their recent $900 donation. Brenda Marston, community involvement coordinator for the Hooksett Wal-Mart, was instrumental in getting us the grant.

The grant monies are already at work providing minor maintenance and repair to homes of seniors (60 and older) or disabled citizens in the Hooksett area.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or are in need of services, call David Poisson at (800) 856-5525.

To the Editor:
After reading predominantly favorable viewpoints on school expansion, I am writing to share some thoughts, which I believe a silent majority hopefully shares.

In an ideal world, incomes would rise in proportion to yearly school budgets, but, with the present economy, they do not. With ever-increasing school budgets, some have concerns that spending on potentially necessary town infrastructure may have to be delayed.

There was a time when class sizes averaged 30 students and thoughts of air quality were not particularly on the front burner. As was said by one of the committee members, in the event that the addition does not pass, life in Epsom will still proceed forward. This may require parents, students, and teachers to continue to make due with what they have, as the average taxpayer has to do every day. In regards to the ventilation and boiler system, repairs will definitely need to be made.

The real economic question here is the impact of the re-evaluation, which is done every ten years according to state mandate and will be finished in June of this year. After this re-evaluation, there will undoubtedly not be too many homes valued at $100,000. Historically in this state, as real estate values have soared, so have property taxes in the aftermath. It is only practical and sound business to forego voting for any large budget increases until the impact of the re-evaluation is known so that one gets a more specific picture of the ability to pay for such increases.

We as parents want to leave a natural environment for our children. I believe there is a similar responsibility to leave a good financial environment for our children in the hopes that they may one day be able to afford homes in our towns in this great state.

To the Editor:
Epsom residents: As you have been made aware by several letters over the past few weeks, Epsom Central School is in dire need of an addition and renovation project. The mechanical systems in the school are completely outdated with controls dating back to the 1950s and held together with Band-Aids. The two boilers are old and inefficient. They have been patched and repaired to the point that they can’t be patched anymore.

The cast iron plumbing drainage system has holes in the pipes. Water pipes have begun to leak as the soldered joints are weakening; there are faucets in the bathrooms that are hot only and cold only. There is no warm water for washing hands.

The older classrooms have outdated faucets and we can no longer attain the parts to fix them. They also have combination sink and drinking fountains, which means the same sink our children wash their hands and paint brushes in, is the same sink they drink from.

The ventilation system is inadequate, as it will not produce the now required air exchanges for a healthy environment. This lack of proper air exchange is one of the leading causes to mold growth within buildings and aids in the spreading of illness such as the flu or common cold.

With all this information in mind, I urge you, the voters, to vote yes to the Epsom Central School building and renovation project and create a healthier environment for our children to learn.

To the Editor:
After having received and read the executive summary of the Master Plan, and then reading through the actual draft of the proposed Master Plan, I was quite shocked to find that there were two proposed bridges to be built across the Merrimack. Further review revealed that other than very broad and general statements as to the desirability of having additional crossings of the Merrimack there was no evidence of any feasibility studies having been performed to justify either bridge.

Another huge shock was discovering that a very large percentage of land is being proposed to be converted to an industrial zone in total contradiction to the Open Space Plan, which recommends that the same area be protected as Open Space.

A phrase that I did like was, “It is the town’s intent to retain intensive land uses on the eastern-Route 3- side of the community: it is also the town’s intent to take active steps to insure that lands on Route 3-A(on the west side) do not become as intensively used as Route 3.” If this is the case, how can it be justified that two EDZ’s (economic development zones) be created for all of Route 3-A with the exception of what I would guess to be approximately a quarter of a mile stretch of the highway, just south of Cross Road to approxiamately Scott Avenue.

Another item that concerns me greatly is that of the numerous references to CEDCOH (Community Economic Development Corp. of Hooksett). It has always been my impression that if a town wanted to hire a professional consulting firm, it was done by going out for bids and then awarding a contract and not by having some entity funded by the town as recommended in the Master Plan.

There are many more items that could be covered, and that is the reason that a group of citizens have formed a group and asked the Planning Board to grant an extension of time before deciding to adopt the proposed Master Plan. It took a group of volunteers approximately two years to compile the information. It is my understanding that there was little if any final review by the combined groups before presenting the proposed document. The citizens of Hooksett were then given one informational meeting, and a week later, one public hearing to review what is being proposed for their and the town’s future; they then had 30 days to submit written comments to the Planning Board.

I could ramble on over quite a few more issues that should discussed in much further detail, but I realize there are space limitations for letters so I will close by mentioning that the group referenced earlier is the HCTV group meeting every Wednesday at the American Legion at 7 p.m.

To the Editor:
Dear Cawley Middle School Staff:
We want to thank you for being a positive and tenacious group of people. The last few years have been challenging ones and you have come together as a team for the welfare of our students. Whether you work in the kitchen preparing food, in the office greeting our public, in the classroom teaching or assisting with lessons or in the building buffing floors, we are lucky to have a staff of your caliber. Thank you.

We commend your persistence when taking on one more change or transition. Whether the change was learning a new assessment program, working with the changes in our food service organization, or moving to a new building, you made it work. It is change that even the best professionals can resist, but you have faced it and seen it through. Thank you.

It is refreshing to walk through the hallways of our school to see positive adults challenging students every day. It is exciting to see teachers grab the attention of sixth-, seventh-and eighth-graders and guide them through well-planned lessons that connect learning to students’ lives. We have observed your commitment first hand and it is clear that you truly care about kids and want what is best for them. Thank you.

It is encouraging to know that we will face the future with such a strong group of educators and support staff. We look forward to it. Ron Pedro Principal Becky Wing Assistant Principal

To the Editor:
We of the Teddy Bear Fund would like to take this opportunity to thank the many people and businesses who made the year 2004, our inaugural year, a successful and productive one. For those who are unfamiliar, The Teddy Bear Fund was created last March as a nonprofit organization whose mission is aiding the children of underprivileged families with new clothing and toys.

We work with existing programs or create new ones in areas where it is necessary, within the boundaries of Merrimack County.

We were overwhelmed by the acceptance we received by the community at large and by the incredible generosity of the many people who involved themselves with us, either by donation of funds, goods or time. Through their acts of kindness, we were able to provide a Christmas for more than 50 children who would otherwise have fallen through the cracks. It would be far too difficult to name all of these fine people and I know I would leave some out, but collectively you have our undying gratitude and respect!

I personally would like to thank our board of directors for their hard work and dedication throughout the year in making this dream a reality.

Everyone associated with the fund is an unpaid volunteer, but I’m sure they would each agree that the joy of these unfortunate children and the relief of the parents was payment enough and then some.

The Teddy Bear Fund is a year-round organization, and we have already begun to organize events and fundraisers for 2005. Aid through us is available through us at any time (not just Christmas) to qualified individuals.

Because we are growing, we are seeking additional board members as well as associate members. Once again, we thank you all!

To the Editor:
When ignorance speaks, it is misinformation. When ignorance is repeated and promoted by those who know better, it is a blatant lie. When elected officials participate in such lie-spreading, it is misleading and should be considered and treated as an act of treason. They swear an oath and should be bound by it at the polls and in the courts.

If anyone out there doesn’t have a dictionary, get one. The dictionary is an indispensable educational tool. Whenever we asked our parents what a word meant or how it was spelled, they would say “look it up.” They were correct. We never forgot what we looked up and would usually learn a few other things in the process.

The dictionary should be a required reference to be used prior to the introduction of any bill. It certainly should be used by our courts, as well. Language translation is one thing. Language destruction and misuse is another. It violates every natural and written law.

The word contraception means “prevention of conception.” The word conception means “the formation of a zygote.” The word zygote means “the cell formed by the union of two gametes.” The word gamete means “a mature sperm or egg.” Calling the “morning after pill” a contraceptive drug is an indefensible lie. RU486 and other similar drugs are abortifacients, “anything used to induce abortion.” Abortion is “induced termination of pregnancy.” Look it up!

Abortion is a life-changing decision. Such decisions require time to consider the consequences. The consequences are suffered by the mother and father for a lifetime. Does anyone out there really think that allowing a minor to rush into such a decision without the help and consent of her parents should be written into law?

Why do so many elected officials continue to spread the lie? Why are so many voters closing their ears and eyes while evil runs rampant through our governments and schools? Have you all become so cowardly, or are you all feigning to be ignorant? Remember, ignorance is neither an excuse nor a defense. All will be judged, make no mistake about it.