YourNeighborhoodNews.com: The Hooksett Banner

The Hooksett School District took a step into untested waters this month with its decision to take advantage of wording in the original warrant article regarding the school budget and ask for a second vote. That wording has been there every year since the town moved to the official ballot law form of voting, or SB2. It says that if the article is defeated, the district may hold one special meeting to consider a revised operating budget. When you say no to the operating budget, you automatically say yes to the possibility of a second vote.

It seems to us that if you want to rule out that possibility, the warrant article needs to be presented as two items - one for the article, and one for reconsideration of a revised budget. Of course, it's likely that reconsideration will never be approved under this scenario, but if that's the will of the voters, it should take the force of law.

At least with this second vote, a more typical number of voters got their say. The first time around, under snowy conditions, fewer than 600 residents cast ballots. This time, exactly 1,330 people took time to vote. (Though why 73 handed in blank ballots is a mystery.) No one could complain about the weather or traffic on this voting day. It's still a pitiful percentage of Hooksett's more than 12,000 residents, but far more than ever attended any old-style School District Meeting.

We're happy Hooksett's students will continue to get the well-rounded education we've come to expect from Hooksett schools, including sports and music. None of us is happy about the tax increase, but property revaluation is hitting homeowners harder than this increase in school costs. What we need now is more people willing to get involved in the budgeting process before it comes down to a vote to ensure the best possible financial decisions are being made.

The consultant only reported that the only complaint that was founded was that routine performance reviews have not been performed in the police department for several years. This was an oversight on the part of the commission as well as the chief because we had decided to revise the performance review forms and neglected to do so. We are now busy making these revisions.

The chief and commission are working cooperatively to make other improvements in the department that were recommended by the consultant. These include some changes to internal investigation procedures, acceleration of the process of filing vacancies in lieutenants' positions and outside representation on promotional oral boards.

Chairman Richard Bairam
Commissioner Judith Hess
Commissioner David Gagnon
Hooksett Police Commission

This probably won't come cheap. Obviously, the planning people oppose any form of control (except their own), regardless of what their residents want. I believe they're intent on paving over the town, and intimidation is still alive and well 'threats of lawsuits and the like. Who do these people represent, anyway? If they don't like the ordinance as it is, one would think they would drop the rubber stamp for a minute and try to work with the people who put it together to find a common ground. It remains to be seen, so don't drop your guard just yet. Meantime, the $10 per day taxes we pay gives us the right to question the experts. decisions.

Incidentally, on another related matter, it recently occurred to me that the community center may not be so urgent anymore - any day at 4 p.m. (give or take), you can now all get together on the Route 3 or 28 Bypass parking lots and socialize as long as you want.

Mr. Ross should also share with his attorney the following facts: in the 15 weeks between Jan. 20 and May 5, (the last Banner issue before the town vote), he submitted nine letters to the editor. Of those nine letters, four are negative specifically about Article 4 and yet he mentions Mt. Zion only once in passing. A second reference to Mt. Zion is to invite people to a fundraising concert - no mention of Village School. Does Mr. Ross honestly believe that Hooksett voters would have remembered his "detailed" plan as outlined Jan. 13 (and then rescinded the next week) when he only mentions Mount Zion once in the next 15 issues of the Banner? In addition, at the height of his hypocrisy Mr. Ross also opines: "There are better, more efficient answers than those being foisted upon us. C'mon Mr. Planner, let's see some planning that benefits current residents." (March 3).

On the topic of town and school budgets, Mr. Ross has this to say: "Historically, the more you feed governments, the more they devour and crave more. Help me to fight this local infestation - just say 'no'. Chase away the varmints. Just say no to all questions asking to 'raise or appropriate' any money and no to any new 'Capital Reserve Funds'. Where it says 'budget,' select no." (Feb. 17) After the "no" vote on the school budget: "It took two or three of us to save more than a million dollars and about seven to save over another half. I'd say it was worth the 2.5 minutes it took. These are nice bragging rights that any two of us can claim." (March 24) And this on March 31: "Can you say belligerent? The school board fits the definition accurately. Who the (bleep) do they think they are? Our forefathers would be shooting people, long before this stage." Sounds like a tolerant Christian thing to say, doesn't it? Concern about tax rates is legitimate and valid. Wholesale smear campaigns are not.

Mr. Ross, I have as much right to my opinions as you do to yours. You can go running to your attorney if you.d like, but it sounds to me like a case of being able to dish it out but not being able to take it. Bridge-burners should expect to get burnt.

For weeks he had been publicly criticizing groups and organizations in his letters to the Banner. When the tables are finally turned, his response is that he plans to consult with a professional about his (legal?) options.

Advice from former President Harry Truman may apply here "If you can't stand the heat, then get out of the kitchen."

I do not plan to go back and forth in the Banner with a "tit for tat" approach. We have both made our points. To alleviate my ignorance, however, I have a couple of questions for Mr. Ross.

. Does Mount Zion School teach to its students the same values, attributes and public criticism of others, as those exhibited by you over the past several months?

My reason for this revote is a truly legitimate one. At least one of the voting machines was unlocked all day! After a little homework, I learned that this allows unfettered access to the contents. I checked with some other voters and found that this machine was unlocked when they voted as well, and they are willing to testify to this fact.

Pardon my paranoia but, the closer I get, the more suspicious I get. What are they hiding in the Village School? Why doesn't anyone debate me, with the facts? Why does it seem that last year's voting outcomes are being ignored, maybe even disobeyed? Article 27 was to fund and allow planning and preparation for moving town offices. That was defeated. Article 10 was to fund maintenance for the building, which doesn't appear to have been done very well, if at all. The attitudes I've witnessed reflected those of elite rulers rather than public servants. They seem to think that they own this town and can do as they please. It is time for a wake-up call.

Much time and money has been spent planning and promoting what the voters said no to. Have we lost control of our town? I think so. If you say "there's nothing I can do", then you have run from the front lines, abandoned ship or taken up with the enemy. Honor our veterans and preserve freedom and liberty. The socialist liberals are gaining too much ground.

It is up to you. I can't do it alone. Call the Statehouse and demand a revote! Call and write more than once or twice. I will stand with you, or alone, again.

Honorees (Hooksett-ites) First Vice President Walter Chase and Teri Chase: For their unselfish spent time gathering information to make this occasion a reality.

They typed the original invitations, prepared the original program, answered their telephone for the people who were to attend the luncheon, kept updating the list with Sully; both were members of the entertainment group known as The Hooksett Entertainers! The performers were just terrific and everyone enjoyed their performance. I would like to add "Dorothy Robie" has performed with the group.

Sully and Beverly-Rae Hassan: For their tireless efforts answering their telephone concerning the people who would be attending the luncheon. Also updating the list with Walter so that we would be in agreement with each other. Everything went like clockwork!

Sandy and Elizabeth Stewart: For their many hours devoted to contribution to the Over 80s Luncheon, received listing from last year's luncheon, brought the original invitations to Page & Page for publishing, copied the original program on their computer, the program that was to be distributed at the luncheon. Sandy, chairman, for setting up the tables at the luncheon site for the wonderful occasion.

Volunteers (setting up tables) Sandy and Elizabeth Stewart; James and Gertrude Connor, who were responsible for tags and ticket distribution for prizes; Mae Crombie; Ralph and Josephine Delsordo; Stig and Irene Franzen; Roy Lewis; Stuart and Joyce Werksman (I introduced Stu as the newly elected Councilor- at-Large); Ed Greenlaw; Terry and Rosemary Andersen; and Richard (Dick) Vail.

Committee (Hooksett-ites) Sully and Beverly-Rae Hassan; Sandy and Elizabeth Stewart; Walter and Terri Chase; James and Gertrude Connor; Ed and Evelyn Greenlaw; Mary Green; Rita Schunemann; Yvette Bixby; and Lillian Douglas.

These members were responsible for the whole operation within the luncheon area, taking tally of all people entering the area, giving out the flowers, also distributing tickets for the prizes (GIFTS).

There is much more that I should write about concerning the Hooksett-ites but if I have failed to do so, then I apologize for this.

Last but not least, the luncheon was enjoyed by all who attended! To all Hooksett-ites that contributed the valuable time and efforts for this wonderful occasion, a hearty job well done!