Cold was not a factor. We were out there even if it was zero degrees.

We used to play softball, dodgeball (I think I have read that has become un-PC), tag, hide-and-seek, or sometimes just walk two or three times around the softball field.

In high school, we had to have four credits of gym (whoops, physical education) to graduate. The only exemptions were given to students who had lettered in a sport the previous year.

That meant you had gym five days a week – every day you went to school – for four years.

Phil Daley
Hillsboro

The donations will go towards transportation, lodging cheer curls and we're hoping for new uniforms for next year.

Considering all the need for support for many just causes, it's so nice to know the people of Hooksett remember our local organizations in such a generous way!

A big cheer to Shaw's and to that wonderful man who knowingly donated a rather large bill! We appreciate all the support!

Debbie Fortin
Hooksett

Four years ago, the ELVES group was formed in Hooksett. ELVES stands for Electronic Learning Volunteers Enhancing Schools. The group is made up of parents and faculty from Hooksett. Some of us know a lot about computers, and some of us have learned a lot about computers.

When we started, Cawley School had one computer lab, Memorial one and Underhill none. Now Cawely is opening its third lab, Memorial its second and Underhill its first. All of this has been done with zero tax dollars.

The ELVES members made contacts with Military Surplus, St. Paul's School and others to acquire used computers. With a little dusting off and upgrading, these computers are more than adequate for our students. The members have built computer tables, helped with network wiring and spent countless hours installing software.

There is one member that I would particularly like to point out. What makes him unique is that he doesn't have kids in our school, he doesn't live in Hooksett and he makes it to most of the ELVES meetings that take place in the evening. The person I am referring to is Jim Colby.

Jim is the Hooksett school's technology director, which means that every time he helps us bring another computer online, he has one more to take care of. As busy as Jim is, he comes to the ELVES meetings on his own time without pay, sometimes even paying a babysitter so he can be there.

Jim has encouraged and inspired the ELVES to provide more technology for our kids. In a time of budget debates, contract negotiations and policy disagreement, it is refreshing to see someone like Jim who is so dedicated to his profession and helping our children.

David Pearl
Hooksett

It has become clear that the methods and strategies I conceitedly thought so clever were destined to fail, as they have. Relying on my own strength and intellect was foolish because I am weak and not so smart. Often the obvious is overlooked while seeking what we perceive to be obscure. Sometimes we see better without glasses.

The best of intentions will never justify or reward faulty methods. No one can do anything good or great by themselves. Pride comes before the fall. Humility comes before learning. Confession and repentance are prerequisites for restoration and reward. These are not my sayings, they are only some of the footnotes from wiser authors.

My hope has been more than simply restored, it has been assured. I've requested a meeting that has been promised, but the date has not. My timing has usually been bad, so I defer to my councilor's wisdom. I must, and shall, be still and wait. It is like having a house-sized gift that can't be opened yet, but has my name on it. The contents of which are unknown, but certain to be more than imagined.

The best gifts are those that can be shared without being diluted or reduced in size. For those who know what I'm talking about, do likewise. When it is time, you also will be called and instructed. Don't be like I was, casting pearls before swine, or a jockey dismounting his horse during the race. He won't cross the line first either way, but will be in the winner's circle if he remains in the saddle.

David Ross
Hooksett

P's. Dick Marple's Oct. 13 letter had one glaring mistake; the word "almost."

The applicable law (RSA91- A:3) specifically defines when a nonpublic session can occur, and the intention of the law is to strictly limit the type of business than can be done outside the public's view.

The ones applying to personnel matters refer to matters of hiring, dismissal, or compensation and "matters which, if discussed in public, would likely affect adversely the reputation of any person ..."

One erroneous application of this process occurs when a board justifies a nonpublic session to discuss "personnel matters," a term that actually does not appear in the statute at all.

I was reminded of this often heard reason of "personnel matters" when I read that the Henniker selectmen had entertained a retirement proposal from the Henniker chief of police. I did not see anything in the intent of that discussion that warranted a nonpublic session. If I am correct, I'm sure this was an innocent mistake of no importance in its own right, but it reminded me of several past transgressions against either the letter of the law or its intent and spirit.

Research into one board's minutes reveals that in a sixmonth period, it went into nonpublic session for two purposes that wouldn't appear to be even remotely permitted by RSA91- A:3. In one instance, they discussed the extent of drug use at their school; in another, after publicly hearing a long line of witnesses about a student's complaint about harassment, they went into nonpublic session to deliberate their response.

A more insidious danger is when a board considers the public's presence a nuisance or a damper on their self-expression and engages in behindthe- scenes communication. I will use as an example my own appearance before the JSRHS Board to express a concern about a policy.

In a memo circulated prior to the meeting, a member personally attacked my understanding of society and justice, advising his colleagues that my issue did not warrant their time or consideration. (When this was later discovered, the explanation was that a board member had been appointed as a scout whose role it was to advise the board how to respond because it didn't have time to listen to "everyone.")

Subsequently, the collective mind of an entire board shut out data revealing that a JSRHS policy was opposed by 36 of 43 New Hampshire high schools, a fact that was not even entered into the record of the meeting in spite of the fact that my survey had been suggested by the then superintendent.

The point of this example is to alert everyone, board members and the public they represent, that adhering to legal restrictions about meetings is not enough to ensure that a board's business is being conducted transparently. This letter is an open appeal to members of all boards to be ever-diligent in your efforts to conduct business transparently.

Nonpublic sessions, and in my case an official surreptitious memo, make it easier for board members to hide their opinions and deliberations from the citizens you serve, and I appeal to all of you to resist the opportunity.

One method of self-monitoring is to specifically cite the applicable part of the statute when the motion for nonpublic session is made. Actually, this is already required in the RSA (Part I, b).

I'm sure citizens serving on boards embrace their obligations, and that you won't mind a gentle reminder now and then of how important it is that the process remain as open and transparent as the spirit and letter of the law intends.

I also encourage each board to record the statutory justification in its minutes in the interest of establishing proof of compliance with this requirement and official record of the legal justification of the nonpublic session.

Jeffrey T. Page
Henniker