Most of all, I want to thank each and every employee in this town because they make the engine go.

As you know, we hired a new town administrator in July and as in the infamous words of President Truman, "The buck stops here." It is true the buck stop at David Jodoin's town administrator desk, but he could not do it without the team work of all the employees in town.

David was born and raised in Hooksett, so Hooksett is very near and dear to him. His mother and sister are residents of Hooksett. Prior to his employment in Hooksett, he was the administrator in Allenstown. They were truly sorry to see him leave and I am so grateful he is in Hooksett.

If you have not heard by now, our tax rate this year is $22.10. It was $22.00 last year. To have an increase of only 10 cents in today's world, with fuel increasing rapidly and health insurance coverage spiraling out of sight, that is truly a miracle. I want to share with you how Administrator Jodin and his team accomplished this miracle:

Good management of your tax dollars and being frugal on the part of all department heads. Administration was able to return over $260,000, fire returned $24,000 (this is a far cry from what I witnessed in this department the first two years I was a councilor). Family services, building, and tax clerk returned $39,000. Solid waste returned $75,000 and police returned $129,000.

Due to due diligence on everyone's part, the town was able to collect a substantial amount in back taxes - $158,000, to be exact. Also, there were many more building permits generated as well as vehicle registrations. That gave the town an additional $101,000. The reduction of the TIF district generated another $190,000 and the treasurer monitored the investments to yield another $106,000 over estimates.

When I visit town hall, I have witnessed a marked improvement in the moods of all the employees. I sort of think of the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs singing "Happy while we work." David has set a wonderful tone and he has the personality one wants to work for him.

Last but not least, the assessing department is the fuel that makes the engine puff, puff up that hill. They keep on top of the valuations and that is what brings in your revenue. I thank each and everyone that has worked so hard in this community.

I will be stepping down in June because the town has been redistricted and there will be four councilors in my new District 1. I hope to alleviate the quagmire the redistricting has created.

I also wish to remind the residents over 65 there is a substantial elderly exemption if you meet the specs. Call the assessing department at 268-0003 and make an appointment. You may qualify, so check it out.

Again, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for allowing me to serve you. I know at times you wonder if we know what we are doing. I can assure you, we all work very hard for the betterment of the community and when we hired David Jodoin, that was a gold star moment.

Thank you and I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and I have much to be thankful for.

Pat Rueppel
Hooksett Town Councilor
District 2

This piece of property was recently purchased by the town to protect the land as open space for the enjoyment of the residents and to save the natural resources located there.

This headline has served to confuse residents into thinking the town, more specifically the Conservation Commission, has given the newly acquired land to Bear-Paw. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Candia owns the land, and will continue to own the land, even after a conservation easement is placed on the land that was stipulated in the sales agreement by the seller, Mary Girard.

Please be assured that the Candia Conservation Commission is grateful for the willingness of the residents to contribute enough to the conservation fund to make the purchase possible. Our goal is to make the property available for future generations to enjoy as open space and wildlife habitat.

We hope residents will take advantage of the trails and walk them with their binoculars and nature books. Please wear boots as there are several wetland crossings.

The confusion may have resulted from the fact that Bear- Paw Regional Greenways, a land trust serving seven member towns, including Candia, routinely sponsors walks on properties that have been conserved in the different towns. This happened to be one of those sponsored walks that was scheduled for Oct. 22.

We are very sorry for the confusion and the resulting stress it caused on the part of some residents.

Ed Fowler
Chairman
Candia Conservation
Commission

The following businesses and organizations that supported Old Home Day deserve special mention:

Candia Police Department, Candia Volunteer Fire Department, Henry W. Moore School, Rockingham Lodge 76, Candia Community Woman's Club, ATS, Sarra Signs, Becker Transportation, Gingerbread House Bakery, Granite State Credit Union, Severino Trucking, Connor- Healy Funeral Home, Carworld, Goffstown Truck Center, Dave's Septic, Nation's Rent, Dobles, American Legion, NH DOT, Tim Carmilia (DJ), Pinard Waste Services, Exeter Rent- All, Hannaford and Coke.

Also, we appreciate the flexibility of all the vendor, parade and program participants.

The committee would like to extend a special thanks to Carol Nolette for donating a handmade afghan for our raffle. The committee will continue to sell tickets at various events with the drawing to take place at the conclusion of Candia Town Meeting in March.

I personally would like to thank the rest of the Candia Old Home Day Committee:

Ann Tierno, Carol Kelly, Deb Giffen, Jerry Becker, Kathy Dupuis, Kelly Adams, Laurie Gilman, Mary Higgins and Nita Alexandris. All of you worked very hard coming up with ideas, planning, fundraising and trying to make this Old Home Day a special day for our community. We hope to see all of you next year!

Rhonda Thyng
Chairman

This is an organization the supports equal rights for men and fathers and helps fight family and divorce court discrimination against men and fathers.

I am asking you to keep watch on the New Hampshire Legislature for a bill called HB 529 and ask them to support it.

Dennis Walsh
Hudson