To the Editor:

The family of Ricky McGregor would like to sincerely thank all of the members of the Hooksett Hurricanes board for their gracious and touching memorial to our son, Ricky, at the Ricky McGregor Memorial Jamboree. We would especially like to thank the president, Mr. Sal Cristofaro and football coordinator Jason Patch.

It has been a tough three months for our family. The loss of our son has had a devastating impact on our lives, and we will continue to feel this loss forever. However, the support we have been shown through the caring and compassion of others has been truly comforting to us and our family.

Rick and Sherry McGregor
Hooksett

To the Editor:

The Pembroke and Allenstown Old Home Day Committee would like to thank everyone who made this year’s celebration another success.

Thank you to the Pembroke and Allenstown Board of Selectmen, police, fire and highway departments; the Pembroke Recreation Department; all of the merchants and volunteers who helped out with the parade and at Memorial Field; and all of the residents who turned out for a great day of fun and reconnecting with friends and family.

A big thank you also goes to Associated Grocers for their support of our fireworks display.

If we’ve left you out of our list, know that we appreciate your participation also. See you next year!

Jocelyn Carlucci
Pembroke

To the Editor:

It was a welcoming and patriotic idea to display the stars and stripes on a pole at the Epsom Traffic Circle.

With no intent of being disrespectful to the donors of this gift to the town, I find it necessary to take the position that having no flag at all is better than having a dwarfed flag. When displaying our flag, there should be nothing higher and mightier than the flag. In this case, a light pole towers over the flag at the circle.

The only forseeable solution would be to obtain the assistance of the state of New Hampshire to install a halyard for a very, very large flag on the pole.

Jim Breagy
Epsom

To the Editor:

I do not have any intentions of overriding the vote of the town; let’s clear the air and listen to my whispers!

The voice of the town has spoken and misinterpretations prevail:

1. I support the idea to buy an ambulance without cost to the tax base, with available developers’ impact fee monies; this is to secure the future of our growing town. We all must pull together to supply a service that will give you the most professional care you need quickly on scene: administering IVs; medications; using needed modern and essential technical computerized instruments and EKGs transmitted to communicate directly with the hospital’s doctors; defibrillators and prescription drugs to preserve life; and health care.

2. Impact monies are collected by the town for brand-new projects that have impact on the town. These monies are held in trust accounts for up to six years, and, by state laws, must be earmarked only for certain new projects. Surplus monies (impact fees already collected) are now released as needed to purchase town items. This money does not go into the general fund; therefore, by using these monies, there is no impact on the taxpayer.

3. Localized immediate professional capabilities at the scene of an accident to treat trauma and give the quick care loved ones need to preserve the important “golden hour.” This golden hour is considered the most important hour for extrication, treatment and transportation to a local trauma center or hospital.

4. I have found by looking at other communities that, in most cases, the ambulance service supports itself, and usually contributes surplus money to the town.

5. I’m informed that we always have fire personnel being trained to become professional intermediates/paramedics, who and which contributes to a higher standard of professional health care service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Just to remind you, your current ambulance service provides “time in” service from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Currently we are without in-town, in-hour coverage (professional medical transport), Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. until 9 a.m., and none on Saturdays and Sundays. There are 168 hours in a week, and only 40 of these hours are covered by an in-town ambulance. It is a known fact that most heart attacks happen at night. Try not to have an emergency during these times, it may take longer than you have to get life-saving treatment.

When you have any questions, please feel free to call me and I will direct you to the individuals that will help you.

Former Councilman
Philip E. Fitanides
(District 1) Hooksett

To the Editor:

Does Hooksett need a growth management ordinance? Apparently, that remains an unanswered question, to some. Unfortunately, the question has been mis-characterized as stopping growth, which is not possible. Even slowing the growth rate is not the proper intent of the measure. managing growth is the purpose, as the title indicates.

The first clue is that the voters clearly “shouted” it by overwhelmingly passing the very first one offered. I contend that the legality of it was of little concern to the voters. The point was made ­ slow down! At the time, I called it what it was; a desperate act, considering the extreme measures it called for, but understood the intent and voted for it.

The next clue might be that fiscal year 2002-03 saw our town budget expenditures totaling just over $9 million. The 2006-07 appropriations (default budget) are 12.9 million. When I use my 1984 TI calculator, adding 40 percent to one number still doesn’t get all the way to the next. Simplistic, yes, but accurate. It appears that we have increased spending by about 40 percent in four years. This is only the town budget, the school budget is another matter and won’t be addressed today.

Last week we saw the imminent departure of a valuable citizen, because of the cost of living increases here. I have seen and heard similar tales from neighbors and other writers to this paper. It seems unfair that some residents are forced to leave or use home equity lines to remain; slowly selling their homes to keep them. I don’t know Judy Casey, but have heard of her contributions to this town. Being a budget chairman gives her a view few see. I wonder how many will follow her lead?

Yes, Hooksett needs a growth management ordinance! Otherwise, only the very wealthy residents, and future wealthy residents will be able to stay here, living on the hills and around the golf course. Then again, moving to Hooksett may become less popular to everyone, if the taxes continue to rise at the rate they have. Some management is better than none, and sooner is better than later.

Dave Ross
Hooksett Town Councilor

To the Editor:

The self-worshipping David Ross seems to have adopted The Banner as his own personal message board; thus one reader’s plea -- now seconded -- for The Banner to stop printing him with such brutal regularity.

Still, I fear Mr. Ross is not to be dissuaded by the impeachments of a few Banner readers, since his self-assumed mission is, apparently, to urge civic virtue, correct error, combat ignorance, and direct the sadly benighted in the town towards the sunny uplands of piety, truth and clear thinking.

He tells us, moreover, that in order to get his brain into gear preparatory to a meeting, 30 seconds of silence is required -- which spiritual interval he needs as well to maintain his writing skills (I kid you not).

But as his writing is not, I assume, undertaken at the meeting, it’s rather difficult to understand how 30 contemplative seconds prior to the reading of the Pledge of Allegiance will improve it after a long interval, or why, indeed, he can’t simply spiritually prepare himself before attending a meeting or sitting down to write.

He insists, however, that the 30 seconds is “reasonable accommodation” for those needing time to “mentally, emotionally and spiritually” prepare for the meeting.

Well, maybe those who need such time should try instead three fingers of gin, since anyone so frail mentally, emotionally and spiritually to require 30 seconds before the start of a meeting surely needs very strong assistance. Besides which, who are “those,” aside from himself, needing such time; can he supply any names?

Well, it’s all pretty silly stuff -- or, I might suggest, even something a bit more sinister. So I think the citizens of Hooksett should keep a wary eye on this guy; and whatever you do, don’t put him on the school board. That’s the way to notoriety and folly.

Charles Beward
Candia

To the Editor:

The ARA-Friends of the Old Allenstown Meeting House Committee would like to thank the newly formed Allenstown/ Pembroke Leo’s Club for sponsoring a car wash, which was held on Aug. 5, to benefit the Old Allenstown Meeting House.

The Leo’s made $75 and presented it to The Friends of the Old Allenstown Meeting House Committee on Aug. 22.

The committee wants to thank Mariah Crooker, who was in charge of this event, and Richy Wilson, Zach McMahon, D.J. Clough, Marissa Swett and Catrina Joseph. You did a wonderful job and we are very proud of your interest in the community.

If there are any questions, please call me at 485-4437 or e-mail me at cverville2@aol.com.

Thank you and have a good day.

Claudette Verville
Allenstown

To the Editor:

School is back in session in Candia. No surprise there, right? Teachers are teaching, kids are learning and the Candia Parent-Teacher Organization is looking for your help.

Education costs money and our group is working hard to help support our kids. Have you seen the “Box Tops for Education” coupons on many General Mills products? I see it on the top of my Cheerios box every morning. I also cut it out as soon as the box is empty and save it. Why? Because every one of them is worth 10 cents when the PTO sends them in to General Mills! We just sent in $850 worth and I hear there’s a special bonus coupon on some packages this time of year.

You and I buy the products, no matter what. Why wouldn’t we take a few minutes to save those dimes for our kids? Would you? Please and thank you? Look for the collection box in the vestibule of the Moore School or call me at 483-2722 if you’ve got a bunch of them and can’t get out.

Richard H. Snow
Candia

To the Editor:

In the past 40 years we have made advances in many fields due to the developments from our experience with NASA. The field of space exploration is an exciting avenue that must be explored further. In the 1960s, President Kennedy presented a challenge to the country to land a people on the moon. Now in the last couple of years President Bush presented a challenge to the people that he wanted us to return to the moon and then to Mars. I believe in these challenges and believe the benefits of this will greatly affect all people.

However, since the NASA budget has received a lower amount than would it require, I feel that in order to live up to this dream without cutting scientific studies on the Space Station, NASA should be receiving a larger share of the money than it currently receives. The possibilities of what might be discovered are endless.

I have been watching NASA launches for many years and never miss one. Thank you.

James Elliott Barber
Allenstown

To the Editor:

I’d like to share with your readers my positive experience of using mass transit.

Recently, I took the bus from Manchester to Boston in one hour ­ clean, cool, comfortable, and stress-free. I was able to meet my son at South Station and spend a day in the city without the hassle and cost of parking. My return trip was equally pleasing.

And all of this for only $17, each way!

Next time you’re heading into the city, you may want to seriously think of leaving the driving, the higher gas prices and the headaches to someone else, and actually enjoy the ride in!

Judith Lindsey
Candia