To the Editor:

The ELVES (Electronic Learning Volunteers Enhancing School) is a group composed of parents and staff members of the Hooksett schools.

We have been providing donated equipment and volunteering since 2002. In 2004, we opened a computer lab at Underhill School with 24 donated computers, free software and donated labor. In the 2005-06 school year, we provided volunteers to assist teachers with up to seven classes per week. When we heard that all 24 computers were to be replaced with brand new computers, you might think we would be happy, but we weren’t.

The previous administration ordered these computers in the spring of 2006. The estimated cost of this purchase is around $15,000 to $20,000. Worst yet, instead of buying them, they were going to be acquired through a multi-year lease (which meant that the expenditure didn’t have to be brought before the school board). Obviously not a good thing to do when you are in a default budget.

Enter our new superintendent, Dr. Phil Littlefield. He quickly considered all of our objections and arranged a meeting to discuss them. A meeting took place at the Underhill lab with two school board members, the superintendent and a number of ELVES volunteers. Dr. Littlefield informed us that he was canceling the order for the new computers. He then stayed for a demonstration of how the lab works and some of our future plans. The meeting ended with a discussion on the best way to deliver technology education for the least cost.

We have been waiting for this the kind of positive leadership in our schools. We are pleased to have someone who understands the constraints of a budget and is willing to support those who are willing to give their time. Perhaps the Hooksett voters will be more willing to pass a school budget knowing that we now have responsible leadership.

David Pearl
Hooksett

To the Editor:

The Banner’s Sept. 14 editorial critique of the actions of the Hooksett Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) was an appropriate reminder to all of us who volunteer on town boards that we do so with the unmistakable understanding that we are appointed to serve the community and to uphold the public trust. Accordingly, media critiques are an undeniably essential function in our democracy.

My issue with the Banner’s Hooksett ZBA editorial is the partial statement: “In the case of the Hooksett Zoning Board the public is seen as an inconvenience.” That is a harsh indictment that is injurious to well-meaning volunteers who devote countless hours in the performance of their duties as members of the Hooksett ZBA. I respectfully submit that members of the Hooksett ZBA are extremely diligent in seeking and receiving public input at their meetings.

I hope that the Banner will concede that applicants scheduled under “Old Business” that is carried over from the previous monthly meeting just might be perturbed if their cases were deferred to a later hour to accomodate an application such as the Brady-Sullivan one that is likely, and did go on for quite some time.

As a member of the Hooksett ZBA, and speaking for myself, I offer my apologies to those abutters and other interested parties who waited for over two hours before the Hooksett ZBA got to the Brady-Sullivan item. But believe me when I say that the Hooksett ZBA did not purposefully schedule that item with the intent of causing you frustration to the point that you would opt to go home before the item was reached on the board’s agenda.

Democracy can sometime be inconvenient, but it is the best system anywhere in the world. The Hooksett ZBA always endeavors to improve, and I can assure you that we have learned a lesson about how the board should conduct its business when a similar application in similar circumstances arises in the future.

David R. Boutin
Hooksett

To the Editor:

I want to thank the editors for their glowing critique of the Hooksett ZBA in the Sept. 14 Banner. I appreciate gentle reminders of why I volunteer my time to the Hooksett ZBA and this editorial certainly delivered.

However, I must take exception to the baseless claim that, “Making Hooksett residents go away seemed to be more important to this board” is an inexcusable attack on this board. Speaking for myself, I find that public input is in fact the single most important factor in any ZBA application. There is nothing gained by the town or the board if an individual is silenced for any reason.

The ZBA is keenly aware of accommodating those in attendance of the meetings. This includes those applicants who fall under the continued public hearing category. These applicants had every right to be heard first, as is the common practice of the ZBA. Had they not been heard first and given the length of the Brady Sullivan application, it was quite possible that some would have been continued to the following month. Would that have been fair? It’s an unfortunate reality that at times the ZBA meetings can run late but it is a fact and one that I would hope the residents of Hooksett could understand.

Chris Pearson
Hooksett

To the Editor:

Sometimes we are too busy in our lives to notice or appreciate the little things people do to make a big difference.

I had just dropped my son off at school and proceeded directly with my two young children to the local Hooksett Dunkin Donuts to quench my desperate need for caffeine. Feeling quite overwhelmed with what needed to be done that day and wondering how everyone else seemed to do it all so gracefully, I thanked my higher power for all the people who make coffee possible.

I zipped in to purchase my medium-size vice of a mocha latte (you know with the whipped cream and chocolate?) and I was greeted by a very cheerful lady by the name of Cristiana. She must have noticed that I looked a bit frazzled, for she seemed to take the extra care to make sure I had my coffee just right.

She reassured me and smiled proudly, “Don’t you worry, I have five children and I know how crazy it gets.”

This may not seem like much to some people, but sometimes it seems there is no connection.

Thank you Cristiana, for being there right when I needed an encouraging word. People like Cristiana and a really good cup of joe make life a little easier and many times worth living.

Susanna Hargreaves
Hooksett

To the Editor:

Ballots have been tallied with votes to spare calling for a special session of our Legislature. Accordingly, the Legislature will meet in special session on Tuesday, Sept. 26, to deal with the constitutional crisis created by the Democrat challenge to the alphabetical listing of names on the ballot and the Supreme Court’s decision last Friday, considering only the rights of the candidate running for election and ignoring the rights of the citizen electorate to have a simple, easily understood ballot.

As a result, the November election has been thrown into confusion and further complicated by the Supreme Court directing the Secretary of State to modify the ballot format to their satisfaction. Many believe this is beyond the scope of the court’s authority as the separation of powers is clearly breeched by the court.

The House Republican Alliance, of which this writer is a member, was outraged at the timing of the court’s ruling, just weeks before the primary, when the Legislature was in recess with little time to respond.

It is our sworn constitutional duty to our constituents, all voters, to protect them against arbitrary interference by special interests which will create ballot confusion by eliminating alphabetical listing of candidates names.

This unwarranted intrusion by the conduct of court further infuriated the HRA which immediately challenged the court’s directions to the Secretary of State as lacking proper constitutional authority and this began the the round-the-clock marathon to gather votes necessary for the special session which had a deadline of 5 p.m., Sept. 18, to meet. The Secretary of State had received a total of 330 votes. 211 in favor and 119 against, with 15 in favor from the Senate and none against. The totals comfortably exceed the number necessary for the call of the special session. Note, the last special session was in April of 1954, some 52 years ago!

Constitutional mandates require that the Secretary of State prepare and distribute November ballots according to the direction of the Legislature. Both the House and the Senate have sole constitutional authority over the conduct of their respective elections. Accordingly, neither the Supreme Court (judiciary) nor the governor (executive) have any constitutional authority to intrude upon the turf of the General Court (legislature).

The Supreme Court has, by its order to the Secretary of State, placed the Secretary on the horns of a dilemma, for, if he ignores the court order, he could be charged with contempt. Accordingly, the Legislature must meet to address this serious threat to the Secretary and protect him from the coercion by the court.

The HRA is composed of members of the New Hampshire House of Representatives who strive for legislative support for bills supporting the constitution of New Hampshire, the United States Constitution and the N.H. Republican party platform is and is insistent that the special session will be focused on the ballot issue only. HRA will encourage adoption of legislative rules that will limit the session to that single issue. For more info log onto www.nhhousetrepublicanalliance.org and if you want to compare your representatives recorded votes on the last session, please visit www.LFOD.org/2006/.

Dick Marple
Representative Merrimack District 9
Hooksett

To the Editor:

The school funding issue looms large on our horizon again.

Ted Gatsas, leader of the Republicans, earns a failing grade. His plan was declared unconstitutional. His solution is to amend the Constitution to accommodate his plan!

I say that the best solution is to elect a democratic majority to work with Gov. Lynch, and address and solve the funding crisis with a sustainable and fair plan.

Bob Backus will work for a school funding solution to serve all our state’s children and avoid a general sales or income tax.

Let’s leave Ted Gatsas and his failures behind. Help elect a better leader. Vote for Bob Backus, State Senate District 16.

Eileen Ehlers
Hooksett

To the Editor:

The November elections are nearly upon us. If you do no get out and vote for your Republican candidate, whether you like him or not, there will be a Democratic control of the House of Representatives. The speaker of the house will be a Democrat.

In the process of the election, you may see a Democratic Senate majority with a Democrat as Senate president.

If you stay at home and do not vote, hang on really tight. This is one ride that might well be an experience you will never forget.

Rudy Kobel
Serving Candia, Northwood, Deerfield and Nottingham

To the Editor:

Congratulations to all at Neighborhood News. Winning this award should be no surprise because you all work hard to bring forth good news about people who make up our great towns.

It is very refreshing to sit down and read happy news rather than the same old same bla bla news. Your writers keep us informed at this busy time of our lives, and we can react at the voting polls when needed. It is also refreshing to read about our young adults on how they are doing, and the majority are doing fine.

So take care, and keep up the great work.

Ray Cote
Bow

To the Editor:

Can anyone tell me why David Ross felt compelled to announce to everyone in a letter to the Banner that he’s taking a week off? Did he think that if his letters enjoyed a week’s absence, his fan club might worry he’d fallen off his plinth and injured himself?

Be good to yourself, David, take a year off!

Charles Beward
Candia