To the Editor:

I am writing to tell you how much I enjoyed the front page picture of the Sept. 21 edition of the Hooksett Banner by Nicholas Brown. The way it is composed is adorable, yet it truly represents the preparation the volunteers go through for the Auburn Duck Race.

Thank you for choosing that photo … it put a smile on my face!

Barbara Keating
Auburn Village School

To the Editor:

I would like to bring to your attention a letter that was recently sent home to all fourth-grade parents/guardians from the Hooksett Memorial School.

This letter was requesting all parents to pitch in $4 in order for the fourth-grade teachers to subscribe to a children’s magazine called the Weekly Reader. The letter goes on to emphasize that this weekly magazine “helps students understand the world today … and reflects the national and state standards as well as our (Memorial’s) fourth-grade curriculum goals.”

What the school failed to mention to the parents was that the lack of this subscription was due to a default budget. I also find it amazing that the administration decided to cut this little part of our children’s education, yet found enough money for all the administrators to get a raise. If this is so important to the fourth-grade curriculum goal, they need to set better preferences as to what is more important, the curriculum or raises.

In my personal experience with each one of my children, it was up to the child, with or without the parent’s help, to complete the Weekly Reader as homework. If this should be part of the curriculum, then why not have this as part of the classroom education?

I have refused to send in the $4 requested for this subscription. Part of my town taxes goes to my children’s school supplies, as does yours. I urge all Hooksett taxpayers to think about this before sending in their $4 to the school.

For those of you that voted down the Hooksett school budget, please take this into consideration the next time a vote comes along for an increase in the budget.

W. Robbins
Hooksett

To the Editor:

I read with interest Rep. Marple’s letter in last week’s Banner. I have a few remarks to make in reference to that message.

The New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled that the state election ballots were unconstitutional. This is hardly a crisis, as Mr. Marple calls it, nor were candidate names simply “alphabetical” on our ballots. Until now, the order of candidates on the ballot have listed the majority party first. With all candidates having an equal right to be elected, that Republican-favoring list was deemed unfair.

Working within his authority, the Secretary of State devised a new listing order by drawing at random the letter K, with subsequent names to follow either in ABC order, or perhaps LMN order in Democrat, Republican and Independent columns. For each election, a new random drawing of the starting letter would be made. Yes, it is a change in ballot appearance. But I have more faith in our voters than Mr. Marple does. I don’t think it will confound us. Know who you support, find the name on the ballot and make your mark. If you have enough intelligence to find your way to Cawley School in November, you will find your candidate’s name.

The Legislature’s special session seems to be merely a ratification of the Secretary of State’s solution. It is a costly event. I would challenge our state representatives to forego their stipend and mileage to save New Hampshire some money, and set an example to other district legislators to do the same if travel to Concord is less than 35 miles.

Special sessions. Constitutional amendments. Ah, yes, election season is upon us.

Eileen Ehlers
Hooksett Candidate for state representative

To the Editor:

I have been a volunteer with Tri-Town Ambulance for more than 12 years and would like to comment on all that is happening with regards to Hooksett’s needs. I am giving my own opinion and not that of Tri-Town’s.

First, I would like to say I can understand Hooksett is growing and they would like to have their own service. I also know Pembroke and Allenstown are growing. Tri-Town has been servicing these towns for over 30 years, so we must be doing right by the town’s people (thank you).

We have three ambulances, one of which is very rarely used for a third call if the other two are out on calls. My suggestion is, if Hooksett wants 24-hour coverage, then work with Tri-Town to staff this third ambulance. You would then have 24-hour coverage. There is always the possibility of Hooksett still needing more ambulances during that coverage, that is why there is a system in place to get ambulance(s) from surrounding services. We are rural communities whch can only spend based on what the budget proposes.

Maybe we should put a committee together representing all three towns and Tri-Town, which would be responsible for working on grants and donations. Their sole purpose is to get funding to meet the financial needs of increasing ambulance service for all three towns.

Let’s stop all the personal opinions and get a solution. Like they say, “You are either part of the problem or part of the solution.”

People of Allenstown, Hooksett and Pembroke, thank you for the privilege of being able to assist those in need with my EMT skills and I hope that this issue is resolved and makes us a model for other communities struggling with the same issues.

Dennis W. Rocheford
Pembroke

To the Editor:

There is a new lib’ry in Epsom,

It’s 90 percent finished, and then some,

If we had $40k,

It’d be open today,

For furniture and stacks, it’s a small sum.

“When’s the new library going to open?”

That’s the No. 1 question these days on the lips of patrons at the old Epsom library.

If you travel Route 4 through Epsom, you’ve no doubt seen the new library and the sign out front announcing that it’s 90 percent complete.

But picture a new library with no bookshelves, no tables, and no chairs. That’s the cold reality facing the new Epsom Public Library. For the want of $40,000, the library will sit empty and unused. That’s how little is needed to furnish the building and open the doors.

The Epsom library needs your help now. No gift is too large or too small. Call the library at 736-9920 or visit the Web site at www.epsomlibrary.com for details on making a donation today.

A new library is a terrible thing to waste.

Chris Porter
Epsom

To the Editor:

Every day, a cheery older gentleman with shining blue eyes and a kind smile greets my family with our mail. Now, mail can be a really wonderful thing, and some days it can be a bad thing. All in all, in all kinds of crazy New Hampshire weather, our local Hooksett mailman Jim always has a smile on his face when he zips by on his daily route.

One particular day, I heard someone knocking on our door and was astounded to find Jim standing there with an enormous package sent from my grandfather. My dear 87-year-old grandfather had crafted me a trunk for our home and had sent it filled with toys for his great grandchildren through the mail in a gigantic box, which must have been nearly 5 feet long.

Unfazed and with that same consistent big smile, our mailman carried it with the greatest care. I can’t tell you how much I love and appreciate the work my grandfather did on our beloved trunk, but also the fact that our mailman hiked up our driveway and the flight of stairs to our front door in the rain to bring it safely to me.

So Jim, thank you for your dedication. Furthermore, thank you for your daily smile.

Susanna Hargreaves
Hooksett