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Punish county prisoners by making them sit in the meeting room
To the editor,
A week or so ago, a three page, double-sided letter from the Belknap County Conservation District came in the mail, urging us to contact our N.H. House Representatives, who set the Belknap County Budget, telling them to fund the BCCD's $97,302 request because of the good work they do. This money pays for one full-time employee, some part-time seasonal employees and project consultants from the private sector. They wrote what we should say, and supplied representative contact information.
Although I have had a long time interest in local school and town politics, until now I have never really explored the county portion of my tax bill. Thanks to many recent articles and letters, I have been reading about the county budget process this year and the request from the Conservation District definitely peaked my interest. I did contact all 18 of the reps in the report — not exactly to ask them to rubber stamp this money, but telling them that it seemed like a lot of money for few services. I also had other questions about outside agency double dipping — getting money from the towns as well as asking for funding from the county — paid for by the same towns.
Many replied, and I was informed that the outside agency requests would be discussed at an upcoming sub-committee meeting which was open to the public. Having some free time, I decided to go and check out the process. First, I have to thank all of the elected officials for their time! I was there three hours and saw only two sub-committees in action. Whoever decided to paint that dark room an even darker shade of brown/gray should have watched a couple of decorating shows. Combined with the really bright lights, after three hours, my head was spinning. We don't need a new jail, just put the criminals in that room for long bouts of time.
My real concern is that everything requested seems to be worthwhile. However, as I understand the dilemma, simply stated, the county budget is up nearly 9 percent and the three member elected commission wants to spend enough of the unreserved fund balance to make it look like the budget is up only a little more than 2 percent. The reps want to actually cut the budget and save the fund balance, because the amount in the fund balance determines the bond rating. With a $40 million new jail on the horizon, we need a favorable bond rating to get decent loans.
There is a public hearing on the budget at 5 p.m. on January 21 in the County Complex — hard decisions must be made. Governments like the idea of spending their fund balances to undercut rising expenditures. However, what happens when the fund balances are at bare bones and the taxpayers are stuck with huge budgets to fund? I hope that everyone is up to making some tough decisions because I don't think spending down the savings account is the right answer! And I'm not sure a $40 million jail has my support either.
Karen Sticht
Meredith
A week or so ago, a three page, double-sided letter from the Belknap County Conservation District came in the mail, urging us to contact our N.H. House Representatives, who set the Belknap County Budget, telling them to fund the BCCD's $97,302 request because of the good work they do. This money pays for one full-time employee, some part-time seasonal employees and project consultants from the private sector. They wrote what we should say, and supplied representative contact information.
Although I have had a long time interest in local school and town politics, until now I have never really explored the county portion of my tax bill. Thanks to many recent articles and letters, I have been reading about the county budget process this year and the request from the Conservation District definitely peaked my interest. I did contact all 18 of the reps in the report — not exactly to ask them to rubber stamp this money, but telling them that it seemed like a lot of money for few services. I also had other questions about outside agency double dipping — getting money from the towns as well as asking for funding from the county — paid for by the same towns.
Many replied, and I was informed that the outside agency requests would be discussed at an upcoming sub-committee meeting which was open to the public. Having some free time, I decided to go and check out the process. First, I have to thank all of the elected officials for their time! I was there three hours and saw only two sub-committees in action. Whoever decided to paint that dark room an even darker shade of brown/gray should have watched a couple of decorating shows. Combined with the really bright lights, after three hours, my head was spinning. We don't need a new jail, just put the criminals in that room for long bouts of time.
My real concern is that everything requested seems to be worthwhile. However, as I understand the dilemma, simply stated, the county budget is up nearly 9 percent and the three member elected commission wants to spend enough of the unreserved fund balance to make it look like the budget is up only a little more than 2 percent. The reps want to actually cut the budget and save the fund balance, because the amount in the fund balance determines the bond rating. With a $40 million new jail on the horizon, we need a favorable bond rating to get decent loans.
There is a public hearing on the budget at 5 p.m. on January 21 in the County Complex — hard decisions must be made. Governments like the idea of spending their fund balances to undercut rising expenditures. However, what happens when the fund balances are at bare bones and the taxpayers are stuck with huge budgets to fund? I hope that everyone is up to making some tough decisions because I don't think spending down the savings account is the right answer! And I'm not sure a $40 million jail has my support either.
Karen Sticht
Meredith
Last Updated on Friday, 18 January 2013 01:22
Hits: 169
Explain why gun owners are opposed to assault weapon ban
To the editor,
I'm really confused by all the comments and letters that have been written regarding the gun issue. Perhaps some one can answer these questions for me.
1. All the letters I've read use the phrase "gun owners as responsible American citizens". Exactly what does that mean? They pay their bills, never been in trouble, never broken a law, work and pay taxes? However these responsible citizens then say they oppose national gun registration, mental health databases, background checks, etc. That's what I don't get. If you are so responsible why are you so concerned about having to comply with any of these conditions? Responsible people wouldn't have to worry would they?
2. And why is it that those who oppose all these conditions do not offer any viable solution to cut down on or curb the violence? Why do they think their 2nd Amendment right is more important then the 1st Amendment right of other people? 20 kids and 6 adults lost their 1st Amendment right. Doesn't that mean anything?
3. Do you honestly think that arming teachers and more people is going to have any positive affect on the violence?
4. And explain to me why gun owners, especially those who hunt, are so against an assault weapon ban or restrictions on high velocity magazines? These weapons are made to kill and nothing else. But no one would shoot a deer with one of these would they? If you are such a bad shot that you have to use more then two bullets to kill an animal or protect yourself then perhaps you shouldn't own a gun.
I am all for you owning guns under the 2nd Amendment and to date I have not heard anyone say they were going to take away that right. All I've heard is that people are proposing legislation making it harder for the wrong people to get guns. All I've heard is that people want to limit the amount of bullets you have in a magazine and limit sales of assault weapons. Assault weapons are for the military and police not for our streets. After all who needs a gun that shoots 30 bullets in less than a minute unless the main purpose is to kill. So when a person buys one of these do they ask themselves why, to protect themselves or simply to kill?
In the past week, the NRA has released a new game that they claimed even a 4-year-old could play. Really? How many parents would let their 4-year-old play this game or even want them to learn how to kill? And then they released a despicable advertisement calling the president an elitist because his two girls have security guards/protection while in school or elsewhere. Now any person with an active brain knows that all the presidents and their families have been allotted this protection (Democrat or Republican) because the minute the president takes office he, his wife and kids are targets for nutty people out there. Not only that but some crazy people would abduct those girls with the hope of ransoming them. I honestly hope that all the people who own guns do not approve of the recent actions of the NRA.
So, when answering these questions please tell me. Would a responsible gun owner really oppose a national database or some of the other methods to try to control violence? Some of these letter writer seem much more concerned with themselves and their rights and do not seem to even have an iota of compassion for what happened and I find that disturbing and sad. Nor do some even think it is worth the effort to try to take control of the situation and curb the violence. And that too is sad.
Nancy Parsons
Laconia
I'm really confused by all the comments and letters that have been written regarding the gun issue. Perhaps some one can answer these questions for me.
1. All the letters I've read use the phrase "gun owners as responsible American citizens". Exactly what does that mean? They pay their bills, never been in trouble, never broken a law, work and pay taxes? However these responsible citizens then say they oppose national gun registration, mental health databases, background checks, etc. That's what I don't get. If you are so responsible why are you so concerned about having to comply with any of these conditions? Responsible people wouldn't have to worry would they?
2. And why is it that those who oppose all these conditions do not offer any viable solution to cut down on or curb the violence? Why do they think their 2nd Amendment right is more important then the 1st Amendment right of other people? 20 kids and 6 adults lost their 1st Amendment right. Doesn't that mean anything?
3. Do you honestly think that arming teachers and more people is going to have any positive affect on the violence?
4. And explain to me why gun owners, especially those who hunt, are so against an assault weapon ban or restrictions on high velocity magazines? These weapons are made to kill and nothing else. But no one would shoot a deer with one of these would they? If you are such a bad shot that you have to use more then two bullets to kill an animal or protect yourself then perhaps you shouldn't own a gun.
I am all for you owning guns under the 2nd Amendment and to date I have not heard anyone say they were going to take away that right. All I've heard is that people are proposing legislation making it harder for the wrong people to get guns. All I've heard is that people want to limit the amount of bullets you have in a magazine and limit sales of assault weapons. Assault weapons are for the military and police not for our streets. After all who needs a gun that shoots 30 bullets in less than a minute unless the main purpose is to kill. So when a person buys one of these do they ask themselves why, to protect themselves or simply to kill?
In the past week, the NRA has released a new game that they claimed even a 4-year-old could play. Really? How many parents would let their 4-year-old play this game or even want them to learn how to kill? And then they released a despicable advertisement calling the president an elitist because his two girls have security guards/protection while in school or elsewhere. Now any person with an active brain knows that all the presidents and their families have been allotted this protection (Democrat or Republican) because the minute the president takes office he, his wife and kids are targets for nutty people out there. Not only that but some crazy people would abduct those girls with the hope of ransoming them. I honestly hope that all the people who own guns do not approve of the recent actions of the NRA.
So, when answering these questions please tell me. Would a responsible gun owner really oppose a national database or some of the other methods to try to control violence? Some of these letter writer seem much more concerned with themselves and their rights and do not seem to even have an iota of compassion for what happened and I find that disturbing and sad. Nor do some even think it is worth the effort to try to take control of the situation and curb the violence. And that too is sad.
Nancy Parsons
Laconia
Last Updated on Friday, 18 January 2013 01:19
Hits: 230
Thanks to Joan Forge & all those who made tourney a success
The editor,
The family of Amy Colby would like to thank all those who participated and donated to the Second Annual Amy Annis Volleyball Tournament that was held Saturday, Jan. 12 in the Gilford Middle/High School gyms. Amy lost her battle to breast cancer this past fall and this tournament was to commemorate her life and passion for team sports, as Joan Forge stated. Sixteen teams played with participants from students to teachers to community members. All proceeds will benefit the Amy Annis Scholarship Fund.
We, the family, would like to extend our deepest gratitudes to Joan Forge and all those that helped make this tournament a great success. It would not have been possible without your support and we look forward to next year!
Lydia Bartlett
Gilford
The family of Amy Colby would like to thank all those who participated and donated to the Second Annual Amy Annis Volleyball Tournament that was held Saturday, Jan. 12 in the Gilford Middle/High School gyms. Amy lost her battle to breast cancer this past fall and this tournament was to commemorate her life and passion for team sports, as Joan Forge stated. Sixteen teams played with participants from students to teachers to community members. All proceeds will benefit the Amy Annis Scholarship Fund.
We, the family, would like to extend our deepest gratitudes to Joan Forge and all those that helped make this tournament a great success. It would not have been possible without your support and we look forward to next year!
Lydia Bartlett
Gilford
Last Updated on Friday, 18 January 2013 01:06
Hits: 91
'Gun free zones' should rightly be called 'helpless victim zones'
To the editor,
Why are killers at public schools like Newtown able to kill so many people? They didn't use military grade assault or automatic weapons. Few or none used large capacity magazines. They killed so many people because they had lots of time to shoot lots of bullets.
They had so much time because politicians made schools "gun free zones." And, when every second could mean another dead child, the police are minutes away.
Theoretically, politicians created "gun free zones" to protect children. But, actually they created "helpless victim zones" allowing killers to easily get their 15 minutes of fame, revenge, or company as they commit suicide.
Criminals have set out intending to kill lots of people in many different places. But, except for one case, killers have only succeeded in killing more than three people in public mass killings in "gun free zones" where law abiding people cannot have guns that could stop killers.
If people kept dying because a business refused to change a "safety" procedure that failed every time it was needed, the business owners would be loudly condemned as negligent, and they would be liable for civil and perhaps criminal penalties.
Had any people other than politicians created a policy, like "gun free zones", which help murderers achieve their evil objectives over and over and over and not changed that policy, they too would be considered negligent and perhaps even accomplices in these murders.
But, the politicians, mostly Democrats led by President Obama and Vice President Biden, are not even considering eliminating their failed "gun free zones" policy. They propose taking guns away from law abiding citizens who have neither committed nor abetted any crimes, and who, in fact, more frequently use guns to prevent or stop crimes than criminals use guns to kill people.
Frankly, despite their talk, it doesn't look like Democrat politicians are trying very hard to keep guns out of the hands of criminals. Gun prosecutions are down 45 percent under President Obama and big city mayors, mostly Democrats, are not stopping the far above average rate of killings in their cities, often despite highly restrictive gun laws.
The blood of men, women and children who died in "gun free zones" is on the hands of the politicians who enabled killers to kill so many people. The longer President Obama and other politicians deny the failure of "gun free zones" to protect people and the more they impose restrictions on law abiding citizens, the more complicit they are in the deaths of innocent people.
Don Ewing
Meredith
Why are killers at public schools like Newtown able to kill so many people? They didn't use military grade assault or automatic weapons. Few or none used large capacity magazines. They killed so many people because they had lots of time to shoot lots of bullets.
They had so much time because politicians made schools "gun free zones." And, when every second could mean another dead child, the police are minutes away.
Theoretically, politicians created "gun free zones" to protect children. But, actually they created "helpless victim zones" allowing killers to easily get their 15 minutes of fame, revenge, or company as they commit suicide.
Criminals have set out intending to kill lots of people in many different places. But, except for one case, killers have only succeeded in killing more than three people in public mass killings in "gun free zones" where law abiding people cannot have guns that could stop killers.
If people kept dying because a business refused to change a "safety" procedure that failed every time it was needed, the business owners would be loudly condemned as negligent, and they would be liable for civil and perhaps criminal penalties.
Had any people other than politicians created a policy, like "gun free zones", which help murderers achieve their evil objectives over and over and over and not changed that policy, they too would be considered negligent and perhaps even accomplices in these murders.
But, the politicians, mostly Democrats led by President Obama and Vice President Biden, are not even considering eliminating their failed "gun free zones" policy. They propose taking guns away from law abiding citizens who have neither committed nor abetted any crimes, and who, in fact, more frequently use guns to prevent or stop crimes than criminals use guns to kill people.
Frankly, despite their talk, it doesn't look like Democrat politicians are trying very hard to keep guns out of the hands of criminals. Gun prosecutions are down 45 percent under President Obama and big city mayors, mostly Democrats, are not stopping the far above average rate of killings in their cities, often despite highly restrictive gun laws.
The blood of men, women and children who died in "gun free zones" is on the hands of the politicians who enabled killers to kill so many people. The longer President Obama and other politicians deny the failure of "gun free zones" to protect people and the more they impose restrictions on law abiding citizens, the more complicit they are in the deaths of innocent people.
Don Ewing
Meredith
Last Updated on Thursday, 17 January 2013 00:22
Hits: 245
Please participate in Saturday's National Day of Service
To the editor,
Have you been asked yet to participate in the National Day of Service this coming Saturday, January 19? If not, please consider this your invitation!
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Presidential Inauguration Committee has asked us all to commit to helping local organizations or projects that serve our fellow Americans or others in need. Activities are going on all across the country. Here are some examples for Central New Hampshire:
This Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a group of folks will be going door-to-door in their town or community to request items for the Salvation Army in Laconia. Many volunteers are needed for this effort. If you can give a couple of hours to collect and deliver to the Salvation Army this Saturday, please give me, Anne Rogers, a call at 455-2041 so I can sign you up. If you can't give your time but have any of the following items to donate, please bring them to the Laconia Salvation Army at 177 Union Ave during the event hours, 10 to 2:
— Paper Plates, 8 oz. paper cups, napkins, plastic utensils and toilet paper multi-packs
— Coffee, tea, dry creamer, dry milk, canned juice
— Canned meats, spam, beef stew, tuna
— Baked beans, canned carrots, peas, and green beans, soups, spaghetti sauce, canned fruits, peanut butter and jam
— Spaghetti, pasta, macaroni and cheese, brown and white rice, cereal, oatmeal
— Deodorant (men and women), shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste
In Meredith there are two projects: Lynn Thomas is collecting cell phones all this week to donate to hopephones.org. Saturday the 19th is the final day of the collection. You can check out online how the organization refurbishes all kinds of mobile phones for use for medical communication in areas far from medical facilities. For more information, call Lynn at 677-2874.
Finally, Liz and Bev Lapham are collecting warm items to bring to homeless vets in New Hampshire. Yes, shameful to say, we do have veterans who are homeless! Winter boots and coats for men, especially large and extra large sizes, other warm clothing and sleeping bags are all needed. Please bring these items during the week, up to Friday at 5 p.m., to Village Canvas, Foundry Avenue in Meredith. The phone number is 279-6717.
Please help in whatever way you can this week, and especially on the National Day of Service, Saturday, January 19, 2013. Thank you!
Anne Rogers
Meredith
Have you been asked yet to participate in the National Day of Service this coming Saturday, January 19? If not, please consider this your invitation!
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Presidential Inauguration Committee has asked us all to commit to helping local organizations or projects that serve our fellow Americans or others in need. Activities are going on all across the country. Here are some examples for Central New Hampshire:
This Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a group of folks will be going door-to-door in their town or community to request items for the Salvation Army in Laconia. Many volunteers are needed for this effort. If you can give a couple of hours to collect and deliver to the Salvation Army this Saturday, please give me, Anne Rogers, a call at 455-2041 so I can sign you up. If you can't give your time but have any of the following items to donate, please bring them to the Laconia Salvation Army at 177 Union Ave during the event hours, 10 to 2:
— Paper Plates, 8 oz. paper cups, napkins, plastic utensils and toilet paper multi-packs
— Coffee, tea, dry creamer, dry milk, canned juice
— Canned meats, spam, beef stew, tuna
— Baked beans, canned carrots, peas, and green beans, soups, spaghetti sauce, canned fruits, peanut butter and jam
— Spaghetti, pasta, macaroni and cheese, brown and white rice, cereal, oatmeal
— Deodorant (men and women), shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste
In Meredith there are two projects: Lynn Thomas is collecting cell phones all this week to donate to hopephones.org. Saturday the 19th is the final day of the collection. You can check out online how the organization refurbishes all kinds of mobile phones for use for medical communication in areas far from medical facilities. For more information, call Lynn at 677-2874.
Finally, Liz and Bev Lapham are collecting warm items to bring to homeless vets in New Hampshire. Yes, shameful to say, we do have veterans who are homeless! Winter boots and coats for men, especially large and extra large sizes, other warm clothing and sleeping bags are all needed. Please bring these items during the week, up to Friday at 5 p.m., to Village Canvas, Foundry Avenue in Meredith. The phone number is 279-6717.
Please help in whatever way you can this week, and especially on the National Day of Service, Saturday, January 19, 2013. Thank you!
Anne Rogers
Meredith
Last Updated on Thursday, 17 January 2013 00:14
Hits: 147
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