Revive rail corridor
To the editor:
I'm appalled at the Derry News editorial with state Sen. Robert Letourneau's move to complete widening I-93 without the reactivation of the Manchester-Lawrence rail corridor. Balanced transportation is needed and I believe that not all commuters are in agreement with our political elected leaders dictating transportation policy that is skewed only in favor of road building.
I've been reading the Derry News for more than 25 years and there have been articles written by people favoring rail and reactivating the Manchester-Lawrence rail corridor, for example, Paul Chapman's article from the June 5, 2002 edition. Bringing back rail is about conserving the environment and fossil fuel reduction, or even the elimination of it. Look at the electric railways of Switzerland, for example: all powered from renewable sources of electric power. Apparently our elected officials (mostly Republicans) have ignored the pleas from the electorate on restoration of that Manchester-Lawrence rail corridor. Hence, the cost of an expanded I-93 in today's dollars — taking that same amount of money back and applying it 20 years ago — would have not only expanded I-93, but also would have put back rail with modern, state-of-the-art trains.
Another concern is if the project proceeds with four-lane widening, are we going to force the state of Massachusetts to complete its share of widening all the way from the Massachusetts/New Hampshire border to the part in North Wilmington, Mass., where it finally becomes four lanes again?
Reactivating the Manchester-Lawrence rail corridor would give more transportation options, as well as living options. In reference to the Manchester-Lawrence rail corridor, why has public policy allowed for the wanton encroachment of businesses and homes along the line? Isn't this a violation of New Hampshire state law RSA228:60 preserving rail right of ways? Don't these owners think that rail will make a necessary comeback?
Even if 4 percent of the cars are taken off I-93 (I also believe the 4 percent figure to be too low) due to reactivation of that Manchester-Lawrence rail line, that represents quite a carbon footprint. That means 4 percent, plus wear and tear taken off on those interstate highway bridges.
I have to further summarize my feelings on bridges: Look at the short life span of only about 40 years that a typical interstate highway bridge has. Railway bridges last longer.
Paula Walach
Derry
Private road departure
To the editor:
I have written many letters regarding the private road issue. I'm happy to say this will be my last one. I want to thank the Town Council for their vote to approve the McKinley Avenue petition.
I also want to extend a special thank you to councilor Kevin Coyle. When Kevin was liaison to the Public Works Department, he was the first councilor to listen to the residents of McKinley Avenue and understand their frustration. He was the first councilor, to the best of my knowledge, to look at the road and get a firsthand look at the damage. Thank you, Kevin.
I would also like thank Mike Fowler, who has been a true professional throughout this entire process, for his quick response in having the pothole filled.
Finally, a thank you to the rest of the council who have shown an ability to work together to resolve a difficult issue. New council Chairman Rick Metts is doing an extraordinary job running meetings with respect and fairness. My sincere thanks to all.
Paul Kimball
Derry
Monarchs are champs
To the editor:
It was a tough loss for the Manchester Monarchs Monday night in overtime. This marked the end of their postseason and the disappointment was clearly visible.
My daughter and I had followed the team all through the season and knew going to the Verizon Wireless Arena that night that possible elimination loomed heavily.
But this did not stop our enthusiasm for the young hockey team. In her free time, my daughter finished her sign that she planned to bring to the game that night. It read "We (heart) Teddy," with Teddy Purcell's number, 62.
We got to the game early enough to see the pregame practice and she proudly held up her sign against her portion of the Plexiglas that separated the fans from the players. Most of the players took notice and some even smiled. Teddy skated over at the end of practice and flipped my daughter a puck. She was pumped up now, and we were ready to root the Monarchs to victory.
It was extremely hard to see the team not come up with the win. Without any hesitation, though, we ran down to the Plexiglas at the end of the game to show our appreciation of a good effort. My daughter held up her sign, hoping that Teddy Purcell would see her again and know that we were thanking him for his outstanding effort all season.
And that's when it happened. The young forward for the Monarchs skated over to my daughter and handed her his game stick. She was ecstatic and will probably never forget that moment. He created a life-long hockey fan. It was only later that I realized he must have put his own disappointment to the side at that moment to remember the fans and make the dreams of one little girl come true.
Thanks to Teddy Purcell of the Manchester Monarchs — our hero!
Sandra Arnold
Derry
Pizza Wars a success
To the editor:
The Columbian Squires of Londonderry would like to sincerely thank all the participants at our first annual Pizza Wars contest. We are please to report that after 407 votes were cast, the winners of last Saturday's Pizza War were: Best Cheese Pizza — Luisa's Pizza; Best Pepperoni Pizza — Romano's Pizza; and Best Specialty Pizza — All Star Pizza. The other pizza participants were: Bertucci's, Domino's, Giovanni's, Guarracino's, Papa Gino's, Prosciutto's, Uno Chicago Grill, Vincenzo's Trattoria and Willy's Pizza.
The Squires collected $574.35 toward their future initiatives and will donate $531.35 to the New Hampshire Food Bank. It should be noted that the 12 pizza shops donated over $2,000 worth of pizza product for the event. This was indeed incredibly generous. The spirit of charity was alive and well at St. Jude's Parish Hall, as were many appetites filled.
The Squires would like to express a special thanks to Lilly's Gourmet Pasta and the Coca-Cola Bottling Company for their kindness in assisting the event.
Congratulations to the winners.
Christian D. Schenkelberg
Chief Squire
Londonderry
Stamping out hunger
To the editor:
The National Association of Letter Carriers will be holding their annual food drive on Saturday, May 10, in the Derry area. On that day letter carriers will pick up nonperishable food as they deliver mail on their postal routes. The food donations collected in Derry stay in the community.
The 16th annual NALC food drive is the largest one-day food drive in the nation. Nationally, carriers collected over 70 million pounds of food last year for the third consecutive year. Carriers locally collected over 7 tons of food last year for Derry food banks. It's also the largest local food drive and provides much-needed food at a time the pantries are running low.
The union settled on the second Saturday of May for the annual drive since food bank donations tend to wane after the winter holidays. This drop-off is particularly troublesome since the hunger problem is usually at its most critical during the summer when school breakfast and lunch programs — often the only source of stable nutrition for millions of children — are suspended.
The challenge this year is especially daunting. All signs point to a deepening recession, and with gasoline prices flirting with $4 a gallon, more and more families — including those of carriers — are looking everywhere for ways to save money. This economic squeeze comes while 35 million Americans are experiencing what the federal government refers to as "very low food security," a euphemistic way of saying people are either already going hungry or are worried about where their next meal will come from.
Residents are asked to leave nonperishable food donations in a bag by their mailbox on Saturday, May 12, before the letter carrier arrives. It will be picked up and then delivered to a local food bank.
Any questions, please contact Terry Gesel or Bill Brickley at 434-7653.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Terry Gesel and Bill Brickley
City carriers
Derry
