Fri, May 16 2008 Be part of the solution To the editor: A rather lengthy commentary in the Wednesday, April 30, Hotline caught my attention. The nameless caller found it "annoying" and "upsetting" that there are homeless people in Derry and asked for the police to "step up to the plate" by registering and tracking them because "there seems to be a lot more of them than there used to be." The seemingly elitist, callous attitude of this call is troubling. All humans live just one step away from disaster. Since there are numerous reasons for homelessness and poverty, we are all vulnerable — even the well-educated who currently have good jobs. Job loss, house fire, medical or mental health issues, or other unexpected events can quickly put any of us in need of the mercy and caring of our fellow humans. None of us live above the tough problems that life can dish out! Although Derry has had homeless and needy people for many years, the caller is right in saying that there seems to be more. The economic problems of the nation have caused Derry citizens to live in the woods or their cars while they find permanent shelter and jobs. They are generally proud of their ability to withstand the toughest treatment life has to offer and would not be caught panhandling. The caller should be aware that the merchants in Derry have history of being generous to the less fortunate rather than "getting upset." They regularly offer cups of coffee, financial contributions to charities, and dozens of coats for needy schoolchildren, among other things. As someone who volunteers to work with Derry's disenfranchised and marginalized citizens, I would ask this caller to "step up to the plate" just as he/she has asked the town to do. We citizens of Derry are the "town" and bear responsibility that occasionally includes more than our tax dollars can accomplish. Rather than looking on these fellow humans as a problem, volunteer at the soup kitchen, food pantry, or with church programs. You may be surprised at how much like you these "annoying" people are. If you are too busy, at least learn the names of local agencies. It won't cost you a penny to tell a homeless person where to get help! Marilyn Smith Olbricht Derry
Can't understand the attitude To the editor: While I understand the Hotline caller's concerns regarding the homeless of Derry, I do not understand the attitude expressed. Most homeless find their plight to be degrading, humiliating and demoralizing. While it is a fact that some of the homeless have drug, alcohol and/or psychological problems, these same people often have neither the means nor support to battle these problems. Others are well-educated, upstanding people who once held positions of honor and responsibility. The economic crises of late have hit some people hard. It follows that there will be more homeless, and, by definition, homeless people are not residents of anywhere. The idea of "registering" them is appalling. It is not a crime to be homeless. A few years ago, a group of dedicated people in the area wanted to build a homeless shelter. The idea met with no support. Many felt that a homeless shelter would serve as a magnet. Well, the news is that Derry does have its own homeless people. Put your head in the sand, but they are still there. These people do not need derision or contempt. They need help, support and understanding. Many of us aren't too many lost paychecks away from where they are. Christina Hitchcock Derry
Project is bad business To the editor: Recently we learned of a proposed project on Meadow Drive in Londonderry. This project would include two box stores — one 50,000 square feet, the other 25,000 square feet — and several smaller stores. Our Town Council has approved this project stating it will be good for the economy. My question is, How is retail good for the economy? Minimum-wage jobs with no benefits are not a boost to the economy. Increased traffic and pollution is not a boost to the economy. Wal-Mart has pulled out of its plans for a super store in Derry, Cabala's has pulled out of its long battle to build in Hooksett, and Big Lots is closing its store in Plaistow. Home Depot has just announced it is closing several stores around the country. Exactly what does this say about the near future for retail? The developer of this silly project is saying only that there are retailers interested but is not giving out any names, instead using terms like "upscale." Who in this area can afford "upscale" retail? It's all we can do to fill our gas tanks, buy food for our families and pay the mortgage. I, for one, do not want to see the town or the state spend one single penny on road improvements or for anything else to accommodate this project. We are already tapped out. And we do not want to be known as Route 28 in Salem — Londonderry Division. Elaine Parker Londonderry Women's event was a success To the editor: The GFWC Windham Woman's Club wants to thank everyone for making our annual yard sale on Saturday, April 19, a wonderful success! Thank you to our chairwomen of the project, Ruth Bellizzi and Lynne O'Loughlin, for their hard work. Thank you to our members who volunteered their time. We thank The Eagle-Tribune for excellent media coverage of our event. Thank you to all businesses in surrounding towns for allowing us to post our fliers. We thank you for your wonderful support of our organization. Windham Woman's Club Ruth Coole Publicity chairwoman
Marijuana bill has merit To the editor: Last Saturday I sat down with Rep. Carolyn Gargasz at a forum hosted by Kaley Smith and the New Hampshire Legislative Youth Advisory Council. One of the topics was House Bill 1623, which reduces penalties for a quarter-ounce of marijuana to a fine of $200. The current penalties for marijuana possession are a maximum fine of $2,000, up to a year in prison, and loss of student loans. The bill does not change the laws for cultivation or distribution. It passed in the House by a 193-141 margin. The House should be commended for passing this bill. There are many sound arguments for marijuana decriminalization, but often, emotional reactions get in the way of addressing the issues at hand. It takes a lot of courage to stand up to the stigma surrounding illegal drugs, and for the house to pass HB 1623 by a 52-vote margin is overwhelming. Some will argue that stiff consequences that current policies permit are actually good things because they serve as a deterrent to drug use. The mind set is that if there is so much on the line, people won't use marijuana. The problem with this argument is that people don't always think their actions through, and for a crime as trivial as marijuana possession, it does not make sense to incarcerate people or take away their educational funding. It also fails to acknowledge that many politicians, such as Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, have all admitted to smoking pot. If any of these men or others of their stature had been arrested, stripped of educational funding, and/or thrown into prison, its fair to say that they would never have achieved their current positions. Everyone makes mistakes, and it is not limited to the neighborhood kids. Finally, we need to get real about the severity of marijuana and keep the debate to legitimate arguments. Many people think that if we decriminalized or legalized marijuana our hospitals would suddenly fill up with patients, people would get into their cars and run over pedestrians, and society would erupt into all-out chaos. Marijuana is no more harmful or mind-controlling than alcohol, and many police officers agree that it is far easier to deal with a mellow pot smoker than a hysterical drunk. Nobody has ever overdosed on pot (it is impossible), and people that choose to do drugs do so because they want to, not because they are legal. For example, in Amsterdam, marijuana is completely legal and yet only one-third of teens there have tried it, far less than their American counterparts. This is the result of better public awareness surrounding the issue, not fear tactics and prison sentences. I urge the Senate to pass HB 1623 and begin a meaningful dialogue to combat drug abuse. Casey Eyring Windham
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