May 16, 2008 09:49 am Compassion Back by Advocacy To the editor:
The recent town council's decision to increase the elderly exemptiong was a real help for Derry's seniors. Our seniors have fixed income contraints that make it difficult to cope with unrealistic property taxes, obscene energy costs, inflation and health costs associated with advancing age. Historically Derry's elderly have not been represented by an active advocacy group who would work to assure our seniors get equitable property taxes and fair assessments. Fortunately that changed thanks to the involvement and the welcome support of Derry Town Counselor Kevin Coyle and Doug Newell, Director of the Alliance of Derry Taxpayers. Also State Representatives Howie Lund and Paul Hopfgarten have been very helpful. These representatives have assured that revers mortgages will not be counted as income when seniors apply for elderly exemptions. Obviously these loans are not income but debt incurred by seniors are they borrow to pay Derry property taxes. Doug Newell's leadership of the Alliance of Derry Taxpayers' "Campaign for Derry's Elderly" sought to increase people's awareness of seniors' issues through mailings, newspaper interviews and presentations to the Town Council. Doug documented the fact that keeping seniors in town is economically more sound than forcing them to move. When seniors move, they are often replaced by younger families with children. This drives up the already astronomical cost of education in Derry. "Seniors, in essence pay taxes yet comsume few taxes." The overall tax consequence of the increase in the elderly exemption is miniscule but in the future the exemption increase will save taxes for all. In Doug Newell's worlds it is "a win-win proposition for taxpayers and the elderly." Speaking for Derry's elderly we would like to thank Kevin, Doug, Howie and Paul for their efforts on our behalf. The increase in the Elderly Exemption illustrates what can be done when citizens offer their constructive ideas and opinions.
Andy MacLauchlan Derry, N.H. > John McCain disaster scenario
To the editor: If you've liked the direction of our country the past seven years, you will probably vote for John McCain in November. That would be a huge mistake. Senator McCain does not have a complete or an accurate grasp of the complexities on the ground in Iraq. He has, (at least five times in public hearings with General Petraeus or as reported on television in Iraq) confused Iran (a Shiite country) as being supportive of Al Qaeda in Iraq ... a Sunni group. Prior to the conflict, he also claimed the war in Iraq was going to be "fairly easy." Mistakes like that could end up extending McCain's estimate of our likely presence in Iraq from 100 years to 200 years! At a present cost of 12 billion dollars a month, that would end up costing you, me, and our great, great offspring $28,800,000,000,000 (almost $29 trillion). What aspect of our crumbling social and physical infrastructure can support that kind of money drained away from needs here at home ? If you have not yet seen the Oscar nominated film, "No End in Sight" or read the book... you may not appreciate how one or two bad decisions have led us into this present quagmire. Don't compound those previous bad decisions by voting for someone like McCain for President, who is clearly second or third-string material.
Herb Moyer Exeter, N.H.
Fight back against cancer
To the editor:
In New Hampshire alone, an estimated 2,640 people will die from cancer this year. I find that number unacceptable. We know that prevention and early detection can prevent many of these deaths. I am a breast cancer survivor. My cancer was found by a mammogram. Just one example of pre-screening saving lives. The good news is there are over 10 million survivors. I am working towards the day when we no longer count the number of survivors because we all survive. On May 4, in Cleveland, Ohio, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) launched a nationwide bus tour called The Fight Back Express. It will be in our backyard on Monday May 19. With stops in Concord, Manchester, and Portsmouth we have a unique opportunity in this election year to make cancer a national priority. To find out more about the ACS CAN Fight Back Express and details about the New Hampshire stops visit www.acscan.org. It is time to fight back. If one person can battle this disease, a nation can defeat it.
Betty Jane Allgaier Sandown, N.H.
—
Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.