Family offers thanks
To the editor:
Our Family would like to thank Amedysis Home Health and Hospice for the wonderful care they gave our mother and the quick response to the resources available. We would like to extend a special thanks to Carra and Edie for their concern and professionalism during this very difficult time.
Our heartfelt appreciation.
From the Family of Phyllis Hartman
Derry, N.H.
Obama will just sit there
To the editor:
Earlier this year Senator Obama finally repudiated Rev. Wright's anti-American, anti-white and anti-Israel sermons, because he had to do it to save his presidential campaign. Wright repeatedly used these sermons over the past 20 years at the Trinity United Church of Christ, where Obama has been a member for the 20 years. Sen. Obama had to hear these sermons or discussed them with other members of the church, but he did not leave the church, he did not question Wright and his sermons, and he did not counter the sermons in any way.
Wright stated: the U.S. invented HIV to wipe out blacks, the U.S. committed terrorism when we dropped the atomic bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the U.S. brought on the September 11, 2001 attacks because of our foreign policy. Wright also used the phrase "God Damn America". Wright endorses Louis Farrakhan, the leader of the Nation of Islam, who is a fanatical extremist spewing hateful remarks about whites, females, Catholics, Jews and gays.
Do we want an inexperienced and untested President who will just sit and listen to and appease the anti-U.S. ranting of Amadinejad, Assad, Chavez, Castro and Kim Jong Il? Do we want a novice dealing with China and Russia?
Donald A. Moskowitz
Londonderry, N.H.
Shea-Porter is
inspirational
To the editor:
I am inspired by Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter, whose speech at the Londonderry Democratic Committee's Summer Social was reflective of her broad experience and knowledge. She has visited Iraq twice and told the crowd of 80 that the war is costing the U.S. $1 billion every other day. Shea-Porter is using her voice in Congress to support a sensible withdrawal from Iraq and to shift the focus to the war in Afghanistan.
Carol Shea-Porter has kept her eye on the ball in her first two years representing New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District. She requested and got $10 million in funding for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to protect the jobs of the people who work there.
Shea-Porter serves on the House Armed Services Committee. Her sensible, straightforward style is refreshing, and she brings common sense to a Congress not noted for that attribute.
That's why I am voting for Carol Shea-Porter this election. I hope you join me on Nov. 4.
Mary K. Tetreau
Londonderry, N.H.
Who does McCain fight for?
To the editor:
For whom does McCain fight? The record speaks for itself. Sen. John McCain fought against raising the federal minimum wage 14 times. He fought against women earning equal pay for equal work. He fought against a women's right to choose so consistently that he received a 0 percent rating from pro-choice organizations. He fought against helping families gain access to birth control which would have avoided any need for abortion in the first place.
He fought against Social Security. The Alliance for Retired Americans rated his voting record between 0 and 25 percent between 2004 and 2007 but, ironically, his voting record with the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association was 100 percent in 2005/2006!
John McCain fought against the new GI Bill of Rights. In 2006, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America rated his support of our veterans as "D" and the Disabled American Veterans rated him with the low score of 20%. For all his boasting of being a POW, his support for veterans is abysmal, not to mention his record on family and children's issues, education, energy, and the environment.
John McCain voted with President Bush 95 percent of the time in 2007 and 100 percent of the time in 2008, underscoring that he fights for the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans. His alignment with Palin shows that we will get more of the same. Palin's core belief is that the Iraq war is "God's Plan." Can we afford to go to war with Iran?
We have two Real Fighters for the other 99 percent of us— Obama and Biden. This former Republican woman and mother is voting Democratic ticket this time. Eight years of misplaced priorities and Republican Rule are too much to bear. Vote Obama-Biden.
Gretchen M. Fodor
Derry, N.H.
Reelect Shea-Porter
To the editor:
So it's Jeb Bradley versus Carol Shea-Porter again. In the last election, we only had Bradley's record to look at, but today we have two records to compare. My question is: Which of these two cares more about the working person in our state? Who is going to stick up for you and me and not the special interests? A good indication is how they voted on raising the minimum wage.
When Bradley was in Congress, he had four chances to help the folks at the bottom of the ladder and four times he voted "No". He didn't see anything wrong with a working mother earning only $5.15 per hour. Just think about what that means. Someone with a family to take care of who works eighty hours a week in two full-time jobs at Jeb's minimum wage earns about $20,000 a year. Could your family survive on $20,000 a year? I know mine couldn't.
Carol Shea-Porter sees things differently. She voted with Congress last year to increase the minimum wage by two dollars an hour, giving the working poor their first pay raise in ten years. Ten years without a raise! The people affected are the folks who do the manual work in our country. They work behind the sales counters in retail stores, stock the shelves in the supermarkets, and take care of our kids in daycare centers and our seniors in nursing homes.
Because of Carol's vote, thousands of them right here in New Hampshire will be able to put a few dollars more every week into their pockets. This matters. Carol understands that they deserve the dignity of a job that allows them a reasonable standard of living.
Carol Shea-Porter stood up for workers when it counted. We need to stand up for her on Nov. 4 and send her back to Washington.
Fran Gehling
Londonderry, N.H.
Obama is ready
To the editor:
I am writing about this controversy with the statement Sen. Obama made in his recent speech. (A pig with lipstick is still a pig.) Good grief, how many times have we heard Sen. McCain use that line. Now that Sara Palin has used it all of a sudden it is Sen. Obama that is in the hot seat. Sen. McCain and Sara Palin have nothing else to say or do besides attack Sen. Obama. Sen. Obama's stance from the very beginning has been about change and yes we can! Now The McCain and Palin ticket are using it, can they not come up with something of there own? Ever notice when Sen. McCain is talking he is mostly reading a paper from the stand he is at. Sen. Obama is one for change we can believe in. We do not want a third term of President Bush do we? Just think of this if anything happens to Sen. McCain as he is a lot older than even our out going President is Sara really ready to take over as president. She has no foreign policy experience, no knowledge of economics. She has been governor for two years and a mayor for one year. Does that qualify her for the presidency? Remember President Kennedy had only three years in the senate and he became president. I think Sen. McCain picked women to show Hillary that he did what she would have liked Sen. Obama to do, wrong tactics Sen. McCain. Any comments from our readers on this would be welcome.
Kathy King
Derry, N.H.
GOP headed the wrong way
To the editor:
As a former Republican and now Independent I have come to my senses and realize this country is headed in the wrong direction. Jeb Bradley and his Republican friends voted to send us to war in Iraq which has cost us nearly 1 trillion dollars and over 4,000 lives. Jeb Bradley and his republican friends believe health care, education, renewable energy research, social security and medicare to be pork projects. Jeb Bradley and his Republican friends believe tax credits for big oil and bail outs of failing Wall St. companies as vital to the economy. Well Jeb you and your friends just don't get it. NH and our country need change. We need Carol Shea-Porter.
Jeremiah Shea
Derry, N.H.
Questions Palin's,
Bush's qualifications
To the editor:
I was both amused and dismayed by the letter in the Sept. 11, 2008 entitled "Supports Palin as VP choice," from Ron Badasaro. He was noting that there has been too much talk criticizing Gov. Palin for "her teenage daughter and daughter's boyfriend's human unfortunate mistake." This somehow implies that it was only the boyfriend, and not the daughter, who made a mistake. I'm sure that's not what Mr. Badasaro meant. Unless she was raped, the daughter was a willing participant, I think, and bears at least equal responsibility. Of course, it would be crazy to place any blame on the Mom. Parents can't be expected to be held accountable for the behavior of their teenage children, after all, can they? Certainly not a Mom who is also a state governor.
Of course, we do have the right to point out the irony, if not the hypocrisy, in the fact that Mrs. Palin, mother to an unwed pregnant teenager, is an active promoter of "abstinence only" sex education And, it is fair to assume that Mrs. Palin preaches at home what she preaches in public, so her daughter must have been a recipient of "abstinence only" sex education. This "mistake" is the result of such sex education practices. Naturally, as parents we warn, we discourage, we talk until we're blue in the face to our kids, about the potential consequences of having sex. All that talk is not a substitute for a condom and birth control pills when our kids finally, inevitably succumb to biology. It is also telling that Mrs. Palin states that she was "proud of her daughter's choice to have the baby." Which choice was that? Oh, the choice that Mrs. Palin, and the Republican Party, would like to take away from everybody else's teenage daughter, the choice to not have the baby.
Mr. Badasaro wonders why the news media is not talking more about Obama's admission of previous drug use. He asks us to consider what things might be like if Barrack should "fall off the wagon" and do "a little drug dabbling" as a result of the presidential pressure asking, "Is that someone we should feel comfortable with who has exclusive access to the red button?" I know what he means. I thought exactly the same thing eight years ago when George W. Bush admitted to having had a bit of a drinking problem until he was 40 years old,
Andy Slade
Chester, N.H.
Shea-Porter supports vets
To the editor:
Who is a true friend to veterans?
Jeb Bradley would like you to believe that he is a friend to the veterans, but his voting record does not back this up. His votes helped defeat measures that would have helped our veterans. This is in contrast to Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter's record.
Bradley blocked $500 million in new housing for 50,000 military families. [HRS 732 Vote #401 7/21/2004]
Bradley blocked a $1,500 bonus to US troops in recognition of their service in Iraq and Afghanistan. [HR 3289 Vote #554 10/17/2003]
Bradley blocked $3.6 billion in benefits and infrastructure for US troops. [HR 3289 Vote #547 <10/2003>]
Bradley blocked $958 million for military personnel homes. [HRS 298 Vote #324 <06/2003>]
Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter introduced H.R. 6774 to protect survivor benefits for children of single-parent service members killed while deployed,
Shea-Porter introduced H.R. 5155 to prohibit the VA from collecting debts owed by the estates of soldiers killed in combat.
Shea-Porter supported $788 million for VA construction and fund veteran's benefits including medical care, prosthetics and hospital mileage, in a bill that also funded Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on Aug. 1.
Check the facts before you vote.
Laura Aronson
Londonderry, N.H.
Shaheen is the choice
To the editor:
Jeanne Shaheen was one tough governor and you know she'll be a great U.S. Senator.
Think back to the Shaheen years. I remember a pragmatic, hard working Governor who was never beholden to one party line or dogma. Her only concern was for the well being of the people of New Hampshire.
As senator, I'm sure that her first question on any new legislation will be, "How does this affect the people of New Hampshire". Jeanne Shaheen will look out for us and we will be proud to call her our senator.
Don Schwartz
Londonderry, N.H.
Obama is a positive choice
To the editor:
A friend and I have been having, all through the nominating process, a back and forth discussion: Which would be better for America, a woman or a man or a black man? Now that the Democrats have a black man candidate, only now has it dawned on me, there is an issue, beyond the ones being talked about , we must consider. The election of Sen. Obama would have an enormous effect in empowering people of all colors. Folk who feel downtrodden or left behind now, would see that all things are, in fact, available to them - skin color and minority standing disappear as a barrier to achievement. Ones will and ability to work hard then make all folk equal. The election of Sen. Obama could be the greatest step forward for people of color since Lincoln freed the slaves, having untold effects of emancipation . It's an issue, one we have not talked about, but it is a very great issue that could have massively positive effects for our country.
Andy Mack
Londonderry, N.H.
A vote for Letourneau
To the editor:
Bob Letourneau is seeking re-election to the State Senate. Please consider voting for him. He is experienced and has great knowledge of his position. He has proved himself competent many times over. He will go above and beyond to help others and always votes in the people's best interest. You can rely on Bob.
It gives me great pleasure to testify to his ability. I've recently had some political issues that I needed assistance with. When I turned to Bob for help, he got me the results I needed quickly. It is clearly evident to me that Bob is our best choice. He has always shown good judgment in representing the people.
On Election Day, please give your support to Bob Letourneau for State Senate. I am confident you will be pleased for doing so.
William Webster
Derry, N.H.
McCain has changed
To the editor:
I met John McCain in 2000 at a campaign event at Londonderry High School. His passion and directness impressed me and I waited around after the event to shake his hand, meet his wife and wish him luck. He won my respect and my vote in the N.H. primary that night.
I was jubilant the night of the 2000 N.H. primary. I was proud that my state didn't fall for what I saw as phony "compassionate conservatism" and voted for a man who wasn't afraid to stand up for what he believed in. When mud-slinging and lies struck down McCain's campaign in South Carolina, I was outraged and saddened.
Fast forward to 2008. John McCain decides to run again for President. He still had my respect but I felt that we needed a dramatic change in direction. N.H. supported him in the 2008 Primary and though he didn't get my vote I felt OK that even if my choice for President didn't win, John McCain would still do right by the American People.
Then something happened that I thought never would. John McCain started compromising what I thought were his bedrock principles:
He reversed himself on water-boarding, it sure sounds like torture to me. He reversed his position on Bush's tax cuts — even though we are fighting two wars and the only Americans sacrificing are our soldiers and their families, and we have a gigantic deficit. He reversed himself on offshore drilling, buckling under to George Bush and Big Oil, and conveniently forgetting about global warming. He reversed himself on running a respectful campaign on the issues and started running the same kind of belittling, untruthful campaign that George Bush and Karl Rove specialized in. I thought we had heard the last of that guy but I guess not.
I don't know John McCain anymore and I hope that N.H. voters see through him like they saw through George Bush eight years ago in the N.H. Primary and four years ago in the General Election. I'd like to think that the people of N.H. believe in working hard, living within our means, helping our neighbors, and treating others with the respect we want to be treated with. Those are N.H. values. This election isn't a political game. It's our future and our children's future and time is running out. I don't know John McCain any more. He's not the man I thought he was.
Paula Flynn
Londonderry, N.H.
District needs Bradley
To the editor:
This year I am casting my vote for a candidate that is down-to-earth and understands what it means to run a small business and meet a payroll. I am voting for a small business owner and a friend of the taxpayer, the veteran and for working families. This year I am voting for Jeb Bradley for Congress. We need common sense, we need our family values represented in Congress, we need Jeb Bradley!
Patricia Reilly
Londonderry, N.H.
Overlay, TIF not needed
To the editor:
Overlay and TIF ( Tax Incremental Financing ) Districts are very solid tools for cities and towns to use in the effort to attract commercial developments. I am sure there are several examples of these being implemented region wide that have been successful in attracting new developments. But the big question is whether or not Londonderry needs to use these tools to attract commercial development, and I feel the answer is no. They are not needed in Londonderry.
Harvey, Coca-Cola, Penske, and now Highland Forwarding all chose to relocate or expand in Londonderry because of what the area offers in the way of location and transportation. Businesses that offer services to the above companies may consider moving here as well. Home Depot, Staples, The 99, and now KFC and Starbucks chose to locate here because of the consumer base in the area. More will surely follow. Our commercial base is growing without an Overlay or TIF district.
At one time, the value of Granite Ridge bounced between Commercial/Industrial and Public Utilities. Adding these two groups together from the 2002 and 2007 Annual Town Reports shows that in those five years, the value of these two groups rose from $541,560,000 in 2002 to $718,660,000 in 2007. That represents a 33 percent increase in the value of our Commercial/Industrial and Public Utility gained without any "creative" districts. To me, that represents good steady growth.
But aside from the above, my bigger concern about the Overlay and TIF districts lies in who benefits, and who does not, and at what cost. With the Overlay, the winners are those who own the homes within the district, while those who abut that area will lose. With the TIF, the winners are the property owners, while the residential taxpayer foots the bill for the road and infrastructure. When did considering items that benefit the few at the cost of many become in vogue at the Londonderry Town Hall?
Ken McLoon
Londonderry, N.H.
Firefighter backs Shaheen
To the editor:
I am writing in support of Jeanne Shaheen. As a resident of New Hampshire and a firefighter, I have seen time and time again that she is the right choice to send to Washington. We need a homeland security policy that protects our country from attack and keeps New Hampshire's borders safe, its infrastructure secure, and its response to natural disasters immediate and effective. Shaheen has always been on the frontlines for New Hampshire's first responders, protecting the protectors. As governor she provided funding for terrorism training to more than 1,000 firefighters, paramedics, and hazmat teams and she'll fight to increase the federal money that is sent back here to New Hampshire to continue training more firefighters in our communities. Jeanne provided health coverage for the spouse and dependents of our members killed in the line of duty, giving their families a safety net after their loved one had made the ultimate sacrifice for their community. And, Shaheen will never turned her back on our first responders in New Hampshire. As our U.S. Senator, Shaheen will work to keep New Hampshire safe by ensuring that our first responders have the support they need from the Department of Homeland Security, and that our power plants, borders, dams, bridges, water supplies, airports and port are safe and secure. Ask yourselves are we safer today than we were on Sept. 10, 2001?
Her record as governor has been distorted by the opposition. She has kept New Hampshire's tax burden the lowest of any state during her three terms as governor. She threatened to veto any attempts to establish an income tax in this state. She has worked to improve education to maintain America's competitive advantage in the world, has always supported our veterans, and has worked for equal rights for all workers in our state.
In Washington, Shaheen will make sure tax credits are directed to those who need them most. She believes in a plan to deal with our energy crisis that doesn't only help us short term, but a long term approach as well. She believes in a responsible troop withdrawal and ending of the war in Iraq, stopping the $10 billion a month we are now spending overseas. Shaheen will vote not only to keep the administration's tax cuts for the middle class permanent, but to expand them to include tax credits for child care, elder care and college tuition.
Mike Willinsky
Chester, N.H.
Takes issue with Coyle
To the editor:
In response to Mr. Coyle's article, a few facts should be clarified. Firstly, the recent reassessment dropped property values by 12 percent or more. The raw dollar effect of increased spending required to pay teachers, police, firefighters and public works is a small portion of the overall less than an 8 percent increase in our property taxes. The 20 percent tax rate increase cited by Mr. Coyle is misleading as much of it is due to a reassessment which dropped values and increased rates. This drop in value and rate increase was tax neutral prior to the spending increase. This is required by a charter change approved while I was a town council member.
The schools in Derry are now well regarded because of the hard work and smart investments by the school board and townspeople. Some have left surrounding towns to move here as evidenced by enrollment increases at Pinkerton and the non-kindergarten elementary grades. Kudos to the town for adding public kindergarten.
Much economic development has occurred in Derry with new shops downtown, new businesses at the Ash Street Corporate park, and a new movie theater, none of which had Mr. Coyle's support nor happened on his watch. While he and his colleagues, Mr. Carney and Ms. Fairbanks, choose to make allegations against town staff, such as the firefighters, the voters should not for a moment believe that they champion the welfare of the town nor expanded economic development. Wal Mart offered the town $1 million for roadway improvements and construction of a new super center which Councilors Coyle, Fairbanks, and Carney voted against. In March, the voters have a chance to rid the community of two of these folks, Mr. Coyle and Ms. Fairbanks. They should do so.
Paul Needham,
Derry, N.H.
