Rules are the basis of civil society
To the editor:
It was with interest at the last Town Council meeting that I listened to Chairman Brad Benson state, "Quite honestly, in a more civilized society, I (Brad) would've gotten a phone call asking me 'What is this about, can you explain?' But in this society, it's about going to the press and releasing things."
It appears that Brad would have preferred being asked privately if the approved minutes of the Taylor Library Board of Trustees meeting held on April 19 were correct. In those minutes it was noted that, "The vote for work was tabled because Brad Benson asked David Milz, (Town Council liaison to the Taylor Library) to bring him the quotes so that he may be able to match or beat the current quotes," regarding the purchase and installation of windows within the Taylor Library.
Rather than have an investigation performed by the Town Council according to section 7.4 of our town charter, Brad made the lone decision to have Gary Stenhouse, our town administrator who answers directly to Brad, conduct an investigation. Not anywhere in our charter does it give the town administrator the authority to investigate a member of the Town Council. And yet Brad, with the support of the council majority, voted to accept the findings of this investigation with little discussion.
When some rather pointed questions were posed of Brad as to why he ignored the request by Councilor Kevin Coyle and myself for a council investigation, he very quickly pointed out that there was a motion on the floor and we were to vote upon it. Basically stating, "that's it, the discussion is over." Yet, according to the rules of the Town Council, each town councilor has the right to discuss whatever motion is on the table for a full five minutes.
It is obvious to me, that Brad Benson feels that rules and regulations are to be put aside. Yet rules and regulations are the very backbone of the civilized society in which Brad not only refers to, but seeks. Can you imagine the terrible toll which would be exacted on our society if everyone were to act willfully and without conscience? Having rules and regulations in which to live by and in this case govern, provides a check and balance system to our society and our local town government, that without it, would otherwise run amok.
Janet Fairbanks
Town Councilor
Derry
Little League team had excellent season
To the editor:
I was disappointed last week to see no mention of the Derry Little League Majors championship game. It's hard to believe, after an 11-1 season, not one coach submitted so much as a photo on their behalf.
My son, along with 11 other young men on the Morgan Exteriors team, gave us the best season in my family's 10 years in Derry baseball. The championship game was on Saturday, June 19, and what a game it was.
Christian Fitzgerald hit one out of the park and Tom Olsen pitched spectacularly. They won the game, 9-0. These boys worked hard and gave us a season that surpassed the Bruins, Celtics and probably the Red Sox. Nice job, boys! Thanks for the memories.
Babette N. Fitzgerald
Derry
Thanks for support of Scout troop
To the editor:
Troop 405 of Derry celebrated 45 years of scouting on June 5. We would like to give a great big thank you to all of the following companies and individuals for making a donation to support the boys in our troop. Your support to our troop is greatly appreciated.
We thank the following: Clam Haven, Darren's Music, Derry Feed, Derry Neurological Associates, Dollar Bill's, Dr. Copeland, Dr. Masterson, Dunkin Donuts, Hannaford's Supermarket, Hess, La Carretta, Opticare Eye, Pediatric Dentistry of Salem, SMP Construction, TD Bank, Derry 5 Star Cinema, Shaw's, Doreen MacCuish, Saco Bound, Let's Play Music, T-Bones and Water Country.
Thank you.
Jennifer Niebla
Derry
Tobacco law is saving kids' lives
To the editor:
As a mother, I know how hard parents try to protect our kids from danger. I hope all parents join me in celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which gives the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory authority over the manufacturing, sale and marketing of tobacco products.
Today, 3,900 kids will try a cigarette for the first time and 1,000 kids will become addicted, daily smokers. One in five of those addicted kids will eventually die prematurely as a result of their tobacco use. Big Tobacco currently spends nearly $34 million a day in the United States marketing its deadly products. The industry focuses heavily on outlets that have high visibility to young consumers — convenience stores frequented by kids and magazines aimed at young readers.
One of the tobacco industry's most outrageous tactics was the introduction of fruit-and candy-flavored cigarettes, which are now banned under this law. Estimates are that as many as 20 percent of smokers 17 to 19 years of age have smoked flavored cigarettes, compared to only 6 percent of smokers over the age of 25.
Prior to this landmark law, tobacco products were virtually the only consumable goods not regulated in the United States. With an estimated 440,000 people in America dying from smoking-related illnesses each year, this law is necessary to rein in an industry that for decades has used fraudulent and deceptive tactics to addict children and adults to its deadly products.
In 2012, consumers will begin to see larger, graphic warning labels on cigarette ads and that cover the top half of the front and back of all cigarette packages. In addition, promotion, marketing and sales of tobacco products sold over the internet, by mail-order or other non-face-to-face sales (such as vending machines) will be restricted in order to protect youth.
Perhaps the most powerful element of tobacco regulation on the horizon is the burden of proof that will be placed on the tobacco industry to show that any product changes will not increase the number of new tobacco users or reduce the number of those who quit. Smoking prevention and cessation, two critical elements of the fight against cancer, will be central considerations when tobacco products are evaluated.
Norma Jean Gecks
East Derry
