The Hopkinton-Contoocook Taxpayers Association is deeply saddened by the actions taken by whoever destroyed the Slusser Senior Center currently under construction here in Hopkinton.

Actions such as these are in direct conflict with the goals of our organization. It continues to be our goal to provide an appropriate venue for learning how to affect change responsibly, and within the law.

We welcome those who are frustrated by the current tax situation to contact us through our Web site, www.Hopkintontaxpayers.com, and to attend our meetings.

A town of informed voters is our best chance of effective and lasting change. Association

David Lancaster,
on behalf of the Hopkinton-Contoocook Taxpayers

The Goffstown Salvation Army faced a challenging year.

The May floods were tuff on all that were involved. We wrote $44,000 worth of vouchers just in May alone for the flood families, for food, clothing, medical needs, etc. The number of people in need that were helped for the year was 1,858.

We distributed 79,003 pounds of food to the needy.

So when anyone questions what the Salvation Army does with your money, you can rest assured that it is helping our community.

Thank you Goffstown, Dunbarton, Weare and New Boston for your support.

Goffstown Salvation Army
Debra Urella

We, the Dunbarton Education Association, feel it is important for all Dunbarton residents and parents of children enrolled at the elementary school to be aware of a proposed change at Dunbarton Elementary School.

In response to a request from the school board, the administration of the Dunbarton School District presented some options for the board to consider with regard to the annual school budget (referred to in a Jan. 11 Bow Times article).

One of the options the board is seriously considering is to cut the guidance counselor position from two days per week (40 percent position) to one day per week (20 percent position).

According to the New Hampshire Rules for Education adopted by the New Hampshire State Board of Education and the New Hampshire Department of Education, “the counseling load in each elementary school shall not exceed the equivalent of one full-time guidance counselor per 500 students enrolled.”

On Oct. 1, 2006, Dunbarton Elementary School had approximately 209 students enrolled.

If this option is implemented, we believe it will adversely impact the guidance services available to the students at our school.

The school budget will be finalized after the annual school budget hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m., at Dunbarton Elementary School.

We strongly urge you to attend the budget hearing so you can hear more information on the budget, take the opportunity to ask questions and offer your opinion on this critical issue.

If you cannot attend this meeting, you can contact your school board member(s) prior to this meeting to discuss this matter.

This is the budget that will be brought to the voters at the annual School District Meeting on March 10.

Kim Belanger
Sara Wright
Dunbarton Education Association

Attention Gov. Lynch:

The stars will shine a little brighter here in Bow when parents, teachers and alumni of Bow High School take the stage for a one night performance on Feb. 3 at 7 p.m.

The Bow POPS organization is holding its first annual talent show. We have gathered up Bow’s best, brightest, and willing performers to come together and put on a show to raise money for the Grand Piano Fund.

Anyone who has attended a music performance at our schools here in Bow has experienced the wonderful end result to many hours of practice by the students and the dedication of our music staff.

Parents attending the famous recorder performance of the fourth-graders at the elementary school sit in awe as they watch and listen to their children play the instruments. The Boston Pops could not sound better!

Parents of children in either chorus or band at the middle school sit in the audience with great pride to see how far their little ones have come. Grateful that all the instruction, lessons and practice has paid off!

A performing student’s journey has just begun when they enter Bow High School. Each and every student involved in the music program at Bow High receives the continued dedication of the music department staff.

The program offers the students instruction, encouragement, guidance and music performance opportunities. Polished, professional and fully entertaining, the Bow High School music performances captivate audiences year after year. A new grand piano will be a welcome addition to this most sophisticated ensemble.

The Bow POPS organization is raising money to help with the cost of a new grand piano. A quality piece made to perform with excellence and last for years to come.

You have seen the Grand Piano Fund tally board at the schools and so far the fund is a success, but we have a ways to go to reach the goal.

The talent show is a major fundraiser for the POPS prganization. Tickets are available at the famous Bow Mobil and the Baker Free Library in Bow.

Join us for a night that is sure to entertain. Enjoy the show!

Cyndy Chagnon
Bow resident/member of the Bow POPS organization

At the Slusser Senior Center meeting on Wednesday, I became concerned about our selectmen’s reaction to the arson attack.

A selectman made the disturbing statement, “Too bad, sucker, we’re moving on.”

How frightening that someone has resorted to a devastating crime to prove a point and our selectmen’s first goal isn’t to figure out why.

People have been voicing their opinions, frustrations and questions for years. Many have been ignored while the selectmen move on with their plans.

It is unacceptable that our townspeople and a selectman are in a power struggle. There should never have to be “we” and “him.”

This division has grown for years over the Community Center Inc. and Columbia Hall. The selectmen spent years convincing the town the Columbia Hall building was unsafe.

The nonprofit Community Center was forced to jump through hoops to bring the building up to safety codes. The center raised just under $30,000 for a new sprinkler system, $4,000 for a commercial range hood and fire suppression system to continue serving senior lunch, $6,000 for an overhaul of electrical and much more.

Due to the negative publicity, funds dwindled and attendance dropped. Unfortunately the center was forced to close in August without ever receiving all the money we taxpayers voted to donate.

Shortly before the closing, someone commented, “Mark my words, the town recreation director will be sitting in Nini’s (community center director) office when she leaves.”

Before the center even closed, Rob Mattes was moving in. The inside was painted and suddenly it was a perfectly usable building with programs and taxpayer money running out of it daily.

If these selectmen say, “Too bad, sucker,” we need to get new selectmen who listen when we speak!

Holly Dubreuil
Contoocook

Does your child play soccer, baseball, softball or basketball with the Bow Athletic Club?

Help is needed for the Bow Athletic Club annual fundraiser. No need to buy anything, just three hours of your time is all that is requested.

Funds raised benefit all youth sports programs of the Bow Athletic Club.

The 22nd annual Bow Invitational Basketball Tournament will be Friday, Feb 23, Saturday, Feb. 24, and Sunday, Feb. 25, and Friday, March 2, Saturday, March 3, and Sunday, March 4, with games at Bow Memorial and Bow High schools.

Adult volunteers are needed to help with all aspects of the tournament, including the entrance gate, concessions, set up and breakdown. No experience is necessary for these tasks. Experienced book and clock volunteers are also needed.

This event will bring 30 teams from across New Hampshire to our community for 50 basketball games and takes over 600 man-hours!

To volunteer or to place a sponsor ad in the tournament program book, please contact Fred Hast at 226-4476 or hast@totalnetnh.net.

Kathi Russ
Bow