YourNeighborhoodNews.com: The Goffstown News

If ever there was an extracurricular program that gives students the skills they’ll need for a successful future, FIRST is that program.

For those who haven't caught on to FIRST yet, it's a program that asks high school and college students, along with their parents and business partners, to build robots to play a game. But it's not really about building robots – it's about spurring an interest in science and technology among our students and about teaching them how to get a difficult project finished, as well as many other skills used in business. FIRST encourages “gracious professionalism,” a phrase you hear over and over during competitions. This organization rewards both competition and cooperation so that we all benefit in the long run from improvements not only in technology but also in the way people treat each other and how businesses are run.

All three city high schools, Pembroke Academy, Trinity High School and Bishop Brady High School participated in the regional competition this year. Trinity, which has students from around this area, is working hard to go to the national competition in Atlanta. West High School's team is in Annapolis, Md., this weekend for another regional competition, and will also be going to Atlanta. When West won the regional Chairman's Award, they proved that they are changing the culture by making science and technology an important part of their school curriculum and showing the residents and businesses in this area what FIRST is all about. We think they stand a very good chance of winning the national award next month.

And even if you don't think science and technology are important – though we can't imagine why – FIRST competitions are just plain fun. These games may use robots on the playing field, but it's high school and college students who are making them work, scouting out the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents and alliance partners, and helping other teams who need help with broken parts. The games may be over for this year in New Hampshire, but there's always next year. And next time you see a robot on display or a kid raising money for FIRST, go talk to them. You'll find out just how much this program teaches these students about making it in the business world and maybe catch a little of their enthusiasm.

With students this smart and motivated, it's going to be a bright future for us all.
-Ginger Kozlowski

Within the next few months the school district will accept the land transfer from the town, and begin the process of constructing the kindergarten school.

Having worked on the kindergarten project for the last few years, I'd be remiss if I didn't thank all the hardworking volunteers that made this possible.

While there were dozens of people on the committee over the years, I'd especially like to commend Peter Osiecki, Lissa Winrow, Liz Veilleux, and Marc Boyd who led the effort since 2001.

In addition there was a core group of individuals who contributed countless hours in bringing public kindergarten to Goffstown: Kathy Stoyle, Mary Heath, Charlie Carr, Phil Kendall, Jeff Tate, Robin Gagne, Dianne Quiqley, Leslie Doster, Regina Pauer, Colleen Campbell, Crystal Tilton, Jane Stechowych, Nicole Noonan, Deb O'Brien, Mary Starvish and David Bousquet, Laureen Dorow, Leslie Brigagliano, and Bobbie Perkins.

Special thanks to those in our local government: The school board; SAU 19; the board of selectman; town hall staff; budget committee; CIP; planning board; ZBA; conservation commission; fire, police, and public works departments.

Over the last four years, all of these groups have been instrumental in making public kindergarten a reality.

Many hours were spent away from home and we all made personal sacrifices for the betterment of our community.

Thank you again, and I hope to see you at the groundbreaking ceremony,
Scott Gross, Goffstown

The voters of the town recently went to the polls and approved the town's 2005 operating budget and two petitioned warrant articles for the fire department.

All three of these items will allow your fire department to continue to provides the services that are required and that you have come to expect from the members of your fire department.

Thank you and please do not hesitate to contact us at any time should you have any questions regarding the operating of your fire department.
Chief Frank Carpentino
Goffstown Fire Department

The opponents who campaigned against its adoption and the four selectmen who, in effect, said it wasn't a good idea, all should take note of the near vote.

Only 142 votes more and it would have won. Did the weather make the difference? It might have. But, the close vote should make a difference.

Now that the opponents and selectmen see that 47 percent of the voters who voted did believe that something about Goffstown is "broke," let's see whether they will do something to fix it.

In Warrant Article 14, we see that 82 percent of the voters believed in one provision of the charter, and to elect the zoning board of adjustment.

Thus, one "broke" part is already fixed. Now, let us see further warrant articles to fix other parts.

Why not an article to increase the board of selectmen to seven members? That might do what the charter would have done, break the monopoly in the selectmen's office.

That would go a long way toward fixing what's "broke" in Goffstown government. Apparently, the opponents to the charter either were ignorant of that monopoly or liked it to be that way; many of us don't.

Another feature of the charter is that it would prevent anyone from holding elective office who lives outside of town.

Rules about this sort of thing, unless passed by the voters on petitioned articles, are made by the selectmen. I challenge them to make such a rule now.

It is good to see that Victoria Gailinas, who had no chance at beating two veterans for selectman, is going to get some valuable experience with the budget committee.

We have too many empty seats in town offices, especially such appointed ones as the historic district commission, conservation commission, the economic development council and vacant alternate positions on several others.

Perhaps other losing candidates will consider volunteering to fill some of those seats.

We wanted to take a moment to acknowledge these businesses because they, too, continue support our program as well as many other nonprofits in town ranging from youth sports teams, extracurricular activities in school, the food pantry, police and fire rescue association, heath-related charities and others.

These include: Chris Powden, Powden's Jewelry; Steve Pascucci, Village Trestle; Patti Patenaude, Bridge Boutique; and Joanne Cocchiaro Family Main Street Salon.

Thank you to everyone the supported the Goffstown Main Street Program during the election.
Cathy Ewing
Executive Director
Goffstown Main Street Program

Another 80 communities will receive less school aid next year under Gov. John Lynch's school aid plan than they will receive under the school aid plan that is in place now.

This means 174 communities will receive no school aid or less school aid and most all of the communities that will receive more school aid next year under Gov. John Lynch's plan will also receive more school aid under the plan that is in place now.

Most communities that will lose school aid under Gov. John Lynch's plan have increased their per-student spending more over the last five years than they now receive in per-student adequacy grant money.

Under Gov. John Lynch's school aid plan the rich property owners and rich business owners in the donor communities and the communities that will receive more aid under his plan will pay less school property tax because the state school property tax will become local school property tax and they will not get a refund of the state property tax they pay.

It is time for the communities that will lose some or all of their school aid to form a coalition before it is too late.

Goffstown will receive 1.3 million dollars less in school aid next year under Gov. John Lynch's plan then it would receive under the plan that is in place now.
Frank A. Davis, Contoocook

The Main Street Program is truly a public/private partnership and the town funds are really integral to our continuing success.

Most of you support the program generously throughout the year which is the important private portion of the partnership – we depend on your time, financial and vocal support of our activities.

The on-going support from the town is the public portion of the equation and the $15,000 makes everyone in Goffstown (the voters) the largest single contributor to the program.

We will work to invest the $1 per resident you have provided us wisely over the next year!
Gene Young
President, Board of directors
Main Street Program Goffstown