The second Tuesday of November may be the big election day for the rest of the country, but in New Hampshire it’s the March 14 election that counts most. This is the one where you have the most influence over how your local tax dollars are spent, the policies made in your town or school district and who will sit in the positions of power.

If you’ve been to a deliberative session, you’re a step ahead of the crowd. Same if you’ve been reading the newspapers or even have a copy of the warrants. Many people, though, go to the polls with no idea who the candidates are or what the issues are. People who do this are certainly exercising their right to vote, but could be unwittingly voting against their own interests.

One of the hardest things to vote on are zoning amendments. It seems you have to be a zoning or planning board member to understand those things. They aren’t even discussed at Town Meeting or the deliberative sessions of those meetings, like we’re just supposed to know what they’re about.

Our recommendation? Vote only on those candidates and issues you are familiar with and leave the rest blank. The ballot is not a test where you have to guess the right answer, and is not the place to make pretty patterns of yes and no votes.

This is one time where filling in the little bubble should be done only when you know for sure you’re making the right choice. A knowledgeable vote is what we all need.

Bedford’s moderator, Ryk Bullock, has decided to allow our weekly newspaper to be available at the polls on March 14.

We published an editorial in last week’s editions expressing our outrage that moderators in several communities, including Goffstown and Bedford, would not allow our publications to be available for pick-up on voting day.

Bullock claims he had always agreed to allow the papers outside the polls. Our disagreement was over how far away they’d be. He has since agreed to allow them in an honor box dispenser outside the school. We think we reached a fair compromise and we thank Ryk for his cooperation. We wish all our local moderators had been as agreeable.

— Editorials published by Neighborhood News Inc. are written by an editorial board. The board is composed of Publisher and President Amy J. Vellucci, Executive Editor Ginger Kozlowski, Managing Editor Christine Heiser and News Editor Susan Clark.

To the Editor:
Though I usually refrain from voicing my personal views on items of political importance, this year’s candidates for Weare selectmen are such that I feel it necessary to endorse the two most qualified persons.

Please join with me in supporting Mr. Thomas Clow and Mr. Leon Methot for selectmen.

Mr. Methot has a tried and proven track record as a selectman and will continue to serve the people of Weare with honor and distinction.

Mr. Clow, though new to the Weare political arena, brings years of professional service and a sense of open-mindedness to the table.

The other three candidates on the ballot appear bent on promoting personal and professional agendas and have axes to grind with the present board of selectmen. They do not have the best interest of Weare citizens at heart. One candidate in particular has strong alliances to the previous administration and former town employees. These persons, if elected, may create divisiveness and dissention on the board of selectmen for years to come.

The citizens of this community deserve a progressive board of selectmen to lead our town in a respectful and thoughtful manner, tackling issues which are important to the people at large. We need leaders devoid of personal agendas — leaders whose only allegiance is to the citizens they serve.

So join me on Tuesday, March 14, and vote for Mr. Thomas Clow and Mr. Leon Methot for Weare selectmen.

Sherry Butt Dunham
Weare

To the Editor:
Thank you publishing information on the candidates. It’s a terrific service to the public and, as a candidate for board of selectmen, I’m sure everyone running appreciates the exposure.

However, in addition to the articles getting the most attention there are other articles that will affect our town in the coming years.

For example, there are several planning board articles; Articles 4 and 5 generated from the planning board and Article 8 brought forth by petition.

Article 4 removes the twostory limitation on residential homes while maintaining the 35-foot height limitation giving the freedom to many homeowners to now remodel their existing home.

Article 5 loosens up restrictions on signs, both directional and banners.

Planning board petitioned Article 8 sets strict criteria for development of age-restricted housing projects, therefore making it less attractive for developers to want to build these taxfriendly projects anywhere in Goffstown.

Town Articles 10 and 11 are police and DPW collective bargaining contracts allowing for modest increases in wages and benefits comparable to towns the size of Goffstown.

Town Articles 13, 14 and 15 deal with TIF, the tax increment financing plan. This plan uses the increase in taxes resulting from improvements in a TIF district to fund the infrastructure improvements as recommended by the Corridor Management Plan. Articles 13, 14 and 15 are not only pro business, but are also pro taxpayer, as this plan hopes to draw businesses to build in the TIF districts thereby increasing our business tax base while lowering our residential property tax base while maintaining our rural character in Goffstown. This is what the taxpayers need and have been asking for.

There are a couple of other petitioned articles on the ballot that are of interest as well. Town petitioned Article 23, for example, regards the granting of an easement to a developer wishing to build condos and shops in the mill area of the Village Commercial District off the shores of the Piscatasquog River. The petitioners are opposed to the scope of the project and wish to restrict the board of selectmen from granting the easement.

Town petitioned Article 33 and school petitioned Article 4 is enabling legislation to allow the budget committee to establish the default budget. Currently both the town and school governing bodies establish their own default budget. The town and school boards would like to continue the tradition of providing the default budget, but the petitioner believes the taxpayer would be better served if the budget committee established the default budget.

The above is just a sampling of the 35 town articles and the four school articles found on the warrants, for more information on the town, school and petitioned warrant articles, log onto www.votesmartgoffstown.com.

Pam Manney
Candidate – Goffstown Board of Selectmen
Goffstown

To the Editor:
I remain stunned at what transpired during the town and school deliberative sessions.

Double-talk, subterfuge and a continued disregard for the will of the voters.

Of course, this disregard by both the BOS and the SAU for what we voters want – and mandate – is nothing new. We’ve seen three distinct instances of this behavior in 2005 alone.

The first was the transfer of the Glen Lake property to the school district, a move that completely ignored – and overrode – the will of the ’77 voters. And although we voters approved that transfer, we did so after having been intentionally misled and misinformed about the restrictions on such a transfer, as the Conservation Commission pointed out in their July ’05 report. By then, of course, it was too late.

Next was the BOS ignoring our mandate from the March ’05 that they present us with a plan for implementing 24/7 coverage in Goffstown. The BOS ignored that mandate, declaring that regardless of what the taxpayers voted for, the BOS didn’t think we needed it, and that’s it.

And, of course, there’s the current police/fire merger mess. Despite a firestorm of objections by the voters, despite a Superior Court order, despite a rejection of an appeal of that order, and despite taxpayer reaction to it at the deliberative session, the BOS continues its attempts to implement their plan! Indeed, the BOS cleverly worded Article 24 to intentionally mislead voters into believing the article was binding when, in fact, it is not.

And even after Nick Campasano succeeded (with overwhelming support) to amend Article 24, the BOS continues to declare they will not be bound by the will of the voters! Unbelievable!

I don’t know about you, but I’m still reeling after seeing my last tax bill. And now the BOS and SAU want to raise them again? The SAU declares we supported building a kindergarten, and now we have to come up with more money to furnish it? What kind of planning is that? Does Goffstown really need to spend $1.8M on preventative road maintenance again this year, or can it wait? $100,000 for an excavator?

Enough is enough. I urge all taxpayers to take back control of Goffstown from a BOS and SAU that are running amok.

First, stop these sly foxes from guarding their own henhouses – give control of both the town and school budgets to the budget committee by voting yes on Town Article 33 and School Article 4.

Please support Nick Campasano and John Caprio, vote no on town Articles 9, 12, 16, 17 and no on school Articles 2 and 3.

Put control of Goffstown back where it belongs – in our hands.

Guy Caron
Goffstown

To the Editor:
Weare’s operating budget needs your support. It’s a very prudent budget. Indeed, it’s so tight that some service reductions will likely be required to live within its limits. It’s only $50,000 higher than the default budget, which the selectmen pared to the bone, actually reducing some lines below their current level.

The major different between the two budgets is that the operating budget will allow for a 3.5 percent cost of living adjustment for town employees. They do yeoman service for the town and deserve to be treated fairly.

I respectfully ask voters to support Weare’s operating budget.

Heleen H. Kurk
Weare
Kurk is a Weare selectman.

To the Editor:
I’m writing in support of the school budget and the teacher’s contract and encourage all town voters to support the school board as they work to strengthen our schools.

I hear and understand those who don’t want to see more spending on top of approving the new middle school last year.

But I can’t help coming back to the fact that based on state data from 2004-05, Weare spends so much less on the education of our K-8 students than any other town in the whole state: $2,700 per student less than the average of $9,100. And if it seems like the school board is asking for significant increases given the new school, maybe it is because we have lots of catching up to do. Of course, money alone will not produce good schools but it is a certainty that if we refuse to offer a competitive pay package we will have trouble attracting and keeping good teachers – a key ingredient of good schools.

Please vote to pass the Weare school articles.

David Getzin,
Weare

To the Editor:
What do we want for our children? It’s time for voters to go to the polls to make that determination. There is much to decide.

The school budget has already been through several rounds of cuts, and the difference between the proposed budget and the default budget is of great significance for our students. Goffstown continues to provide education at a much lower cost per pupil than the state average and this budget wouldn’t change that. Our sports programs, arts programs, and basic educational services for students in grades K through 12 will be affected, for better or worse, by our vote. I urge you to vote yes on Article 3.

Article 2 also deserves your vote. This article would take advantage of state kindergarten aid and impact fees paid by developers to help cover the increased costs of building a public kindergarten. This project was originally voted on two years ago and, as we all know, costs have increased during that time. This article is key to the success of that project and carries no tax burden for Goffstown voters. A yes vote is the only vote that makes sense.

Goffstown students accomplish great things every day – in their classrooms, in community projects, volunteering, on the stage, on the canvas, on the playing fields and in the gym.

Students and parents fundraise tirelessly to support these programs, as well.

Please support our students with your vote. Once again, it is time for Goffstown parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and community members to show our support for our students.

Please support them on Tuesday March 14. Please vote yes on School Articles 2 and 3.

Kathy Stoyle
Goffstown

To the Editor:
We, the members of the Goffstown business community, would like to encourage you to lend your support to the Main Street Program Warrant Article 18.

As investors in the Main Street Program, we are proud of our association with this organization, and believe it is making a difference in our community.

Each of us has made a financial commitment to the program because we value the support we receive. We also want to thank the voters of Goffstown for joining us in this commitment to revitalize the historic downtown, to make it more attractive, livelier, and economically stronger. Main Street is a partnership between the public and private sectors, and we are grateful for your willingness to play a role in that partnership.

As local business owners, we are a part of this community, we support the sports teams, extracurricular activities in your schools, and other youth programs throughout the Village.

We donate to scholarship funds, the food pantry, and groups like the police, fire and rescue associations, and health related charities. We volunteer with you in civic organizations. We are your neighbors, and we’re pleased to be able to make a contribution to this great town. We hope you will join us in supporting the Goffstown Main Street Program in March. Vote Yes on Article 18.

Goffstown True Value Hardware
Sully’s Superette
Travel About
TD BankNorth
Brown Graphics
Iris Framing
Traver’s Village Eatery
Sutton’s Flowers and Gifts
Vikster’s Pizza
The Village Trestle
Howe’s Pharmacy
Cumberland Farms
Putnam’s Waterview Restaurant
Gordon F. Burns Insurance Agency
Luna Salon
Apothecia Flower Shoppe & Tea Chest
Humble Kitchen
Richard M. Thomas CPA
Rhonda’s Pizzeria
Powden’s Jewelry
B&E Scrapbooking
Happy Tomato
Family Main Street Salon
Alternative Chiropractic
Putnam Fuel Company
Bridge Boutique
Jo-Marie’s Country Shoppe
Draper Insurance
Twisted Fender
Eliot Insurance Agency
Tamblyn fuller Gosling
Comtech
Citizens Bank
Criterium Turner