At the risk of beating a dead horse and realizing that we're unlikely to change anyone's minds, we feel compelled to note something interesting about the way the Candia School District and Candia Town Meetings were run. At both those meetings, residents made the comment that discussion was unnecessary because people's minds were already made up. At the School District Meeting, no discussion was allowed on how people felt about plans to expand and renovate the school. It was moved to go right to the vote. At the Town Meeting, discussion did take place on the transfer station, but the attempt was made to go right to a vote. Nevertheless, when faced with the prospect of listening to an Auburn couple talk about how they were once opposed to a transfer station next door to their home and now have no problem with it, Candia voters shut them right down and sent them home without being allowed to speak.

The argument for traditional Town Meeting versus SB2 is that at least voters discuss the articles before voting, so their vote is an informed one. We think it would have been eye-opening to hear from the Auburn couple, and would have helped the school board with decisions on what to do next about Moore School. In Candia, it seems the majority would rather keep their blinders on and their ears plugged rather than hear information that could possibly sway their opinion. That's pretty sad.

-Ginger Kozlowski, Editor

Committee members met weekly since October, devoting countless hours in preparation for last Saturday's School District Meeting. A variety of community outreach efforts - including large community forums, small group discussions, meetings with civic and business groups, brochures, school tours, a video tour and information on the school Web site - culminated in a presentation of the plan at last Saturday's School District Meeting. Other community and school organizations, including the Candia Community Woman's Club and the Moore School PTO, provided an important community service by encouraging members of the community to participate in Saturday's meeting.

While the plan did not gain the necessary voter approval, the facilities committee did succeed in raising an awareness of the various needs for Candia's school facilities. We thank them for all of their hard work.

How can the people tolerate this insensitivity? If it's not just shutting up the teachers that have to work there, and the parents who have children that have special needs, what's it going to take for the residents of Candia to wake up and see what's going on with their future (and hopefully) residents of the future? Some of you might be wondering: Why the heck is he so concerned with what's going on here?

Well, I'll let you in on something. When I was still living there, the teachers were too afraid to talk. Adminstration was to afraid to ruffle any feathers at the top. And when I did get to speak to the "Top" (SAU), he was already looking for another "challenge."

So, where does that leave the children of Candia? Back to, as someone has said in the past, "Sponge Bob Square Pants." Nowhere!

I really feel for you guys back there, really. I know you will prevail in time. Keep the faith!

Simply -yes. It may be cliche, but it is the wrong thing for the wrong neighborhood at the wrong time. Here are some of the reasons:

Zoning - How does this project fit into Allenstown's master plan? For 30 years, this neighborhood has been exclusively single-family homes. Less than a year ago, an application for a duplex was denied? Why the sudden change? Is this in the best interest of the residents of this neighborhood?

New residents - The idea that this project is for seniors or retirees 55 or older is completely false. There is no enforcement of this occupancy standard. There are also no laws or restrictions on the sale of these units. They will be sold to any family size that meets the asking price, and more importantly, resold the exact same way.

Traffic - 85 condos + 2 cars = 170 new cars + visitors = a whole lot of new cars, with not a whole lot of new roads. Is Granite Street, Park Street, Al's Avenue, Notre Dame, etc., equipped to handle all this new traffic? Furthermore, there is no second access so those streets can expect much more heavy traffic volume. Between Granite Street, Notre Dame and Al's Avenue, they will handle all the incoming and outgoing traffic.

Construction - It will take at least three years to complete this project. Once it begins, we can expect dump trucks, 16- wheelers, logging trucks and construction trucks to become the norm every day. With that comes noise, pollution, disturbances, and yes, more traffic. Is that how we want to spend our time at home?

Water and sewage - Will our underground storm drain and sewage piping be able to absorb these new levels? On the issue of drinking water and sewage, we share the cost of these utilities with the town of Pembroke. Have they signed off?

Municipal departments - Are our schools, police, fire and highway departments fully equipped to handle this influx of people? All of these departments do a phenomenal job taking care of our town. Is it fair to ask them to do more with the resources they have? It will be more roads to plow and upkeep, residents and houses to be accounted for and children to educate.

I am only writing this so that we may open up some honest dialogue. Hopefully we can have these answers we all seek told to us in a public forum, and hopefully soon.

Both nationally and locally, our "trustees" in government have become accustomed to being ignored. Low voter turnouts are an invitation for them to plunder. It encourages them to believe that they know, better than we, how to spend and "invest" our money. It emboldens them to infringe upon our liberties. Our forefathers would not be proud.

Fortunately, some citizens are beginning to stir - I'm on "blend." Join me in taking our country back; make your friends and family vote. If they plead ignorance, you have just doubled your vote. Get them to agree with your choices, they will trust your wisdom, "town representative."

Our children will not be inspired by complacency, they may be enslaved because of it. America is not ours, we didn't earn it. It was entrusted to us by the patriots who gave all they had so it could be passed onto us. Voting is a sacred duty, giving honor to those who followed The Lord's Word, "no greater love has a man than to lay down his life for another." You don't have to lay down your life to vote. They did, so you could!

It's hard not to become overly zealous when it comes to my children's futures. I may get a little over-the-top sometimes but, I have been ranting and canting for years on this issue, and little has changed. In fact, it seems to be getting worse.

Maybe you can do a better job. Even if you think you can't, try. A little is better than none, a vote is better than none. These days, a vote is worth half a million!

Set in Austria during the runup to World War II, "The Sound of Music" reminds us that love, family, honor - and especially music - can triumph over oppression. Maria, the young woman who would be a nun, becomes governess to a large family desperately in need of a mother's warmth and guidance. She falls in love with the children's father, Captain Von Trapp, who lost his wife some years ago and has become cold and distant to his children. Maria reawakens his soul with music and laughter and an appreciation for the beauty around him.

Just as they begin their new life together as a loving family, the Nazis invade Austria and demand that the captain join them. Sadly, the Von Trapp family realize that they must retain their honor and flee their beloved homeland.

Come and support the hardworking drama students and staff. We guarantee that you'll leave with a song in your heart!

The citizens of Hooksett have already spoken on this issue, and just because it did not go the way the minority wished, that there can be a revote is beyond my comprehension. Does that mean that if the budget had passed, there could have been a revote to go to a default budget? And if this vote is unsatisfactory to some voters, then can there be yet another revote?

The voters also have already rejected moving the day for voting on the school issues, but it appears that vote will be ignored also.

In my opinion, this is insane, and if it is legally allowed, it should become a priority to close this loophole.

I am briefly writing to thank those who voted on March 8, 2005 in lieu of the inclement weather. I look forward to working with the Allenstown community, local teachers and administration and the school board. I additionally look forward to working on the many challenges ahead. I encourage those who recently ran for office, and those who may be interested to do so in the future, to continue being involved in the community.

We appreciate everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to attend the School District Meeting and vote to support the hard work done between the negotiators of the school board and the CEA teachers union.

Thank you for supporting our contract and the work we do with all the school children at Henry W. Moore School.