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| Updated: 12/15/05 | |
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We welcome opinions on topics of local interest! Send a letter to the editor!
Remember to include your name, hometown and daytime phone number (we won't publish your phone number). We reserve the right to edit for length and legal considerations.
Editorial Property tax muddle
If you're one of the "lucky" homeowners who has
seen a property tax bill double or more since last year,
it may be hard to swallow that only Alaska taxes take
a smaller bite of one's personal income than New
Hampshire. At least, that's what The Tax Foundation,
a policy research group, says. New Hampshire takes
7.4 percent per capita income for state and local taxes.
Alaska's at the bottom with 6.4 percent and Maine tops
their chart at 13 percent. The U.S. average is 10.1 percent
of income.
The problem with this chart is that averages don't speak to personal situations. If you were lucky or wise enough to buy a home when prices were low, you probably figured you could afford to pay the property tax on your home. But home prices have skyrocketed, and the rate of increase on home values has more than likely pushed your tax rate up at a faster rate than your income has increased. High housing prices may be wonderful when you're selling, but most people are trying to stay in the homes they have and make ends meet. And where would you run to to find lower taxes? Appraisal officials always say that when they assess property values, about a third go up, a third stay the same and a third go down. We've never seen evidence that that's the case, especially since the total value of any town's land has increased dramatically. Land in general tends to increase in value, not decrease, over time. On top of that, town and school budgets have increased as well. You can argue about the value of your property with the assessors, but good luck getting through the red tape. It's a process that is murky at best, and seems designed to make a taxpayer throw up his hands in surrender. We hope the second part of our property tax series at least gives you hope that something can be done if you disagree with your property assessment. Next week, we.ll take a look at what you get for your property tax dollars, and see how different places compare in how they can spend that money.
Letters
Cub Scouts say thank you
To the Editor:Dear Hooksett Community, Hooksett Cub Scout Pack 292 wants to publicly thank Hooksett Self Storage for the use of their climate-controlled unit for storing Scout popcorn. Cub Scouts rely on sales of popcorn to raise money for pack activities, such as attending Cub Scout camps. The generosity of Hooksett Self- Storage is appreciated.
Michele Leclerc
Thanks to Pembroke volunteers
To the Editor:Special thanks to the workers down at the Community Action Program in Pembroke - Pat, Diane and Maralyn - for all their hard work and dedication to help family members in their times of need. These ladies work so hard, from helping people put food on their table through the holiday season to Christmas presents under the tree for children and helping people stay warm with heating oil through the winter months. They also maintain the clothes closet, giving people clothing needed, such as warm winter jackets to knitted hats, mittens and more. I'd like to say thanks personally to each one for all you to do help serve our community in its time of need. Keep up the good work, and know you are recognized and appreciated. One day it will all come back around. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Bianca Pinciaro
Resident: Thanks Rep. Bradley
To the Editor:I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank our state Rep. Bradley for standing up in defense of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. It took real courage to support protecting one of our nation's last environmental treasures in the face of incredible opposition. The issue is not dead yet, however, and will move into the hands of a House-Senate conference committee that could decide to revive the Arctic drilling proposal in a final version of the bill. If you care about protecting this pristine wilderness, take a moment and call, write or e-mail a quick thank you to our representative. I'm sure he.d appreciate hearing from you and feeling your support!
Judith Lindsey
Waiting to hear if pigs can whistle and elephants can fly
To the Editor:David Ross has this ditzy notion that popping away with his pop gun is the equivalent of "intellectual jousting." But his main argument - that the second law of thermodynamics contradicts evolution - would award him a failing grade in any high school science class. Nor is it any use trying to explain to him - yet again - that the second law applies only to isolated systems. Instead, a question is in order: If Ross is correct, then why hasn't it caught the attention of the world's scientists? Hearing of it (it originated in the fevered brain of arch-creationist Henry M. Morris), one scientist called it "pathetic." Are we talking science here? No, we're talking manufactured garbage. Mr. Ross professes not to be able to find on his library computer the figures of only 700 out of 480,000 relevant scientists (earth and life scientists) accepting creationism. My advice is that he get a bright 8-year-old to help him with his computer research; and if he can't find that particular figure, he should find others carrying a similar message. The term "theory" in science has a precise meaning (it doesn't mean hypothesis or hunch); and it's perhaps been explained no better than by Pope John Paul II in his message to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences (Oct. 22, 1996), which put the prestige of the Catholic Church behind evolution (or course, the Pope didn't consult Mr. Ross before doing so). But if Ross believes that the sun circles the earth, he.ll undoubtedly think that the Vatican was right in Galileo's time and is tragically wrong now. And that's his privilege. We're still waiting, however, to hear whether or not he believes in a 6,000-year-old earth with humans once living alongside dinosaurs. And whether pigs can whistle and whether elephants can fly.
Charles Beward
Resident: Planned Parenthood intends to wipe out many children
To the Editor:Have you seen his star? Christmas is about to be celebrated. This is one of the times of the year when many people are reminded of their mortality and the fact that God is real. This is when the churches begin to swell and the holiday worshipers wear their Sunday-best in hope of last-minute salvation. The priests and pastors offer different levels of rebuke to these people, in hope that their attendance will continue afterwards, but most will return to their own idols, afterwards. I would rather offer cheerful words today, but was drawn to the books of the Prophets. In them are found many similarities with contemporary America. I am not writing to depress, but to awaken you, and do so with genuine concern. When the Lord sent the flood, only those in the ark, the ones willing to follow his command without regard to logic or evidence were saved. No others were spared. When Pharaoh heard of the birth of Moses, he had all the Hebrew children killed that could possibly be the one rumored to be the "Deliverer." When the Lord sent his curse into Egypt, only the mark of innocent blood protected against it. When Herod heard the rumors of the birth of the new "King of the Jews," and determined the date of birth, he had his soldiers kill all the children born within that time period. God can't be outsmarted. He seeks, and often uses, ordinary people like you and me to do his work. Today, and for more than 30 years, America is allowing her children to be murdered. The current rate is almost a third of all pregnancies. About 45 million surgical abortions have been legally performed since 1973. Pharaoh and Herod were impotent in comparison. It makes Hitler look merciful. He decided to remove all the Jews and kill those who didn't leave. It appears that Planned Parenthood and their cohorts intend to wipe out as many children as possible, regardless of identity, surgically or chemically. The current assault against Christianity, and all religions, is no surprise. Without God, there is no sin in such actions. I am still certain that his will cannot be thwarted, but I am scared for those who will be under judgement. Even the nicest people won't be spared. Only those who believe in their hearts and confess with their mouths will be saved, period. Doing his work is confessing his name. Get busy. You are the gift he desires most. I wish him a happy birthday, and you, a Merry Christmas!
David Ross
Hooksett officer Frank Gray to retire, enjoy life's blessings
To the Editor:I will be retiring as of Jan. 1, 2006. This comes as a shock to me, for just a year ago I had no intention of retiring. But life has a way of giving all of us some surprises, which in my case gave me a different perspective of what really is important to me. The answer is clear: family, friends and good health. With abundant fortune, I have been blessed with these priorities. Over the last few years, I have had several major surgeries, but with God's grace and good medical treatment, all have turned out well. I learned my lessons well and it is now time for me to enjoy these blessings while I have my health. None of us knows what tomorrow has in store for us. So I intend to make good use of my time. I shall miss the fellowship of the police department and the social interaction with so many of Hooksett's residents - certainly the dog behavior classes with the fourth-grade students. This is my 10th year teaching these classes. There has been no greater satisfaction in my job than seeing these children, anxious to learn, and realizing every year I was also learning from them. I am not retiring from life, but only from a structured schedule. My plan is to enjoy the many blessings I have and to keep busy, but on my schedule. I wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah and a very happy and healthy new year to all.
Frank Gray
Which way are you headed?
To the Editor:You can help keep America and the world alive, if not for yourself, then for your grandchildren, whose offspring may never experience, much less read about, distinguishing character traits such as faith, honesty, respect, reverance, ethics, trustworthiness, loyalty, courtesy, obedience and morality, all of which will make our country strong again, the way it was before some people like Michael Newdow, Michael Moore, George Soros, terrorists, et. al., to name a few, began their respective missions to eradicate that which forms the backbone of our nation. Most importantly, the one who will be handing down the final judgment, which will include, in some instances, a reward, and bad news in other cases, is coming. We may not be able to defend our country against evil as effectively as we did in the past. Just as the Boy Scouts. motto requires them to be prepared as individuals. Remember, there will be no warning. Your decision will dictate your eternal destination. I've chosen the way of the Lord my God.
Jim Breagy
The season to help children
To the Editor:This holiday season, give the gift that keeps on giving - the gift of yourself. By volunteering just a few hours a month, you can make a significant difference in the life of an abused or neglected child in your own community. Hundreds of children in New Hampshire are forced into the court system each year as a result of neglect, abuse or other crimes against them. Many move through the judicial process alone, afraid and unable to speak for themselves or help determine a future that is in his or her best interest. Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) of New Hampshire volunteers work to provide a voice for these children, and to ensure that a child's "best interest" is being presented to the court. CASA of New Hampshire Inc. is a statewide private, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping abused and neglected children through the New Hampshire child welfare and juvenile court systems to safe, permanent homes. CASA of NH is currently working with more than 1,000 child victims across the state. The holiday season is a time to be thankful for what we have and remember those less fortunate. You have the power to start making a difference for New Hampshire's abused and neglected children. Call (800) 626-0622 today or e-mail speakup@casanh.org and join the effort to bring New Hampshire's children home.
Diane Peragine,
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