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| Updated: 02/16/06 | |
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Editorial Whining about pay
doesn’t sell a contract
As we listened to teachers at the Hooksett School District
Meeting make their case for the raises negotiated by the
union and up for approval by voters, we were a bit annoyed
with their argument, which focused on their level of pay
compared to other teachers in New Hampshire.
They were preaching to the choir, as the majority of those in attendance at the meeting were employed by or had other connections to the school district. They wanted the voters of Hooksett to understand that they need the raises or Hooksett schools will lose good teachers to districts like Manchester, who have higher starting salaries. OK, we’ll accept that – we certainly want to keep the best teachers in our schools. What got us steamed was the figure of a starting salary of $30,000 for a teacher, which is what one person said Manchester offers. Hooksett teachers would like to see the school district at that level to stay competitive with other districts. The speakers forget, however, that their audience is Hooksett voters, many of whom would feel fortunate to earn $30,000 even after years of service to a company. Starting salary for newspaper reporters – with college educations comparable to teachers’ educations – is well below that figure. And reporters don’t get summers and other vacation weeks off from work. We imagine there are many Hooksett residents in the same position, who will not feel very sorry for the teachers. The argument that should have been presented is that the contract amounts to about a 13-cent increase in the tax rate. If you live in a house assessed at $300,000, that’s $39 extra a year, or $3.25 a month. Even those of us making less than $30,000 a year can probably absorb that.
Letters
Whining about pay doesn’t sell a contract
To the Editor:As we listened to teachers at the Hooksett School District Meeting make their case for the raises negotiated by the union and up for approval by voters, we were a bit annoyed with their argument, which focused on their level of pay compared to other teachers in New Hampshire. They were preaching to the choir, as the majority of those in attendance at the meeting were employed by or had other connections to the school district. They wanted the voters of Hooksett to understand that they need the raises or Hooksett schools will lose good teachers to districts like Manchester, who have higher starting salaries. OK, we’ll accept that – we certainly want to keep the best teachers in our schools. What got us steamed was the figure of a starting salary of $30,000 for a teacher, which is what one person said Manchester offers. Hooksett teachers would like to see the school district at that level to stay competitive with other districts. The speakers forget, however, that their audience is Hooksett voters, many of whom would feel fortunate to earn $30,000 even after years of service to a company. Starting salary for newspaper reporters – with college educations comparable to teachers’ educations – is well below that figure. And reporters don’t get summers and other vacation weeks off from work. We imagine there are many Hooksett residents in the same position, who will not feel very sorry for the teachers. The argument that should have been presented is that the contract amounts to about a 13-cent increase in the tax rate. If you live in a house assessed at $300,000, that’s $39 extra a year, or $3.25 a month. Even those of us making less than $30,000 a year can probably absorb that.
– 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.
Thanks for supporting new Hooksett fire engines
To the Editor:Hooksett Fire-Rescue has taken delivery of the two new fire engines approved by voters in May 2005. These new vehicles carry 1,000 gallons of water, EMS and rescue equipment, and can flow up to 1,500 gallons per minute. Currently, Hooksett firefighters are going through driving and pump training with these vehicles, so you may see them in your neighborhood. Special thanks go out to the Hooksett voters for their support on purchasing these new vehicles. These vehicles will be located at the Safety Center and at Station No. 1 responding as our first due fire engine.
Michael Williams
This old dog has learned some new tricks
To the Editor:As a child I use to hear this statement often, ”You cannot teach an old dog new tricks.” Well that is not absolutely true. If the old dog is closedminded that may be the case. But this old dog tries to think out of the box and expand her mind. A three-month sabbatical and being involved in demolition, renovation and installation is a great mind-expander. Being in a house alone on the top rung of a ladder painting a ceiling provokes one to think and sort things out. I have served the town of Hooksett for a large part of the last 20 years, and I truly feel I am a servant of the people and enjoy serving the voters. You may not always agree with my vote, but I have the courage of my convictions. If I am given the pleasure to serve on a board again, I would be honored. But, I had an epiphany during my sabbatical to assist my son who is serving you in the U.S. Navy. In the last two years, I have not always agreed with the direction the town council was taking. I was a minority vote in some crucial decisions, but one sits back and bows to the majority vote. If I get the opportunity to serve this community again, this is the trick this old dog has learned. I can prepare a minority report, present it to my chairman then in turn let the voters know how I feel. I plan to run for the school board on March 14. Please vote for me and I hope to serve you again. I truly believe in my heart I am a servant of the people and try to make decisions to protect your pocketbook.
Pat Rueppel
This old dog has learned some new tricks
To the Editor:As a child I use to hear this statement often, ”You cannot teach an old dog new tricks.” Well that is not absolutely true. If the old dog is closedminded that may be the case. But this old dog tries to think out of the box and expand her mind. A three-month sabbatical and being involved in demolition, renovation and installation is a great mind-expander. Being in a house alone on the top rung of a ladder painting a ceiling provokes one to think and sort things out. I have served the town of Hooksett for a large part of the last 20 years, and I truly feel I am a servant of the people and enjoy serving the voters. You may not always agree with my vote, but I have the courage of my convictions. If I am given the pleasure to serve on a board again, I would be honored. But, I had an epiphany during my sabbatical to assist my son who is serving you in the U.S. Navy. In the last two years, I have not always agreed with the direction the town council was taking. I was a minority vote in some crucial decisions, but one sits back and bows to the majority vote. If I get the opportunity to serve this community again, this is the trick this old dog has learned. I can prepare a minority report, present it to my chairman then in turn let the voters know how I feel. I plan to run for the school board on March 14. Please vote for me and I hope to serve you again. I truly believe in my heart I am a servant of the people and try to make decisions to protect your pocketbook.
Pat Rueppel
Help the Hooksett Jr. Fisher Cats get to Cooperstown, N.Y.
To the Editor:The Hooksett Jr. Fisher Cats recently had a gift show fundraiser at the Cawley School here in town. We would like to thank the school for allowing us to use their facility and all of the people who showed up to buy our gifts. We would also like to give a special thanks to Mona Lisa’s Pizza for donating plenty of pizza and drinks. As previously mentioned, we are a group of 10-year-old boys en route to Cooperstown, N.Y., this summer for a national tournament. We are still far short of our fundraising goals and are seeking donations and corporate sponsorship. Please feel free to call Carole Jutras at 641-5816 or Ed Groves at 669-5464 for details, or make checks payable to Hooksett Jr. Fisher Cats, 27 Gailor Lane, Hooksett, NH 03106. Thank you.
Ed Groves Jr.
Let’s see certified statements before considering new expenditures
To the Editor:Talk about timing! My guess is, we have been paying interest on $1.1 million for shoebox money, and now they’re busy planning another new school. Sitting on that money is not only poor stewardship, but disobedient to the shareholders’ votes. Yes, we are a corporation and our trustees appear to be derelict in their duties. I thought our votes directed them to close the books on that, last year! That was the spirit of the vote; pay down the note. No, they’ll make it into two questions this time. Divide, besiege and conquer; vote and re-vote, again and again and remember to threaten unpopular cuts. Meanwhile, back in town, it seems there is always money being deposited into the general fun fund from various accounts being closed. Of course, they always push and fertilize the perennial batch of capital reserve fund and warrant article accounts, with fresh money to disburse at will. If one pet project needs money and the account is lacking, they can just move some from one to another, as they choose. How many open accounts are there in all today? What are today’s balances? Just totals, please. (crik, crik crik...) The town council and town manager continue discussing their desires for the power to buy and sell town-owned real estate and buildings. It’s on the table. They spend their time and our money to devise and promote their master plan; to build roads, accommodate developers, invite huge shopping centers and industry, give away resources, intimidate the taxpayers and of greatest necessity, build a suitable palace from which to rule and impress. Now, they want the power to sell our shares of Hooksett? (How will they wordsmith that article?) I don’t remember any referendum or directive from the voting citizens, nor many letters to the editor, calling for more development, another TIF district, more gas stations, more car dealers, more outdoor sales areas, another theater complex, filling of wetlands, new roads, new town hall or expanded powers for our trustees. It’s time to see where we really stand. Let’s see some complete and certified statements before considering any new expenditures. Just say no. Do I hear a second?
David Ross P.S. – A yes is really a no, like articles voted befo’. Read them carefully, bro’, some will be voted twice mo’. (Waddaya think, Tom?)
How much did it cost to mail
Hooksett water bills?
To the Editor:I’m just curious. Did anyone else in the Hooksett Village Water Precinct receive their most recent quarterly bills in an envelope? For 11 years, we have never received the invoice in an envelope. The invoice, which is a postcard, is stamped with “First Class U.S. Postage Prepaid” in the upper right corner, and the envelope our bill came in was also stamped with “First Class U.S. Postage Prepaid” in the upper right corner. Aren’t postcards less expensive to mail than business size envelopes? Exactly how much did it cost to mail out those bills?
Nancy Morin
Vote Tom Giffen for selectman
To the Editor:In the last year I’ve served as a member of the Candia Solid Waste Committee with Tom Giffen. During that time I’ve seen that he finds the information he needs and then gives careful thought to make decisions. When he takes on a task it gets done. He has emphasized from the very first meeting the importance of getting public input, and at every turn has encouraged the committee to be as open as possible to hear what people want for a solution to our solid waste problems. Tom cares about what people want and what Candia needs, and looks for good commonsense solutions. I think he’s an excellent choice. I invite your Candia readers to please join me in voting for Tom Giffen for selectman.
Tom St. Martin
Few vote at Town Meetings
To the Editor:I think that the problem with SB2 is that the supporters didn’t understand what they were asking for. In my town, the passage of SB2 meant that all of the retired people (people who wouldn’t go to an evening meeting because it was past their bedtime and who would have voted “no” on most tax issues) now are able to vote. One of the most ardent SB2 supporters (who I personally argued with, to no avail), two years later tried to rescind the SB2 and said I should support him. I told him he needed to reap what he sowed.
Phil Daley
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