To the Editor:

I think it’s necessary to clear up a few comments and questions that were posed over the past few weeks regarding the Candia summer recreation program.

My name is Christie Gosselin and I have lived in Candia nearly all my life. I went to summer rec. as a camper, continued through the program as an unpaid CIT (counselor-in-training) from ages 13 to 15, was hired as a counselor when I was 16 and have progressed “through the ranks” every summer since. For the past two years I’ve acted as the assistant director, and this coming summer, I will be the director.

Since the program was started, it has been essentially self-maintained. Up until former counselor and director Jim Brennan left three years ago, anyone who became a director had been a counselor in the program. Similarly, anyone who became a counselor had been a camper or CIT.

After Jim stepped down from director and no returning counselor was ready to fill the position, outside hires were necessarily made. It was at this time that former Selectman Gary York began overseeing the program. Having no prior knowledge of the program or staff, he asked Jim to assist him with both the hiring process and the new staff’s training. It’s important for me to illustrate that Jim’s involvement has always been as a former staff member and not as a town official.

Having explained the history of the program up until this point, I would first like to address a few comments that were made in a letter to the editor two weeks ago. Former counselors Ashley and Megan wrote that they were interviewed by Selectman Brennan, but neglected to mention that I too, was interviewing them for the positions. Any decisions that have been, or will be made, are done so by both Jim Brennan and myself, as the program’s director.

That being said, I truly regret that Ashley and Megan feel that the decision not to rehire them was based on politics. I approached Jim about that statement and he made it explicitly clear that he would never use that term. It was neither political nor personal as I enjoyed the company of both girls, but to rehire them based on their having previously held the position would be unfair. Our hires were based on the evaluations that were left by the past three directors, the individual’s enthusiasm, their willingness and availability to commit time outside of the scheduled program hours and on their likelihood of returning after this year.

Now in response to last week’s letter to the editor, I would like to answer some of Joshua Mann’s questions and concerns. First of all, the aforementioned decision is not a reflection of the town’s selectman in any way. The only selectman that is directly involved in the program is Jim Brennan, and I must reiterate that he has been a part of the hiring process since it was still being overseen by Gary York (which was prior to Jim’s election).

Secondly, no, neither of the girls are related to the current selectman, but former counselor Megan Cowette is Gary York’s stepdaughter, so any implications of “inside-hiring” are not presently an issue.

Lastly, I’d like to respond to his question: “Couldn’t at least one of these girls have been hired back for a transition period?” In all honesty there is no need for such a period as five of the counselors that were hired have either been in the program as campers, CITs or counselors and the two counselors that haven’t been in the program before now have a strong repertoire with many of the kids already.

To the parents of our campers, please know that I am extremely excited for this summer! We really have some great days planned and a great staff to make it happen and my sincere hope is that you’ll know how much Jim and I care for your kids. Neither of us would continue to be involved if we didn’t, because I honestly can’t say it’s about the money! We have only the best intentions for the camp and for the future of the program and I encourage anyone that has any further questions to contact me! I’d love to get as many kids involved as possible and I look forward to seeing everyone in July!

Christie Gosselin
Candia

To the Editor:

As the second-week anniversary approaches of the untimely and tragic death of state Rep. Lee Slocum from a car accident, I as a fellow legislator and friend feel the need to pay tribute to this mild-mannered, soft-spoken man of conviction who hailed from Amherst and sat in seat 3-100.

I felt honored and privileged to sit in his company, as my seat is seat 3-103. On numerous occasions in the last two years, I consulted with Lee on legislative issues, both in and out of his committee of science and technology. I could always count on his way of clearly articulating the issues, as he would give me the pros and cons and then of course how he saw it. I came to value and respect his honest opinions.

When I read one of the local papers from his district recently, I was happy to read that even his critics spoke of how he was a man of his word and that he believed that that word was his bond. How true that was as I worked alongside him on House Bill 1707, a school voucher/scholarship bill. When it failed and I voiced my disappointment to him, he undauntedly replied that he would keep trying because it was something he believed in and felt that it was important for all children to get an excellent education.

Lee also believed in a strong America, strong family values, and the Constitution. Because of that, he was and always voted pro-life, pro-family, pro-education, pro-business, pro-Second Amendment rights and pro-taxpayer. He was a model legislator who made every session the last two years and listened through every debate with great attention. When Lee would get up to speak, he always gave the details in a straightforward, clear and concise manner. As a second-term legislator, he was dedicated to working hard for his constituents in the Amherst/Milford District, being very short on ego and very long on conviction and principles.

On that morning of June 12 after getting the news, I pondered at how fleeting and untimely our exits from this world can be. I only hope that I can accomplish in my life even part of what Lee Slocum did in his before leaving this earth so suddenly and tragically that night of June 11. At 63, he was much too young to die, but, by the same token, he accomplished much to have guided his three children to adulthood with his wife by his side.

New Hampshire has lost a great statesman as well as the citizens of Hillsborough District 6 in Amherst and Milford, and most importantly his family has lost an honest, principled father, grandfather and husband. May they take comfort in the fact that he did his best in a selfless, humble manner, and may he rest in peace.

Rep. Tom Langlais
Merrimack District 8
Allenstown, Epsom,
Pittsfield

To the Editor:

The administrators of SAU 15 would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Armand LaSelva, superintendent of schools, for his service to the students and educators of Auburn, Candia and Hooksett.

You are an education leader that keeps our focus on student learning and improving instruction. You are not afraid to tackle the difficult issues. You have challenged our system to examine data and work collaboratively to improve results. You have an amazing ability to encourage us “to think outside of the box” and reallocate our resources to improve student learning.

Under your leadership, teachers and administrators have had many opportunities for professional growth. You are admired for your incredible energy, vision and sense of purpose.

We wish you the very best in whatever path you may follow.

Robert St. Cyr, Maria Suprenant, Jim Lewis, Karen F. Lessard, Ronald Pedro, Becky Wing, Gail Kushner, Stephen Harrises, Carol Soucy, William Estey, Ralene St. Pierre, Sean Pine, Anita Johnson, Marge Polak
SAU 15 administrators

To the Editor:

The historic old Meeting House in Epsom (now known as the Epsom Bible Church) is one of the two things that distinguish Epsom. The other is the traffic circle. The thousands of people who travel Route 4 from Portsmouth to Concord identify with the church and its unique steeple (one of two in the state).

The church building is in danger of destruction. It is irreplaceable. Another gas station and convenience store will be built on its site.

Urban sprawl is creeping from Concord towards the Lee circle. Local politicians are tempted by potential taxes from fast food and other businesses. Politicians, however, have little vision for the longer term but focus on the present and the next election.

Route 4 is fast becoming another road like Hooksett’s Route 3 and Concord’s Heights.

If the Epsom church is demolished, there will be an outcry that will reverberate from Epsom to Portsmouth to Concord, and statewide. Epsom will be written off as another place of used car lots, gas stations, fast food places and trailer parks.

Write to the Epsom selectmen, Epsom NH, 03234 if you want Epsom to keep an appearance of a New England town.

E. H. Nutter
Epsom

To the Editor:

Working it out? No, that headline looked like The Hooksett Banner trying to get themselves out of an ethical jam. Since when can personal letters be passed around and used to defame a private citizen? Even though I may not be a victim of the spying and ensuing rumors, the allusion to “another councilor-elect” appeared to insinuate some sort of collusion on my part, and that felt like defamation, to me! Who first received the “series of e-mails”? From whom did you receive them? When did you tell the addressees of your receipt of them? When did these activities take place? I hereby demand copies.

I have plainly stated that the voters are my bosses. If they want this deal, I will not impede it, but will insist upon ALL the promises made to be guaranteed, in writing, with collateral to protect the taxpayers. Last week we read that Cabela’s is beginning to back-track already. No, they will not get money from fat years to make up for lean ones, that was the deal!

Ask me a question and I’ll give you a straight, unapologetic answer. Anything I say and write is always ready to be defended and supported with facts, unlike some of the baloney that passes for speeches and editorials, these days. However, when someone sends a letter to me and asks for confidence, I give it. When a news reporter asked for confidence, I gave it and adhered to my promise. My advice to him was not followed, rather, he and his editors decided to do the opposite; continued the concealment and spun the information to bolster their newspaper’s endorsement of Cabela’s, instead. They always require tax deals, as opposed to “regularly looking.” I read every word, and so should everyone.

As for Councilor DiBitetto’s accusation of a “conspiracy” and “an organized effort,” that is a hoot. A nameless “task force,” non-public “meetings and deliberations” and other such activities are far more insidious than personal correspondence discussing concerns about a corporation handling $18 million of public money. Add to that the fact that some on the council had these copies and didn’t let it be known to the authors is unethical, at best. I was mad enough to spit, but will seek satisfaction at the council table. They should wear the helmets, not me. I’ll just bring my “Award Wrench” (guess how I earned it). The First Amendment is a mightier tool, which I shall wield and use fearlessly. There will be no more secrets in the council while I’m there.

David Ross
Hooksett

Editor’s note: It is the stance of this newspaper not to reveal sources who wish to remain anonymous. There is no guarantee of privacy regarding letters or other documents when they are given to this newspaper with the expressed purpose of providing information vital to the public. We stand by our coverage of this story, and welcome Mr. Ross’s determination to have no secrets from the public.