The Epsom Public Library will show the movie “Free Birds,” during
school vacation week on Wednesday, February 26th at 2 pm. This
family movie comedy is rated PG. Popcorn and drinks will be
provided! For more info call the library at 736-9920.
The Epsom Food Pantry will be opening soon. Anyone
seeking food assistance is invited to contact us by phone or email.
Preliminary applications will be taken on Saturday February 22nd
between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM at the Epsom Food Pantry on Route 4 in
the old Town Hall. Please call for directions if you need them.
Kenneth Brown at 736-4407 or Priscilla Thompson at 219-3025. Our
e-mail is
[email protected] If interested in
making a donation please contact Jim Robinson at 724-0081. If anyone
cares to contribute food we are in need of Peanut Butter, Jelly,
tuna, cold cereal and just about anything you want to contribute.
Remember our delay is simple the non-profit status from IRS and when
that comes we will be off and running. Thanks for your patience.
Congratulations to Karyn Veinotte of Epsom for making The
University of Maine at Farmington Dean’s List for the fall 2013
semester. UMF maintains a Dean’s List each semester for those
students completing a minimum of 12 credits in courses producing
quality points. Students whose grade point average for the semester
is equal to or greater than 3.8 are listed with high academic
achievement. Students whose grade point average for the semester is
less than 3.8 but equal to or greater than 3.5 are listed with
academic achievement.
Snowmobile Poker Run
Suncook Valley Sno-Riders 3rd Annual Poker Run.
Saturday February 22nd, 2014 Registration 10:00am-12:00 noon
Starting at PYBA field on Tilton Hill Rd in Pittsfield.
Accessible by Sled or vehicle. Come play a hand or two and join the
fun!
If you have questions, call Laura 435-8729.
Letter
Dear Epsom Residents,
It is with great enthusiasm that I write this letter of
introduction. My name is Celeste Decker and I am running for the
position of Overseer of Public Welfare. It has come to my attention
that many residents would like to see a change in how our Welfare
office is run. I believe I am the person to make that change happen.
The Welfare office should be welcoming to all. I care about people’s
needs in our community and understand the challenges facing many of
us today. I would work diligently to see that needs are being met
compassionately and without judgement, in accordance with the law
and our town guidelines.
As a resident of Epsom, with two school-age children in our
elementary school – and a third to start next year - I have enjoyed
participating in our community in a variety of ways, including
volunteering at the school and in the library.
My education and professional work experience are uniquely relevant
to this position. I have a Master of Social Work degree from Simmons
College. I have worked in human resources, where I not only worked
on behalf of the company’s employees, but also gained significant
relevant business experience working closely with the budget and
payroll offices.
What do I really want you to know about me?
I listen. I will listen to what clients need as well as what
residents would like to see in our Welfare office.
I collaborate. I will work closely with the numerous groups that
make our town a community.
I will advocate for our citizens, working on behalf of our
collective needs and interests.
I hope to see you at the Meet the Candidates event at the Library on
March 2nd.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Celeste Decker
Friends Of The Epsom Public Library Host
The Annual Meet The Candidates Forum
Submitted By
Virginia Drew, President of the Epsom Friends of the Library
On Sunday, March 2 at 2pm at the Epsom Public Library! Epsom has
many people running for office this year and here is YOUR chance to
meet them and to learn more about the people seeking to serve as
Selectman, Budget Committe member, Trustees, Welfare Officer, and
more! Please join us at the Meet the Candidates Forum!
On March 11th we will be voting for the candidates
and this forum gives the opportunity to make well informed voting
choices! For further information you can contact the Epsom Public
Library at 736-9920 or email Friends of the Library at
[email protected].
Letter To The Editor
Mr. Bruce Graham is one hundred percent accurate in outlining the
numerous number of meetings that were held at the town hall for the
purpose of discussing a plan(s) of development for relocating our
town employees future office location.
It is a fact that I never attended any of those scheduled meetings.
In my opinion there was no reason to doubt the intent to restore
the lower space for town offices. I can come up with many names of
taxpayers who were of the same mind.
It is most difficult for me to understand the need for architectural
and engineering services in this matter of restoration.
William ( Jim ) Breagy
Epsom
Letter
To my constituents in Allenstown, Epsom, and Pittsfield,
This week, the House met to vote on all bills that needed to go to a
second committee. The most controversial was HB1589, universal
background checks for gun sales. This generated hundreds of emails
(two from constituents!), with most of the heat from people who
weren’t familiar with the current New Hampshire laws on gun sales.
Background checks, both federal and state, and a state license, as
well as a federal license, are already required for commercial
sales. For private sales, it is a crime to sell a gun to a person
who is a convicted felon.
HB1589 was debated at length, and the committee amendment adopted,
174-166. Then a floor amendment was proposed, which deleted the
entire bill and created a committee to study New Hampshire laws and
our history of low rates of violent crime. I was pleasantly
surprised when this amendment passed, 177-175. After some
parliamentary maneuvers, the bill failed to pass, 165-195, and was
killed, 242-118.
HB 1579 was another hot button bill, this one to ban various forms
of animal traps because an illegally set trap had killed a dog last
year. This time, the committee did a very thorough job, increasing
the penalties for illegal traps and creating a study committee to
look into enforcement of the existing laws. Even the sponsor of
HB1579 was satisfied with this outcome, because it’s no good to add
more laws if we don’t enforce the ones we have now!
The perennial “bottle bill”, HB1287, was killed unanimously, without
discussion. Many bills were sent to interim study, meaning that they
won’t pass this year but will be worked on throughout the summer and
fall.
Interested readers can email me for my newsletter, with more details
than fit here.
Representative Carol McGuire
[email protected]
782-4918
Letter To The Editor
My name is Chris Bowes, and I am writing to announce my candidacy
for the Epsom Board of Selectmen. I would like to take the
opportunity over the next few weeks to tell you a bit about me, my
family, and what I hope to accomplish for Epsom.
I am married to Heather, who many of you know through Epsom Central
School, and many of the local children’s sports teams. We have two
children, Jack and Maggie, both of which attend Epsom Central
School. I am a graduate of the University of Maryland where I earned
a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. After graduation, I
pursued a career in aviation, and am now a pilot with Southwest
Airlines. Because of my job I have had the opportunity to live in
many places throughout the country, including Maryland, New Mexico,
Utah, Maine. Epsom, New Hampshire is where we have settled to raise
our children.
We chose Epsom for many reasons. We wanted a town that was a safe
place to raise our children, had an excellent school, and relatively
low property taxes compared to the rest of New Hampshire. We were
also looking for a property that would give our children the
opportunity to live in the kind or rural environment my wife and I
enjoyed as children. Epsom was the perfect fit. We have enjoyed
every minute.
Next week I would like to outline some ideas i have for our town,
and ways we can improve it while maintaining the qualities we find
so appealing.
Regards,
Chris Bowes
Epsom Central School Staff and Faculty
Ralph Tom Rouillard, Head of
Maintenance
The Maintenance Department is in a series of small rooms off the
main corridor, with double door access to the outside for
deliveries. The rooms are half filled with the furnace, air ducts,
shelving, tools, supplies, and works-in-progress. Tom’s desk sits in
one corner and is nearly covered with parts, pieces, diagrams, and
paperwork. He is the Head of Maintenance and works from 6:00am to
3:15pm or later - “when the work gets done.” Tom is also on call for
problems 24/7.
Born and raised in Claremont, NH, Tom moved to Epsom about 25 years
ago. He worked for several local companies before starting at ECS,
and is now in his 16th year here. When Tom began working at ECS, he
enjoyed having his older son in the fourth grade, and also having
his younger son enter first grade a few years later. Tom has always
liked building maintenance / property management type of work. He
enjoys being around the staff and kids. Tom’s typical day starts
with opening the building, checking security and the heating plant,
and clearing snow as needed. During the day he performs various
projects for staff and admin, such as building bookcases, tack
boards, and signs. He enjoys being here.
Tom is thankful to Epsom parents for raising respectful children,
and he hopes they also teach their children to enjoy learning and
their time in the school. He lives in town with his son, Lucas; his
older son, Logan, lives out of state. Tom enjoys camping, fishing,
horseshoes, and hanging out with his two dogs, a collie and a
mastiff / boxer cross. Years ago, ECS held Spring Carnivals at which
many games were played, including a pie-throwing contest. Tom fondly
remembers having a chance to throw a Jell-O and whipped cream pie at
the assistant principal who hired him. He says with a grin, “I got
her.”
Obituaries
Arthur J. Michon, Jr.
Mr. Arthur J. “Ricky” Michon, Jr, 64, of Breezy Acres, died on
Saturday, February 8, 2014, surrounded by his loving family at the
CRVNA Hospice House.
Born on December 28, 1949 in Manchester, Ricky was the son of the
late Arthur Michon, Sr. and Marie (Stewart) Michon of Manchester.
At 18 he joined the US Army and was a veteran of the Viet Nam War,
serving from 1966-1970. He worked several jobs in the New England
area, driving trucks and most recently as a driver for an airport
limousine service.
In addition to his mother, Ricky is survived by his loving wife,
Gail (Tobias) Michon of Epsom; 4 children, Kevin, Chris, Michelle
Laramie, and Renee Johnson; 2 step-children, Scott and John Curtis;
10 grandchildren; brothers, Randall and Dennis Michon; sisters,
Patricia Perreault of Bedford and Katherine Michon of Arlington, VA;
an aunt, Sally Reams; and nieces and nephews.
Friends and family were invited to gather on Friday, February 14 at
the Petit Funeral Home. A prayer service was held, followed by
burial with military honors in the NH State Veterans Cemetery in
Boscawen.
If desired, please send donations in Arthur Michon’s name to either
CRVNA Hospice Program, 30 Pillsbury Street, Concord, NH 03301 or
American Lung Association, 55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago,
IL 60601.
Gladys Grace Phelps
Gladys Grace Phelps, 82, died Monday, February 10, 2014 at Concord
Hospital in Concord.
Born in New Haven, CT she was the daughter of Frederick and Dorothy
(Colby) Peronto.
She worked at St Paul’s School for many years. Gladys enjoyed arts
and crafts and was a member of the Granite State Doll Club. She was
also a member of the New Beginning Church of the Nazarene.
Survivors include her son Bernard M. Phelps and his wife Norma of
Conway, SC; her two daughters Linda Moulton of Northfield and
Lorraine Houle and her husband Reginald of Epsom; eight
grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; and her longtime
companion Henry Crawford.
She was predeceased by her husband Bernard Phelps in 2001.
Calling hours were held on Saturday, February 15, 2014 at the
Bennett Funeral Home. Funeral services will followed. Burial will
take place in the spring at Riverdale Cemetery in Danbury.
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