The Epsom Public Library will show the Family Movie, “Big Hero 6” on
Tuesday, March 10 at 2 pm. The movie is rated PG and popcorn and
drinks will be provided.
The library is currently having an Usborne Book Sale. Plan to visit
the library and check out the great selection of children’s books
and materials.
Story Time continues on Mondays at 10 am, Tuesdays at 1:30 pm and
Thursdays at 3:30 pm. Lego Club meets Thursdays at 3:30 pm.
For more information about any of these programs call the library at
736-9920.
Letter To The Editor
Epsom Vote for Lee Bartlett
Normally I would avoid elections for local political office, but I
make exception in the case of Lee Bartlett for Epsom Welfare
Administrator. Lee served as the Epsom welfare administrator for six
years and is ready to serve Epsom again. Lee has a lifetime of
service to individuals in need of assistance in times of personal
crisis. She also has conducted herself in a manner keeping with the
responsibility for controlling tax dollar expenditures.
Lee has a Bachelors Degree in Sociology and six years of experience
as Deputy and welfare administrator. Her history of reducing the
budget for public assistance in Epsom has earned Lee another term.
Help Epsom control town spending by electing Lee Bartlett – Welfare
Administrator on March 10.
Senator John Reagan
NH Senate District 17
Letter
Epsom Central School would appreciate your assistance in informing
parents of children, who will be turning five (or six) before
September 30, 2015 of our upcoming kindergarten and first grade
screenings. These literacy screenings would apply to children that
are entering Epsom Central School for the first time.
The registration/screening for the 2015-2016 incoming kindergarten
students will be held March 31st-April 2nd between the hours of 9:00
a.m. and 3:00 p.m., as well as extended hours on April 2nd from
4:00-5:30 p.m. If your child will be an incoming first grader,
literacy screenings will be held on Thursday, April 2nd, from 8:45
a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Please call the main office, 736-9331, to schedule
your child’s 45-minute block for either of these screenings. Please
remember to bring a copy of your child’s immunization record, birth
certificate, most recent physical exam, and two proofs of residency,
including a purchase/sales or rental agreement.
Sincerely,
Patrick Connors
Principal
Letter To The Editor
In the past weeks you have read some of my many goals to operate the
Highway Department efficiently and in a cost effective manner if
elected as your Road Agent. With over 30 years of experience
building and maintaining roads and as a previous business owner I am
very capable of completing quality work in a frugal manner.
I am young enough to be able to work hard and old enough to have the
wisdom and experience to manage the Highway Department.
With the large amount of snow that we have had this winter, plowing
and snow removal is on every one’s minds. Winter road maintenance
is a very large portion of the Highway Departments budget. My plans
on winter road maintenance will keep our roads plowed wide and safe
at all times and treated with proper materials that will not damage
your or the Town’s equipment. My plans will allow you to get up
those slippery hills and be able to stop at the dangerous
intersections. Trouble spots in our town need some special
attention during a snow storm and my plans will allow for that.
As a fellow Epsom taxpayer I realize that we all work hard for our
money and there are many costs that we face in addition to taxes. It
is tough for all of us to pay higher taxes whether we are young and
have purchased our first home, parents raising children, senior
citizens living out our golden years or small business owners. If
you provide me with the privilege of serving as your road agent I
will be committed to maintaining Epsom roads in a safe and
functional manner while recognizing that Epsom residents do not want
nor can afford higher taxes.
[email protected] or call at
509-0595.
Thank you,
Scott Elliott
Letter To The Editor
Going through Epsom on Route 4, it is nice to see the work done so
far to the historic Meeting House in its new permanent home.
Without all of the planning, dedication, and work from a number of
people and organizations as well as support from the voters, this
would never have been.
Over the years, there has been much debate as to whether or not the
Meeting House should serve as the town offices. In 2012, the
voters supported a warrant article to use the building by
outfitting the lower level of the Meeting House for town offices and
the upper sanctuary for town meeting space. Meanwhile, Epsom has
continued to rent office space at an astronomical sum without
getting a permanent structure.
The hard-working committee, who I believe has done a tremendous job
envisioning, planning, and working toward finishing the Meeting
House, is asking for our support to complete this project and
provide permanent office and meeting space that will be ours for
generations to come. This year the committee revisited the cost
issues and came back with three significant cost reductions for the
overall project.
The four-page proposal that can be obtained at the town offices
outlines the costs and shows artist conceptions of the building in
its proposed finished state. People will also be giving out more
information at the polls on March 10 at Epsom Central School.
In the end, I believe that the completed building will benefit the
town, not only in rental cost savings but also in bringing the
vision of years ago to completion, thus showing that the townspeople
of Epsom came together to accomplish this task. Please join with me
to support Article 1 by voting yes on March 10 from 8 a.m. to 7
p.m.
Respectfully,
Tom Langlais
Letter To The Editor
Gordon Ellis has done a great job on the Epsom roads, especially
given all the extreme weather we have had the last few years.
I have seen constant improvements on many of our roads during the
summer construction. He has supervised huge projects that are time
consuming and difficult.
Gordon has always communicated with the community with letters to
the editor and is available via phone.
I have heard some complaints about stone on the roads during the bad
weather, but to complain about that would be like complaining about
salt on the roads; both are tough on our vehicles, but a neccessity
to make the roads passable in bad conditions.
Vote Gordon Ellis ROAD AGENT he has served us well.
Norman Lee Drew
Epsom
Letter To The Editor
This letter is in support of two Epsom candidates running for
office. They are Don Harty for Epsom Board of Selectmen and Gordon
Ellis for Road Agent. I have had the pleasure to work with both
individuals over the years in various levels of our local government
to include School Board, Planning Board, Zoning Board and Selectmen.
They have always had the best interest of the town at heart. While
at times we may not have fully agreed on all decision, I knew both
individuals are willing to listen to others before making a final
decision.
Don Harty’s strengths come from being a local business owner and his
experience in past volunteer and elected positions while serving the
community. The decisions that the Board needs to make are not
always easy and deal with very complex federal and state laws. I
know Don, as Selectmen, will always have the town’s best interest at
hand in making the appropriate legal decisions. I support giving
Don the opportunity to serve the Town in this Selectman position.
Gordon Ellis, as Road Agent, serves in one of the most controversial
positions within the Town. No matter what action he deems
appropriate, someone will always disagree to some order (i.e.:
roadway improvement program, winter deicing operation, etc., etc.).
While I may have more disagreements with Gordon over the years in
various town positions, I always knew he is willing to listen and be
willing to adjust his old Yankee ingenuity. As a certified Road
Scholar, it brings external knowledge and pier contacts to this very
difficult position. With the limited budget for roadway
improvements, he has made some remarkable progress over the several
terms as Road Agent. I support keeping him in this position to
continue his progress over the next two years.
Keith Cota
Epsom
Letter
To my constituents in Allenstown, Epsom, and Pittsfield,
With no legislative activity this week, here’s an update on my bills
this year. HB205, on energy efficiency districts, is back in
committee; I’ve worked with the people pushing for these districts
to craft an amendment that eliminates the authority for towns to
borrow and loan money, but still allows them to manage loans for
private investors. I think it is likely to pass after the committee
meets again on Tuesday.
HB216, allowing licensing boards to recover investigatory costs from
the violators, has passed the House once and is in Finance for a
second review. HB310, eliminating a duplicate form when destroying a
motor vehicle, was unanimously recommended to pass by the committee
and we’ll vote on it Wednesday.
HB337, adapting the patient’s bill of rights for patients with
dementia, should be addressed by the legislative oversight committee
looking at Alzheimer’s issues; the House committee voted to kill the
bill, which is OK if the issue gets studied. HB369, a defined
contribution pension plan for public employees, was retained so the
committee can work on it over the summer and fall.
HB408, restoring the chiropractors’ licensing statute after a
section was inadvertently deleted last year, is still in committee,
and I’ve submitted a amendment requested by the chiropractors that
improves the language. HB425, updates to the administrative rule
process, is also in committee, and I expect both to pass.
HB547, repealing the property tax on telephone poles, is being
amended by the committee to establish a uniform assessment for them,
which should settle a large number of the lawsuits on this tax.
Assessments run from $150 to $2500, with no obvious reason for the
differences.
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
Bosiak For Epsom
Both Betsy Bosiak and Don Harty might be capable of serving on
Epsom’s Select Board. Of the two, I believe Bosiak is more
qualified. A life-long, active resident of Epsom, she is well versed
on our area’s history thus the “backstory” of buildings, easements,
grants, businesses, warrant articles, other town business,
agreements between Epsom and other towns during emergencies etc. In
the 3 year term she just served, she missed ONLY 2 regular meetings.
Professional history/experience: 32 years negotiating right of way
and easement purchases for DOT throughout the state of NH. She is an
expert at research from assisting surveyors to insurance liabilities
from researching real estate titles to comparing how our taxpayer
dollars are spent relative to other towns to save tax dollars.
Locally, Betsy Bosiak is a Planning Board member since 1999, has
been Secretary of the Budget Committee for many years. She has
worked on many State and Regional Boards; currently Betsy is a
member of the Committee working on Statewide Master Plan for
Regional Commissions. She has a number of contacts throughout the
state with which she can cut through bureaucracy. She is a great
asset to the Board and loves this community.
I believe Betsy Bosiak is the hardest working, most diligent,
open-minded, respectful public servant Epsom has. Please participate
in Epsom’s future. Vote Tuesday March 10 for Betsy Bosiak.
Nancy Heath
Epsom
Suncook Senior Center March News
On Tuesday March 10th at 11:15am the center will host a caregiver
information session with Lydia Bailey, Servicelink’s caregiver
counselor. Lydia will present information about resources
particularly useful for caregivers, and she will be available
through the early afternoon for private conversation. The center
will also be celebrating March birthdays on the 10th; please join us
for a delicious lunch that will include soup, a salad bar and ice
cream sundaes. Everyone is welcome during lunch, no matter when you
celebrate your birthday!
The free Rockin’ Daddios concert that was (twice!) postponed due to
winter weather is scheduled for Monday March 16th at 12:15pm. These
talented doo-wop vocalists bring back some of the best loved songs
of the late fifties and early sixties sung in a doo- wop style with
the accent on harmonies and fun lyrics. If you would like attend
the 11:30am luncheon please call the center to make your reservation
(485-4254).
The very next day, March 17th, we will celebrate Saint Patrick’s day
with a delicious luncheon; including a riddle to find the pot of
gold! During the luncheon Servicelink’s Medicare counselor, Anita
Oelfke, will be available to answer questions and provide everyone
with updates. The center’s Cribbage Club will be having a
tournament on Wednesday March 18th starting at 9:15am; come and
enjoy the game!
The center will be hosting a session of special bingo games on
Thursday March 26th. The games will be played from 9:30am to
2:00pm, and a buffet luncheon will be served. Please call the
center to sign up and learn more details.
The Suncook Senior Center is located at the Epsom Bible Church, 398
Blackhall Road, Epsom, NH, phone 485-4254. The center is open
Monday thru Friday 8:00am to 2:00pm, and serves lunch Monday thru
Thursday at 11:30am. Weekly activities include card games, bingo
and three different exercise classes; including Gentle Yoga each
Tuesday at 10:00am. Stop in anytime to enjoy the Center’s
activities!
Letter
To the Citizenry of Epsom,
The political process requires all sides to be heard and considered.
As I have listened to many self-proclaimed “Liberals”, I have
noticed that their open-minded attitude only applies to their
like-minded cohorts. Sadly, I have only met a few true liberals.
Most try to shut down the dialogue and make anyone who has a
conservative viewpoint feel ashamed. They brandish “politically
incorrect” labels upon the slightest rightward leaning such as
“anarchist”, “gun-nut” and “anti-immigrant” to name a few.
The biggest label in their arsenal these days is that of “rich.”
Class warfare and overpopulation are the keystones to the loss of
freedom and social destruction. No matter how poor you are, if you
have a ham sandwich and someone else doesn’t, you’ve become the
“1%”. You don’t see the rich “Liberals” like the Kennedys, Obama,
Clinton, or Bloomburg taking from the millions in their trust funds
and bank accounts to feed the poor. It’s your money and freedom they
want to take and redistribute to who they see fit.
Don’t persecute those who have worked hard to get ahead, prosecute
those who have made gains by nefarious means. Before you label me a
“right-wing extremist”, know that I am not. I am an independent who
trusts neither team. Any motive that is not pro-constitution and
liberty to the people is highly suspect to me and should be to
everyone.
The thought that someone would tell a fellow citizen of Epsom to be
silent due to his limited government and pro-liberty views is
insulting to at least myself and the ideal form of our political
process. People should not “sacrifice” their liberties, especially
speech to the altar of political correctness. I believe our founding
fathers were not anarchists nor should they have been ashamed.
J. Downey
Letter To The Editor
Do you have young children?
Grandchildren?
Great grandchildren?
Concerned about their future?
You should be.
The United States government is in debt up to its eyeballs.
The “National Debt” is almost 20 trillion dollars.
The single largest creditor is China, a potential adversary (How
smart is that?)
But big as the national debt is, it is dwarfed by the government’s
“unfunded liabilities,” i.e., promises to pay out benefits in the
future, mostly for Social Security and Medicare, without having any
money set aside to do so.
Your children, grand children and great grandchildren are going to
be forced to supply that money...
To the tune of approximately 130 trillion dollars...
Twice the total output of all goods and services for the entire
world economy in 2012.
And that is the low estimate; the high estimate is 205 trillion
dollars.
But just to punctuate the government’s financial insanity, the
President of the United States recently indicated that he is
concerned about “mindless austerity.”
Does 20 trillion dollars in debt and 130 trillion dollars in
unfunded liabilities look like “austerity” to you?
Or out of control spending?
It will, in all probability, fall on the shoulders of today’s young
people to pay back both the debt and the unfunded liabilities.
The tax burden they will face will be crushing.
The inflation they will endure as the government runs the printing
presses 24/7 will be like nothing Americans have ever experienced.
For young people, the American dream will become just that, a dream.
But maybe, just maybe, if you keep telling young people, “government
is good, government is good, majority rule, majority rule...”
They won’t catch on to just how poor and enslaved they are going to
be.
You should probably start early.
Jack Kelleher
Letter To The Editor
This has been an interesting winter. The amount of snow wasn’t
overwhelming; it was other conditions that brought the biggest
challenges. The hardest part of snow removal was the length and
timing of the storms, and of course the wind. We spent lots of time
and dollars after the storms removing drifts from the roads. We
used trucks, loaders, and skid steer mounted snow blowers over and
over as the wind blew the same snow again and again. And during
these storms we had help from many of you, way beyond what taxpayers
would do and showing what neighbors would do for each other. I want
to thank you for that help.
Your Road Agent,
Gordon Ellis
Letter To The Editor
To the Editor:
An apologist for Mr. Kelleher has risen to his defense in the Sun’s
2/25 edition after my recent letter taking Mr. Kelleher to task for
calling most Americans greedy criminals who use their government to
steal for them. Accordingly, I have been chastised for a lack of
understanding of today’s government which is regrettably not the
same as during the wonder years of 1776. A time when the government
was of, by and for privileged white men. And therein lies the
genesis of Mr. Kelleher and his minion’s case against government.
Today’s government, through woman’s suffrage, civil rights
legislation, etc. has evolved to represent all Americans regardless
of gender, race, national origin or religion. This transition has
resulted in a loss of total control and now some privileged white
men have responded with hate and anger toward those they believe to
be responsible for their demise: the less fortunate. It is a
pathetic and blatantly selfish ploy with their only hope being, if
repeated often enough, it will get traction. But most Americans
have come to recognize extremists in their midst. Those who resort
to denigrating language like “prostitute” and “nanny state” to
attack our government and have the audacity to describe themselves
as slaves because of it.
So what’s the take away here? When a privileged white man can
convince you that he has become a slave on par with the black man in
pre-civil war times, you should pay heed. Until then, he’s just
whistling Dixie.
Thanks again,
Glenn Horner
Epsom
Letter
To the voters of Epsom
Winston Churchill once said that “Democracy is the worse form of
government on earth---except for all the other forms that have been
tried.”
Here in Epsom we are fortunate to have the purest form of democracy.
Citizens are able to weigh in on who will be their Selectmen, who
will take care of their roads, and who will oversee their public
welfare system. They can also approve or disapprove of how their
money is spent on various warrant articles. This system is only
effective, however, if the citizens do their civic duty and go to
the polls.
Whether you support myself or Betsy for Selectman, Gordon or Scott
for Road Agent, or Celeste or Lee for Welfare Overseer, it is
critical to our form of democracy that you turn out and vote on
Tuesday, March 10th.
Epsom is a great town in which to live and it will only stay that
way if you do your part. I hope to see you at the polls.
Thanks
Don Harty
Epsom
Letter To The Editor
Let’s keep Gordon Ellis as our Road Agent.
I have known Gordon for 20 plus years and I know he loves his job
and takes pride in his work. Gordon has been our Road Agent long
enough, so he knows what works and what doesn’t work. (They call
that experience.) I know he also does most of the engineeirng,
instead of hiring outside engineers, saving the taxpayers tens of
thousands of dollars every year.
Again, let’s stay with a prove n. Re-elect Gordon Ellis for Road
Agent on March 10 .
Frank Penney
Epsom
Letter To The Editor
My name is Robert Hutchins.
I purchased my property in 1978 and been an Epsom resident since. I
served as Road Agent for three years in the early eighties. I feel
this gives me an understanding of what it takes to perform the job
of Road Agent in the town of Epsom!
I believe that Gordon Ellis has done an excellent job! We have a lot
of road and bridge improvement under his leadership.
Gordon is direct and level-headed and doesn’t take the many armchair
road agents criticisms personally, which is very hard to do!
He is also very adept at securing government funding from both State
and Federal sources. He sure know how to squeeze the eagle until it
grins!
My vote for Epsom Road Agent goes to Gordon Ellis!
How about Mr. Scott Elliot. Being a good laborer, truck driver, and
equipment operator, does not an administrator make!
Scott, have you ever engineered or estimated any road or bridge
jobs? Have you ever managed hundreds of thousands of dollars like
the highway dept. budget? Solicited bids for large road or bridge
jobs from any contractors?
Letter To The Editor
Voters of Epsom have an opportunity on March 10 to provide the town
with a town hall and office space which will meet our needs for
years to come. We currently rent space at the Epsom Strip Mall at a
cost of $38,000 annually with a 3% annual increase.
The Town Center Offices and Meeting Hall project will permanently
end the practice and problems associated with renting space. Much
work has been accomplished on the project up to this point including
acquisition of land upon which to place the structure, an engineered
site, a completed foundation, a professionally developed design and
work proposal, an approved septic design system, acquisition of land
from the State of New Hampshire to provide access to Route 4, a
lower level ready for a concrete floor, and finally, a basic
structure given to the town at no cost.
The cost of the plan will be $950,000 and paid for with a 10 year
bond at the lowest rates seen in years. Together we can finish the
job and once again have our own Town Center Office and Meeting Hall.
Harvey F.Harkness
Letter To The Editor
I’d like to endorse Lee Bartlett for Welfare Adminstrator and Gordon
Ellis for Road Agent in the upcoming Epsom municipal election, and
for essentially the same reason. Both are very experienced,
conservative officials who look out for the taxpayer when spending
money. For example, even though there were less than 60% as many
requests for welfare in 2014 compared to 2013, spending in the
department under the new Welfare Administrator was up about $4,000
over what it was under Ms. Bartlett.
Speaking of budgets, we’re now in the crunch time for the state
budget. I’m on the finance committee where we write the House
version of the budget, which then gets sent to the Senate in April.
Once again the Governor’s budget is very unrealistic. For example,
she assumed almost three times as much revenue will come in from new
Keno games than the Lottery Commission expects. I’m on the
subcommittee that works on the Health and Human Services budget,
which is always difficult, but this year more so because we are
coping with some large law suit settlements in addition to all the
previous programs. Your input is always welcome.
Rep. Dan McGuire
[email protected]
782-4918
Letter To The Editor
I went to a Town Office Committee meeting on February 18th and saw
an alternative to the proposed Epsom Town Center offices and meeting
hall that is on Warrant article # 1. I was extremely excited to see
the alternative plans that had been drawn up to the church remodel.
I thought that the town’s people should know that something better
exists than revamping the old church into the new town hall.
The drawings that I saw showed a beautiful new town office area
right next to the current Epsom Police Department. This new
building had plenty of room for all town offices and had room for
expansion. There was plenty of parking planned into the design.
There were levels for offices and other events like town meetings
with gracious room for town employees. They would not be working in
a basement dungeon. The big difference between this new building and
warrant article # 1 is that this area is very user friendly and is
going to cost much less than the $1,000,000 plus that the old church
remodel will. I can’t see how this new building could even cost us
half of the church remodel.
This building will be built with fuel efficiently in mind and will
meet all state applicable laws that will make a better working
environment for our town employees.
I ask that you come to the library on March 4th at 5:00 PM to view
the alternative plan and ask the Town Office Committee questions.
Hopefully this alternative plan will save our town from more
unneeded debt. I am glad that I went and I was enlightened that
something better does exist.
Thank you for your consideration.
Thank you,
Peter Muise
Letter
Residents of Epsom,
I was the Welfare Administrator for 6 years in Epsom.
During that time I kept the budget under control and still satisfied
the needs of the applicants. I also provided my expertise in helping
applicants to find and keep jobs.
Other vendors always supplied some provisions to help.
This past year the Welfare Dept. was in excess of the budget and had
to find the revenue from other Departments, within the Town. Those
other departments had to change their plans in order to accommodate
the Welfare Dept. You will hear that the reason for this was because
there were more people to be helped in 2014. Yes, there were,
because applicants were being solicited throughout the town,
including the school.
Soliciting/ Outreach/ Procurement are not the protocol for the State
Welfare Districts or the Town’s. Soliciting violates
confidentiality, principle and changes the standard procedure (a
precedent that has already been set).
As a resident of Epsom I do not want to pay higher taxes and they
will increase as long as you allow it to continue. I want votes but
I’m not going to “give away the farm” to get them.
Re- Elect me and I will have the Welfare Dept. functioning again
with competence, proficiency and accountability as I did in the
past.
Lee Bartlett
Candidate for Overseer of the Public Welfare
|
