Banner editorial and letters for April 10, 2008

Hooksett Editor — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:05:00 GMT

Editorial

Landlords rent to people, not credit scores

While we can certainly understand a landlord’s need to make sure a tenant has the ability to pay rent, we think denying someone a place to live simply because of a foreclosure on their credit report is taking things too far.
The Kruczinski family of Allenstown is the perfect example. While Ed Kruczinski takes responsibility for the foreclosure, he still needs a place for his family to live. He had adequate income to pay his rent, but landlord after landlord denied him an apartment based on his credit record. He did finally find a place to live, but not until days before losing the apartment he was in. Just where are people supposed to live if they not only can’t buy a home, they can’t even rent one?
With foreclosures on the rise, this is not going to be an isolated incident. Banks and loan companies made it possible for people to buy homes they really couldn’t afford, pushing prices for real estate to unrealistic levels, and now that bubble has burst. Crashing down to the ground with that bubble are not only the speculators hoping to make a fast buck, but regular people just trying to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. Landlords have to bear in mind that it is not a credit score trying to rent their property, it’s people. And people need a place to live.

Letters

Candia Lancers basketball team impress state Senate

To the Editor:
On Thursday, March 20, I had the distinct honor to host the Candia Lancers basketball team from the Henry Moore School. It was a privilege to meet these fine young men.
First, I must commend them for their accomplishments as the Class S Champions. There’s no doubt that this title came as a result of hard work and dedication to their sport, their teammates, their coaches and their school. A heartfelt congratulations!
Second, I must praise this group of young men on their manner. They came dressed in suits and ties, were polite, courteous and patient. Assistant coach E-Mac (student and team member Evan MacDonald) spoke with such eloquence about his team and truly captivated his Senate audience; a pin drop could have been heard in the Senate during those moments.
Throughout the day, my colleagues in the Senate commented on the fine group of men from Candia that had graced our presence.
The Candia Lancer basketball team are wonderful ambassadors of the Henry Moore School and for the town of Candia. You make us proud!
Again, congratulation and GO LANCERS!
Theodore L. Gatsas
State Senate, District 16
District 16 comprises Manchester Wards 1,2 and 12, Bow, Candia, Dunbarton and Hooksett

Hooksett students made state representative proud

To the Editor:
Recently the fourth- and fifth-graders from Hooksett Memorial School visited the State House in Concord as part of their New Hampshire government studies. It was my privilege to join the dedicated teachers and enthusiastic students on their group tours. Meeting with the school groups is a highlight of the session year.
The children were well-prepared by their teachers, as evidenced by their solid knowledge of the legislative process. Some jotted notes on small pads of paper; some snapped photographs in the Hall of Flags. They asked relevant questions and offered reasoned opinions. The students looked quite at home sitting in Representatives Hall, pushing the voting buttons. Whether interacting with the governor or viewing the portraits, the students were attentive, inquisitive and appreciative of their time under the Gold Dome.
Parents, please know that your energetic youngsters are the pride of Hooksett. They are cooperative and friendly, respectful and bright.
I hope you will bring them back to the visitors’ gallery to observe the House in session. They would enjoy showing you around the State House!

Rep. Eileen Ehlers
Hooksett

Cable TV franchise fees are thievery and should end

To the Editor:
It’s like driving on a road that everyone uses, but only some have to pay the toll. Or paying half of your neighbor’s bills. It’s not even a rich-poor thing, it’s cable customers being taxed more than all others. This theft should stop or the money should be used for the promised purpose; community access TV.
Shaking down the cable company for “franchise fees” (a.k.a. protection money) for the privilege of doing business in our town (a.k.a. survival), is a common practice and as old as bleep. It’s even more obscene when the truth is plain to see; this money is not being spent the way it was purported. It is wrong, unfair and downright stealing, in my opinion.
When you take money from one person and apply it to the account of another, that is theft, in my book. Collecting (a.k.a. stealing) money from cable customers to offset the tax bills of satellite customers and everyone else is government-sponsored racketeering, much like the state lottery, but that’s another letter.
The last article on the ballot this year is one that citizens created by petition. Petitioned articles should be first because latter articles on long ballots often go unchecked or blindly marked NO due to “ballot fatigue.” Please vote from the back to the front this year and vote “yes” on 26. Maybe it could be a movement, where the last ones pass and the first ones get hammered. Some should.
Community access TV is something all taxpayers can benefit from at the cost to some. As one of the “some,” I would prefer that my money benefit the taxpayers in the way it is supposed to; to inform, instead of being another covert tax. If you allow this to continue, you may be a member of the next target group to be shaken down by the new racketeers. I still won’t be happy having your money offset my tax bill and will still call it thievery, because it is.
David Ross
Hooksett
P.S. I was tempted to fund the line item at Town Meeting with a motion and some friends. It would have been easy, considering the minimal attendance, but that would be as fraudulent as the current situation is.

Thanks for scholarship

To the Editor:
Epsom Central School support staff and teachers would like to thank everyone who participated in the Michael Briggs Scholarship spaghetti supper on Tuesday, March 11.
The event was a great success – 106 dinners were served. We also received several donations, bringing the total to $748.
This fund was established for any Epsom graduating senior who wishes to pursue a career in public service.
Also, special thanks to everyone who came out and voted for our support staff contract.
Epsom Central School
support staff and teachers

Exxon Mobil profit sets record again

To the Editor:
The New York Times and other sources (in so many words) have told us that we don’t stand a chance in the battle of Americans vs. oil companies. I’m tempted to call it the battle of the bulge. The bulge, in this case, is referenced by the oversized and deep pockets of these excessively greedy conglomerates.
If you don’t have a strong stomach you had better stop reading at this point. This company reported Friday, Feb. 1, that it beat its own record for the highest profits ever recorded by any company, with a net income of $40.6 billion. Their public thank you was extended to the surging oil prices. How thoughtful of them.
This company’s sales, more than $404 billion, exceeded the gross domestic product of 120 countries.
If that didn’t get you, this will. Exxon Mobil earned more than $1,287 of profit for every second of 2007. Congress has not rescinded the tax breaks awarded two years ago to encourage companies to boost their investments in the United States and increase domestic production.
Congratulations to Exxon Mobil and Chevron ---- for reminding Americans why they cringe every time they pull into a gas station. Your day will come.
Jim Breagy
Epsom

Allenstown News : foreclosure

Banner editorial and letters for April 10, 2008