Letters to the Editor
Letters to the Editor: June 4, 2009
Response to "Reading at Bakie Needs Improvement"
To the Editor:
I am a proud parent of two Bakie students, soon to be three in the fall. After reading the letter titled, “Reading at Bakie Needs Improvement”, I began researching the information that Ms. Burns reported on. Although I found the New Hampshire Department of Education website to be fairly simple to navigate, I wanted to confirm that the information that I found was correct. I contacted the Bakie School as well as the Superintendent’s office in an effort to informally educate myself as to how to properly read and interpret the information given on the School Index Reports.
According to the “2009 NH Adequate Yearly Progress Status”, as a “whole school” Daniel J. Bakie School received an index score of 91.8 in Reading with a target of 86.0. In Mathematics Daniel J. Bakie scored a 90.0 in Mathematics with a target of 82.0. What Ms. Burns failed to address in her article, are the variables that have to be taken in to consideration when the SINI is determined. Programs available at Bakie that are a blessing to some of our local families, such as free/ reduced lunch programs and IEP programs and others, skew the simple results of who is technically considered a “School in Need of Improvement”.
In addition, Daniel J Bakie scored well on their NWEA testing. (NWEA is a non-profit organization that measures academic student growth and school improvement.) From what I now understand there are so many tests that measure things differently, with sub-categories, that there is no way to determine the quality of a school or their progress using the tests results from one source alone. I hope that the Professors at Lesley University eventually touch upon this!
To sum up my opinion of the article written by Ms. Burns…
With little effort in researching the actual achievements of the academic quality of Daniel J. Bakie, I found that we have a great school with fantastic faculty. In addition, we offer programs that may alter the “numerical score” of some tests (to the laymen) but offer everyone in the community, no matter what challenges they may face, an opportunity of a great education with dedicated and caring educators. I took offense to the statement, “My children…were educated privately…this information made me feel good about the money…invested in their education”.
I am very involved in my children’s education and want to say that I’m proud to bring my children to Bakie everyday. Please do a little more investigating, possibly with some direction from your Professors, before you make an opinion of a school’s competency. And to parents of Bakie students, rest assured that your children are in very capable hands!
Jessica Friedman
Kingston
A Response
To the Editor:
I have just read Paula Wall's letter against Jack Barnes and his flag, and against right wingers and flag lovers and maybe against others as well, it's not quite clear whom. Although her screed is too absurd on the face of it to merit a detailed rebuttal, I feel the gist of it demands some sort of response.
First, let me tell you where I'm coming from. I'm a right leaning libertarian. I'm an American by a happy accident of birth, and a New Hampshirite by deliberate choice. I love the principles embodied by this country and this state. I honor the memory of those who fought and died to preserve these principles. I don't always agree with Jack Barnes on every particular but I hardly ever agree with Ms. Wall, so you can guess which side I'm going to take.
Actually, I've let a lot of nonsense from her slide because I believe in tolerance, but this time she's gone too far. In the past, I'd shrug and say well, she's entitled to her opinion. But I'm not sure this latest outpouring rises to the level of an opinion. To me the word opinion has connotations of a coherent and well defined assertion that may be either true or false. This latest doesn't quite rise to that standard.
With some effort I was able to ferret out three points from the words Ms.Wall typed on her keyboard. First, she doesn't much like American flags, although she will show one begrudgingly now for reasons that are unclear. Second, she despises people who like flags too much for her taste. Three, she despises Jack Barnes because Jack Barnes likes flags a little too much for her taste At least that last one follows logically from her premises, although her premises are silly.
Also it seems that she feels right wingers shouldn't have the right to have flags or something.
Let me tell you where I stand on flags. I've never flown a flag at my house, not even on patriotic holidays. I have nothing at all against flags, it's just that I'm not the seasonal decorating kind. And I don't feel any need to prove my patriotism to anyone. But some people like flags and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. I'm sorry Paula Wall can't be more tolerant. A flag never hurt anybody.
I'll even allow that Paula has the right to have an American flag. I have no idea what her flag means to her but that doesn't matter. It's a free country.
I never felt I needed a flag before. But now I've got a reason to display a flag. I give you: the American flag as a protest symbol. After reading Paula's venting, I decided to protest against such mean-spiritedness, and to show my solidarity with Sen. Barnes. So I'm going to go out and buy me a flag. Then I will mount it prominently on my extremely humble but mortgage-free home.
So how do you like that?
We're here, we're right of center, and we've got flags. Get used to it.
Neil Rowland
Fremont
Communications Experts Needed
To the Editor:
After a two-year hiatus, Atkinson is once again seeking a solution to the town's emergency radio communications problems. Two years ago, a warrant article was presented to the voters which entailed a large antenna tower in the center of town; the voters showed clearly by their votes that they did not want such a tower. That left the town still having problems of significant dead spots in town where police and fire personnel cannot maintain radio communication with central dispatch.
The town has now formed a new committee, the Public Safety Communications Committee, to investigate alternative solutions to the radio communications problems. Volunteers are sought for appointment to this committee. The town is hoping that some of our Electrical Engineer residents will come forward to help the town come to an agreeable solution to the problem. Experience in radio communications, gained either professionally or via involvement in ham radio activities or similar experience would be especially valuable.
Application forms can be picked up from the Selectmen's Office at Town Hall, or a form can be mailed to anyone requesting one. Call Barbara Snicer in the Selectmen's Office, 362-5266.
Bill Bennett
Atkinson
Pheasant Event is a ‘Phony’ Hunt
To the Editor:
NH Fish & Game wants a new rule to allow fish and game clubs to release farm-raised ring-necked pheasants for kids 12-15 to kill on the Saturday before September 29th each year. Why? They say the Youth Pheasant Event is to promote NH’s special heritage and to teach hunting practices.
Which heritage, the controversial one of hunting non-native, farm-raised pheasants in places stocked by NH F&G;? Or, that it’s okay for adults to create phony hunting opportunities by releasing animals for kids to kill?
The phony “hunt”, might mean the release of pheasants from a tower to be shot at from down below, as is done at some of NH’s private bird hunting preserves; or, something like the adult pheasant release when many times shooting begins as the birds are taking their first flights of freedom. Some hunting lesson this would be.
The youth pheasant canned hunt day is doomed to become infamous and targeted by humane educators and animal rights activists alike.
The public hearing is Mon., June 15 at 6:30 p.m. at F&G; headquarters, with comments through June 25 to comments@wildlife.state.nh.us. For more information, contact info@nhanimalrights.org. With everyone’s comments and help it is possible to stop this very bad idea.
Linda Dionnne
Raymond
Memorial Day is More than Once a Year
To the Editor:
Recently, I read an article about how the Memorial Bridge in Portsmouth, NH-Kittery, ME was going to be torn down. I was outraged that this was passing without a more respectable ending only a few media notes. It took me a while before I realized the real cause of my frustration.
On this Memorial Day weekend 2009, it seems there is a lot which is passing without notice. The word Memorial Day often means a Monday off, great shopping deals, a new big blockbuster release, or is just another day for some. Now do not get me wrong, I love the movies but I wonder how, in a time of war, where daily names are being added to our Memorial List, we can just have one day or one weekend for remembering.
As a third generation member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a group formed for the sake of remembering. As a 26 year-old Reverend, one called to tell a very old but vital story-my life is based on the purpose of continuing to reminisce. Memorial Bridge, while historically impressive on its own, is really just metal! But something changed when it was named and dedicated to those in WWI. You see the Vietnam War Memorial is just stone. The Gettysburg Battlefield is just land. Yet, they are now symbols of Freedom, Liberty, and Justice. When the Bridge became the Memorial Bridge it changed from Metal to Memories. This WWI monument is a testament to the strength, courage, and determination of our Armed Forces.
World War I was a time of challenge for our country. It was one of the first huge stands that we took as a nation to say if there is injustice we will not sit on our isolated island. No, we the United States of America, will lend our support, a gift that comes in blood and tears, to the Global fight for freedom. We are a country that has shown the world, and still does, that we will not shy from our original ideals-of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for All. What better way to symbolize that testament then a bridge that crosses political lines and goes over the water - just like the WWI soldiers crossed the ocean to fight for good.
As Memorial Day passes, let us not see it as only one day but as a way of life. If we forget-we lose ourselves and in light of our great nation that would be a deep loss. My grandfather Leslie “Hall” Cornell fought in WWI and his memory for my family is not just in name but runs in our blood. This Memorial Bridge is not just a generic term-it is a monument to lives, to families. We need more Memorial Bridges in our lives.
Many my age know classmates, friends, siblings, and spouses who just recently became a memory-it is one thing to move on but another to let go completely. We cannot let this story pass quietly into the night. As Memorial Day moves on and as the Memorial Bridge’s fate is decided-I challenge you to remember this is not just about a historic bridge but about the truth that stands beneath. Give the Memorial Bridge its legacy, a chance to be celebrated; for when we put our soldier’s names on spots we do so because we believe in their valor and we believe that liberty should never be ignored.
Rev. Shannon Diana Keeney
Fremont
NHDAR-Exeter Chapter
- Letters to the Editor
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Candidate for State Rep.
My name is Paul Brown and I am a proud native of Raymond and a candidate for State Representative in the Republican primary.
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My political views are libertarian. -
Mike for Mike!
Rockingham County is in need of a "Sheriff" that is experienced, and on the first day, can step in, take charge, and hit the road running. Michael Downing is that person.
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Candidate for Sheriff
There will be no learning curve when I am elected the next Sheriff of Rockingham County. I am already here; ready to work for you, my constituents.
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Major Candidate for State Rep.
I have been honored to represent the citizens of Rockingham Country District 8, encompassing the towns of Hampstead, Kingston, and Plaistow, as a legislator since 1996, and will be seeking an eighth term in the New Hampshire House of Representatives.
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Weyler for State Rep.
I have known Representative Ken Weyler since 1999. He is truly the taxpayers friend.
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When is Enough 'Enough'
How would the Declaration of Independence be worded if it were written today? I'd like to take a crack at it.
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No Sale
A person of great wealth can afford to purchase almost anything they desire, assuming that what they want is for sale. Bill Binnie seems to think the voters of New Hampshire can be bought for a few free hot dogs and such given away at his campaign events.
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I'm For Kelly
Please join me on September 14 and November 2, to cast not only a vote for Kelly, but for all of us in New Hampshire and the rest of our great country.
Continued ... - August 22, 2010
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Letters to the editor, Aug. 19
Mosque on 9/11 Site
Continued ...
To the Editor:
I write in response to a letter published in Carriage Towne News on July 29. The writer expressed dismay that a Muslim group plans to open a mosque near the site of the World Trade Center terrorist attack. The writer suggests that, if this is "allowed to happen," it will somehow indicate that America has failed to win the battle against terrorism. - August 5, 2010
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Letter: Disappointed by division
The Democrats and Republicans should work together rather than wage war against each other.
Continued ... - Letter: From state Rep. candidate
- July 22, 2010
- Letters to the editor: July 22, 2010
- July 16, 2010
- Letters to the editor: July 15, 2010
- July 8, 2010
- Letters to the editor: July 8, 2010
- June 30, 2010
- Letters: July 1, 2010
- June 24, 2010
- Letters to the editor: June 24, 2010
- June 16, 2010
- Letters to the editor: June 17, 2010
- June 14, 2010
- Letters to the editor: June 10, 2010
- June 4, 2010
- Letters to the editor: June 3, 2010
- May 27, 2010
- Letters to the editor: May 27, 2010
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Candidate for State Rep.
