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May 20, 2009

My Opinon: May 21, 2009

by NH State Rep. L. Mike Kappler

RAYMOND – Raymond’s own “Children’s Champion” Celeste Clark, RCFY Executive Director, was the 2009 Southeast Region “Champion for Children” award winner at the New Hampshire School Administrators Association’s Ceremony, held at the Grappone Conference Center, in Concord. Celeste was chosen for her years of dedicated hard work, with the Raymond Coalition For Youth, for the children of Raymond. This was a well deserved award, “Congratulations” Celeste, Raymond is proud of you.

We would also like to say “Thank You” to her husband Richard and the family for sharing all your family hours Celeste spends on the many RCFY programs. Fifteen people came to the ceremony in support of Celeste, and to listen to all the accolades given her by Dr. Jean Richards, Raymond School Superintendent. Again, “Congratulations and well done”.

Hold on to your wallet, it’s time to talk about the current State budget. With business taxes normally representing about 25% of New Hampshire’s total tax proceeds, we are in deep trouble. Revenues received through April 30th are 26% below projections, which is about $145M short, just for those three months. The tax proceeds from the beer, liquor, and tobacco taxes, plus the hospitality industry, are all way below the Democrats estimates. The real estate sales taxes for the month of April alone are a -44%. The revenue from the Interest and Dividends tax was $19M short in April. All this makes the actual revenue for the fiscal year that ends June 30th at $232M below projections, with two months to go.

The Raymond High School’s “NH Jobs for America’s Graduates” (NH-JAG) program held its award ceremony, on May 14th. The 10 judged in the top of the program were: Jillian Bracket, Lauren Sorel, Amanda Wager, Ryan Lang, Sean Cannistraro, Michelle Fugere, Brandon Murphy, Hillary Reynolds, Alyssa Ouellet,. and Kendra Shaw. The program’s focus was on how to write a resume, complete an application, and perform an interview with a focus on skills. Civic & Social awareness, Leadership & Career development, and Community Service were the lessons learned. The students were each interviewed and judged on: dress, greeting, eye contact, communications skills, preparation, follow-up, good questions, and the interview close.

Eight Wal-Mart DC 6030 managers gave many volunteer hours to help make this program work. They were: Charlaine Anderson, Seth Wing, Don Hsu, Mark Zerbinopoulos, Sondra Mitchell, Jay Petros, James Anderson, and Paul Adams. Paul did a fine job coordinating the Wal-Mart team, volunteering in this mentoring program.

A big “Congratulations” to the top 10 attendees and “Good Luck” on your job search. Another big “Thank You” to the Wal-Mart team of volunteers, on making the program at Raymond High School a fine success.

The Exeter River Local Advisory Committee held it’s annual “Vernal Pool” workshop on Saturday, May 16th. It was co-sponsored with the Fremont Conservation Committee. The workshop began at the Fremont Town Hall, followed by a field trip to the Cordes property, where wetlands scientist Patrick Seekamp, an ERLAC member, showed everyone the frog and salamander eggs, fairy shrimp, and other critters, in a vernal pool environment. This was a great fun event for both young and old. “Thank You” to the committees for again doing a fine workshop, and “Thank You” to the Cordes for allowing us to use your land and pool.

So why do I say “Buy local”? Here are a couple of good reasons. 1. The European Union bureaucrats in Brussels in an attempt to squeeze costs, open new markets, and maximize profits, has decided to take red wine and white wine, mix them together and call it rose. The French vintners are really whining about this idea, and with great reason. It’s leaving the skins in the juice for just the right amount of time that makes the color, the aromas, and the fruity accents required to make a wine rose. The European Union’s Agriculture Commission hopes to vote this into effect sometime this June and hope it will be on the market by this fall.

I say buy at our local wineries right here in Rockingham County. We have some really good wines available from places like: Flag Hill Winery, in Lee; Candia Vineyards, in Candia; Jewell Towne Vineyards in South Hampton; Zorvino in Sandown, and others. Trust me, they all have some fine wines, at a good price.

2. The amount of money that stays in the local economy, helping to support other business from a locally owned business is 68%, while only 43% stays locally from a national business. Our locally run mom & pop businesses are strong supporters of other local activities because they and their family live and spend here. Scouting, sports, churches, senior centers, the arts, and schools are just some of the groups that benefit from local businesses. Next time you go to the town ball park with the kids, look at whose signs are on the fence. It’s all about one local hand helping another local hand.

(Editor’s Note: NH State Representative Mike Kappler can be reached at l.mikekappler@comcast.net)

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My Opinon: May 21, 2009
by Anonymous , , Wed May 20, 2009, 03:11 PM EDT
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