Letter To The Editor

It’s a new year but what a year last year was.

One year ago, 1/16/11, I went to the Northwood School public hearing on its budget. Arguably the worst public hearing anywhere, ever.

March 5th, an annual School District Meeting clearly pitting the town against the school; the town won and I believe the students will also. There was no teacher contract, no support staff contract sadly either. NECAP scores came in telling us what we already knew. Our school was in need of improvement, big time. There was another very poor financial audit.

May, an ill-conceived, expensive and poorly thought out plan to leave the SAU, thankfully voted down.

June 30th, the end of the school year that overspent its budget illegally without following laws and procedure. It was a year of angst and rudeness that culminated three years of decline at Northwood School.

It’s a new year and I hope for only the best for our school. On 1/12/12 there will be another public hearing on the Northwood School budget. Instead of a $577,000 increase you will see a $309,000 decrease, a swing of $886.000 in one year. Remarkable. I also believe that you will see an improvement in the scores of our students because I know that Mr. Hartford and crew have been working very hard.

How can you help keep this trend going? Easy, just participate. Very bright spotlights are what has changed things, on the budget and on the poor performance. Be a spotlight. Come to the hearing on 1/12 at 7 pm in the school gym, the deliberative session in February, and vote in March. Do your part, get involved and feel free to call me if you want to talk, 942-5463. It’s a new year, let’s make it a good one for Northwood.

Tim Jandebeur

Northwood, NH

Letter To The Editor

As many of you know, Kenny Witham suffered a small stroke and heart attack while in the hospital to remove a cancerous growth. He is winning the battle. After more than two months in Concord Hospital, and some time in Peabody, he is now at NE Rehab at Pease.

There is a very good chance that he will return home in two weeks. It has been a long and difficult time, especially for his wife Donna.

For her, I would like to thank everyone for their heartfelt support both in well wishes and donations to the Witham Family Fund. The fund is at the TD Bank and will continue to be open for very appreciated donations through January.

Thank you so much for your help.

The Witham Family Fund

2012 Vintage Oval Racing @ Lake Shore Farm

The Northwood Crankpullers Snowmobile Club would like to remind everyone of our Vintage Oval Race with a Dinner/Dance that evening on Saturday, January 21st … Registration begins at 8am and Racing at 10am, so come join us as a spectator or in competition. Spectator entrance fee of $7.00. Great Family fun and as usually our Food trailer will be there. Social hour that evening will start at 6pm with dinner at 7pm and dancing at 8pm. Tickets will be available at the door. $10 for just the dance and $20 for the dinner & dance. Rooms are also available at Lake Shore Farm Inn. Call to reserve.

Please visit our website www.northwoodcrankpullers.com for more details and information on these events. And as always we truly appreciate our landowners and are always looking for new members. Let’s hope for lots of snow between now and then.

The Joseph J Jeffrey VFW Post 7217 presented awards for the Patriots Pen writing contest at the Northwood Elementary School. Representing the VFW were Commander Shannan F Brown, far right and Adj Daniel Barnhart, rear. Students participating in the essay contest from left are: Cassandra Barnhart, Billie Pingree, Julie Sourvavong, River Groves, Ryu Kondrup, Derek Steger, Elizabeth Bisson, Emily Barnes and Joe Gutil. Cash awards were given to the top three writers.