Election Day
Is
Tuesday, March 13
Northwood voters will have the opportunity to select their local
officials for town and school district offices and to cast their
vote on both town and school district warrant articles,
including the proposed operating budgets. Polls will be open
from 7 am to 7 pm and voting is held at St. Joseph’s Parish
Center on Rt. 4 next to the Northwood Town Hall. There are a
number of warrant articles being proposed including the purchase
of a backhoe and expansion of the Narrows Fire Station. The
planning board’s proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance
will also be on the ballot.
Annual Town And School District Reports Are In!
The
2017 Annual Town and School District Report is available for
pickup at the town hall during regular business hours,
Monday-Friday 8-4. Copies will also be available at the polls on
Election Day. You may view a pdf version of the town report on
the town’s website:
www.northwoodnh.org
Letter To The Editor
May
I take a minute out of your busy day and tell you about a
candidate running for School Board this March? Very simply, I
have known Brian Winslow for over twenty years and he is one of
the finest men in town. He is a devoted father and husband, an
elementary school music teacher, a farmer, a handyman - and just
a wonderful human being.
The
idea of having his caring heart, open and intelligent mind,
strong work ethic and affable personal manner on our school
board - well, it makes me feel very optimistic for our little
town. Imagine having a school board where all the members speak
with civility and respect. Don’t you think we should go for
this?
Patricia Savage
Northwood
Letter To The Editor
Northwood is ready for a change. It is time to put aside
political parties and personal agendas so we can come together
as a community. I am asking for your support to elect me to the
Board of Selectmen.
I
have lived in Northwood for 26 years, almost all of which I have
volunteered in some capacity. This will be my first opportunity
to work in town politics. I am eager to learn all about town
government, and am ready to serve as a voice for our community.
I understand the role of a responsible leader takes diligence,
dedication, and strong communication skills. I have these, and
the ability to make decisions that’s in the best interest of
Northwood, not my own.
I
love our town and would appreciate your vote. Please vote for
Ann “Beth” Boudreau for Selectmen.
Beth Boudreau
Letter To The Editor
To
the Editor,
Years ago, our School Board refused to study our atrocious
special education department. I was able to team up with a
member from Nottingham and get through the Joint Board a
study of all three towns. That study resulted in Northwood
saving many hundreds of thousands of dollars and significantly
improving SpEd at Northwood School.
At
the joint Board meeting Monday (where only one of your five
members was in attendance) it was decided that we would no
longer have a dedicated special education person. So we no
longer had a SpEd Director and no Assistant SpEd Director.
And it shows.
Fake news in Northwood. There’s a graph online and handed out a
Board meeting. It shows the cost of educating a student in
Northwood at over $14K. The State, Dr. Gadomski, and the
business administrator use this number. But they use an * and at
the bottom of the page, a statement that tuitioned out students
and transportation are not included. All of out high school
students are tuitioned out. If you add in that 3.5 million and
transportation you get a truer figure if over $19K Fake news.
The
same author put out a statement that there was a group that was
going to try to reduce the budget by $600K and even reduce bus
runs on “dangerous” Northwood roads. Totally bogus.
Northwood School is wonderful they say. You should see some of
the responses from this year’s 9th graders, when asked how well
they were prepared for CBNA. “Nothing, the school was not the
best for my education for the last two years,” “my school didn’t
prepare me for anything,” “they...ahhhh... I can’t think of a
single thing,” are three of many similar answers.
Your call,
Tim
Jandebeur
Northwood
Letter To The Editor
I
had the privilege of putting a grant proposal together with Ms.
Magnusson and Ms. Lenharth at the Northwood School to establish
a pollinator garden and certified Monarch Butterfly Waystation.
This garden was a perfect fit with the current curriculum and
will create opportunities for older and younger students to work
together on making observations, learning about science and
math, and ultimately strengthening the school community
environment.
I
am a forest entomologist (bug guy) so this was exciting to hear
from teachers at our local school about developing this garden
for educational opportunities along with promoting habitat for
ecologically important pollinating insects. I was so excited
when my oldest son came home from kindergarten two years ago to
tell me about monarch butterflies. He continues to bring
home valuable knowledge of math and science skills through both
first and second grade.
This project is also a great opportunity to bring our school and
local community together. We have a couple of very
knowledgeable gardeners and landscape experts who will be
assisting on the development and implementation of this garden,
and further bringing our school and community together.
I’m looking forward to getting this project going and look
forward to the opportunities to work with future classes on
learning about the natural sciences.
I
am also excited to see my wife, Amy Hanavan, running for a
school board position. She shares interest in bringing positive
solutions to our community and would be a strong supporter for
the school.
Sincerely,
Ryan P. Hanavan
Letter To The Editor
Why
am I, Ann “Beth” Boudreau, running for Selectmen? I’m concerned
about the negativity we read in The Sun and on Facebook. I’m
concerned that our town loses valuable employees, and their
positions remain vacant too long. My candidacy is not about
Republicans, Democrats, conservatives or liberals, but a
community coming together for the greater good. It’s time for a
change.
We
are neighbors, not just residents. A good town is a place where
you can raise a family, with good schools, and quick response
time from the police and fire departments. But what makes a good
town great? Our lakes? New books at the Library? Roads plowed so
we can get to work safely? Recycling for our children’s future?
It’s all of this and more.
Over these past few months, people have said Northwood’s felt
more like a community than ever before. With the recreation
department, I’ve helped organize events to build community:
neighbors gathering for the Santa Parade, at Trunk or Treat, or
enjoying our ice rink. These are just the first steps of many to
make our little town great!
At
Family Winter Day one of our neighbors said that she felt like
she lived in a Hallmark movie town — families coming together to
have fun. I want to live in that town, that idyllic Hallmark
town.
This is not about raising taxes, it’s about spending tax dollars
wisely, encouraging small businesses to come to Northwood, and
supporting those we already have.
I
am eager to learn all about town government and ready to serve
as a positive voice for our community and to be a responsible
leader, who’s diligent, dedicated, with strong communication
skills, and the ability to make decisions in the best interests
of Northwood.
I
love this town and would appreciate your vote.
Letter To The Editor
Please Come Out & Vote Keeping Pleasant Lake Free of Invasive
Species
Warrant Articles on the Deerfield and Northwood ballot March
13th
Thank you for supporting this Article last year. The
results have been terrific. We inspected an additional
500+ boats. Hopefully this will result in additional grant
money. We were also able to increase the paid Lake Host
coverage by 35%. Please vote yes on this article to help
prevent the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species and to protect
this valuable resource.
The
Pleasant Lake Preservation Association (PLPA) Lake Host Program
was established in 2002 to prevent the introduction and spread
of exotic aquatic plants such as variable milfoil and aquatic
nuisance animals like zebra mussels. The main way these species
are introduced into a lake is through transfer via boats and
trailers. Plant and animal infestations are undesirable
because they make recreation in and on the water dangerous and
unpleasant, disrupt the ecological balance, and reduce property
values.
The
Lake Host program is administered by the NH Lakes Association
and supported in part, by grants from the NH Department of
Environmental Services. Trained attendants provide a courtesy
boat inspection at the public access ramp on Gulf Road.
Current coverage accounts for about 2/3rds of normal boating
hours, 60% by volunteers and 40% by paid hosts.
Through these warrants, the PLPA are looking to secure
additional funding from the towns of Deerfield and Northwood in
the amount of $2,500 each to increase coverage to a total of
over 90% of normal boating hours. This coverage would
greatly enhance the PLPA Lake Host Program’s ability to prevent
the introduction of Milfoil and other invasive species into the
lake which, if introduced, would result in a more difficult and
expensive program to control.
Holly Martin
Lake Host Point Person at Pleasant Lake, Deerfield, NH
Northwood
Your Well’s Water Quality
Presentation on Wednesday, March 7 at Northwood Town Hall and
Water Sample Collection Day on March 13 at Voting Location
Approximately 75% of Northwood’s year-round residents drink
water from private wells. Testing of water from private wells is
recommended at least once every five years, yet many homeowners
do not routinely sample their water quality. While residents
served by a public water supply benefit from federal regulations
requiring routine testing for contaminants, it is up to the
private well owner to test and if needed, treat his/her well
water. Northwood’s Conservation Commission is hosting a
presentation about private wells and drinking water quality,
prepared by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental
Services, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in town hall. Sampling
instructions and laboratory containers will be available at the
presentation and at town hall during business hours March 8-13.
The
conservation commission will take your filled sampling
containers at the voting location, St. Joseph’s Church Parish
Center on Tuesday, March 13 (find the table near the bake
sale table); or you can pick up a bag of bottles and bring the
samples with your check ($85 for standard analysis of 17
parameters including pH, arsenic, lead, manganese, and bacteria;
$20 extra for radon, $80 extra for radiological parameters) to
the DHHS laboratory at 29 Hazen Drive in Concord. The
laboratory’s entrance is on the west (river) side of the
building.
The
MtBE Bureau of NHDES has generously offered to pay to analyze up
to 140 samples from private wells for Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOCs), which typically costs $125 to $160 per sample. VOC
analysis detects gasoline compounds, solvents, and other
carbon-based contaminants. You may take advantage of this offer
by picking up bottles and being among the first 140 residents to
deliver your sample on March 13.
Letter To The Editor
Cruisin’
We
are cruisin’. Not only did both Deliberative Sessions end before
lunch, the Budget Committee meetings did, too. We were so
efficient and agreeable that we approved 14 of 19 spending
articles unanimously.
And
we were also in unanimous DISAPPROVAL of Article 13 to purchase
a new police cruiser.
That wasn’t because we disagreed with Chief Drolet that a new
cruiser was needed to replace one of the worn-out cars. Rather,
it was because we, as a group, agreed with the Chief that
cruisers should be seen as an operating expense of the
department and as such, should be included in the operating
budget.
So
the Budget Committee put money into the operating budget to
purchase a cruiser and passed it 15/0.
Then we came to a warrant article to purchase a new cruiser and
we voted unanimously against it. So I was surprised when the
Selectmen included it in the warrant articles brought forward at
the Deliberative Session.
This created a difficult situation because if the voters approve
the operating budget but defeat the warrant article, the cruiser
that we need cannot be purchased. “No means no,” as the town
attorney explained.
Budget Committee Chair Ginger Dole saved the day - and the
cruiser - by amending the article “to establish a committee to
study the best way to fund police cruisers on an ongoing basis.”
But
the question remains: What were the Selectmen thinking?
IMHO, it’s time for some better thinking on the BOS.
And
while you’re at it, re-elect me to the Budget Committee.
Tom
Chase
Northwood
This Weekend’s LRPA After Dark Feature:
1950’s “The File On Thelma Jordan”
Join Lakes Region Public Access Television at 10:30 p.m. this
Friday and Saturday night (March 2 & 3) for our “LRPA After
Dark” presentation of 1950’s film noir crime drama “The File on
Thelma Jordan,” starring Barbara Stanwyck and Wendell Corey.
Assistant District Attorney Cleve Marshall (Corey) is having
marriage problems, which aren’t helped by the fact that he’s
gone on a drunken bender and missed his anniversary celebration
with his wife. Enter into his office the seductive and
mysterious Thelma Jordan (Stanwyck), to whom Cleve feels an
immediate attraction. She’s there to report an attempted
burglary at the house of her elderly Aunt Vera. Cleve can’t get
Thelma out of his mind, and the two begin an affair. Meanwhile,
Thelma has also been seeing Tony Laredo, a thug and a thief. Of
course, she lies to Cleve about their relationship. Sometime
later, Aunt Vera is shot by an intruder. Thelma calls Cleve to
the house to help, all the while casting suspicion on Tony.
Cleve gets assigned to the case. The evidence points to Thelma,
and Cleve does everything he can to defend her, putting his
reputation on the line. Although the odds are stacked against
Thelma, Cleve chooses to believe her – but in the shadowy world
of film noir, is anything ever the way it seems?
Barbara Stanwyck made her share of famous films noir, including
two infamous films -- “The Strange Love of Martha Ivers” and
“Double Indemnity,” – so it’s an interesting footnote that “The
File on Thelma Jordan” is a relatively obscure film. It was
generally well received by critics in its day, with Variety
noting that it “…unfolds as an interesting, femme-slanted
melodrama, told with a lot of restrained excitement.” It
features very strong performances from both Stanwyck and Corey,
the latter of whom was often relegated to supporting character
roles.
“The File on Thelma Jordan” deserves to be better known by film
fans everywhere. So grab your popcorn and meet us after dark for
this seldom-seen crime thriller from the past.
Congratulations to Stephen Dayton of Northwood on his retirement
from the National Guard and Army after 37 years of service! His
wife, Kim, shares her pride with of all us, for his
sacrifices and service to this great country and the protection
and defense of our freedoms and well-being! Thank you for
your service, Stephen!