I’ve served on the Plainfield School Board with Jenny Ramsey for the past four years, and suggest voters in Sullivan House District 7 write her in on the Democratic ballot on Sept. 10. Jenny believes in putting government to work, investing efficiently to help the greatest numbers of us. But she also knows when government should mind its own business, keep out of our health care, religion, personal relationships, reading choices and big life decisions.
She abhors waste and on our School Board treats taxpayer dollars as the precious resources they are. She’s worked skillfully to keep our proposed school budgets as small as possible, while still funding a great school. But as our School Board chair, she’s seen how Concord’s refusal to meet its constitutional obligations to provide adequate publicly funded education has forced us local taxpayers to dig too deep to make up the difference. The driving force of this, her first candidacy for state office, is to apply her nine-year school board experience toward finding a more equitable way to finance public education across New Hampshire.
Jenny has that locally born and raised combination we all treasure of self-deprecating humor, tough as nails grit, hard work and common sense. She’s a great listener with an open mind (each rare), seeking middle ground solutions to big problems. If you’d worked with her like I have, you’d write in Jenny Ramsey.
Jordan Green
Plainfield
The leader NH needs
As the New Hampshire gubernatorial primary approaches, voters face a decision about who will lead our state forward. Both Democratic candidates bring their own experiences and visions to the table, but for me, Joyce Craig stands out as the leader New Hampshire needs.
Ensuring the safety of our communities is one of Joyce’s top priorities. As mayor, she worked closely with law enforcement to enhance public safety in Manchester. She expanded the police force, improved training and introduced measures like community policing, which contributed to a notable decrease in violent crime. Joyce also implemented strategies to address gun violence, focusing on both prevention and enforcement, helping make Manchester a safer place for all its residents.
She also demonstrated a commitment to protecting our environment. Under her leadership, Manchester made substantial investments in renewable energy, including the construction of the largest municipal solar project in the state. These efforts reduced Manchester’s carbon footprint and delivered significant savings on energy costs.
Joyce will move our state away from fossil fuels, expanding renewable energy options, and improving energy efficiency programs that can lower costs for all residents. Whether it’s addressing the contamination of water supplies or preparing our infrastructure for increasingly severe weather, Joyce is committed to making New Hampshire more sustainable for future generations.
On Sept. 10, I urge my fellow residents to support Joyce Craig — a proven leader who will prioritize the needs of our communities and work tirelessly to create a better future for all of us.
Matthew Stoner
West Lebanon
Follow Lebanon
housing proposal
On Monday, Sept. 9, at 6:30 the Lebanon Planning Board will meet to discuss the proposed development at the former Densmore brickyard.
This meeting will be at the Kilton Library. The developer is planning 10 buildings of four stories each for a total of 474 units, which could translate to an additional increase in population of 1,000.
This should be of concern to all Lebanon residents for many reasons. This development is proposed in and on wetlands. The developer addresses proposed stormwater runoff impacts of one inch of rainfall for 2-10, and 25-, 50- and 100-year storms. With climate change our rainfall per storm will only increase. The infrastructure costs of drainage and sewer will be necessary, resulting in higher taxes.
According to the proposal, the architecture for this complex will be compatible with that of Mt. Support Road. Is that what citizens want … a continuation of “apartment alley?”
And we should not forget, according to the information included, the Planning Board of Hanover approves of this development. Maybe Hanover is more discriminating in the development it allows.
This development is proposed by the developer; however, it is our City Planner that has been promoting this project. My belief is that at the very least the City Planner should act as Devil’s Advocate and not as an advocate for any proposal. But it is the City Manager who hires the City Planner.
If the Upper Valley needs 10,000 homes by 2030, according to a recent survey, must all these homes be apartments and must they all units be in Lebanon? Large apartment blocks must be a very profitable enterprise or why else would so many developers propose them … and in Lebanon?
For the above reasons and for the encouragement of democracy in action, it is essential that all citizens attend this meeting on Sept. 9.
Mary Ann Mastro
Lebanon