To the editor,
I, Bill Bolton, am running for selectman of the Town of Plymouth, and would appreciate your vote on Tuesday, March 12.
I've resided in Plymouth for most of my life. My wife Denise and I chose to raise our four children here and have benefited from Plymouth's excellent school system as well as the town's nurturing environment. In fact, my son Will is about to graduate from PRHS and will become a student at Plymouth State University next fall. We have much at stake in Plymouth's continued success and in PSU's high quality of education.
When I think of Plymouth, many things come to mind — the physical beauty of our town and surroundings, the good public school system, and the close collaboration between the town and the university. But I also think of high property taxes, the impending development of the Tenney Mountain Highway corridor, and the rollout of diverse alternative energy systems. The town's direction depends on its strong and effective boards and commissions, and an effective town manager and staff. The Selectboard assures that the proper tools are provided to the town management and that it is governed correctly.
I am running for selectman because I have a strong sense of civic duty and a love for the Plymouth community. I have also had many years' of experience managing the staff and budgets of large state agencies. I have served as New Hampshire State Registrar and am currently an information technology consultant for a national association. Throughout my career in state government, I have pursued cutting edge projects involving innovative solutions. I have developed a skill-set that allows me to be thorough in the analysis of issues and problems, and defensible and just in my decisions.
Due to good fortune (and good broadband connectivity), I am now able to work out of my home. Although not quite an "empty-nester" (my daughter is a seventh grader at PES), I find I have more time to offer the Plymouth community, and I have volunteered for such organizations like "Keep the Heat On" (recently appointed chair of the Sponsor Committee), and the "Educational Theatre Collaborative". I also have time to offer the Selectboard.
In the years ahead, the Plymouth Selectboard must take increased responsibility for ensuring that the town's character is preserved within a reasonable tax structure. I would like very much to work for my community in deciding how we achieve that goal. Thank you for your vote on Tuesday, March 12.
William R. Bolton, Jr.
Plymouth

To the editor,
On last Sunday's wintry night, one hundred and seventy hardy and soup- loving souls joined Hands Across the Table cooks and servers for our Second Annual Soup-A-Thon Fundraiser. The HATT Board of Directors is grateful for the outstanding support of our program. Hands Across the Table feeds the hungry in body or spirit.
The fundraiser was held at St. James Episcopal Church. Ten soups were offered by Temple B'nai Israel, Laconia Unitarian Universalists, St Andre Bessette parish, St James Episcopal, the HATT Board of Directors, and the Lobster Pound and Christmas Island restaurants. Three silver soup ladles were awarded: first prize went to Lou Gaynor, HATT chef, for his succulent clam chowder; second prize to Irene Gordon, Temple B'nai Israel, for her famous matzo ball soup, and third prize to Fr. Mark Drouin, St Andre Bessette Parish, for his very special vegetable soup.
Jim Goren of JB Scoops donated ice cream and toppings to accompany cookies homemade by the HATT Board of Directors. He also ran the supplementary auction and entertained the patient crowd that waited for the second seating necessary because of the great attendance.
The River Crew Art Group kindly displayed their paintings, sculpture, and photography. Created by some of our homeless Laconia neighbors, the artwork is poignant, creative, and not to be missed. We thank them for their generosity and community spirit.
We were able to publicize our event through courtesy of the Laconia Sun, Laconia Citizen, weekly newspapers and local radio stations. A special thanks to Elaine Hirshan at the Laconia Sun and Alan Harrison of WEZS. Open Arms generously provided breads and vegetables and Kris Roberts of Whittemore Florist donated dozens of eggs.
Thank you, thank you to everyone who took part in the Soup-a-thon fundraiser. We were so successful that we have already procured a larger venue for next year; all will be seated and served at the same time — no lines! The monies raised last Sunday will ensure that our hands continue to reach across the table each Tuesday night, 5 p.m., at St James Episcopal Church.
Irene Gordon & Ginger Wells-Kay
Hands Across the Table

To the editor,
We appologize for our delay in writing this very important letter to so many wonderful folks that live and work in the greater Laconia area.
On Wednesday, Jan. 23rd, a bitterly cold day, The Wilkins-Smith American Legion Post 1, hosted the "World Famous Harlem Wizards", at Laconia High School Gym. The Wizards provided a great evening of family entertainment. We were concerned with the bitter cold weather and it was cold. Brrrrr!, but alas, the hearty folks of the greater laconia area turned out to fill the LHS Gym and were treated to lots of laughs and tricks by the Wizards. The Laconia Brusiers, made up of area teachers, students and others proved to be great competition for the Wizards as well. Give the advantage to our female team members leading a challenge to a great Wizards team! They rocked and led our team, we almost beat them....ha!
The Wilkins-Smith American Legion Post 1, has so many, many folks to thank in helping our post make this event so successful, and only the flu prevented this letter from appearing earlier, so our apologies for the delay. So lets get started: the management and staff of the Marriot Town Place Suites for putting up the Wizards while they were in Laconia, Mr. Jim Chase, LHS AD; Jim was involved in many different ways, including putting the "Bruisers Team" together. The staff and students of the Laconia JAG Association; their involvement was so critical to our success, the custodial staff of LHS, for their assistance in set-up and of course the cleaning of the gym after the event, they were awesome! Both of our daily newspapers, (Laconia Daily Sun and The Citizen of Laconia); for their coverage and advance stories about our event, we could not have presented this event without your help. The staff of the Laconia basketball team, who allowed us in their gym while they tried to hold a practice (not easy when you have the Wizards in attendance...ha!). The Laconia PD, they keep checking on our event through out the evening and with 700 folks in attendance, we welcomed their appearance at the game. The folks at Patricks Pub for providing a great meal to the Wizards, and in addition as a ticket outlet for the game; thank you Alan and Jeff. Our good friends at All My Life Jewelry in downtown Laconia, who always support the Legion by selling tickets to all of our events; thank you Randy, Sue and Charlie.
Last and not the least, our members of the Post and their family's that also came out in the very cold weather, to help us sell food for our guests; the JAG members for selling the Wizards basketballs, etc. The list could go on & on; so many folks to say "Thank You" to. . . but the biggest "Thank You", goes out to the citizens of the greater Laconia area for coming out on a cold Wednesday evening to help the Legion raise funds for our scholarship funds. The Legion awards at least seven scholarships each year to our area students as they go forward in their adventure of a better education. The Legion works very hard at raising these funds all year long. Our next project will be hosting the Kelly-Miller Circus at Memorial Park Field on July 5th and 6th as another scholarship fund raiser. Hopefully, we will see you all their!. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for your support!
Toby Knowelton, Commander
Don R. Vachon, Chairman of Special Events
Wilkins-Smith American Legion Post 1
Laconia

To the editor,
On Tuesday, March 12 we citizens of Gilmanton have the opportunity to vote for a most amazing woman, my friend and neighbor, Betty Ann Abbott.
Betty Ann is a candidate for selectman for our wonderful town. She comes with a lifetime of education and experience, including an advanced degree in Business Administration and years running large, complicated projects for a number of private, public, and charitable enterprises, which will give her the ability to help guide Gilmanton into the future. She has worked for our town in a number of capacities including a previous term as selectman during which the much lauded Public Safety Complex was authorized and completed. Along with sound credentials Betty Ann also brings deep knowledge of our town and it's citizens; as a selectman she will be a great asset to our community.
Most importantly though, Betty Ann is the nicest, most compassionate person one could ask for in a neighbor. Please support her on March 12th. Thank you.
Lew Henry
Gilmanton Iron Works