To the editor,
I am writing to share our experience working with Chris Mega, candidate for the Inter-Lakes School Board. My daughter was one of the students who worked as a member of Team Weedbusters when they applied for the Lexus Eco-Challenge grant last fall. Students busied themselves doing research on invasive milfoil, interviewing community leaders like Stewart Lamprey and Rusty McLear, attending classes on how to control milfoil from spreading and then putting down on paper what they had learned to share with the public.
Chris Mega spent 20 plus hours of his own time videotaping the students kayaking adventures on various parts of Lake Winnipesaukee to identify invasive milfoil and then editing the video to fit into their powerpoint application presentation. Chris was also in the classroom videotaping when Team Weedbusters interviewed Stewart Lamprey and made him an ex-officio member of the team. I think the milfoil video had a lot to do with the students winning the first place award for middle schools participating on the east coast.
Generous of Mr. Mega, yes, but more important to me as a parent was the behavior Chris modeled for students when he validated their input, achievement, work ethic, and giving back to the community. Inter-Lakes students will benefit from being involved with a person like Chris Mega.
I urge you to cast your vote for Mr. Mega in the School Board elections on March 12th. You can learn more about Chris Mega on his website at www.chrismega.com.
Dianne Knauss
Meredith

To the editor,
As landowners on the Tenney Mountain Highway in Plymouth, we have closely watched the permitting process for development, in particular the piece of land where a McDonalds and a bank are now being built. We have watched both the Zoning and Planning Board work very hard over the years to ensure that all regulations and laws have been correctly followed during a very complicated and lengthy permitting process and we watched as their decisions were consistently upheld by lower courts and by the state Supreme Court.
We are now very concerned that the same group that challenged and lost the 2007/2008 proposed Lowe's development, that cost the town almost $100,000 in litigation fees, have put forth three zoning amendments which target further development on the site. This group calling themselves Citizens for Clean Water, Flood Preparedness, and the Master Plan contend that Plymouth's Environmentally Sensitive Zone (ESZ) is no longer protected and they have petitioned three zoning amendments to "restore protection". No restoration is needed! The zoning and planning boards are already following the master plan with a balanced common sense approach that is pro-environment and pro-commerce.
We urge you to vote no on Article 2, 3, and 4. The Town of Plymouth is already ensuring that clean water, commercial growth and the ESZ coexist!
Tracey & Dick Burhoe
New Hampton

To the editor,
This letter is to alert the Misters Rodgers, Corliss, Veverka, Siden and others of their ilk to the existence of Article 10 of the N.H. Constitution. I realize they'll probably consider it whimsy but I figured I'd bring to their attention anyway.
"(Art.) 10. (Right of Revolution.) Government being instituted for the common benefit, protection, and security, of the whole community, and not for the private interest or emolument of any one man, family, or class of men; therefore, whenever the ends of government are perverted, and public liberty manifestly endangered, and all other means of redress are ineffectual, the people may, and of right ought to reform the old, or establish a new government. The doctrine of nonresistance against arbitrary power, and oppression, is absurd slavish, and destructive of the good and happiness of mankind."
I would suggest they pay special attention to the last sentence, and if they do, I would hope they would come to the conclusion that maybe those of us who believe in the Constitutions of N.H. and the U.S. and the 2nd. Amendment are not buffoons after all, but that's probably not in the progressive playbook.
Dave Schwotzer
Meredith

To the editor,
We are writing to support Betty Ann Abbott who is running for selectman in Gilmanton. She previously served as a selectman from 2008 to 2011 and has decided to run again. She has a record of being informed on the issues, following through on commitments and providing leadership. She also has served as deputy town clerk and tax collector prior to that for three years. She is very familiar with our town operations and the laws and regulations that govern it. She has an impressive prior career in business working for large and small companies. We need that kind of skill and talent on the board.
It is important to have a balanced board. We believe varied work experience, skill sets, interests and gender work to enhance the committees in our town. We feel Betty Ann will bring the balance this board needs. She has the independence, determination and skills to address the increasingly complicated issues our town is facing. She will not be influenced by politics and personal agendas that undermine the integrity of the office to the detriment of the town.
In the last year, there have been an inordinate number of nonpublic sessions to deal allegedly with so-called personnel matters or items that would affect a person's reputation. We have no idea what has been said in those sessions, but it is important that our selectmen, when acting, are mindful of our state and town regulations and respect the laws of due process. Betty Ann's experience in Human Resources will be a valuable needed asset.
We believe that Betty Ann Abbott is the best person at this time for the job. Please join us in voting for her.
Deborah Chase & John Funk
Nancy Girard
Gena Sapiro and Graham Wilson
Meg and Joe Hempel
Robert Ronstadt
Meg Nighswander
Ella Jo Regan
Nancy Ball & Mark Mallory
Heather & Christopher Hottel
Nancy Way
Stan & Alice Bean
Mary Alice & Allan McCulloch
Gilmanton