Beverly Kempton

To the editor:

I’m sure the rest of Alton is as disappointed and concerned as I am to see that Loring Carr and Cydney Johnson have chosen not to run for re-election to the School Board. Three years ago voters in Alton turned out in record numbers demanding change and change is what we got.

Both Mr. Carr and Ms. Johnson have approached their term on the school board with a very straightforward agenda. Fiscal responsibility, accountability and honesty, to name a few. This was probably most evident at our deliberative session Feb. 3, as both made amendment after amendment to correct warrant articles and ensure that the proper numbers were presented to the Town. This took courage, honesty, and at some points criticism from the public for errors that were not attributable to either of them. The easy thing to do would have been to ignore these errors and move the articles as presented, but they were too honest to do that.

Mr. Carr leaving at such a critical time during the high school building project will surely leave a void. Is there anyone that has spent as much time on this as he has? Can someone step in and continue the work and ensure that this $19.2 million investment is everything we paid for and expected it to be?

We are in the middle of tackling a new project at the elementary school. Who will continue to work toward reaching an acceptable solution to the problems the current facility presents? Will others devote the time necessary to ensure that we find a long-term, fiscally responsible solution? Will they make sure the voice of the voter is heard, that we, the taxpayer know the true cost of a project of this magnitude?

We have lost the chair of both of our boards. We have lost the two people who have established a good working relationship with our neighbors in Barnstead, taking what used to be a very divided joint board to a board that now works as one. Who will continue to be this voice of reason?

The hours necessary to serve on any public board are too numerous to count. Add to that regular meeting schedule committee work and it’s easy to understand why they may have chosen to not run. Perhaps we should have shown out appreciation more openly. So many people are now talking about how much these two will be missed — maybe we should have talked about it earlier. Maybe there is still time to convince them that we need them to continue the work they have started.

Even through personal attacks, both Mr. Carr and Ms. Johnson continued to treat people with dignity and respect. It’s too bad the same treatment was not returned. They have done well by those who elected them.

If you agree with me, please call both of them. Ask them to reconsider. Tell them this is too important to let go.

Beverly Kempton

Alton