Thanks to Meredith voters for supporting skate park revival

To The Daily Sun,

Last Wednesday's Meredith Town Meeting was great for the Father of a 44-year-old skateboarder who has been skating for 31 years. When he started, it was against the rules to skate almost anywhere in Meredith. If you got caught the police would take your skateboard and it would be impounded at the station. To tell you how much it bothered Lars, at one time he had six of them there. Take it one day and he would buy one the next. Back then, we are talking a $100 a pop. He always said It wasn't fair that there was no place to ride.

Years later after Glen Hart died unexpectedly, in 1998, and his wife Linda donated money to build a skateboard park. It was a great asset for the young people of the area, and was dedicated in 1993. Unlike other parks in N.H. and throughout the country, our park was only opened when paid supervision was there. This meant that many of the skateboarders who worked would hurry up there as soon as they could only find it closed. At the present time, because of disrepair, the park can't be used.

Brendan Hart launched a fundraiser drive last year to replace the park's elements. A friends group is back in operation, headed up by Peter Thorndike and it petitioned a sum of $ 25,000 from the voters as a "show of faith" by the town.

It was really great to see the people who showed up with their support for all the Harts have done for the town and beyond. I also want to thank a past Selectman Frank Michel for asking for an amendment to raise the sum to $50,000. It was overwhelming in the affirmative.

Brendan Hart could not be here, as he is in Grenoble, France taking graduate classes. I did get to meet his brother Colin and a lot of other young supporters.

There were 18 articles on this year's warrant. The Selectboard supported the first 17. When it got to article 18, the skate park, three recommended it and two did not — Ray Moritz and Jeanie Forrester. They would back the appropriation, just not at this time. They felt it was premature and needed more money before they would support it.

I have a hard time understanding why they weren't willing to have faith in these young people. My favorite public servant, Jeanie Forrester, ran for the State Senate, did she know who would support her in funds and votes. Of course she didn't, but what she did do is work hard and earned the trust of the voters. And she did a wonderful job and I will forever thank her.

I want to thank the voters who believed in these young people and like someone said, there needs to be more of this for our young people (no matter what, I still love you, Jeanie).

In a sad note, Linda Hart was doing everything to make the new park a reality by supporting Brendan and his friends passed away unexpectedly this past year. I am sure Glenn and Linda are looking down with a smile on their faces.

I think of this a lot more than a skate park.

L. Michael Hatch

Meredith