Monday, August 2, 2010

ADT Hosts Candidates Forum

The Alliance of Derry Taxpayers will be hosting a forum for District 1 House of Representative Candidates on Thursday, August 12th at 7:00 pm, at the Marion Gerrish Community Center. All 6 candidates were invited to attend, and 3 have been confirmed - Rich Ashooh, Bob Bestani, and Peter Bearse. In addition, Jay Ruais will be attending on behalf of Frank Guinta. Each candidate will be speaking to the group for 10 minutes, followed by a question and answer session. Anyone interested in learning more about these candidates, or the Alliance of Derry Taxpayers is encouraged to attend.

Click the link below for the official press release.


www.nhinsider.com/press-releases/2010/7/31/alliance-of-derry-taxpayers-will-host-congressional-forum.html

Friday, May 14, 2010

The ADT Blog is still alive!

It's been a little slow here lately, but we're hanging in there and still following key issues like 4A and the school funding. Feel free to talk Derry politics here, or anything else that's on your mind. Thanks for visiting our blog!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Improving Voter Turnout

So we handed out some cards and candy canes at the holiday parade to try and get more folks involved and spread our message that "In Derry, every vote counts". Any other ideas on what we can do to get more folks to the polls?

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Pinkerton Freshmen Building

The following was submitted to the local papers. I'd like to hear how others feel about this matter.

To the Editor - Now is not the time

During last week's meeting of the Alliance of Derry Taxpayers, the subject of the school budget was discussed in detail, specifically the impact it will have on Derry taxpayers. In addition to the looming state budget cuts that may result in a $7.5 million cut in funding from the state, we are also faced with the increased cost of pensions and insurance. As if these issues are not enough to make citizens worry about how our town and school budgets will be impacted, Pinkerton Academy announced plans to begin construction on the Freshmen Academy next year, at an estimated cost of $20 to $25 million. It seems we have a perfect storm brewing in Derry and unfortunately it is the tax payers who will be hit the hardest.

The ADT understands that the trustees at Pinkerton think they are doing the right thing for their incoming freshmen, but now is not the time. With the current economic challenges faced by us all as individuals, we do not need the additional burden of funding this as tax payers. Even with the decrease in bonding and construction costs, this additional burden could not come at a worse time.

We also understand the need to get rid of the portable classrooms, but recent studies have shown that enrollment in grades 1-8 has been on the decline for the last 5 to 8 years. Surely there are more cost effective ways to increase classroom space on a more appropriate scale.

As to the other challenges we face, we have met with members of the school board to find ways that the ADT can help with the budget issues we face in Concord. There is still time to try and affect change in the state aid formula being used and we agree that we must all work together. However we do not have the ability to directly offer input on the decisions being made at Pinkerton.

In that regard, the ADT would like to respectfully ask the Pinkerton Board of Trustees to reconsider their decision and think of the challenges being faced by the communities that send their students. We would also ask the tax payers in Derry, Chester and Hampstead to let their thoughts be known and contact Pinkerton directly. We will all be impacted by this decision.

Stephanie Hooton
Derry, NH
President - Alliance of Derry Taxpayers

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Charter Commission

What's up with the Charter Commission? Discuss it here.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Exit 4A Discussion

A special meeting of the Town Council was held last night to discuss and vote on an additional $600,000 in funding for the completion of the Environmental Impact Statement. The vote was postponed by Charter Objection until the next Council meeting on Oct. 27th. What are your thoughts?

Suggestion Box

Do you have an idea, suggestion or question for the ADT or the Town Council? Here's the place to post them!