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
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
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!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Welcome
My name is Stephanie Hooton and I am pleased that I have been selected as President of the the Alliance of Derry Taxpayers (ADT). As President, I hope to bring some new ideas to the group. I have lived in Derry for 11 years but did not become involved with the ADT until late in 2008. My main reason for joining this group was concern over my rising tax bill, and like most taxpayers in Derry, I was looking for ways to help bring this under control.
Since joining ADT and becoming more involved in town politics, I have found there is a very obvious divide between groups in town and a severe feeling of "us against them". I've heard that the ADT is "against the schools", and other such rumors and I think it's time the citizens of Derry try to work together. My goal as President of the ADT is to improve citizen awareness of the issues that face the town, improve voter turnout and increase overall involvement from all taxpayers.
The bottom line is we are all in this together. I have two children in the Derry school system and I fully support the excellent school system we have here in Derry. I also know the impact that the upcoming changes in state school funding are going to have on our tax bills if we cannot find ways to get things in check. The current Charter Commission is investigating options, but citizen involvement so far has been rather weak.
There are a lot of smart people who live in this town with a lot of great ideas. If the ADT can harness these ideas and get more people involved, we can all realize improvements in our town government and our personal financial outlook. No one likes having their homes devalued and their tax rate climb, so it's time to unite! It's easy to sit home and complain, I did it for 9 years. It's a little harder to get out and try to do something. I decided it was my time to get involved and I hope others are ready to take action as well.
The ADT welcomes all new ideas and new faces.
We created this blog to have civil discussions about issues that face us all. We may not agree on everything, but we should be able to talk about our differences and work together.
Stephanie Hooton
Derry, NH
President - Alliance of Derry Taxpayers
Since joining ADT and becoming more involved in town politics, I have found there is a very obvious divide between groups in town and a severe feeling of "us against them". I've heard that the ADT is "against the schools", and other such rumors and I think it's time the citizens of Derry try to work together. My goal as President of the ADT is to improve citizen awareness of the issues that face the town, improve voter turnout and increase overall involvement from all taxpayers.
The bottom line is we are all in this together. I have two children in the Derry school system and I fully support the excellent school system we have here in Derry. I also know the impact that the upcoming changes in state school funding are going to have on our tax bills if we cannot find ways to get things in check. The current Charter Commission is investigating options, but citizen involvement so far has been rather weak.
There are a lot of smart people who live in this town with a lot of great ideas. If the ADT can harness these ideas and get more people involved, we can all realize improvements in our town government and our personal financial outlook. No one likes having their homes devalued and their tax rate climb, so it's time to unite! It's easy to sit home and complain, I did it for 9 years. It's a little harder to get out and try to do something. I decided it was my time to get involved and I hope others are ready to take action as well.
The ADT welcomes all new ideas and new faces.
We created this blog to have civil discussions about issues that face us all. We may not agree on everything, but we should be able to talk about our differences and work together.
Stephanie Hooton
Derry, NH
President - Alliance of Derry Taxpayers
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