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Letters
Region
Obituaries
Abstract Paintings & Tribal Masks Exhibition At New Hampshire Antique Co-Op
Now on view through May 31, 2020
Congregational Church Stays Connected
During the suspension of in-person activities in light of the Covid-19 situation, the Congregational Church of Amherst, UCC has a variety of ways for members and others to connect with church programs. This is especially important during April as Holy Week and Easter are on the horizon.
The most up-to-date information about church activities can be found on the church’s website (ccamherst.org) or by calling the church office at 673-3231. Sunday services are broadcast on FacebookLive and recorded for later on-line viewing. Services are followed by a Virtual Fellowship Hour. Links for these and other events can be found on the website.
The church’s Facebook page is another source of information, including updates and video messages from the pastors. Pastors Maureen Frescott and Kate Kennedy are available to provide pastoral care during this time, and the church welcomes community members to connect with this loving, serving, open and affirming community of faith.
Lorraine Alice Hamilton
AMHERST – Lorraine Alice Hamilton of Amherst, New Hampshire, Beach Haven, New Jersey and Rancho Mirage, California died June 14, 2020 from pancreatic cancer at her home in California. She was 73 years old and a participant in the trial of a new cancer drug at NYU Langone in New York City since April 2019. She hoped that results from the trial would improve care for other patients who develop this cancer. She was with her family when she died and was
Donald Richard Haaker
Donald Richard Haaker, 80, born June 2, 1940, son of Carl E Haaker and Jeanne LaRochelle Haaker of Fitchburg, MA, son, brother, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, peacefully passed away on Sunday, June 7, 2020 at Saint Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, MA.
Don, as he was affectionately referred to by friends, and Dad or Grandpa by family, was a proud veteran, avid fisherman, former business owner, collector of “As Seen On TV” gadgets, and
More Letters
Yates is Candidate for Planning Board
To the editor:
My name is Chris Yates and I am proud to announce my candidacy for the Amherst Planning Board for a three-year term. I became interested in the planning board in 2019 after attending a monthly planning meeting. It became quickly apparent there was a need for members with leadership to provide direction, openly communicate with a clear and concise voice with applicants and the community. I volunteered, was selected as an alternate and I have served for the past year. I have spent the time listening, learning the state laws, local ordinance, and rules of procedure, I am prepared to dive into this position on day one!
My family and I lived in Merrimack, NH for 5 years while stationed at Hanscom Air Force base and we fell in love with New Hampshire. My wife and I realized as we headed to our new assignment driving across the NH/MA state line this was home and we would be back. We moved back to Amherst in 2018 after being away for 8 years, we are excited to be back home and be a part of the Amherst community.
I am a retired Air Force Cyber Security Officer and have served in many leadership positions at home and abroad as a strategic planner, project manager, and cyber security engineer. I have served the community as a Boy Scout leader for the past 15 years in various positions and am a member of the BSA National Fishing Committee. My wife Chiara and I have three amazing children.
I am not anti-development however, how a development affects the community, water, home density, community services, traffic, and township taxes must be reviewed in an objective manner. The next several years are vital to Amherst’s future and with transparent leadership and open communication with the community, I would like to set the following goals for the Amherst Planning Board.
1. Complete a theme-based master plan with input and continued community communication to plan the look and feel of Amherst for the next 10 years.
2. Work with community boards, ZBA, and the planning board to update outdated statutes, to encourage a rural and small town feel while balancing the rights of all.
3. Create transparent repeatable procedures for Amherst citizens, outside developers, and the planning board to follow.
It is important to incorporate early, strategic planning that shapes the future growth of our town. That starts with the Master Plan and continues with the town committees and departments reviewing and incorporating this master vision into ordinances and procedures. Development will happen and we must be ready to direct and work with all involved parties.
I respectfully ask for your vote on 9 March 2021.
Chris Yates
Amherst
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Houpis Seeks Elected Position on Planning Board
To the editor:
My name is Christy Houpis and I am proud to be running for the Amherst New Hampshire Planning Board for a single year term. I was appointed to the Amherst Planning Board as an Alternate eighteen months ago, after many long time Amherst friends and neighbors urged me to volunteer.
During my interview by the Select Board, I stated Amherst will need to balance land development with its rural character and desire for open space. I worked to achieve this during my 18-month tenure on the Planning Board by asking important questions, engaging in comprehensive reviews, requesting independent impartial analyses, encouraging an open dialogue with residents and developers alike while ensuring full transparency during all proceedings. These are the same objectives I commit to pursing if elected to the Planning Board.
I recognize change is the only constant and do not follow an anti-developer, not-in-my-backyard approach. However, I have not and would not be a rubber stamp for development approval. I respect property owner rights to develop land while clearly embracing the Planning Board’s responsibility, stated in its regulations, to manage development applications with the needs, safety and quality of life of Amherst residents. Each perspective of landowner/developer and Amherst resident is valid and protected under the Planning Board’s charter and can be simultaneously considered.
The value of any development, commercial or residential, must be understood in conjunction with the impact to life in Amherst including water, traffic, emergency services, educational systems, and open space. I know competing objectives can be balanced. While not having decades on a Zoning or Planning Board, I ran a cellular telephone company for many years and creatively and successfully balanced the competing objectives to meet public demands for mobile communications with the equally strong desire to not have visible cell sites.
Born in New Hampshire, I am not a native of Amherst and have only lived here for the last 32 years. But I love Amherst, its community, its character and, most importantly, its beautiful charm. It is the hometown where my wife and I live. Its where we raised our daughter. It is where I hope to live out my life. Because of this deep appreciation for our town, its residents and the people who serve it, I am asking for your vote.
I have no other political aspirations or agendas beyond giving back to our community by providing knowledge and continuity during the transition from an appointed to an elected board, helping produce an inclusive Master Plan and supporting the updating of our ordinances given the residents’ repeal of the IIHO.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Christy C. Houpis
Amherst
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