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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
Panasiti Thanks Town for Support
To the editor:
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve you as one of your selectmen for 9 of the 24 years I have been a resident of Amherst. As my final term expires, I would like to say ‘thank you” to the many people (too numerous to name) who have nurtured, supported and voted for me during my selectman tenure. Amherst is absolutely one of N.H.’s best towns in which to live and raise a family.
Successfully managing a town requires hard work, dedication and great volunteers. If someone asked me if I had any regrets or if I would do anything differently, then how would I answer? I could honestly say that of all the decisions made and all the budget items discussed, I can only think of one thing I wish I would have done differently. I do wish I would have showed more support for our Planning Board.
Up to now the Planning Board has been chosen by the Selectmen. Going forward, board members will be elected by our townspeople. I honestly believe that is the wrong choice and one that is not good for Amherst.
The Planning Board is one of, if not, the most significant board in any town. When we selectmen appoint members to the board, we base our decisions on that person’s ability and performance, present and past, concerning planning and town development. It should not be a popularity contest based on personality or politics. It should solely be based on experience, talent, and their abilities to understand and interpret city, town and state regulations.
This past year, due to several resignations, the selectmen had to reorganize the Planning Board. We chose William Stoughton, Christopher Yates, Arnold Rosenblatt, Tracie Adams, and Christy C. Houpis. I am pleased to say, each of these members will be running for board positions in our June election.
So please join me in supporting these candidates for the Amherst Planning Board:
• William “Bill” Stoughton, Christopher “Chris” Yates – 3 years term
• Arnold Rosenblatt – 2-year term.
• Tracie Adams, Christy C. Houpis – 1 year term
Each of these individuals are experienced planning board members who will continue to properly apply the planning rules and regulation. They are respectful of others and will be attentive to the views of applicants, abutters and all others who might appear before the board.
Again, Thank you all for your support and for your consideration of these candidates for Amherst Planning Board.
Reed Panasiti
Amherst
Rosenblatt Has Experience and Understanding of Planning Board
To the editor:
Please vote for Arnie Rosenblatt for a two year term on Amherst’s Planning Board.
A long time member, Arnie has the necessary experience and understanding of the town and it’s zoning ordinances to be an outstanding member. As the chairman this year, he skillfully guided a relatively inexperienced board through several complex applications, ensuring that the rights and concerns of both the public as well as the applicant were respected and upheld.
He is the only candidate who has an extensive institutional knowledge of the planning process. Please cast your vote for him. He will serve the town well.
Cynthia Dokmo
Amherst
Parisi Will Be an Asset on School Board
To the editor:
I am pleased to be writing in support of Victoria Parisi for the Amherst School Board. I have had the pleasure of knowing Victoria for nearly 10 years and I know her to be an outstanding advocate for all things centered on the children of Amherst.
She is organized, well respected, fair minded, very knowledgeable and has years of involvement in a great variety of school related activities. She will be a great asset to the Amherst School Board. Please vote for Victoria Parisi.
Sue Ruggiero
Amherst
Re-Elect John D’Angelo to BOS
To the editor:
As Town elections draw near I ask you to trust me once more with another term as selectman. It is an honor and a pleasure to have served as your selectman for the past three years. Thank you!
I am pleased with the progress we have made on controlling the budget, consolidating the Fire and EMS departments, refurbishing the police station, rebuilding our bridges, broadening recreation offerings for all age groups, acquiring the Buckmeadow Conservation and Recreation area (using zero taxpayer dollars), and developing and following a seven-year road improvement plan.
We have made progress on returning some of the excess funds in the town’s unassigned balance to the voters, but there is more work to do, here and elsewhere. I remain committed to openness and transparency in town budgeting and operations. I look forward to the next three years of progress.
I hope I can count on your support on June 8th.
Thank you!
John D’Angelo
Amherst
Danielle Pray Seeks Seat on Board of Selectmen
To the editor:
Hi, my name is Danielle Pray and I am a candidate for a position on the Amherst Board of Selectmen.
My husband, Steven, and I relocated to beautiful Amherst just over 10 years ago with our two children. After 20+ years working in the legal field, I became a stay at home mom to our two young children. I am a law school graduate and also continued my legal studies and earned a Master of Laws degree.
I am running for Selectman to continue my dedicated service to Amherst. I first began volunteering in Amherst through an appointment on the Capital Improvements Plan Committee in 2014. This committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Planning Board and Board of Selectmen on priorities for funding of requested capital improvement projects. I have served on this committee for 6 years. In 2018, I was appointed an alternate member on the Zoning Board of Adjustment and then, in 2019, elected by Amherst residents as a regular member. I currently serve as Vice Chair. I am also presently a member of the Ways & Means committee, having served two years in this position which reviews the town budget as proposed by the Selectmen.
Through my education, knowledge, and experience in town affairs, I have the qualifications to continue serving Amherst as a Selectman. My familiarity with the town’s budget through my work on the Ways & Means committee has prepared me for the most important role of the Board. I have had the pleasure of regularly attending all Selectmen meetings for over two years now and the knowledge learned along the way has prepared me to seamlessly make the leap from citizen to Selectman.
In addition, from my experience on the zoning board and my legal knowledge, I have become wholly equipped to manage and understand the land use and zoning policy issues that have recently challenged Amherst. I will work with the land use boards in town to advocate for updating our zoning ordinances to reflect the vision outlined in our upcoming master plan. Amherst is a unique town in many ways and I am an advocate for maintaining these beneficial characteristics for the enjoyment of all residents.
My volunteerism doesn’t begin and end with town events and happenings. I have also served in various roles in local charitable and youth organizations. I will bring a strong service-oriented perspective to the role of Selectman coupled with the education, knowledge and experience required to succeed in this position.
Please visit my website at www.DanielleforAmherst.com to view my goals and priorities and contact me via email at pray4nh@pm.me with any issues or concerns you may have. I respectfully ask for your vote on June 8th and look forward to serving the residents of Amherst.
Thank you,
Danielle Pray
Amherst