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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
Letters
Amherst School Board
Future Plans for Amherst School District Buildings
To the editor:
JFAC Update:
Learn more about the future plans for the Amherst School District buildings at the public information session on October 12th at 6:30pm at Wilkins Elementary.
Everyone is invited to join. Public forums have been scheduled monthly and are on the SAU calendar found at SAU39.org. We invite you to come out to learn about the proposed project for the elementary building as well as the renovation project to update the Amherst Middle School. Information regarding the project is continuously updated and can be found at https://jfac.sau39.org.
Unassigned Fund Balance Update:
At the June 14, 2021 meeting the Amherst School Board approved up to $300,000 out of the Unassigned Fund Balance (UFB) to complete a series of facilities projects and purchase additional technology equipment for the Clark, Wilkins, and Amherst Middle Schools. We are happy to report that the actual total costs are approximately $40,000 less than projected, and approximately $60,000 less than the Board approved UFB expenditure.
Additionally, over the last few months the Amherst and Souhegan Cooperative School Districts have been participating in the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) with the Town of Amherst. The intent of the CIP is to develop a plan that level sets the taxes required to support future capital expenditure projects town wide. As part of this process, the SAU has provided information from the Amherst and Souhegan Capital Needs Analysis (CNA) on all significant capital projects planned to be completed over the next 5 years.
Since last year’s CIP project submissions, there have been changes in the funding sources for several of Amherst’s CNA projects that have resulted in significant savings. In house staff completed a Clark School lighting upgrade and partially completed an AMS lighting upgrade. In addition, the FY21 UFB was used to partially fund the replacement of failing moveable walls at AMS.
It should be noted that as part of last year’s CIP process, the SAU reported the potential need to raise funds in 2024 and 2026 in addition to the planned Capital Reserve Fund requests. The cost savings realized by using in-house staff and the Board’s decision to use FY21 UFB has eliminated the need to raise these additional funds through taxation. The SAU Facilities Department should be commended for saving the Amherst School District significant costs associated with these capital needs projects.
Volunteers Needed!:
Our schools are in need of volunteers! Please consider joining the Amherst PTA and getting involved at our buildings. The PTA, in conjunction with administration, has helped streamline the necessary background check needed to volunteer. Simply pick up a volunteer packet at the Brick School (1 School Street), fill out the appropriate forms, bring them to the police station, complete fingerprinting, and return all forms to the Brick School with a fee of $21.25. The whole process takes no more than an hour.
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Upcoming Meetings/Events:
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October 4th, 6pm: Amherst School Board: Souhegan Learning Commons
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October 8th and 11th:: No School In-service/Columbus Day
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October 12th, 6:30pm: JFAC public forum: Wilkins MPR
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November, 2nd: 6pm: Amherst School Board: Souhegan Learning Commons
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Sincerely,
Tom Gauthier, Chair
Elizabeth Kuzsma, Vice Chair
Terri Behm
Josh Conklin
Victoria Parisi
Let's Provide Housing for a More Diverse NH
To the editor:
New Hampshire is facing a housing shortage which affects residents of most income brackets. With rental housing availability at less than 2% solutions are needed to increase the quantity of housing for young families and workers. However, the anti-growth group Bedford Residents Association (BRA) rails against commonsense, environmentally friendly ideas of new urbanism, practiced in hundreds of cities and towns across the US and globally like walkable blocks and streets, decreasing single-use, low-density development and promotion of public transit and bikes. The BRA departs from old fashioned NIMBYism to down right racism reminiscent of the White Citizens Councils in the South decades ago which opposed desegregation and other civil rights advances. The BRA objects to a “lack of division by “race and income” (i.e. social engineering and redistribution of wealth)” warning that “Regional government make sure no town is lacking a “mix” of people of all socio-economic levels.”.
Apparently the idea of having to share a neighborhood with people that may not look like you is frightening to the BRA, which makes it clear that desegregated housing and communities need to be actively opposed.
This view is an obvious reaction to the fact that NH is becoming more diverse with 2020 census data showing a nearly 75 percent jump in non-white residents during the last decade.
This antiquated, discriminatory view point is a dangerous deterrent to the economic development and smart growth the Granite State desperately needs to ensure continued growth of our economy for the benefit of everyone.


Bill Maddocks
Amherst