Letters to the Editor
Steamed in Strafford
I must take issue with Lynn Anderson’s comments in her Letter to the Editor [June 2006]. Perhaps if she considers her own words, she may appreciate the “resentment” of the “locals” she “regards as … neighbors and friends.” Maybe instead of “regarding” those around her, she should get to know them as the hard-working, good-hearted individuals they are, rather than the quaint indigenous people that she obviously feels should be grateful for the “influx of wealth” that she and others bring with them. In a state where the median annual household income hovers around $52,409, and in some areas (Coos County) is as low as $35,201, to trumpet that her family pays $32,000 in taxes annually merely emphasizes how far removed that segment of the population is from the average New Hampshire working family, couple or individual.
Yes, we appreciate what every person contributes to our state and our economy, but those who grace us with their retirement or vacation dollars have done nothing that calls for gratitude. In the old New England Yankee way, that’s just pulling your own weight — not a reason for supplication on the part of the “locals.”
Regarding the “mega-mansions and expensive restaurants” that Ms. Anderson feels are scorned by the “naysayers,” though she may consider me one of that group, I do enjoy reading about and seeing those features. I view them in much the same way I enjoyed the Sears Wish Book as a child, or the Neiman-Marcus Christmas Catalog today; lots of fun to look at, but not very relevant to my everyday life. As for the “suburban mindsets,” maybe she should consider and remember the reasons she was attracted to New Hampshire. Ours is not so much a resentment of the “suburban mindsets” as it is a desire to protect the rural properties that make New Hampshire what it is from the effects of an influx of population moving here for the “rural mindset,” but then expecting and demanding the same services and conveniences that are part of the environment they chose to leave.
Anne M. McKivergan
Strafford
Deep Six the Politics
Do we really need a Capital Offenses article in this magazine? Do we still have to hear the crying of people that Bush is bad, Democrats are good. Stop it already. Like it or not, Bush is our President. The article written by Ted (hiccup) Kennedy oh, I mean Jack Kenny, just ticked me off. It really had nothing to do with why I buy this magazine. I have been noticing that your magazine is starting to have a political agenda. Let’s not forget that over half of Americans voted for a Republican President. So why would you want to tick off over half of your readers?
If you want to get political, let’s start in New Hampshire and talk about a Democratic governor and New Hampshire’s view tax that has evaluated my home $50,000.00 more for my view. Oh, by the way my view is of a dairy farm and silage pits with pretty black tires covering the tarp. Let’s also not forget if you exclude some of New Hampshire’s larger cities, the rest of New Hampshire is highly conservative. Let’s stick to events in New Hampshire and stuff Kenny’s agenda under the Bush.
Mike Fusco
Orford
DREDing Change?
I read with amusement Jack Kenny’s Capitol Offenses in the April edition. It seems that Commissioner Bald has seen the light regarding DRED’s name. While representing District 2 in the Legislature, I was the prime sponsor of HB 536 (cosponsored by Sen. John Gallus and Rep. “Rip” Holden), which would have changed the name of DRED to the Department of Commerce, Trade and Technology. I thought that was more appropriate in the highly competitive world that the State now competes in. Coming from a tourism family (my grandfather Jim Brady founded Six Gun City) and having traveled the world for international business development, I am acutely aware of the various business interests of the state. I hoped the legislation would start a genuine dialogue within the Legislature and DRED. Instead, I was confronted at the public hearing by a hostile DRED, represented by Parks and Recreation Director Dick McLeod, who urged the lawmakers to kill the bill. There was no interest by Commissioner Bald to explore the issue. Is the Commissioner willing to support new legislation next session?
Mark A. Brady
Jefferson
Podcasts, Please
I wanted to tell you how much I enjoy receiving and reading NH Magazine. In particular, I enjoy your Editor’s Notes columns. I would love to have podcasts that I could download for some of the items in your magazine such as your columns. Yankee Magazine does some podcasts and I enjoy listening to them as I travel and exercise. Thanks for a monthly treat received in the heart of Dixie
Joanne Bassett
Memphis, Tenn.
Send letters to: Editor, NH Magazine, 150 Dow St., Manchester, NH 03101 or editor@nhmagazine.com. Letters may be edited. Please include home town.
