Include old NH State House in design of Portsmouth's Market Square: Letters
Include old State House in design of Market Square
June 25 − To the Editor:
It is great to read to what degree Portsmouth’s patriotic citizens are concerned about preserving our community’s rich history. Which is why any redesign of Market Square should include a pedestrian space and a monument on the footprint of the original New Hampshire State House.
From 1760 until 1836 the New Hampshire State House stood in the middle of Market Square and is where the Declaration of Independence was publicly read on July 18, 1776 and President George Washington spoke from the Balcony on October 31, 1789. Those events make the space one of the most historic in New Hampshire and the importance of this site should be recognized and honored rather than using it as a banal crossroads for cars and trucks to drive over.
While I’m not suggesting that we reconstruct the building, we should etch the outline of the building into the ground, place some kind of monument in the middle, and change the traffic pattern to a roundabout on the outside so that motor vehicles can circulate around the footprint of that historic building rather than over it.
Incorporating the Old State House into the redesign of Market Square would be a terrific way of honoring our historic past while enhancing the visitor experience.
Jonathan Sandberg
Portsmouth
Hampton Historical Society benefits from partnership with Beach Club Casino
June 26 − To the Editor:
The partnership between New Hampshire nonprofits and charitable gaming venues has provided much needed revenue to charities in the Seacoast region and beyond. In particular, the Hampton Historical Society’s long-standing relationship with Beach Club Casino has provided significant income to help keep the Society a vibrant and exciting place. On top of that, the casino has always treated our organization and other nonprofits as valued partners.
New Hampshire is the only state with a gaming model allowing nonprofits to share in a significant portion of the gaming revenue generated through table games and Historical Horse Racing (HHR) machines.
It is a particularly exciting time for Beach Club Casino and its nonprofit partners. Granite State Gaming & Hospitality is making a significant investment in Hampton Beach, with the recent rebranding of Ocean Gaming Casino to Beach Club Casino and recent renovations to create a more lively and inviting player experience. The venue’s gaming space has been expanded by about 1,400 square feet and now encompasses the entire building.
With its recent expansion, 50 new HHR machines and a redesigned space with a beach club feel, the venue will contribute a projected $2 million for up to 73 nonprofits annually, about double what the business contributed in 2023. The additional revenue will provide essential income to the Hampton Historical Society and other participating charities.
If you are looking for a great day in the Hampton Beach area, visit the Hampton Historical Society (www.hamptonhistoricalsociety.org) in the afternoon (Wed., Fri., Sun.), then head to Beach Club Casino for an evening of fun. You will receive a first-rate experience right in the heart of beautiful Hampton Beach, while helping support local nonprofits with much needed revenue.
Ed Baechtold
Treasurer, Hampton Historical Society
We'll miss our Casella driver, a ray of sunshine
June 25 − To the Editor:
Yesterday was a sad day for me. It was the last day for our crew of Casella Trash and Recycling. We have the most beautiful and kind driver who always gets out of the truck to greet our ancient dog Posie, and carries the empty garbage up the steps for me – a true Ray of sunlight, and warm service, a rare treat these days.
Nancy Borden
New Castle
A question for Kelly Ayotte
June 17 − To the Editor:
As the former Attorney General and chief law enforcement officer for the State of New Hampshire are you going to be supporting a convicted felon for the office of President of the United States?
Anthony McManus
Dover
Happy retirement to Deputy City Clerk Valerie French
June 17 − To the Editor:
I would like to voice my appreciation to Deputy City Clerk, Valerie French, for her years of service to us, the residents of Portsmouth.
She has worn many hats, from taking City Council minutes to “being there” during the pandemic, and always with a quiet smile.
Thank you, Valerie. We will miss you. Happy Retirement!
Patricia Bagley
Portsmouth
Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
June 23 − To the Editor:
Nothing like mowing your lawn, weed whacking and spending time on your garden, making your house look perfect. Then running to Lowe’s only to get at your towns intersection and see a bunch of signs. Gutters cleaned, roofing, houses washed, junk hauls, etc,. This is getting out of hand. It is littering and junk, making our towns look like crap everywhere.
If you call anyone to do work from one of these signs, shame on you. These businesses need to pay for advertising and stop making our towns look horrible. It is illegal to put signs on telephone poles as it could be dangerous however, the electric companies don’t do a thing.
The police department, commented “it’s the same as political signs”. No, it’s not the same as all the political signs get taken down and are temporary. None of these businesses have any intention of taking their signs down and they hope they stay up forever. Even taking some signs down they just replace them like it’s their property.
Landscaping companies will mow and then put the signs back up, really? It would be so simple for the police department to call the numbers on every single sign in their town and tell them to take them down or they will be charged for littering with each sign. However, they just drive by and don’t even care. Enough is enough, we need to get out of our cars and take these signs down ourselves.
Do you really want our towns to have signs that say junk hauls as they are actually putting up junk signs at every single intersection. Why doesn’t every business in every town just put up signs. Soon enough they’ll be 20 signs at every single intersection. It’s disgusting, unprofessional, unethical and it is littering. I understand the political signs, bus companies that need help and yard sale signs that get taken down however, all this rinky-dink business signage has to stop.
A law needs to be passed to make it illegal and fine them but until then it’s up to us to take them down. They are everywhere so take notice. Quit driving by and glancing at them. Get out of your car and take them down today and everyday. Make your town and our State great again!
Michelle Shaw
Portsmouth
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This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Include old NH State House in design of Market Square: Letters
