Portsmouth NH 400 honors Native Americans; abuse of power alleged in Somersworth: Letters

Portsmouth NH 400 honors Native American history and culture

March 24 — To the Editor:

From the start, the Portsmouth NH 400 team has made it our mission to reflect these key values in everything we do: diversity, inclusion, respect, accessibility, historical accuracy, community pride through education and engagement, sustainability and fun.

In a recent letter to the editor ("Native Americans shortchanged," March 21), the writer reminded us that these values we hold dear are not always apparent. The history on our website didn't accurately reflect those values and that content has been corrected. We apologize for any unintended offense.

While we are celebrating the 400th anniversary of the European settlement of Portsmouth, as are Rye, New Castle, and Dover, we are also honoring the Native Americans who inhabited the Seacoast for thousands of years previously.  In fact, there are many events, programs, exhibitions and projects throughout our anniversary year designed expressly to share, celebrate (and sometimes mourn) all who have gone before us, of every race, gender, age and ethnicity — including those who were (and still are) since time immemorial here in this place we call Portsmouth. The PNH00 legacy book, "A History of Portsmouth NH in 101 Objects,"leads with a map of the canoe routes and trails linking the people of the Piscataqua to Wabanaki communities before colonization and an essay, “N’dalosabna Piscataquak” by Lisa Brooks, Amherst College scholar and author of "Our Beloved Kin: A New History of King Philip’s War."

The Portsmouth Public Library has offered a continuing series of programs, “Indigenous Stories: People of the Dawnland,” since 2019 to provide the historical background we needed for considering PNH400’s engagement with our Native American community. Denise and Paul Pouliot — Denise is the Sag8moskwa (head female speaker) and Paul is the Sag8mo (head male speaker/grand chief) of the Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook-Abenaki People, headquartered in Alton, with Native American storyteller Anne Jennison and their colleagues at Strawbery Banke Museum, have lent their knowledge and insights to the creation of multiple PNH400 programs, events and materials that include and honor our past and present Indigenous populations.

There are dozens of voices and perspectives to be heard, seen, and considered in the months ahead. We hope readers will take some time to review all the selections posted to the calendar of events at PortsmouthNH400.org.

Valerie T. Rochon, managing directorPortsmouth NH 400th Inc.Portsmouth

An 'egregious abuse of power' by Somersworth's Mayor Hilliard

March 22 — To the Editor:

On Monday, March 20, I attended the public comments portion of the Somersworth City Council. I had read a troubling resignation letter from long-serving School Board member Mark Richardson, where Mr. Richardson accused School Board Chair Maggie Larson of toxic leadership and dysfunction. Concerned, I wanted to learn more. In public comment, School Board Chair Larson added context to the strange resignation letter from Mr. Richardson: Richardson had admitted to divulging non-public information from a recent closed School Board meeting. Furthermore, he had divulged that non-public information to the mayor/assistant superintendent (Mr. Dana Hilliard serves in both capacities) and Superintendent Lori Lane, on City Hall premises. This is an egregious violation of a public servant’s oath of office and one can surmise had something to do with his eventual resignation.

However, the public and council were unable to learn more because Mr. Hilliard gaveled down Ms. Larson and cut off her microphone. In simply reading aloud Mr. Richardson’s email admitting to his breach, followed by her reading of the city charter outlining the parameters of an official’s oath, Mr. Hilliard felt that Ms. Larson was “making accusations,” and would not permit her to continue.

No such rule exists that would prevent Ms. Larson or any other member of the public from this speech. However, in this context, it is obvious that Mr. Hilliard felt threatened. The citizens in attendance were shocked by Mr. Hilliard’s decision to silence a public citizen, and chair of the School Board no less.

Outraged myself, I also attempted to provide public remarks. I will admit that my anger was palpable after such an egregious abuse of power, and was candid in my opinion of Mr. Hilliard’s governing style. Mr. Hilliard also found my comments unacceptable, and again gaveled me down and cut off my microphone. What folks at home watching couldn’t hear, then, was Mr. Hilliard accusing his detractors of being motivated by “politics.” I am not surprised that Mr. Hilliard can only fathom that public citizens would be motivated by petty personal politics, and cannot see that a good citizen might be genuinely concerned about abuses of power, corruption, and tactics of harassment and intimidation committed by city leadership.

I fervently hope that the City Council investigates the circumstances of Mr. Richardson’s resignation from the School Board, and that those with the power to do something stand up to the bullies in our government.

Madeline W. DeSantis Wysocki

Somersworth

Black flags on cruisers should be cause for pride, not criticism

March 24 — To the Editor:

I am happy to see that the York police are displaying the U. S. flag on their new cruisers. This shows that our constabulary salutes and respects the flag and what it is to have the protection of the U.S. Constitution. The color scheme of the flag is an obvious non-issue to any reasonable person. It is the woke culture that finds an objection of most everything today and Ms. Nudd’s letter to the editor is another stunning example of how the liberal press panders to these woke causes.

The display of the flag symbolizes pride and respect for our country; the country who is perhaps the world’s largest cash machine supporting every liberal cause abroad. For pundits to criticize this display is tantamount to disrespecting one’s pride in our country.

I applaud the York police chief for taking time to show respect for our flag and what it stands for. One’s individual interpretation is just that, their own and does not speak for the majority of Americans who proudly display the American flag in many ways today. The flag reflects the sacrifices all Americans and their ancestors have made to live in a free country and have the rights and protections we enjoy each day.

T. Stephen McCarthy

Portsmouth

More:Black American flags on York police cruisers spark dispute: Offensive or patriotic?

Nationalized health care isn't the answer

March 24 — To the Editor:

It is unfortunate that Rich DiPentima's sole takeaway from my 28-hour stay in the ER was to nationalize our health care system.

All one has to do is compare wait times for knee replacement surgery in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. Both the United Kingdom and Canada have nationalized health care. The wait time for such a surgery in the United States is 2 to 4 weeks form consultation, in the UK it is 18 weeks and in Canada it is 26 weeks. This is according to Dr. Google.

We are Americans. It is our birthright to get everything immediately.

Mark Brighton

Portsmouth

More:Portsmouth man recounts 24 hours on emergency room gurney. Hospitals face high demand.

Marianne Williamson: A voice for our nation's children

March 26 — To the Editor:

No doubt, the state of the U.S. economy is on the mind of the 60% of Americans who are living paycheck to paycheck.

Presidential candidate Marianne Williamson emphatically states, "The way to take care of our economy tomorrow is by taking care of our children today."

I am writing to state that I am proud to be one of the volunteers supporting the presidential candidacy of Marianne Williamson.

Why?

Because I have been a child advocate ever since the Columbine massacre. If you do the math, that atrocious event took place over 20 years ago.

Last election, I made an effort to be open minded and hear from every presidential candidate that came through the Seacoast area. Ms. Williamson was the only candidate then, and the only 2024 candidate stating they have a policy to address and to acknowledge that children deserve protection, under the law, to be treated as humans.

I invite you to peruse her 2024 official website for her policies. Within her policies, there is one entitled, "U.S. Department of Children & Youth."

We cannot state, as a nation, that we are fundamentally pro-life, and / or pro-family, and then turn a blind eye to the fact that "millions of children lack access consistent access to sufficient and nutritious foods, millions lack healthcare, and millions go to schools lacking school supplies needed to teach a child to read..."

Ms. Williamson's policy to better protect our nation's children addresses trauma, mental health and offers solutions via policy.

Marianne Williamson will be back this April.

I urge those who care for our Seacoast children to visit marianne2024.com to view the policy and to keep abreast of the upcoming events under the "Events" tab.

Suzanne Barton

Rye

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth honors Native Americans; Somersworth power abuse: Letters