Praise for Seacoast photographer, reporter; $100K salary isn't what it used to be: Letters
Deb Cram is a great photographer
May 12 — To the Editor:
I think that Deb Cram is a great photographer. Her photographs in today's paper, May 12, are exceptional. The framing and perspective of all three photographs capture the overwhelming sadness of the situation for the Hughes family.
Diane Dooda
Rochester
Thank you for accurate coverage of New Castle land purchase
May 11 — To the Editor:
I write this letter of thanks for the superior coverage provided to your readers, both online and in print. Clearly, the voters spoke with 72 percent in favor of purchasing the Coast Guard property in New Castle. Although initially opposed, I am neither unhappy nor dissatisfied with the outcome, and frankly am pleased to see this small parcel of land become a town asset.
Also, I especially recognize the fine reporting by Rhianwen Watkins with her articles. Wednesday’s story was an accurate and fair assessment of the events that took place at the most inept town meeting in recent history. While not allowed to briefly outline the impact of future expenditures, I know most residents will accept tax increases in stride.
Further to my last quote in Ms. Watkins’ article, Mr. Stewart and I have cordially exchanged mutual assurances we’ll continue to work together, always in the best interests of our town.
Again, my thanks to you and your team.
Tom F. Smith
Chairman, New Castle Budget Committee
$100,000 salary isn't what it used to be
May 13 — To the Editor:
Every year for as long as I can remember the Herald has published a list of Portsmouth City employees who made $100,000 or more. The list comes out in the spring shortly after city residents get their property tax bill.
$100,000 today is not the same as $100,000 15 years ago. Using the Bureau of Labor Statistic Consumer Price index database today’s $100,000 is equal to $70,768 in April 2008. If someone making $71,000 in 2008 was not worth being outed in the paper, why is the equivalent amount worthy today? Put another way, $100,000 in 2008 dollars is equal to $141,307 today.
If the paper began the $100,000 list 20 years ago the equivalent pay today would be $165,590. Whether the paper uses the $100,000 of 2008 or 2003 as its base it needs to create an equivalent sum adjusted for inflation. Otherwise in 20 years most of the city’s employees will be on the list as well as most of its residents.
Walter Hamilton
Portsmouth
Thank you, New Castle, for doubling veterans tax credit
May 11 — To the Editor:
I want to thank the citizens of New Castle for doubling the amount of the veterans tax credit to $1,000.
As the service officer for Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 168, I have learned from working with veterans that we are often too proud and unwilling to ask for help obtaining the benefits that we earned. I actively seek out fellow veterans needing assistance, who too often go undetected with tragic results.
The appreciation from our neighbors for our service every year at tax time makes a bigger difference to us than the money.
Please contact me if you, or someone you know, served and is in need of assistance.
Thank you, New Castle!
Bill Kingston
New Castle
Good to see St. Thomas Aquinas stand up for what the school believes
May 11 — To the Editor:
I don't know much about the controversy surrounding St. Thomas Aquinas High School, but I do know this. A private school is exactly that — private. If parents don't like what's going on, then they should remove their child. If parents do approve of what's going on, then they should send their child.
It is unrealistic to expect the school to change its ways every time there's a new fuss. It's refreshing to know that some institutions stand by what they believe, whether it's popular or not.
Mary Weston
Dover
At Trump event, NH Republicans laughed at sex assault victim
May 11 — To the Editor:
Given the reactions of New Hampshire Republicans I can only say it's past time time to lose our first-in-the-nation primary slot. New Hampshire voters of both parties have always taken pride in their willingness to dig into the issues, press candidates hard, use their common sense. But last night's Town Hall on CNN showed none of that whatsoever.
The crowd laughed at Trump mocking E. Jean Carroll! No apparent cares about the fact that he sexually assaulted and defamed her and the jury said he owes her five million bucks for that were in evidence. Would they trust their wives or daughters to be alone with him? I sincerely hope they would laugh less at that situation!
They thought it was a great idea when he said Republicans should embrace default and send us into complete financial chaos, force bankruptcies and layoffs across the country, and upend the global economy! Because, why should the government bother to pay the bills it already allocated funds for, right?
Election results from 2020? A Sham!
Terminate the Constitution? No problem!
Pardon traitors convicted for sedition for their actions on Jan. 6? They're patriots, not seditionists, right?
The lies were endless and the audience lapped it up. No shame on their part! None of the vaunted New Hampshire common sense and political savvy! It was not a town hall in any way, shape or form. It was a disgrace to the political traditions of this state and the Republican Party should be ashamed of themselves!
Bobb Menk
Portsmouth
SB272 is cookie-cutter legislation designed to fuel anti-LGBTQ+ hate and fear
May 12 — To the Editor:
As a parent, I hope my kids feel comfortable talking to me about anything. I realize, however, that won’t always be the case. Maybe my children will worry that they will make me mad or want to avoid awkward conversations with me. Whatever the reason, I won’t always be the first person they confide in. That’s completely normal. In fact, studies have shown that it is critically important for children to have trusted adults besides their parents to talk to.
This week, our New Hampshire lawmakers are voting on Senate Bill 272, the so-called “parental bill of rights,'' which, if passed, would erode the trust teachers work tirelessly to build with students. As a former teacher, I know that sometimes students feel comfortable talking to other adults before their parents. Without this outside support, the risks to young people are grave as recent studies have shown that nearly one half of LGBTQ+ students seriously considered suicide in the past year. Conversely, research shows that young people thrive when they have support from a variety of adults. They even have better grades and a greater sense of personal fulfillment.
Regardless of how we parent, our children are not going to want to talk to us about every one of their struggles. It is critical we provide them opportunities to develop trusting relationships with other adults, including teachers, but SB272 puts teachers who counsel students at risk of fines, civil lawsuits, and even jail time. And it puts our children at risk by undermining important relationships they need for academic development, social emotional growth and belonging, and to avoid high-risk behaviors.
SB272 is cookie-cutter legislation designed to fuel anti-LGBTQ+ hate and fear. Moms are rising above this bad-faith, hateful bill and putting the needs of our children first — and I hope our lawmakers do the same.
Stacy Taylor Brown
Newmarket
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Praise for Seacoast coverage; $100K isn't what it used to be: Letters
