Report reveals eminent domain deception in North Hampton; political endorsements: Letters
Report reveals eminent domain deception in North Hampton
March 1 − To the Editor:
Thank you Hampton Union for doing the investigative journalism to reveal the deception that has been ongoing in North Hampton. The current Select Board of North Hampton has been pursuing an Eminent Domain action against a resident at 168 Mill Road. under the auspices of a Citizens Petition. It is clear, after the reporting from your paper, that this was not from a few residents, but from the Select Board. The petition was submitted on Dec. 12, 2022 by residents of Squire Drive to use eminent domain to take an easement over the property located at 168 Mill Road. This petition, seemingly out of nowhere, was complete and with language one would assume was written by an attorney.
We now find out that it was written by Stephen Bennett, the North Hampton legal counsel. The Town Administrator, under the direction of the Select Board apparently requested the draft from the town attorney. Over multiple meetings with many inquiries about the legitimacy of the petition, this Select Board maintained that it had been written by the petitioners. Repeatedly SB Chair James Sununu, Vice Chair Maggiore and member Pinette said that they were acting on a petition from residents. Many were skeptical but we took them for their word. That was a mistake.
Instead of trusting residents with all the facts the Board and the Town Administrator preferred to deceive us into thinking their actions were being driven by town opinion and not their own. In your article, Mr. Maggiore and Mr. Tully are quoted as saying that the outcome proves that the process is working. Sorry but it is not working, honesty and integrity are vital to a functioning government, this Board showed neither. Deceiving the residents about the origin of this petition proves a disdain and distrust of our residents by this Board. The comments by Mr. Maggiore and Mr. Tully in your article show little contrition regarding their actions. The result will be diminished trust in our Select Board and its Town Administrator.
Wally and Kathy Kilgore
North Hampton
More:North Hampton Select Board, not residents, initiated land taking for cell tower
Vote Cathy Hodson for Rye Select Board; she has a record of service
March 2 − To the Editor:
We are writing to support Cathy Hodson for Rye Select Board.
Cathy has a proven record of community service in Rye. She is hard-working, fiscally responsible, thoughtful, intelligent and fair.
Cathy is a dedicated conservationist with a vision for what Rye needs to protect the quality of its water.
She also has experience as a grant writer and has a history of securing funding for local projects.
Through her years of civic engagement, Cathy has established a network of state-wide non-profit organizations that focus on public education, historic preservation and conservation of wetlands.
Cathy's experience, her proven fiscal responsibility and transparency make her an ideal candidate for the Rye Select Board.
Please join us in voting for Cathy Hodson on Tuesday March 14.
Barbara and Vincent Prien, Suzanne and Henry Sonneborn
Rye
Vote for Monaghan and Omberg, North Hampton Planning Board
March 3 − To the Editor:
I am voting for two excellent candidates for the North Hampton Planning Board, and I hope you will, too.
They are Nancy Monaghan and Rob Omberg. Both of them have the experience and the passion for volunteering their time for the important work the Planning Board does for the health, safety, and welfare of all residents. With both their past work and their preparation they are committed to fairly applying the Zoning Ordinance as required by law and to following the Town’s Master Plan and the desire of residents to protect our environment and preserve the rural character of North Hampton.
Monaghan and Omberg both care very much for the quality of life in our town and I hope you will join me in supporting them on Election Day, March 14. Please vote at the North Hampton School between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Jane Boesch
North Hampton
Will NH leave $3 million on the table?
March 2 − To the Editor:
Will NH leave $3 million on the table? These are Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds that New Hampshire can receive – if only we create a Climate Action Plan (CAP).
“Wait,” you might say, “didn’t our shiny new Department of Energy just do this?”
“Well no,” I would have to answer. “We did create a 2021 State Energy Strategy, with nice phrases promising to be cost-effective – but we did not specify goals or timelines or ways to measure our progress.”
Goals and timelines are required in a CAP. For example, the other 5 New England states all have mandated greenhouse gas reductions of 80% or more by 2050. We have no goal to reduce emissions.
That could change, if our state representatives vote to pass HB 208, “establishing greenhouse gas emission reduction goals for the state and establishing a climate action plan.” Wouldn’t it be wise to create a plan that could slow down the crazy weather changes and bring in lots of new green energy jobs? If we had goals to get more of our energy from renewable sources, our energy money would remain in the NH economy. Without any CAP, $4 billion annually leaves the state to buy fossil fuels.
Please help NH prepare for the future with a Climate Action Plan. Go to https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/members/ to get the name and phone number for each of your representatives, and ask them to SUPPORT HB 208, so NH can have its own CAP and some IRA millions.
Susan Richman
Durham
Cathy Hodson will protect quality of life in Rye
March 3 − To the Editor:
Having lived in Rye for 25-plus years, we know the importance of town governance. The protection of our unusual natural resources − our beaches; our town forest; Rye Harbor; our wetlands − these enhance the quality of life in Rye.
We support Cathy Hodson for Rye's Select Board because she prizes these aspects of our town. Cathy is keenly interested in the sources and quality of Rye water and she approaches the decision making about the public health & safety issues related to Rye's drinking water with thoroughness and diligence. A vote for Cathy Hodson for Rye's Select Board on March 14thwill help to ensure that the quality of daily life in the town of Rye is effectively & honestly managed.
Ronna and Randolph Werner
Rye
Ann Carnaby for Hampton Planning Board: 12 years of expertise and knowledge
March 5 − To the Editor:
I write to encourage you to support the re-election of Ann Carnaby who has always brought expertise and a search for common ground in her role on the Planning Board.
I have been a fan of Ann's for years, especially appreciating that she led the effort to complete the update of the Town Master Plan. We need her 12 years of institutional knowledge now to be part of the effort to implement that plan.
Hampton is fortunate to have such a dedicated, smart, civil and altruistic public servant.
Thank you for considering Ann on your ballot on March 14 at Winnacunnet High School.
Patty McKenzie
Hampton
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Eminent domain deception in North Hampton; local endorsements: Letters
