Time for Portsmouth to 'Walk Away Renee' from McIntyre development: Letters
Time for Portsmouth to 'Walk Away Renee' from McIntyre development
Dec. 6 − To the Editor:
$74 million for renovating and new construction at the McIntyre federal building site? And that’s the low end estimate. It could be twice as much, according to the latest Seacoastonline article by Jeff McMenemy.
For those without historical perspective, the building owned by the federal government was promised to the city of Portsmouth for free back in 2004. That is really inflation. There’s an old 1960s song called “Walk Away Renee.“
Maybe that’s the philosophy the city of Portsmouth should adopt before getting into even more of a financial mess than we’re already in with that building. Why not let the federal government fix or sell the deteriorating property? Another quagmire could have a huge impact on our taxpayers.
Roger Wood
Portsmouth
I do not support unleashed dogs in public spaces
Dec. 6 − To The Editor:
I am a lifelong resident of the Seacoast area. I was born in the older section of city hall. My family moved into Maple Haven as it was being developed. I remember when people just opened the door and let their dogs run free all day.
I will never forget the day an unleased neighbor's dog , who knew me well and I was not afraid to be around, attacked me as I was walking to my girlfriend's house. I had to be rushed to the hospital and the scars are still visible today.
To make a long story short, it was determined it was an unprovoked attack. He was automatically quarantined two weeks. Luckily he did not have rabies, however the owner did put him down. I still feel bad for the family's children who lost their family pet. A leash law may have prevented this situation.
The story doesn't end there. A few years later while at the high school bus stop, a group of us had a ringside seatto a pack of neighborhood dogs, who we knew, tear apart a neighbor's cat. It was just like what you see on African documentaries when a pack of lions hunt down a gazelle and the feeding frenzy begins!
I am not afraid of dogs. I have owned dogs and always made sure they respond to voice commands. I always leashed them, too. I do not like unleashed dogs in public spaces. No owner can guarantee their pet will not bite a stranger. The owner does not know what his dog is thinking or if it doesn't feel well any day. That owner does not have the right to subject other people to a potential injury.
Susan Sterry
Portsmouth
Webster at Rye took good care of our mom
Dec. 4 − To the Editor:
We recently lost our Wonderful Mom who was a resident of Webster at Rye in Rye, NH. In the last year and a half we were able to transfer Mom there and are so grateful. She was given respect, excellent care and a happy life.
She turned 100 there in February 2022 and it was a celebration that the staff made memorable.
The facility kept us advised every step of the way about her care and we knew she was living her life in a clean, safe home. We are grateful to Webster and encourage you to tour the facility if you are in need of excellent care for your family member. Our family is thankful for the support they gave Mom in her time there and to her family.
Patty Wheeler
Ave Maria, Florida
Jan. 6 Committee must avoid mistakes made in release of Mueller report
Dec. 5 − To the Editor:
Last week Donald Trump called for "the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution." This tirade was in response to the release of messages between Twitter leaders regarding Hunter Biden's laptop contents being withheld from their platform prior to the 2020 election. Somehow, Trump equated this to "A massive fraud" that somehow resulted in his defeat. Of course, this is not the first time Trump has tried to overturn the Constitution. His most blatant attempt was on January 6, 2021.
As the House select committee on January 6th nears its conclusion, it is vital that Chairman Bennie Thompson avoid allowing the messaging to be taken over by outside forces or political pundits as was the case prior to the release of the Mueller Report. This is even more of an imperative now considering Trump's latest attack on our Constitution. Chairman Thompson must schedule a final prime time presentation to the American people prior to Jan. 3 to provide a detailed accounting of all the facts, findings, evidence of criminal behavior and recommendations resulting from their 18-month investigation of the attack on the Capitol and the Constitution on January 6, 2021.
In order to clearly and accurately inform the American people of the facts and implications resulting from this investigation, the Committee must take control of the reporting and disclosure of the report. The Chairman must apply strict internal controls to prevent any leaks by committee members or staff prior to the official release of the report. While this may be wishful thinking, this report is too important to allow it to be misrepresented, distorted, debated, or to allow spin masters to confuse or misinform the American people as was done with the Mueller Report. Let the people hear the facts first from the Committee before any other entity has an opportunity to confuse the issue.
It is critical that the Committee does everything possible to avoid the same mistakes that took place with the Mueller Report release. As a result of that disaster, the public was led to believe that Mr. Trump was fully exonerated of any wrongdoing, which was totally untrue. The entire narrative was taken over by political forces and once done, it was impossible to change that narrative or convince the public of the truth. We cannot allow that to happen again this time. The Constitution, history and the rule of law demand nothing less.
Rich DiPentima, LTC, USAFR, Ret.
Portsmouth
Executive Council defunds sex education based on anecdotes and hearsay
Dec. 6 -- To the Editor:
The Democratic congressional delegation is trying to restore sex education funding in areas with elevated teen pregnancy. This educational program is by parental consent and covers conception, birth, contraception, STD, etc. Everything a young person beginning their reproductive years should know.
The funding was eliminated by three male GOP Executive Council members because some parents had concerns about the content of the classes. Given that one of these councilmen referred to the information about sexual and reproductive health as information about “the birds and the bees” one can only assume that their attitudes are vintage 1880. And, if appeasing parental concerns is their guiding principle I have yet to hear how many parents were complaining? One? Two? 500? And what were the concerns?
The Executive Council members leading this regressive regime are Joe Kennedy, Ted Gatsas, David Wheeler. And for once, Janet Stevens could safely vote for funding knowing that her GOP buddies would save the day and defund the program based on anecdote and hearsay from an unknown number of concerned parents.
Sad!
Steve Little
Portsmouth
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth should 'Walk Away Renee' from McIntyre development: Letters
