Epsom Public Library
Tuesday movie matinees continue on February 24 with the movie
“Pride”. The film is based on a true story from 1984 when Margaret
Thatcher is in power and the National Union of mineworkers is on
strike. A group of gay and lesbian activists in London decide to
raise money to assist the Welsh miners and their families. As the
strike wages on, the two groups discover that standing together
makes the strongest union of all. This film is rated R. Popcorn
and soft drinks will be available. Should there be yet another snow
storm, please call the library at 736-9920 to make sure we are open.
Suncook Valley Sno-riders Poker Run. Saturday
February 21st, 2015 at Ballfield at 177 Tilton Hill Rd., Pittsfield,
NH. Registration from 10:00am-12. Support your local snowmobile
club, accessible by vehicle. Lots of Fun! More information visit us
on Facebook or
www.suncookvalleysnoriders.com
Epsom Public Library News
The Epsom Public Library will have a Teen Movie Event on Friday,
February 20th at 6:30 pm. The movie is “The Maze Runner” rated PG
13 and includes make your own tacos/burritos. Call Mrs. Benner at
the library for more info. Donations will be appreciated.
Winter Vacation activities include the following Family Movies:
“Book of Life” on Monday, February 23rd at 2 pm and “The Boxtrolls”
on Tuesday, February 24th at 6:30 pm. Both movies are rated PG and
popcorn and drinks will be provided. An Usborne Book sale will be
held during the week of vacation. Plan to stop in and check out the
great selection of children’s books and materials.
Letter To The Editor
We all know his name. Not every one sees him in action as do I.
For sure I wouldn’t take his job which is in three parts:
1. oversees that which has to be done and 2. make certain there are
no short cuts which are costly in the long run, 3. having to listen
to the self-appointed experts at Dunkin Donuts who claim to know
everything.
Need I say more! Thank you Gordon for anexcellent, well manicured
Goboro Road this past summer.
Jim Breagy
Epsom
Letter To The Editor
My name is Scott Elliot. In the past few weeks I have introduced
myself as a candidate running for the position of Road Agent in the
town of Epsom. In my previous letters I have outlined some of my
goals if elected to that position.
Below they continue:
In order to work efficiently and get the most value of the taxpayer
dollars, I feel that proper planning for even the smallest project
is necessary. It is my intention to notify property owners whose
property is within any project area prior to work commencing. I
feel that taking the time to talk to property owners, explain the
work to be done, answer any questions and listen to all concerns is
the proper way to start a project and also keeps a project running
smoothly, thus saving money.
I will work directly with the Board of Selectmen, giving them a
schedule of work that is going to take place. To me, it is very
important that the selectmen be aware of all the work that is taking
place or that will take place throughout the town. I think it is a
cause for concern when the Board of Selectmen or any other town
official is asked what work is being done by the Highway Department,
and the answer is, “I don’t know.”
I welcome any questions or comments you may have for
me, I can be reached by phone at 509-0595, or email at
[email protected].
Thank you,
Scott Elliott
Letter To The Editor
After a mild December winter moved in with fierce cold, heavy snow,
and seemingly endless overcast, I am reminded of our Epsom winters
of the ‘70’s and ‘80’s. With one significant difference: today we
can get out and about on the roads to work, school, or groceries so
much sooner after the snowfall ends. Or sometimes even before.
I recall being frequently snowed in for several days at a time back
then. And when the roads were clear they were frequently very
slippery. Of course sand was used decades ago and salt also on the
paved roads. But the sun would melt the sand into the surface of
the ice or packed snow where it would freeze each night, or it would
become covered by an inch or two of fresh light snow. In either
case it became ineffective and cars making multiple runs at hill
climbing were a common sight, as were cars that had slid off the
road.
The modern use of crushed rock has greatly improved winter road
safety and reliability. I haven’t been stuck in the middle of a
road for years. Because the crushed rock remains effective until it
is plowed aside in the next storm, the sand truck can come by less
frequently but more effectively - a win-win situation, as the saying
goes.
When the flashing yellow lights of the plow shine in our bedroom
window at 3 am I feel gratitude to the Epsom road crew who work not
just hard but also smart. Thank you.
Rick Harkness
Letter To The Editor
Our Country . . .
And the United States government.
They are not one and the same.
Our country, the land mass located within the boundaries of the 50
states, is an absolutely beautiful, unique place to live.
It is everything the song America the Beautiful says it is and more.
What’s not to love about our country?
Then there is the United States government.
It is nothing but a large group of people, a “gang” if you will, who
act more like an organized crime family than they do a legitimate
government.
Concepts of right and wrong are alien to this government.
It has long since abandoned its sole legitimate purpose of providing
equal protection for all of its citizens. It now protects some
while victimizing others.
Its primary purpose now is to use force or threats of force to take
money from some of its citizens to whom it belongs . . .
To keep a big chunk of that money for itself and its “gang” members
. . .
And then give the rest of the loot to others to whom it does not
belong in order to buy them off, to purchase their loyalty, with a
subsidy of some sort.
Today “the rich” are “targeted” by this government.
And when the rich are plundered out of existence by this government
or the rich take their money and move away, it will be the not so
rich who’ll be targeted, then the “middle class” (whatever that is)
and so on down the line.
In the long run, no one is safe from a government determined to
plunder some or all of its own citizens.
This government will, in the end, produce what governments always
produce; misery and poverty.
We deserve better.
Jack Kelleher
Letter To The Editor
This letter is in support of Gordon Ellis as road Agent for Epsom.
I have known Gordon for a good many years and also worked along
beside him as Selectman.
We incorporated using prisoners from Merrimack county as laborers
in 2008. Gordon has done an impeccable job with our roads with the
help of those prisoners and now we have the use of state prison
inmates for road work help along with other duties assigned them by
Gordon.
Gordon is a Rhoads scholar and set in his ways but he gets the job
done with excellent results and has been re-elected several times.
My vote is for Gordon.
Bob Blodgett
Epsom Resident
CRVNA Offers Consider The Conversation Screenings In Epsom
Concord Regional Visiting Nurse Association is offering free
screenings of “Consider the Conversation” on Tuesday, February 24
and Thursday, February 26 at 10 a.m. at Suncook Senior Center,
Epsom Bible Church, 398 Blackhall Road in Epsom.
Join us as we view the first chapters of “Consider the Conversation:
A Documentary About a Taboo Subject.” In this past, we will explore
the history of dying in our culture, as well as the physical,
spiritual, emotional, and mental dynamics of the dying process. In
the second chapters on February 26, we will discuss our beliefs
about “quality of life” and “quantity of life,” as well as our
wishes at end of life and the care we would like to receive.
To register, call (603) 224-4093 or (800) 924-8620, ext. 5815.
Epsom Food Pantry
As I sit here and type out this news article, I am again looking at
snow. Boy, hasn’t this been a “doozie” of a winter? Those snow piles
are getting higher by the minute.
Well, we are still busy at the Pantry. I do want you folks who can’t
get to us to be sure and call the Pantry or myself, Ken or Liz, and
we will see that you get your food. Someone will bring it to you. I
do not want you going without. I know I do not like driving in this
stuff.
Our food supply is okay and we will be getting our USDA this next
week, so that is a help. We can always use eggs and juices and you
know, sometimes just some nice plain cookies for the kids’ lunch is
a good thing.
Keep safe and drive carefully.
Until next time,
Priscilla
Letter
To my constituents in Allenstown, Epsom, and Pittsfield,
This week the House met for its first full session, first dealing
with 37 non-controversial bills, including four from my commitee.
HB168, banning no fault divorces for families with minor children,
was briefly debated and killed on a voice vote. HB245, creating a
study commission on corrections departments, was killed without
discussion. I had cosponsored this, but didn’t debate it because the
prime sponsor, by submitting it, has met all the interested parties
and will be able to get the information he needs without a formal
commission.
HB642, declaring gold and silver lawful means of exchange, and
HB573, requiring licensure of security guards, were both killed
without comment. HB176, paying 13 towns that reserved land for
downstream flood control Massachusetts’ share of the 2013 payments,
was debated between representatives of the affected towns and the
Finance committee, which reported that the money hadn’t been
received yet, and, assuming Massachusetts pays up, the payments will
be included in the budget.The bill was killed, 221-127.
HB194, declaring that life begins at conception, was debated at
length and killed, 246-104, with everyone voting their conscience.
HB269, allowing landlords to collect a second month’s rent in
advance, was debated and killed, 187-167.
HB362, giving utilities more latitude to trim or remove trees that
endanger power lines, was approved on a voice vote, without debate.
Finally, we approved and tabled HR12, the Ways & Means Committee
estimate of state revenues for the next two years. Our experts – who
have been within 1% of total revenues for the last four years –
project only about a 1% increase each year, making budgeting even
more difficult than usual.
Interested readers can email me for my newsletter, with more details
than fit here.
Representative Carol McGuire
[email protected]
782-4918
Letter To The Editor
Contemplations!
3:00 AM -6º. Stuck in the Epsom Highway Department port-a-john! Just
figuring out what it must feel like being the red-headed stepchild!
Epsom has top notch fire and police states filled with plenty of
equipment and workers. Not so with the highway department!
We sure could use a heated garage with running water and facilities!
A large all wheel drive dump truck with a plow, wing, and sander
sure would help!
Hats off to all the sub-contractors and residents who work with us
throughout the year. We couldn’t do our job without you! Thank you!
So, it’s political season again. No big surprise, small town
politics seem to be so agenda-driven. Oh well, par for the course!
Did you ever accept your pals’ at school triple dog dare to stick
your tongue on the frozen aluminum flag pole? Ouch!
Wow, this seat’s thawed out, so I can get to work pushing back
snowdrifts!
Your Highway Department Worker,
Robert Hutchins
P.S. Surely would appreciate your vote to re-elect Gordon Ellis for
Road Agent!
Letter To The Editor
I am running for re-election for the two-year term as Road Agent in
the March 10th election.
I have many goals not yet achieved or partially achieved. This year
we’ll be finishing the Goboro and Highland paving project. Starting
the construction phase and finishing the Echo Valley Farm Road
Bridge project, the paperwork has been going on for over two years
in order to get the funding form the State in place. We’ll also be
completing the drainage and paving the hill on Chestnut Pond Road,
and we’ll be finishing the pole barn at the Highway Department.
We’ll also be doing some spot paving along with everyday maintenance
on our roads.
Hopefully, by the time you read this, it’s done snowing and has
warmed up some.
I would appreciate your vote and support on March 10th.
Thank you,
Gordon Ellis
Your Road Agent
Letter To The Editor
That’s it Mr. Kelleher, you have crossed the line. I have tolerated
your extremist rants in the Epsom section of this newspaper with
nothing but amusement for some time. But your letter in the 2/17
edition must not go unchallenged. By saying that most Americans are
a bunch of greedy criminals using the government to do their dirty
work tests the very bounds of free speech. You have insulted my
fellow countrymen, the vast majority of whom I do indeed believe are
fine upstanding citizens. Especially those throughout my community
who are routinely subjected to your pompous nonsense,
Look folks, we can’t go it alone. Consequently there is government.
Thank goodness we live in country where the government was created
by and for the people. A unique form of government that has allowed
this country to prosper until, even today, it is the envy of the
world. Nobody likes to pay taxes but the fact is we all need fire
and police protection, roads, schools to educate our children and so
on. Rules and regulations, democratically created and enforced by
government, are part of the deal. This is the cost of living in a
civilized society as opposed to say anarchy where anything goes
cause your “free” in some utopian free state. If one follows our
government’s progression throughout history it becomes apparent that
when working together we can accomplish great things. And these
things have not and will not continue to come without sacrifice.
Don’t get hoodwinked into believing your lives are going to improve
buying into some trendy anti-government rhetoric. Instead, know
that they can get a lot worse.
As for you Mr Kelleher. There is one right you should consider in
the future before launching into one of your tirades. It is the
right to remain silent.
Thanks,
Glenn Horner
Epsom
Obituaries
Linda (Bartlett) Martel
Mrs. Linda (Bartlett) Martel, 63, a lifelong Epsom resident, died
surrounded by loving family on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at her
home on Blackhall Road.
Born in Concord on August 5, 1951, Linda was the daughter of Robert
and Myrna (Hemeon) Bartlett. She was a 1969 graduate of Pembroke
Academy and had worked as a bookkeeper for several firms over a
period of 40 plus years, including NH Bindery, Gibson’s Bookstore,
Capital Orthotics and Prosthetics, and Dr. David Bogacz, DDS.
Mrs. Martel was a member of the Ivy Green Rebekah Lodge of Epsom and
had held the position of School District Treasurer for the Town of
Epsom for 35 years.
Linda adored her grandchildren and spending time with family. She
loved traveling and looked forward to spending summers at her ocean
home in Lincolnville, ME. She also loved music, and had a wonderful
time dancing and acting in variety shows.
Linda is survived by her husband of 44 years, Donald A. Martel of
Epsom; 3 children and their spouses, Derek Martel and Amy of
Concord, Robert Martel and Amy of Epsom, and Karen Davis and Jeff of
Pembroke; 6 grandchildren, Katie, Abram, Erin, Addie, Aubrey, and
Elijah; a brother, Bill Bartlett of Northport, ME; a sister, Allyson
Stalvey of Watkinsville, GA; and nieces and nephews.
Friends and family are invited to a celebration of Linda’s life on
Friday, February 20th from 4-7 PM at the Still Oaks Funeral &
Memorial Home, 1217 Suncook Valley Hwy. in Epsom. Services will be
held Saturday, February 21st at 11 AM at the New Rye Union
Congregational Church, followed by a reception at the Epsom Bible
School. Spring burial will be in the New Rye Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations should be made to Carol Martel
OAMH Scholarship Fund, c/o TD Bank, PO Box 200, Suncook, NH 03275.
An on-line guestbook is available at
stilloaks.com.
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