Hudson - Litchfield News
April 16, 2010 - 5
In My Opinion...
by Rebecca Howard
Growing up in southern New Hampshire, my childhood was filled with drives through quaint towns, walks through the forest, and visits to postcard-perfect scenery throughout the state. As talk of building a new casino in Hudson circulates, I shudder to ponder what childhoods of future decades will possibly be like. Imagine this: Vagabonds and blue- haired woman alike, lining the streets
begging for change to fulfill their desire to pull the lever of the slot machine. Or bullet shots echoing through a quiet neighborhood as a car full of gang members speeds away from the scene. This is certainly not what I want my children to experience while living in New Hampshire.
Although these scenes may be exaggerated, building a casino could turn Hudson into a virtual Las Vegas, transforming southern New Hampshire from its current bucolic bliss to a place where the search for tax revenue trumps that for the perfect hiking trail. For the third year in a row, New Hampshire has been named the safest state in America. With the lowest murder rate and second lowest assault rate in the nation, it seems there is little danger to worry about in the good ol’ Granite State. Unfortunately, if
by Rebecca Howard
Hello Casinos, Goodbye Safety
gambling is instated as a means to boost income, this proud title of security could easily be removed. It’s a known fact that with casinos come gang activity, bankruptcy, violence, and everything else New Hampshire is so against. As a high school senior in Litchfield, this issue concerns me
gravely. I registered to vote the day I turned 18, not only because I was raised to believe in civic responsibility, but because I wanted to raise my voice to make sure New Hampshire maintains that which has made it a great place to grow up, while still looking for ways to improve life here. Casino gambling fails on both counts. Yes, there is a state deficit, and of course, New Hampshirites hope for lower taxes, but are we ready to abandon our principles and “live free or die” attitude to gain profits? It’s disconcerting to know that the qualities that make New Hampshire so great – its serenity, beauty, and security – could so easily be taken away in the name of lower taxes. Let’s keep the scenery green, the neighborhoods peaceful, and the casinos as far away as possible.
Rebecca Howard is a senior at Campbell High School in Litchfield. She is the editor of the school newspaper, The Campbell Paw Print, and works at Chunky’s Cinema in Nashua. Rebecca will be attending the University of New Hampshire in the fall, and plans to pursue a career in journalism.
Outdoors
USSA Sentry Program
Charlie
with
Chalk
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) officially unveiled a
dynamic new initiative aimed at building an army of sportsmen from coast to coast to protect America’s outdoor heritage for future generations. The USSA’s Sentry Program is free to join and represents the most intense effort ever focused on attracting sportsmen to become active players in the fight to preserve hunting, fishing, and trapping rights whenever they are threatened. By becoming a Sentry, you gain access to instant e-mail communications about local and national threats to their outdoor rights as they happen, and also given specific instructions on which public officials to contact and when as these threats emerge.
info@ussportsmen.org.
More Letters to our Editor. . . .
non-sequitur if ever there was one. States with large casino
operations, such as Connecticut and New Jersey, have some of the highest tax burdens in the nation. Thus, it should not be a function of the state to further promote vice because it needs the revenue, and there are already abundant legal-gambling venues to satisfy these desires. Tax policy that reduces burdens on business (which entails a change to a more fiscally responsible administration in Concord) would likely do more to promote sustainable, economic development and real futures for residents than an expansion in gambling in this area and the state as a whole.
Robert Johnson - Hudson
The Gambling Industry Hides the Truth about Crime
1. Within five years after the opening of Foxwoods Casino, the annual number of calls to the Ledyard, CT, Police Department jumped from 4,000 to 16,700.
2. The state of Wisconsin experiences an average of 5,300 additional major crimes a year due to the presence of casinos in that state.; 17,100 arrests for less-serious crimes each year are due to the existence of casino gambling.
3. 1.5 million people or .5 percent of the U.S. population became new criminals from 1994 to 1997 as a direct correlation to states’ government-sponsored legalized gambling. The cost for this rise in crime ranged from $12 billion to $15 billion.
4. A U.S. News & World Report analysis found crime rates in casino communities to be 84 percent higher than the national average. Crime rates nationally dropped by two percent in 1994; the 31 localities that introduced casinos in 1993 saw an increase in crime of 7.7 percent the following year.
5. The number of police calls in Black Hawk, CO, increased from 25 a year before casinos to between 15,000 and 20,000 annually after their introduction. In neighboring Central City, the number of arrests increased by 275 percent the year after casinos arrived. In Cripple Creek, CO, serious crime increased by 287 percent in the first three years after casinos.
World Circus Day to Be Celebrated Saturday, April 17
Saturday, April 17, has been designated as World Circus Day
by the International Federation du Cirque, which held its annual conference in Monte Carlo. The designation is intended to set aside one day when circus lovers throughout the world – owners, directors, performers, staffs, fans, friends, and even casual circus- goers – can pay special tribute to the circus and the incredible contributions it has made to our shared culture. Wayne McCary, President and CEO of the Eastern States Exposition (Big E) in Springfield, MA, represented the Outdoor Amusement Business Association of America at this year’s meetings. For 40 years, McCary produced the Shrine Circus each spring in Manchester. A local chapter, known as a “Tent” of the Circus Fans of America
(CFA), is very active in New Hampshire. Arthur Provencher, former owner of Benson’s Wild Animal Farm, is president of the Father Jerry Hogan Tent #177, which meets several times a year, usually in Manchester, and publishes a very informative newsletter. Many of the meetings are held during the visit of a circus to the area, such as the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus appearance each fall in the Verizon Center, where members have the opportunity to meet with and listen to circus performers at a special luncheon. The Tent’s namesake, Father Jerry Hogan, is a Catholic Parish Priest, stationed in North Andover, MA, who also serves as Circus Chaplain throughout the United States, administering spiritual needs to circus performers and workers of all faiths. Father Jerry has many interesting circus and circus life stories to tell.
6. A city can expect its crime rate to increase by about eight percent after four or five years of introducing casinos.
7. Nevada ranked first in crime rates among the 50 states in both 1995 and 1996, based on an analysis of FBI Uniform Crime Report statistics. The violent crime rate in Nevada increased by close to 40 percent from 1991 to 1996, a period in which the national violent crime rate dropped by approximately 10 percent.
Peggy Shaw - Hudson
National Library Week Celebrated
to know.
During this year’s celebration of National Library Week, April 11-17, the Friends of the Library of Hudson would like to extend a special word of gratitude to our 12 Business Members. By joining the Friends, these local businesses are showing their support of our mission to bring excellent library facilities and services to all Hudson residents. Their annual membership dues help us sponsor special children’s programs, award the Leonard A. Smith Memorial Scholarship, provide staff recognition, and promote literacy within our Town.
Rick Lagueux, President, Friends of the Library of Hudson - Hudson
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Robert J. Goldsack, District Director, Circus Fans of America - Nashua
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The February Vacation Week Change
I am writing this as an open letter to the Hudson School Board with great concern about the school calendar for next year. I have lived in Hudson for 15 years and for the most part, February vacation has always been the week after Presidents Day, which is the week after the traditional vacation week for most of New England. I saw in a local daily newspaper that you mentioned that you
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had only received five calls/e-mails concerning this matter. Do you perhaps think its because the public was unaware of the situation until it was publicized? This is a great benefit to the residents of Hudson and New Hampshire in general. We are able to travel with less crowds and cheaper rates. For those of us who rent timeshares, it enables us to know what week well in advance that we will be able enjoy them.
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outdoorswithcharlie@areanewsgroup.com
In addition, the Sentry Program offers additional benefits,
Nashua is taking the traditional NH week off next year. This means that some of our neighbors who work in their school district will now have to take an additional week out of work to be able to stay home with their children. Students who attend both high schools will now be out of school/classes an additional week. Those that like to travel with other family members that live in those towns during vacation times will not be allowed to do so. The week of Presidents Day, you will find that traveling can be
almost double in price and many families being hurt by the economy would not be able to travel or enjoy time off due to your decision. I am requesting that the School Board change the February
vacation from February 21-25 to February 28-March 4. This would still allow our children to be back in the classrooms a full eight weeks before another break and allow families to enjoy a quality family vacation.
Dianne Emanuelson - Hudson
LLC Tax is Really an Income Tax
It is a travesty to think that a state government can control the salary of a business owner. It is outrageous to imagine that our salary could be limited to what a bureaucrat decides is fair compensation. A $50,000 limit on an LLC entity is ridiculous. If this is done, then it is an income tax. A back-door income tax. Are we in ancient Rome and the Great Caesar needs money? Oh wait, no—it’s the king of England taxing us again. Look at what happened to them. We live in a state that has a slogan—“live free or die.” I believe in the statement. I will do everything I can to stop this flagrant abuse of power. This attack on small businesses is an attack on our freedom of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness, which is our right. The DRA is like a Gestapo. To top it off, they have made this tax retroactive.
I will agree that people that invest in an LLC, but do not participate in the functionality of the business and are compensated as investors, should pay a capital gains tax as other corporations do. But no one should dictate the pay of a true business entrepreneur. As Patriots, we are the backbone of this country.
Steven McClellan - Nashua
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(603) 880-4090
225 Lowell Rd. Hudson
giljameson@allstate.com
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Christine T. Lonegan, D.M.D.
Dr. William Gagnon & Dr. Slava Abdelrehim are pleased to announce that Dr. Christine Lonegan has joined our office at Hudson Dental Associates. Dr. Lonegan is accepting new patients. Please call us at (603)889-8499 to schedule an appointment.
HUDSON DENTAL ASSOCIATES, PA
5 George Street, Hudson, NH
603-889-8499
www.hudsondentalnh.com
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