Pelham - Windham News

4 - May 21, 2010

The Word Around Town...

Letters to our Editor

Clarification on Windham Road Land Purchase

This responds to a “Thumbs” item published in

the May 7, 2010, issue that concerns the purchase of land on Windham Road by the School District. The false statements in that item are corrected here. In Thumbs, it is suggested that the sellers offered the land to the District for an unreasonable sum. The land in question is two parcels with 35 owners. Here’s what actually happened: the School Board spent most of 2009 trying to decide what to do about land for a proposed high school. After getting a new appraisal late in 2009, on January 7, 2010, the School Board offered to purchase the land for a sum slightly less than the $2,000,000 in the Warrant Article. Look to the School Board for the reasons behind the School Board’s offer and why it came at that late date. Contrary to what’s implied by that writer, there was no misconduct by the sellers. The article was voted down on March 9, the sellers graciously accepted the result, and, yet, the false statements continue two months after the vote. And yes, the owners of this property are related

(many are my second cousins; some more distant relatives). Many of them are also good friends. If this transaction comes before the School District in the future, I may again represent many of them. The writer in Thumbs states: “10 percent of the sale will go to the Attorney for his work.” Untrue. There was no percentage fee agreement with respect to this sale, and there won’t be such an agreement in the future.

An interesting sidelight to the writer’s wild comment about a 10-percent fee is that when the sale of this land was negotiated and presented to the Pelham School District in March 2008, my office did not charge any legal fees. A good friend also devoted countless hours to the 2008 transaction, without remuneration. Both of us felt that giving the Pelham School District the opportunity to purchase this land was of such importance, and that the issue of personal gain was irrelevant. The identity of the resident who contributed

this “Thumbs” item is apparently known to some; many weeks, he/she apparently contributes multiple items. The paper will not disclose the name of the contributor, as it continues to permit people to submit items without identification, allowing them to hide behind the “shield of secrecy” that it provides. We’ve heard the term “masters of misinformation” used to describe a few Thumbs contributors. I leave it to others to evaluate the extent

to which the publisher’s practice of allowing anonymous contributions to the Thumbs section has a negative impact upon the communities in which it publishes. That practice is one reason

why civility and truth are absent from many of the items in Thumbs. More on this topic later. Life is so short. What sort of person spends time, long after the vote, sending forth such inaccurate material? It makes one wonder.

Philip R. Currier - Pelham

Help Wanted

Please consider taking on one of these important roles for our schools and community. Wanted: Persons with a commitment to education, community, and family; self-starters who display clear understanding of the worth of involvement in educational programs; and should be dependable, motivated, and goal-oriented. No experience needed! Job sharing is a possibility! Benefits: Chance to work directly with and for the benefit of your own family, our schools, and community, and the privilege of choosing working hours that fit individual lifestyles. Compensation: Directly proportionate to

time invested; new friends; understanding and appreciation of school programs and opportunities for your child; acquired leadership skills; and your child’s self-esteem. Job Title: PTA Volunteer The Windham PTA and its volunteers all work together as a team. You will always have the help you need to accomplish any given task. We are currently seeking volunteers for the following positions: Vice-President (act as aide to president, liaison to the Windham School Board, and/or appoint a liaison), Recording Secretary (attend monthly meetings, responsible for recording and distributing minutes), Community Event Team (Sports Swap, Bingo, etc.), and Community Education (distribute backpack flyers with useful info regarding the community, health, Internet safety, etc.). For more information, please contact Anne- Marie O’Neil at president@windhampta.net.

Rosemarie Kelly - Windham

Double Sessions at PHS

Thumbs up to the person(s) who continue(s) to push for “double sessions” for Pelham High School (PHS). Your rationale that it would ease the current overcrowding issue has merit. Double sessions would help to address overburdened and overcrowded classrooms, lunch room, and gymnasium. Thank you for at least thinking about possible alternatives to our current untenable situation. Your proposed solution for double sessions,

Pelham~Windham

News

however, does absolutely nothing to address the other primary issues that have resulted in PHS being placed on warning status for accreditation. The PHS building is still outdated, and there are still issues with access to classrooms, noise and disruption from adjoining classrooms that have classroom walls or

brings you home.

to be part of it call 880-1516

Pelham~Windham

News

brings you home.

to be part of it call 880-1516

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partitions that go only part way to the ceiling, loud and inefficient heat and ventilation systems, and most importantly, classrooms that either lack windows or that have windows that are too small for emergency rescue purposes. Additionally, double sessions do not address the core issue of NEASC concern about an “inadequate and undependable source of revenue provided by the community” to support the school’s program, staff, curriculum, facilities, instructional materials, supplies, and technology needs. The NEASC clearly recognizes the fact that Pelham voters have failed in recent years to approve any major expenditures to address the needs of our school system. I was gratified to learn in the latest progress report that PHS has at least made some headway against the long list of shortcomings noted by the NEASC: ceiling tiles and doors with upgraded fire ratings have been installed, safety improvements have been made to the electrical and gas systems in the labs, and adjustments have been made to the hand rails and handicapped parking spaces to meet ADA standards. However, that is just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. The voters of Pelham need to recognize that there continue to be safety and facility issues with the existing high school—issues that double sessions cannot and will not address. We are knowingly putting our children at risk in an outdated facility by continuing to vote down any options to address the situation that involve any increase in property taxes. Yet the issue of increased taxes will come full circle if we do not address the PHS issue meaningfully, substantially, and promptly. The fact is that if PHS loses accreditation, no one with a family will want to move to Pelham, and real estate prices will probably not recover from their current depressed level—if they don’t fall further. Since the town’s primary source of revenue is from real estate taxes, the town will ultimately be forced to either cut services or raise taxes. Services can only be

cut back so far and, thus, taxes will inevitably need to be raised. The accreditation clock for PHS is ticking;

Pelham needs to answer the alarm bell. I implore the Pelham School Board members to put aside their partisan issues and work together to develop a viable, cost-effective solution that the entire community can support.

David Williams - Pelham

Military Appreciation Month

In recognition of Military Appreciation Month

(May), the US Family Health Plan, a Department of Defense-sponsored healthcare plan that serves military families in this area through the not-for- profit Martin’s Point Health Care system, asks that everyone in our community support, befriend, remember, and appreciate military families. Times of conflict overseas are especially difficult for military families, but helping them can be as simple as mowing their yard, inviting them to lunch, or lending an ear. These acts require little sacrifice on our part, but can mean so much to military family members, all of who make sacrifices every day in support of our nation’s welfare. Having delivered health benefits to military families for more than 29 years, we see firsthand the contributions these heroes make, and we ask you as neighbors, friends, and fellow citizens to express your gratitude. Military families are strong and resilient, but they face ongoing challenges and are grateful for the friendship and admiration of community members who appreciate their sacrifices. During Military Appreciation Month and always, we thank you for reaching out to our heroes on the home front, as well as their loved ones overseas.

Dan Wasneechak, Director, US Family Health Plan - Portland, ME

Pelham School Lunch

May 24-28, 2010 Pelham Elementary School

Monday - Parmesan spaghetti/chicken or Mozzarella sticks/sauce, Wheat breadstick, Steamed green beans. Tuesday - French toast sticks or Fruit & yogurt parfait, Scrambled eggs, Oven roasted potatoes. Wednesday - Rotini/meat sauce or cheese sauce, Tossed salad/dressing, Wheat roll. Thursday - Spicy beef nachos, Lettuce, Tomato, Salsa, Cheese, Steamed rice, Steamed corn. Friday - Stuffed crust pizza, Caesar dressing.

*Lunch alternative: Pick a lunch **All lunches served with fruit tray and low-fat milk choices.

Pelham Memorial School

Monday - Philly steak sub or Hot ham & cheese sub, Onions, Peppers, Steamed carrots. Tuesday - Shepherds pie, Caesar salad, Wheat roll. Wednesday - Egg & cheese muffin or French toast sticks/ glazed ham, Oven roasted potatoes. Thursday - Chicken Parmesan sub, Lettuce, Tomato, Pasta salad. Friday - Pizza of the day/assorted toppings, Salad of the day.

*Lunch alternative: Assorted salads & subs. **All lunches served with fruit tray and low-fat milk choices.

Pelham High School

ten used to treat inflammation in race horse legs, is now back on the market in its original doctor recommended clinical strength formula. According to a national drug store

HIALEAH, FL — An ingredient of-

survey, the formula at one time became so popular that it rose to the top of phar- macy sales for topical pain relievers. But the company marketing the prod- uct at the time changed the formula and sales plummeted. One of the inventors of the original formula has brought it back to the market under the trade name ARTH ARREST and says it can relieve pain for millions. ARTH ARREST works by a dual

mechanism whereby one ingredient re- lieves pain immediately, while a sec- ond ingredient seeks out and destroys the pain messenger signal before it can be sent to the brain. Considered a medi- cal miracle by some, the ARTH AR- REST formula is useful in the treat- ment of painful disorders ranging from minor aches and pains to more serious conditions such as arthritis, bursitis, rheumatism, tendonitis, backache and more. ARTH ARREST is available in a con- venient roll-on applicator at pharma- cies without a prescription or call 1- 800-339-3301. Now at:

Monday - Pasta Bar (plain, meatballs), or Popcorn chicken sub, Veggies. Tuesday - Pasta Bar: Chicken broccoli scampi or Chicken filet sandwich, Veggies. Wednesday - Pasta Bar (plain, meatballs) or Chicken tender sub, Veggies. Thursday - Pasta Bar (plain, meatballs), Chicken wings/nacho chips, or Sausage & pepper sub, Veggies. Friday - Pizza Bar, Veggies.

*Lunch alternative: Hot & cold subs, Assorted wraps & salads. **All lunches served with fruit tray and low-fat milk choices.

Horse Liniment Erases Pain

St. Patrick School

Monday - Mozzarella sticks/ sauce, Wheat breadstick, Steamed green beans. Tuesday - French toast sticks, Scrambled eggs, Oven roasted potatoes. Wednesday - Rotini/meat sauce, Tossed salad/dressing, Wheat roll. Thursday - Spicy beef nachos, Lettuce, Tomato, Salsa, Cheese, Steamed rice, Steamed corn. Friday - Alternatives only.

*Lunch alternative: Yogurt meal or Chef’s salad, or Sunbutter & jelly sandwich **All lunches served with fruit tray and low-fat milk choices.

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