Salem Community Patriot March 4, 2011 - 3


More Letters to our Editor community. I am confident that Susan is the right person


for this position. Please join me in supporting Susan Covey by voting for her on March 8!


Kathryn Ferguson - Salem


Vote for Susan Covey for Selectman


I am writing in support of Susan Covey filling the remainder of Arthur Barnes’ term as Selectman. She was appointed to this position by a committee and is doing an excellent job serving in this role. Susan, a lifelong resident of Salem, has served on the budget committee for three years. While serving on the budget committee, Susan used great consideration to make decisions that had the best possible outcome for all. Susan has also been involved in many not for profit efforts in our community and has been an integral part of the Boys & Girls Club, serving on several committees, as well as serving as Chief Volunteer Officer. Employed as a Regional Vice President of Enterprise Bank, she has a strong financial background and experience with forecasting and strategic planning. These skills will be an asset to this position. Her years of finance and banking experience have made her a resource for many local businesses owners. Susan has made it her mission to dedicate herself to the betterment of the community. Her desire to serve in this role is a result of the success she has experienced both personally and professionally in our community, and she has the drive and desire to help ensure the continued success of Salem. Join me in supporting Susan Covey by voting for her as selectman on March 8.


Joanne Flynn - Salem


Vote for Mike Lyons for Selectman


I support Mike Lyons for Selectman because he listens to citizens. For example, I wrote a letter to him and he took my idea very seriously. He is a nice and respectful citizen. For example, he let me, my brother, and friends set up a lemonade stand in his yard. He cares a lot about our community. He is a very good Selectman now, so you should vote for him again. He is very honest, kind, and caring. I’m too young to vote, but if you are not, please vote for Mike Lyons.


Mary Gallo, age 8 - Salem


March is Lower Your Tax Month in Salem


Did you know that by voting in the March Elections


you can make a positive change to Salem town government and bring about a lower tax rate? Remember this on your way to the voting poll. How


you had to write checks to the town of Salem for higher tax and higher water rates. That should make you think who you like for Selectmen. Remember this also. The same Selectmen that gave


you higher property tax in a recession are pondering ways to raise your tax again in 2012. That should also remind you who to vote for, if no other. Vote in all-new Selectmen that can work within a budget, not beyond it, at taxpayer expense.


James Gill - Salem Archie Bunker’s Spirit Lives On


Archie Bunker may no longer be with us in body, but he sure as heck still exists in spirit. That spirit comes to us courtesy of the Republican Party. Our beloved bigot had little respect for women, referring to his wife as “Ding Bat” and certainly never treated her as an equal. Fast-forward to today— Republicans deny a woman’s right over her own body and women still earn less than men for the same work. R’s worry about the life of a fetus, but care less about seeing to it that all women get health care. (Let them die.) Archie’s encounter with Sammy Davis, Jr., was hilarious, as all his bigotry hung out when they first met. Some conservatives have (and still are) questioning Obama’s birthplace and do their best to connect him with radicals that he has known in the past. Just as Archie loved to name-call, we find R’s using terms like socialist, communist, and Nazi in hopes that they can mar Obama’s image. Archie certainly expressed his disdain for liberals, calling his open-minded son-in-law a “meat head,” and like the situation today, never the two minds met. How would Archie respond to gay marriages, which are finally beginning to be recognized as an issue of equal rights but are blocked by conservative Republicans in many states? During the ‘70s, the Archie Bunker Show was a big


hit; and Archie’s rants were so far to the right that they were really humorous, particularly because they were so blatant and ill-conceived. Despite his characterization of the extreme right as nutty, his spirit lives on today, sadly, among so many on the right.


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Articles March 8 On March 8, voters will have the opportunity to approve school Warrant Articles that will secure the school budget and give teachers and staff in the Salem School District salary increases they have not seen in at least two years. The Warrant Articles pertain to the operating budget as well as staff increases for teachers, professional staff, assistants, secretaries, and custodians. The proposed increases range from 1.58 percent to 2.75 percent. All the Warrant Articles, with the exception of increases for food service workers, were voted with recommendation by the Budget Committee. Rewarding our teachers and other staff with pay increases is vital to retaining the excellent people we have come to know and value in our


schools. They need to know that we value them as well. Our teachers work hard and give a lot of themselves to our kids every day. In addition, teachers attend workshops after hours to be able to give more knowledge to our kids. They also spend their own money on educational materials and supplies to supplement what is covered by the school budget. Continuity is also important for our children on a


daily, weekly, and yearly basis. I know my kids derive a lot of joy and comfort when they enter Soule School each morning, seeing the same wonderful staff greeting them, like Mrs. Ramsey and Mrs. Bailey in the front office, and Mr. Taylor, the wonderful custodian who always has a friendly smile and can fix anything. And when my kids get to their classrooms, they love seeing their teachers. If a substitute happens to be in the room, they’re disappointed, even though the substitute teacher is always good. My kids love their teachers. My daughter still visits her teacher from last year almost every day. This is a snapshot of the experience of one family, and many families in Salem have a story like this one. It is unimaginable to think of compromising the wonderful teaching family that we have in our Salem schools. Our school district employees depend on us for their


livelihood. They have their own families and worries. They have bills to pay. We are their employer. And we need to reward the commitment and excellence they exhibit every day. 1.58 percent for aides and assistants isn’t too much to ask. 1.8 percent for the teachers isn’t too much to ask. And 2.75 percent isn’t too much to ask for secretaries and custodians who haven’t seen an increase in three years. In total, a tax impact of .764 percent isn’t too much to ask. The Salem community is getting the best deal in Southern New Hampshire with our schools. Our district has been able to offer above-average, competitive salaries in the past, and this has afforded our kids great teachers and an above-average educational experience. Yet, Salem has one of the lowest tax rates in the area. We have favorable class sizes and the second lowest cost- per-pupil of 12 comparison communities in southern New Hampshire. In addition, negotiated increases in insurance co-pays will save Salem taxpayers almost $200,000 next year, which will result in a reduction of the tax impact of the teachers’ contract during the second year. With all of this going for us, we can’t afford not to offer our school staff the modest proposed increases. Losing our teachers and staff to surrounding communities doesn’t make sense. We need to maintain competitive salaries on an ongoing basis to keep good teachers and committed staff. This is good for Salem and our kids. It’s an investment in our children’s future. The continued quality, success, and competitiveness of our school district, and therefore our community, depend upon it. Please make every effort to get out and vote on


Tuesday, March 8th. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Your vote matters. Please vote “yes” on the Salem School District Warrant Articles.


Sherry Kilgus-Kramer - Salem


Vote Stephen Campbell for Selectman


Stephen Campbell scrutinizes every line item of the


town budget and doesn’t allow automatic increases. This requires hard work and long hours, but saves the taxpayers money. He is honest and conservative. I know he will fight for the interests of Salem taxpayers. Watch him in action on Cable TV and see for yourself! I’m voting for Steve because I have lived in Salem for 40 years and I want the best for Salem, but no waste. Vote Stephen Campbell for Selectman!


Mark LaRochelle - Salem


Re-Elect Mike Lyons for Selectman


We would like to take this time to tell you about our son, Mike Lyons, who is running for re-election to the Board of Selectmen in Salem. Naturally, we believe Mike is the best choice for this position. It goes without saying that we will be casting one of our two votes for our son on Election Day. The question is, why should you vote for Mike? Many people already know about the work Mike has been doing to improve our roads and bridges. As residents of Shepard Avenue, we are most affected by the bridge and road projects on Lawrence and Cluff Roads. The completion of this work has improved travel in these areas greatly. These projects are fine examples of the improvements to our infrastructure this town so desperately needs. What you may not know about Mike is his care and concern for this community. Mike sincerely wants what is best for Salem and works tirelessly to serve our town. It is important to Mike to always make the best decision and to do what is right, regardless of the criticisms he may have to face. Mike cares about the concerns of the citizens and the needs of the community. He is constantly looking to the future to make Salem a better place to live. He does this while spending the citizens’ money wisely, like he does his own. These are the qualities Salem needs in a Selectman. These are the qualities we are lucky enough to have in one of our Selectman, Mike Lyons. On March 8, we ask you to cast one of your two votes for our son, Mike Lyons, for Selectman.


Francis and Eleanor Lyons - Salem


Support Patrick McDougall for Budget Committee


On March 8, we have a great opportunity to make


real changes here in Salem. My husband, Patrick McDougall, is running for Budget Committee. Stephen Campbell, Roland Theberge, and John Manning are running for Selectmen here in Salem. I ask for the voters in town to support them and their belief that every taxpayer has a right to own an affordable home here in Salem and maintain low taxes so people can save money so their children can one day go to college. My son, Danny, is starting school soon, and we would like him to have an opportunity to go to college one day; and with tuitions on the rise, every penny we save will help in our dream of Danny going to college! This is why fiscal responsibility is so important right now in government. Stephen Campbell, Roland Theberge, and John Manning are candidates for selectmen that will give us the change we need to allow us to live the American dream in these difficult economic hard times that we all are experiencing. My husband and all these candidates have what it takes to get the job done! My husband and I at one time were facing homelessness. When my husband lost his job, we were almost homeless; but Steve Campbell gave us the advice we needed to straighten out our finances in order for us to save our home. Thank you, Steve. We will never forget what you did for us. We want the people of Salem to know that they have people who care about them in Steve Campbell, Roland Theberge, John Manning, and Patrick McDougall for Salem Selectmen and Budget Committee. I believe that Everett McBride and Mike Lyons and Susan Covey don’t care about saving our money. They care about expensive programs that have driven up our taxes over the last five years by 25 percent. Please help all of us live the American dream in Salem


by electing these great leaders into Salem government on Tuesday, March 8.


Jane McDougall - Salem continued to page 5 Re-Elect Mike Lyons Selectman


With Your Help We’ve Come A Long Way...


Accomplishments:


Police, Fire & DPW spending to less than 2% per year. Reconstructed 7 bridges in 5 years.


2010 Road Restoration largest in Town’s History (10.8 miles). $1.82 million received in Bridge aid.


Mike Selectman Lawrence Road Bridge Lake St. Resurfacing In the Next 3 Years...


Re-organize Town Staff for greater efficiency. Shared health care costs for all collective bargaining units. Reconstruct 4 structurally deficient bridges.


Execute the next 3 years of the 10-Year Road Program (24.2 miles).


Grand


Lyons Family 2011


LYONS


Lyons Family 2005


PAID FOR BY MIKE LYONS


Opening!


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