Pelham - Windham News | March 9, 2012 - 17 Thumbs Up? Thumbs Down?


Comments expressed in this column are the sole views of those callers and do not reflect the views of the Pelham~Windham News or its advertisers. Town and school officials encourage readers to seek out assistance directly to resolve any problems or issues. The Pelham~Windham News editorial staff holds the right to refuse any comment deemed inappropriate.


“Thumbs up to Carolyn Webber and Pam Skinner for Windham Planning Board. Pam and Carolyn are experienced and knowledgeable Planning Board members that evaluate all matters before the Board in a fair and balanced fashion and based on the merits of each application. Vote to re-elect Carolyn Webber and Pam Skinner on March 13th.”


“Thumbs up to Ross McLeod and Roger Hohenberger - candidates for Windham Board of Selectmen. Ross and Roger are not beholden to any individuals and special interest groups. Fiscally prudent, they both advocate for public safety and school impact fees to offset the additional costs of development on taxpayers. Please join me in re-electing Ross McLeod and Roger Hohenberger on March 13th.”


“Thumbs down to Corey Lewandowski for his malicious plot against Ross McLeod! All he found was that Ross liked Fantasy Football! Windham voters aren’t stupid!”


“Thumbs down to school board candidate


Therrien for campaigning right outside the doors of Windham High School as students were coming into school. Let the students start their day without solicitation.”


“Thumbs down to our candidate for Town


Treasurer, Mr. Lewandowski. If he had his way, I guess everyone would come armed to meetings in town buildings. While that might be legal, would it be safe? Does anyone want to discuss good judgment? Vote for Bob Skinner, someone you can trust.”


“Thumbs down to a Windham church taking political stands for candidates…while I’m sure members of all churches are on school and town boards, only the Fosters’ Crossing Church allows political signs on their property.”


“Thumbs up to truth. Eddie, to be re-elected


by the people, you must first be elected by the people.”


“Thumbs up. Our chief has put endless weeks, months and years working on the fire station. Meetings, blueprints, websites, presentations and so much more, we can all agree on this. I would like to see the hours. When the Fire House Passes, do we really need a Deputy? How can the cheif not be busy.”


“Thumbs down to Windham selectmen and


the WSB for wanting more and more. Your out- of-control spending causing our property taxes to skyrocket every six months is devastating and making it unaffordable to live here for many


homeowners. Then, you stick the cost of two athletic fields in with the portables (Article 3). We have enough parks and fields that can be used for now. No new school, no athletic fields and no to greedy, whiny teachers! Be thankful you have a job. If you’re not happy, you can be replaced. Hopefully we can elect some officials that will actually care about struggling homeowners for a change!”


“Thumbs down BOS. Who thought it was a good idea to have an employee that ‘could’ be terminated represent the town on the water district? Only to be seen again. Who thought it was a good idea to have a member up for election in a week be a rep for the NRPC. Really? Are you thinkin?. And you wonder why there are no Votes!”


“Thumbs down to Obama for among other things he has done is interrupting my soap programs when he comes on TV at 1 p.m. Can’t wait until November to send him packing back to his buddies in Chicago.”


“Thumbs down to giving the school board the “option” of “looking” into selling the land parcel across from the school, meaning the school board does want to sell the land, and at a loss for sure. That parcel was purchased for the purpose of leveling and utilizing for a school parking lot. We own that land. Level and utilize for parking, a school necessity. But no. Let the school board play their games and chase their tales accomplishing the usual nothing.”


“Thumbs up to Stacy and Michael.


Congratulation on your beautiful new daughter, Caroline Elizabeth.”


“Thumbs down to the Pelham High School Athletic Director. No wonder all our sports are suffering. We hire coaches with no experience.”


“Thumbs down to the person who sent in the thumbs about the gas station on Rte. 38 charging over $4.00/gallon. You better go back and look because it’s $4.09/gallon. It’s probably more now because it is, after all, owned by Klem, and it is, after all, one of those high priced gas stations. $4.00/gallon is absolutely ridiculous and so are you for supporting it.”


“Thumbs down to the person who wrote to the submitter. My name is Paul. I wrote about Obama belongs back in Kenya where he was born because that is where he belongs. And regarding the bridge infrastructure, you say you were curious and looked into it, well you didn’t look hard enough because if what you’re saying is true and


California actually did refuse federal money, guess who’s running California? That would be Nancy Polosi, Obama’s right hand person. What about jobs for America? Give us a break. Give us some jobs. Get rid of Obama.”


“Thumbs up to always supporting Pelham


High’s maintenance and improvements to always keep our high school in safe, efficient and sufficient high school building for high school.”


“Thumbs down to Richard Ford who continues to run for public office in Windham. For years he has neglected his summer residence, now an eyesore and detriment to the community. How can he be a responsible school board member if he is an irresponsible property owner.”


“Thumbs down. Vote no on new fire house. Add garage on each side of the existing fire house. You want private bedrooms, go on eight hour shifts like the PD.”


They head the related organizations Crossing Life Church, YouthStorm, and Prayer Furnace and I don’t think they’re being honest with the voters. Ten days ago, a “Core Value” of Prayer Furnace was “We desire to see the transformation of our government to reflect the kingdom of God that is built on righteousness and justice” – that statement is now gone. Ten days ago, Kurt Michelson (also running for office) was listed prominently in the YouthStorm leadership – now he’s not mentioned. What’s their real agenda for Windham, and why are they hiding that a third person in their leadership team is running?”


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“Thumbs down to the house that is on Range Road. It’s a disgrace, you really should change your flag. I drive by that every day and see that worn, torn flag and it’s just a disgrace.”


“Thumbs up. I’m calling because anyone who is going to the polls, I really wish that they will take into consideration the Fire Station this year.


I


totally agree that they do deserve it, but in a time when everything is so out of control and the price of gas is supposed to be $5/gallon come Memorial Day, the price of food at the supermarket every week and the tax bill going up $350 in a 6 month period time, how much more can they expect us to take in? I’m asking everyone to vote no for the Fire Station.”


“Thumbs down to the person or persons who are responsible for the correct spelling of streets and roads for the town of Pelham. West Fall Road North or West Fall Road South are misspelled on both signs. Bad enough, I picked up the new town report and they misspelled the roads again on page 100. Too bad they didn’t know Eddie West Fall who played for the Bruins in the 1970’s when the Bruins won the Stanley cup! Eddie lived in Pelham, NH and owned that land at the time he played for the Boston Bruins. FYI – It was named after him.”


“Thumbs down to what is motivating the Fosters to run for town and school positions in Windham.


“Thumbs up to Pelham Fire Chief James Midgley, for taking the photos of the new addition to the Pelham Senior Center. And having them used on the front cover of this year’s annual report. Good strategy Chief. This should get all the seniors who can least afford a tax increase to vote yes for a new fire station. Yah right!”


“Thumbs down to giving St. Patrick school $31,262 of public money. St. Patrick charges a hefty tuition. This tuition should be used for school expenses. Parents who send children to private schools do so because they feel public schools are inferior. If St. Patrick cannot afford to hire a nurse, they need to raise their tuition and not ask Pelham tax-payers to subsidize a Catholic school. Pelham could use this $31,262 for public school needs. It is just not right to give public money to a Catholic school. Please give this some thought before voting.”


Tank you for your submissions. All comments, thumbs up or down, are anonymous and not written by the Pelham~Windham News staff. Tumbs comments can be sent via telephone, 880-1516 or emailed to us at thumbs@areanewsgroup.com. When submitting a Tumbs comment, please specify that you would like it printed in the Pelham~Windham News. No names are necessary. Please keep negative comments to the issue. Comments should be kept to 100 words or less.


Four-Way Race for Two Zoning Board Seats


by Barbara O’Brien Generally speaking, becoming a member of a zoning board of adjustment (ZBA) does not attract a lot of interest. That is not the case in Windham this year, however, as four residents are striving to win one of the two open seats. James Tierney became an alternate member of


the ZBA in 2006, after which he got the nod as a regular member. He is hoping to keep that spot at the table. “Zoning is my life,” Tierney told those who attended the recent Meet the Candidates Night, sponsored by the Windham Woman’s Club. Tierney said he has lots of experience in issues pertaining to land use. He said he works as the code enforcement officer in another town and is a certified building inspector. He said he served in that capacity in Windham from 2003-2005. He has also served on the State Land Use Board of Appeals, Tierney noted, stating that he has previously worked as a professional witness for the State of New Hampshire regarding land use appeals. Tierney stated that he has attended about 90


percent of all the ZBA meetings held within the past six years. He has also worked in the construction industry for approximately 25 years, he added. Tierney has been a Windham resident for the past 13 years and “wants to keep the rural character” of the town intact. Jay Yennaco was born and raised in Windham,


after his family moved to the area in 1944. He and his wife have three children, all of whom are also growing up in Windham and attending local schools. He is the owner of Delahunty Nursery in Windham, as well as two other businesses, neither of which are retail in nature. Yennaco is a first-time candidate for a ZBA


slot. “I would like to see the town make forward progress,” he said, adding that he believes he “can bring clear thinking” to the zoning board of adjustment. Yennaco said he has attended about a half- dozen ZBA meetings in the past, but noted that he currently serves as vice-chairman of the Windham Economic Development Committee, so feels he is familiar with many of the issues that are relevant to the ZBA. Yennaco said he doesn’t foresee any conflict of interest should he be elected to the ZBA, but promised that he would recuse himself from any case where there was such a perception. “I consider myself a person of great ethics,” he said. Mike Scholz said he was initially attracted


to Windham by its strong community values, viewing it as “a small town with honest values.” Scholz works in the area of information


technology for a software company. He is also a member of the Marine Corps Reserves. He has served as an alternate on the ZBA for the past two years and now feels he’s ready for a regular


seat on the board. “I am fully aware of zoning duties and regulations,” he stated. Scholz said he regularly attends ZBA meetings in his capacity as an alternate member, estimating that he has attended approximately 90 percent of hearings held since 2010. Scholz described himself as “fair and impartial,” someone who makes decisions based on experience and knowledge. “We must have a ZBA that’s impartial,” he said, explaining that he has absolutely no ties to local developers or businesses. Scholz stated that he doesn’t foresee any conflicts of interest with cases being heard, but that he would recuse himself, should such a situation arise. John Alosso has lived in Windham since 1980.


He served on the planning board from 1987- 1989, as well as the Rockingham County Planning Commission. He is an alternate to the Windham Cable Board, as well as being a member of the Windham Housing Authority; a term that expires in 2014. He was a member of the ZBA from 2007 to 2010. He was also a board member of the Dollars for Scholars program. As an alternate member of the ZBA, Alosso said he attended about 95 percent of the meetings. “Experience is critical,” Alosso commented.


“Each case must be based on facts and on the rules of decision.” Alosso said that he has two Bachelors Degrees, as well as a Masters Degree


Planning Board Zoning Amendment Article


submitted by Laura Scott, Community Development Director, Windham The Windham Planning Board is proposing a series of Zoning Amendments for the 2012 Town Meeting.


Amendment 1 is to the Appeals Section of


the Zoning Ordinance (Section 904). This Amendment would clarify that appeals to the Zoning Board of Adjustment need to be made within 30 days of the issuance of the decision of the Planning Board and within 30 days of the decision being issued by the Administrative


Officer. This amendment will ensure that those aggrieved by a decision of the Planning Board and/or Administrative Officer understand the timeframe in which an appeal needs to be made. This was recommended by the Planning Board 6-0.


For more information on this Amendment, or


any of the other Zoning Amendments, visit the Planning Board page of the Town Website, www. windhamnewhampshire.com, or contact the Community Development Department at 432- 3806.


in Business. His professional career has been in Corporate America, Allosso said, mostly with major retail companies. He is also the project manager for Windham Meadows. As for his candidacy for the ZBA, Alosso said he believes it is necessary for members to look at all the facts in an unemotional way. Alosso said he would recuse himself from any hearing where there was a conflict of interest. “It’s a matter of ethics,” he said.


In response to a question from the audience pertaining to aspects of the ZBA that the candidates would like to see improved, Alosso mentioned “consistency.” “ZBA members all need to be on the same page,” he said. Tierney pointed out the recent loss of the secretarial position as being a negative for ZBA hearings, particularly in regard to having all the relevant information at hand. Yennaco said that he feels “consistency of discussion” needs improvement. “Stay on focus; stay on target,” Yennaco said. “Take all the facts into consideration.” Scholz said he would like to see more participation by ZBA alternate members. He suggested that the by-laws be changed to allow for the additional deliberation. Election Day is Tuesday, March 13. The polls will be open to registered voters from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. and are located at Windham High School.


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