Pelham - Windham News | April 27, 2012 - 5 More Letters to our Editor continued from page 4 Many people believe that ALEC is in serious violation of this principle.
Personally I agree that ALEC has a right to advocate for “stand your ground” gun laws or legislation de-regulating chemicals used in fracking for natural gas among other things. Tese are important issues that need to be discussed and decided upon. Reasonable people may reach different conclusions but I am all for having the discussion proceed. I am not, however, in favor of being forced to pay for either side’s presentation of their point of view. I expect to be allowed to choose which
side I support and to contribute or not contribute to either side. I do not expect to have to pick up the slack in tax revenues to pay to rent a hall for a speaker with whom I do not necessarily agree. Allegations have been made that ALEC is abusing the taxpayers by claiming tax-exempt status. A call has been put out for a ruling on whether or not this is the case. It is not surprising that the people screaming the loudest about this are the people who most disagree with ALEC’s positions on the issues. Tat is human nature. Nonetheless, abuse of the taxpayers is
Italian Dinner at the VFW Draws a Crowd
filled both dining rooms at the VFW. Laughter was plentiful as the diners enjoyed their
by Lynne Ober John H. Hargreaves Memorial Post 10722 in Pelham once again
was the site of a wonderful dinner. This time the ladies in the VFW Auxiliary made Italian food that would rival any commercial Italian restaurant. Villa VFW served several varieties of traditional Italian pasta dishes coupled with salad, breads, beverages and very tasty desserts. The skills of these cooks are well known and dinner guests
dinner. At the buffet line, Rita McCabe, President of the VFW Auxiliary and Mark McCabe, Commander of the post served one and all with smiles and friendly conversation. “We try to encourage young and old people to come out and have a fun time with friends and family,” said Mark McCabe. “It is a time for the community to come together and enjoy some food. That’s part of what makes Pelham a special place to live.” If you missed this dinner, join the members on May 4 for their Annual Loyalty Day Awards Dinner, which honors community members. Winners of the VFW Programs such as Voice of Democracy, Patriots Pen, Eagle Scout and Girl Scout Silver Award winner, Young American Patriotic Art winner, Firefighter and Police Officers of the Year, Outstanding Community Volunteers will be honored. “It should be a wonderful dinner,”
said Dot Carter, “and it is always fun to honor those who give so much back to our community.” Doors open at 6 p.m. and everyone is welcome. Tickets are $10.
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31% of Fire Department Calls are Simultaneous
by Barbara O’Brien The beginning of 2012 has been very busy for
the Windham Fire Department, according to Chief Tom McPherson. McPherson updated selectmen on the first quarter of 2012 during the board’s weekly meeting on April 16. As of March 31, Windham Fire and Rescue had responded to a total of 347 calls for assistance, including 204 that involved medical emergencies or transports. Making the first three months of the year even busier is the fact that 31 percent of these calls were simultaneous, in that more than one call was in progress at the same time. “There have been quite a few times when nobody was left back at the station, at all,” McPherson said. The Windham Fire Department has been
somewhat short-handed since last year, when the number of firefighters per shift was reduced from five to four to save money on a budget strained by the need for overtime pay. The reduction was made at the instruction of selectmen. Things haven’t slowed down this month, either. During the first 15 days of April, Windham Fire responded to 56 additional calls, 38 percent of which were simultaneous. As for mutual aid calls, where assistance is either given to another community or received from another community, Windham provided seven medical assists to other communities, as well as 13 assists for fire-related emergencies. In return, Windham received 24 assists from other communities for medical issues, as well as 12 for incidents involving fires. McPherson said that
the large number of assists was due largely to cutbacks in staffing.
When questioned about overtime so far for 2012, McPherson said, “It’s always a big issue. We watch it on a daily basis and take it seriously.” McPherson said six significant changes in procedures had been made since last June, in order to save money on overtime. “Still,” the Chief continued, “we need to provide services.” “It’s like playing Russian Roulette,” as to whether or not there will be enough firefighters on hand, McPherson said.
At the end of the first quarter of the year, 21.6
percent of the total fire department operating budget had been expended. “We’ve made good strides and are maintaining the budget,” McPherson told selectmen. Incoming revenues, mainly for medical calls, totaled $86,190 as of the end of March. “Congratulations on holding tight to the budget,” Selectman Phil LoChiatto said. Despite LoChiatto’s accolades, McPherson continued to emphasize the department’s need to return to shifts with five firefighters.” An awful lot of the time staffing continues to be an issue,” McPherson responded. “We need to keep our firefighters safe.” The Windham Fire Department is currently
down two full-time firefighters. McPherson said the hiring process is underway, with oral review boards scheduled for April 30. In the meantime, one of the department’s call firefighters is helping to pick up the slack, McPherson said.
Where’s That House Number?
by Barbara O’Brien Windham Firefighters are asking for residents’ assistance in finding their homes in the event of an emergency.
It’s just a simple request, but it could save someone’s life. Be sure to have the number of
your property posted where it can be clearly seen by emergency personnel, whether it be day or night, rain or snow. The issue came up during the selectmen’s meeting on April 16, when Windham’s Assistant Fire Chief Ed Morgan commented on the significant amount of homes that do not have a house number posted out front, either on the mailbox or near the front door of the residence. While the posting of a house number is not required by town ordinance, it is a matter of common
sense. This is especially important where houses are spread out and not one right after the other. If a fire truck or ambulance misses the address where help is needed and has to turn around and search again, precious time is lost; time that could result in the loss of someone’s life, Morgan said. “We really need those numbers if you’re in trouble,” Morgan emphasized. “Otherwise, you could be looking at a delay in response.” This is particularly true in a medical emergency, Morgan explained, where there would most likely not be an outward sign of a problem, as there would be in a house fire. For additional information call the Windham Fire Department on its business line at 434-4907. “We’re just a phone call away,” Deputy Chief Bill Martineau said, emphasizing the department’s goal to provide excellent customer service to the residents of Windham.
Shaheen, Ayotte Announce New Hampshire Military Service Academy Day
U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), both members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, invite New Hampshire students interested in attending any of the country’s military service academies to attend New Hampshire Military Service Academy Day on Saturday, May 12, in Concord. The event will feature representatives from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Merchant
Marine Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. They will be available to provide information and answer questions from interested students. To be considered for appointment to a service academy, applicants must be nominated by a Member of Congress or other authorized nominating source. Staff representatives for Senators Shaheen and Ayotte will also be available to answer questions about obtaining service academy nominations. New Hampshire Military Service Academy Day Saturday, May 12 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
New Hampshire National Guard Headquarters, 1 Minuteman Way, Concord RSVP by e-mail to
RSVP@shaheen.senate.gov or contact Senator Shaheen’s office at (603) 647-7500. DERRY GOODWILL STORE
05.10.12 19C Manchester Road
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Thursday, May 10, 2012 Doors open at 9:00 am
Join us for raffle drawings, prizes and information about Goodwill’s work in the community.
www.goodwillnne.org
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a crime in and of itself. ALEC should be exonerated or found guilty of that offense independently of their position on any specific issue. ALEC’s positions on issues are neither offenses nor defenses. Tey are what they are. So are the rules, and so are the facts. Let’s hold the rules and the facts up against each other in a public forum and reach a verdict. Let’s not turn a Tax Code issue into a Free Speech issue.
D. Dellea, Windham
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