budget committee meeting tonight

It has been awhile since the Attorney General sent the cease and desist order to the current chairperson of the Newmarket Budget Committee Amy Thompson- May 21, 2014 to be exact. Since then there have been a couple schools of thought. One being she should be removed from her position for partaking/ spearheading the letters sent to Newmarket residents that were full of lies and misinformation. The other one being to let her stay and complete her term on the committee.

I feel there is another way to end this situation. Let her stay however make it known on the Budget Committee record of minutes that not everyone on the Budget Committee was a part of sending those letters and in no way did each member of the committee agree with what was in them. Some of the members were a part of the Vote No group and had their hand in the letter, they managed to keep their identities a secret. 

This is one of those town issues that should not be swept under the rug and forgotten over the years. 

A resident of our town. 

An elected official on the Budget Committee. 

The Chairperson of that committee. 

Sent out Vote No letters to residents with no valid group name or author.

Even after discussions were had online and in the newspapers, no one came forward saying they were a part of this group calling themselves "Newmarket Citizens for Responsible School Solutions/ NCFRSS". It was all very secretive.

Why be so secretive if you believe in something that strongly?

The letter below appeared in the newspaper in June and is from Amy Thompson.

Free speech denied being denied in Newmarket

Saturday, June 7, 2014

It’s a dark day indeed when ones constitutionally guaranteed free speech rights are used as a battering ram.

(See: http://tinyurl.com/Newmarket-vote)

Acting as the chairperson of a group of taxpayers called “Newmarket Citizens for Responsible School Solutions” which advocated a “no” vote on the seriously flawed plan for a new school facility that could have bankrupted the town, I sought guidance on how to proceed with a mailer. I was given vague and misleading information by both the state and the postal service. In one instance it was explained to me that the governing RSA 664:14 applied only to statewide issues. It was because of this misinformation that our mailing was “out of compliance”. The AG’s office has stated that this is a “Closed Matter”. There is no “there” there.

That is the sum total of what happened. I sought information in an effort to be sure that we were in compliance and I was, I assume, unintentionally misinformed. The losing side of the school issue would insist that I (we) made a deliberate attempt to deceive and conceal our identities and that is a complete falsehood.

It’s that simple.

No vast conspiracy to mislead anyone and I can assure you that any future mailers will most certainly be in compliance.

As Americans we have a constitutionally guaranteed right to express ourselves on public matters. Sometime we win and sometimes we lose the argument. It’s utterly appalling how some will resort to aggressively vicious personal attacks simply because they wind up on the losing side of an issue. It’s one thing to suffer a loss at the ballot box but it’s quite another to be subjected to the thuggishly aggressive attacks of the sore losers.

This same group would further attempt to punish me for the exercise of my free speech rights by urging my removal from the chair of the Newmarket Budget Committee, once again, because I actively disagreed with them on the totally unrelated matter of how to proceed on the school issue.

I want to thank the people of Newmarket for all the messages of support and understanding. I’m not going away. I am a woman who will not be pushed around because of my opinions.

These outrageous attempts to silence me on public matters will not succeed.

Amy Thompson
Newmarket

Yes Amy Thompson does have the right to free speech. But she needs to follow all the laws accordingly to use that free speech.

Her passing the buck on being "unintentionally misinformed" by receiving "vague and misleading information by both the state and the postal service" is just that.... passing the buck. I did a Google search of RSA 664:14 and found the information quickly.

II. Political advertising to promote the success or defeat of a measure by a business organization, labor union, or other enterprise or organization shall be signed. The name of the enterprise or organization shall be indicated and the chairman or treasurer of the enterprise or organization shall sign his name and address. Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit contributions which are prohibited under RSA 664:4.


III. In the case of printed or written matter, the signature and address of signer shall be printed or written in a size of type or lettering large enough to be clearly legible.

Residents and voters of Newmarket- let us not forget this incident as we go forward in trying to solve our school situation. Remember who has done and said what when their terms come to a close in March 2015.

yes i did and am not ashamed to say so

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water, along comes a famished shark and chomps your leg off.

At least that is how I feel right about now.

The new year came in with a much debated warrant article concerning the building of a Junior Senior High School for our fair town. I wrote here on my blog concerning my position of wanting the school to be built. I posted status updates on Facebook my desire as well as added pictures telling everyone what I wanted. I put signs on my lawn. I walked in a family event march in support of a new school. I was more than forthcoming. For all of that, I am proud to say I did everything I could to try to get the town's children a new building in which to receive an education. I am not ashamed of any of it. And I still believe that the only individuals who lost out on March 11, 2014 were the students of Newmarket. 

During that time, many households in Newmarket received two letters from a group calling themselves Newmarket Citizens for Responsible School Solutions (NCFRSS). These letters were full of misinformation. I wrote blog entries concerning their errors which you can read here, and here.

I am posting both of the mailings below.

What is missing from these letters is an actual real live persons name who will take responsibility for sending these out to the voters of Newmarket. That is the law. If you send something to voters telling them how to vote in an election, the name of the responsible person must be included. Not a made up group name which played off of the real live Newmarket Solutions group name, but an actual real live registered voter in town. Both of the letters sent out did not include such information.

When it was made public that this law was being violated with these mailings, concerned residents in town sent in complaints to the Attorney General's office. I am not ashamed to say that I was one that complained about the NCFRSS mailings. I did receive a letter back from the Attorney General letting me know that the complaint was being looked into and I would be hearing again at the close of the investigation.

Fast forward to earlier this week when I received the letter below.

It is addressed to the responsible party Amy M. Thompson. Those of us who made complaints are listed in the CC at the bottom of the second page. I am proud to have my name attached to this cease and desist order addressed to Ms. Thompson. 

Now for the fun part-- Ms. Thompson is the chairperson of the town's Budget Committee. The talk in town is that she should be forced to resign from that board for her actions during the 2014 voting season. Once again I will put myself and my opinion out there and will agree that Ms. Amy Thompson should not be allowed to be a member of the Budget Committee going forward. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse for breaking it and as an elected official, the standards of ethics need to be upheld. As of right now, nothing has been decided but we shall see.

Of course the few outspoken NO voters that do all of their talking via the internet have tried to crucify those of us who complained. I have not read any of their complaints because my life does not revolve around what they say or think about me or the March 11th vote and am basing the above statement on what I have been told. I proudly stand behind my actions and statements. If I wouldn't say it to your face or in a public forum/ place, I would not put it on the internet. I ask the NO voters to do the same or keep their mouths shut. 

Proud that I voted YES for a new school and will continue to fight for the education of Newmarket's students.

because of them

These two are my reason I am so passionate about a new Junior/ Senior High School for Newmarket.

These two are my life.

They have given me a reason to fight so hard on this issue that is facing our town.

I would do and will do anything to better their lives.

That's what makes me a parent.

And right now this momma bear is unhappy. 

The new school article failed- this time. I do not think that it is three strikes and we need to try something totally different. The other school warrant articles were not presented well and were not thought out completely. There will be another school presented again on next years ballot. There has to be. There is no other option left for us.

The nay sayers/ Facebook trolls/ unhappy people in this town are trying to offer an olive branch in the guise of good faith and coming together as a community. With them they are making statements such as 'I would have voted for it without the assembly hall or music room'. No you wouldn't have but if that eases your conscience, feel free to preach away. Another statement is that 'both sides of this issue should come together and talk about what to do'. 

Here I am once again going to draw my line.

We have tried to come together. It is called School Board meetings, facilities meetings, bond hearing meetings, Newmarket Solutions meetings, and town meetings. These people do not make the effort to attend any of these. I get it. It is much easier to sit at home at your computer and vent away (one of my guilty pleasures of having a blog). HOWEVER.... if you truly want to be involved- GO TO THE MEETINGS. Talk to people face to face. Look into their eyes. Listen to what they are saying. Voice your concerns.

My next thought about the olive branch being extended was that it was done in fear. Deep down scared out of your wits fear. This vote was the closest that it has ever been. Almost 50% of the town approved building a new school. That is crazy good news. Seriously!! The Yes voters got out there and in eight weeks from when Oyster River said no to us until voting day- spread the word on the school situation. Correcting misinformation, showing people numbers, and getting people registered to vote. 

EIGHT WEEKS!!

We were ten percent away from getting a new school built! 

The no side saw that. They can see the momentum we have on our side. They have to be able to feel the sense of community that our group has generated. That is why they want to 'talk'. Why they want to discuss different plans on the building. 

Sure we can talk but my demands now are different. No longer does an assembly hall work- I want an auditorium. One that can hold the entire Junior/ Senior High school population at one time. This town is in desperate need of a large meeting space and an auditorium would be a god send. No more deliberative sessions sitting on hard bleachers or in folding chairs for three hours. Seeing a drama production with a decent sized audience, and not having to sit on folding chairs. Hearing and seeing what the students say and do while they are on stage. That needs to be a part of the plans. The new school also has to have a way to be added onto. Newmarket needs to learn a lesson from all of the school situations that have arisen. We cannot make this building too small or unable to have additions. 

I don't think we should pare down the current design in order to appease the no side. We need to educate the ones who were on the fence but leaning to the yes side. 

We were very close- 50% in eight weeks!! 

Imagine what we can do with a full year on our side!

twas the night before the big vote

** If I had been thinking, I would have worked on this sooner than 8:30 the night before the big vote. But I tried. Keep it light and funny and remember above all--  

VOTE YES!! **

Twas the night before the big vote; 
the no votes were trolling
trying to get in our heads.
The vote yes community
care not what they say.
We have done our best and been strong;
held our heads up
and played by the rules.
Information is out for all to see-
the only option is to vote yes!
Vote yes for the new school
for Newmarket's future.
It can be made bright with a yes-
uncertain and unknown with a no.

Tomorrow you will see us
no matter where you turn.
The red and white
VOTE YES signs
EVERYWHERE 
in our small town.

Newmarket residents come out
let your voices be heard.
Go to Town Hall and vote for the future.
Place a YES upon all articles!

As candidates go please vote for these
they are tireless, fearless and brave.
Put them in office, it is where they belong.

Starting with Town Council place a vote for 
Toni Weinstein and Phil Nazzaro.
For Budget Committee consider
Mickey Burns, Craig Dionne and Meg Louney
as your candidates of choice.
Write in Kathy Harter for the two year term-
she is ready to prove the nay sayers wrong.
Supervisor of Checklists 
please vote for Nicole Benson.
School Board positions consider these two-
Nathan Lunney and Mary Jane Hilton.
School Moderator write in
Chris Hawkins as a choice.
Town Clerk I suggest
Terri Littlefield for the position.

Until seven o'clock sleep well
little town of Newmarket. 
Your big day will arrive and you must be rested.
Be strong, stand tall and shine.
Keep positive and remember
kill them with kindness-
it is the best way.
Vote Yes and make sure others do as well.
A new school is our best option-
MAKE IT SO!

tomorrow we vote!

HELLO NEWMARKET PEOPLE!!

Tomorrow March 11th is the day that will decide the next course of action for our town.

That is the day where every single vote counts!

Make the time to get out there and vote.

Tell your friends and neighbors.

Offer rides to those who do not drive.

Yes this vote is monumental in nature.

Recap of items. I'll start with the timeline on the Junior/ Senior High School from its beginnings in 1925 to today 2014. That is 89 years of teaching of our town's children. School buildings are built to last about fifty years due to the changes in technology and teaching styles. Ours has been band aided together for over twenty years. It is now time to pull that band aid off and put our tax money into a building everyone in town can be proud of for the next fifty years (or more).

My favorite flier of this whole ordeal. Straight up answers most of the commonly heard myths concerning a new school being built in Newmarket. 

The latest letter from those 'concerned citizens' is now throwing out the option of another architectural firm to design us a building since Harriman (our current architectural firm) was let go from the Portsmouth school district. Let's look at that. Starting with the cost of another firm- would the No vote spend the money for another firm to do the work? Guessing not, they don't like to spend money. Yes Harriman was released from Portsmouth since that school district thought that a renovation would cost less than building a new school. Guess what?? That project is currently $3.3 million OVER BUDGET and the costs are still adding up with the 'cheaper' renovation option that Portsmouth went with. Maybe Harriman was right after all. 

We are at the end of the options Newmarket. This project will only get more expensive for every year we wait. Then who will be here to pay the tab??

Wondering who to vote for? The below list will help you. Newmarket Solutions has endorsed the candidates listed below.

Please write in Kathy Harter for the two year budget committee position.

There has been much 'slander' on the internet concerning her qualifications and that she is another rubber stamper only interested in spending money. There was also a discussion that write ins should not be allowed; that the only way into a position should be by being on the ballot. Trying to discuss with the vote No group that this is AMERICA and the right to do a write in candidate is for every citizen ended with petty replies and condescension. You can bring a Mule to water but you cannot make it drink. Or see the truth. Or have an intellectual conversation.

Write her in. She is more than qualified to help keep Newmarket financial responsible.

Another look at the beautiful rendering of the school. I cannot wait to drop my kiddos off at that building. Amazing amount of pride will be flowing out of that building into the town of Newmarket.

VOTE YES!!!

myths versus facts

Newmarket Solutions did an AMAZING job with the second mailer they sent out. Check it out. It seriously rocks! 

LOVE LOVE LOVE this side!!

Favorite part of this mailer---

   "Myth #5: "The $45.1 million estimate does not include everything- and will inevitable cost more."

FACT: The bond is for exactly $45,125,263 and it is an inclusive estimate * from a third party consultant. Among many things, it includes the construction of the new building, demolition and hazardous waste removal, bidding documentation, permits, insurance, furnishings and a recommended 5% contingency for cost overruns. * Provided by independent estimator Jobin Construction Consultants, the cost includes $31.9 million (the new building); $6 million (demolition of the old building and hazardous waste removal); $7 million (bidding documentation, permits, insurance, furnishings, and a 5 percent contingency for cost overruns)."

Love the breakdown on the use of the bonded monies. There is the No vote peoples $30 million school!! We did what they kept asking us to do. The rest of the monies are for the expected costs associated with a building project. I want to sky write this, run up and down Main Street with a clapboard sign on me with this, and post it to every single vote no sign in town!!

NEWMARKET

VOTE YES ON

ARTICLE #1

ON TUESDAY!

Let's get the school built for the future of Newmarket!!

newmarket solutions mailer

This also came to my house last week. Funny- did not see any mention of it from the vote No side.

You can see who it is from as it has the chairpersons names on it as well as a website where you can learn more about the situation. No scare tactics or misinformation happening here.

In case you didn't notice-- 

VOTE YES ON MARCH 11TH

the angry ugly side of article one

Once again the No vote side has done their "best" and used scare tactics, misinformation and name calling to get their side heard. My household received this very angry letter. You can feel the anger rising as you are reading it and I am not talking about you yourself as the reader getting angry at the misinformation, but the actual anger of the writer of this notice.

Starting at the beginning I shall refute their missive.  

"..... snickering and laughter. The "New School at Any Cost" proponents' response when an 88 plus year old World War II veteran expressed concerns about his ability to pay the additional taxes." I wouldn't call it "snickering and laughter" AT the gentleman, but what he was saying about an article that ran in the newspaper. Plus let's not forget that this same gentleman was swearing at those who were for the school while they were at the microphone. Oh, didn't (Newmarket Citizens for Responsible School Solutions)NCFRSS mention that in their rambling? 

It is nice that both sides agree that the teachers are doing a wonderful job considering the building is falling apart all around them.

"Where we differ is on their insistence that we must spend as much as 79 million dollars including bonding costs to solve a problem that could be addressed with as little as half that amount or even less." Love the scare tactics on this point. The ballot is for the amount of $45.1 million- they are adding on the interest which at this point we have no idea how much our rate will be. The best part of the bond? WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY IT ALL AT ONE TIME!! This is over many years. Try not to make it sound like Newmarket has to come up with $79 million overnight for a new school.

I am not sure when the group "Newmarket Solutions" became the "New School at Any Cost" but I am guessing that the No side doesn't want anyone aware that the "Newmarket Solutions" group is around with the correct information and not the misinformation that the No side is flinging around.

"The School Board and Moderator were dismissive of those who didn't agree with them on the financial impact of the warrant article, those who questioned the lack of any alternatives and in general anyone justifiably concerned that the tax hike would drive them out of their homes." This point they are somewhat correct but their view is skewed. The deliberative sessions are NOT the time to come up with alternatives to the warrant article being presented for ballot. That time had come and gone with none of the No side showing up. There are many meetings that these concerned citizens never bothered to attend; only coming out when it is convenient for them and then try to call foul. The discussion on the table at the deliberative session was to change any of the wording on the warrant article. Not to slam the school board or superintendent for due diligence on items you feel they did not pursue. Not to discuss financial impact. Changing of the wording as allowed by law. If you feel as strongly as you do, go to the meetings and let your voice be heard. Don't sit at home on Facebook venting that 'they wouldn't listen to us anyway'. How do you know unless you go? Bring the whole group of citizens looking for responsible solutions. Like I tell my kids, how do you know unless you try? Seems like good advice to the No group.

"We need to renovate our JR/SR high school buildings or facilitate an alternate solution such as "Tuitioning" with a neighboring town. Last year over 70% of Newmarket voters demanded that the School Board and Superintendent arrange a "Tuitioning" agreement. There was, shall we say, a half-hearted effort and a predictably poor result." Renovation of the current facility is not an option that is available to Newmarket. The building cannot be built upwards due to lack of structure support. The building cannot be added onto due to lack of footage on the current site. There are not enough classrooms as it is right now. How do you expect to renovate these small classrooms into larger classrooms with no additions? Let's not forget that pesky asbestos that is in the majority of the 1965 addition that will be exposed with any type of renovation. That is not a cheap fix as this past summers fire and life safety construction showed us. Yes a tuitioning agreement was voted on as our last option before building a new school. Talks were entered into with Oyster River. Meetings and presentations were held in both towns. At the same time Oyster River was also courting other towns to fill their school. Newmarket was not the only game in town for Oyster River and personally I feel Newmarket was used as a way to ensure that Barrington signed the agreement with Oyster River. Barrington's student numbers are well under the 300 Newmarket students on the table. For Oyster River it made them very uncomfortable to push their building capacity to over 90%. Newmarket cannot demand that Oyster River take our students. From this letter and the first, the No vote side is clinging to Oyster River as a viable option. Let it go people. There is a closed door with a do not disturb sign on that option at Oyster River.

The only thing I will say about newspaper editorials is that they are written to sensationalize a situation to sell newspapers or in this case, online subscriptions. 

"When you're casting your vote on March 11th remember that by state law, warrant articles are required to present ONLY the FIRST YEAR cost per thousand and that number has been artificially reduced to $1.75 to hide the big surprise. Shortly after the first year the Newmarket taxpayers' cost per thousand will balloon to a whopping $4.26 per thousand per year for the remainder of the Bond term! The "New School At Any Cost" people are hoping that you won't notice this little "trick". The tax impact being artificially reduced is more misinformation. There was a savings that was left over from the previous years budget which is turned back over to the tax payers resulting in the reduced cost for the coming year. When the same thing happens on the town side, people commend the Town Administrator and Town Council for a job well done. Same thing NCFRSS!!! As for the large tax rate let us look at the numbers IF the Oyster River tuitioning agreement that was on the table HAD gone through. (I am using a letter submitted to the paper by Heather Raab. She received the numbers from Dr. Hayes)

"I would like to point out to Newmarket residents that the tuition agreement we were negotiating with Oyster River would have had a higher tax impact than the proposal for a $45.1 million school. The maximum bond payment for the proposed new building is approximately $2.8 million per year, assuming the competitive bidding process does nothing to lower the cost of the school.

In the year 2015-2016, the tuition to Oyster River would have cost Newmarket $2.2 million in addition to the $1.8 million needed to fix the fire and life safety issues at the middle school. This dollar amount does not include the costs to bus the students to Durham or to operate the current middle school (i.e. heat, electricity, staffing, maintenance, etc.). In the year 2021-2022, just 6 years into the deal, the cost was scheduled to increase to $3.3 million per year for tuition.

Think about this: In 2015-2016 we would have paid $4 million instead of $2.8 million. In 2021 we would have been paying $3.3 million annually, plus the cost to operate the middle school, instead of $2.8 million annually. We would be “renting” a space in Oyster River for more money than owning a building in our own town. If we decided we wanted buy into the Oyster River Cooperative District in 5-7 years, it was estimated that is would have cost us an additional $4-5 million.

Over time, tuition rates will increase due to inflation, while a 25 year bond payment for a new school will remain the same $2.8 million each year for the life of the loan. For those who think we should further explore deals with other towns, I ask you, given all of this information, does it really make sense?

Heather Raab"

As you can see from the above picture of the letter that was received by me, there is no signature or name mentioned as to who makes up the mystery group of "Newmarket Citizens". If you are so against a new school, have the brass balls to sign your name. Do not hide behind a group name that plays off an actual group who has come up with solutions for Newmarket's situation. That is the part of the letter that truly angers me. I will tell the world.... I, Terri Clark Foltz, am 100% behind a brand new Junior/ Senior High School for the town of Newmarket! I am proud to say that and put it on the internet, and have the brass balls to keep it there and not take it down.

A wonderful poster created by a parent! Love the play on the red and blue. Look at all those happy faces in the new building! Makes a parent proud.

NEWMARKET PEEPS! 

VOTE YES ON MARCH 11TH.

so very sad

This letter was in one of the local papers, found this posted online. I am saddened by this letter in many ways. Mostly because once again the No voters have used scare tactics, slandering of the superintendent and misinformation to bring this Newmarket resident to the vote No side.

I am also saddened that this individual has "more than 35 years of professional classroom experience" and cannot see the writing on the wall as to the condition of the school building and all that has been done over the past twenty years and more that this issue has been dividing the town. I also wonder if he has taken a tour of the Junior/ Senior High School because the size of the classrooms alone is a scary factor to come face to face with.

Read on and I will dissect the points after-

Let us start with the statement "that Newmarket dropped the ball when it took steps that leave the town quite alone in dealing with the needs of our students." I am wondering how the entire town of Newmarket did this? Was it failing when there was a Facilities Committee formed years ago to look into all possible options dealing with the Junior/ Senior High School situation? Was it failing when every option that was brought up was looked into thoroughly by the school board and the superintendent (both current and previous)? Or was it the No voters who failed Newmarket's children when cheaper options were presented which included State Aid were voted down?

Speaking to "many long-time residents of the town" and the conclusion reached by all is "that the superintendent of schools failed in his responsibility to press the potential Oyster River resolution to a satisfactory conclusion". There were NUMEROUS meetings between both districts since the previous years deliberative sessions and there were chances for these long-time residents to speak out at these meetings as well as school board meetings yet they did neither of these. The School Board of Oyster River voted NOT to accept our students as it would push their numbers too close to their maximum capacity whereas Barrington's students would not do so, I think that "conclusion" is wishful thinking on the part of the No voters. Get off of the bandwagon that Dr. Hayes did not do everything he could to get our students to Oyster River. There is paperwork to prove that the agreement was signed and ready to go to Oyster River- even if those with "much good sense" do not want to believe it.

We are a "relatively small demographic based" community, yes we are. However our tax rates in previous years were well over $40/ $1000 and that was BEFORE the town approved the building of these three and four bedroom neighborhoods. I don't see anywhere the dire straights that the No voters are speaking of by having an increase in the tax rate at this time. The town allowed those homes to be built to reduce the tax rate. Now these houses have families with children who MUST BE EDUCATED. Time for Newmarket to pay the piper and do what is legal and necessary to uphold their contract when they built those homes. Let's remember that the golf course is also getting ready to be turned into housing which will in turn bring in revenue for Newmarket as well as more families with children who will need an education. It is a vicious circle to invite families into your town yet not have a plan to educate them.

"Ideally, one solution is to return to a possible relationship with Oyster River." Again I say- they refused our students as it would bring their student population to the maximum capacity for the facility which they are not comfortable with. Returning to hound them will not change their minds on accepting our students.  "Ideally" it would be great to hop into the DeLorean and take the state aid from 2006 (and earlier) to build a new school. That isn't happening either.

"An alternative solution must be found for Newmarket in relationship with another high school." ummm.... hello McFly. Been there done that. Exeter voters gave us a resounding NO to accepting our students. Epping as well voted NO to us. We reached out to other towns but they are happy with their current arrangements with their schools of record. How many  more times do you think we can keep asking these towns? How much more waiting do we have to do before we can get a new school built? I'm sure you have heard from those "long- time residents" how much time they have wasted by putting things on the back burner; for example the water treatment plant, the dam,  and the pipe from the well to main street. 

Bernard K. Gordon- if you were truly a part of the Yes vote, you would have all these answers to your questions. All of these items that you point out have been thought of and investigated. Just because the No vote side does not like the outcome of all of these options - meaning Newmarket is on their own in this situation- does not mean we can keep revisiting them. You also have to understand that the No vote is anti- Dr. Hayes at all costs. No matter what he says, they say he is lying. No matter what information is distributed- it is not all there or not the truth. For whatever reason- the No voters will never believe anything from him or the school board. Maybe if they were as vocal at an actual school board meeting as they are on Facebook, they would have all the answers they demand.

Do I want my taxes going up? Heck no. But if they have to go up (and they will as we try to band aid the current school into a working condition) I would much rather have something to show for my money than an old, run down, too small for DOE standards building. The children of this town deserve it. Continuing to do nothing will cost this town much more in the future. How will the No voters feel when the town is bankrupt due to parents suing Newmarket for failure to provide necessary services promised when Newmarket approved those housing developments? I bet they will wish they had voted yes to a new school.

R E S P E C T one another

*** the below post is my opinion only and not the opinion of any other individual and/ or group ***

The following Bitstrips show how respectful the No voters are toward the Yes voters in our town.

 There was an editorial from the Seacoast Media Group in the paper (who are not based in our town or live in our town or have a horse in this race) stating what a bad idea it is for our town to build a school. Sorry. Unless you live here, you do not get a say on what is a good or a bad idea for Newmarket. So why would we give it an ounce of thought as to what they say?? Guess that made the No voters upset.

This one really scares me to no end. Shooting a television? What is next -- supporters on Main Street? People coming out of the polls on March 11th? This Bitstrip is very offensive to me. Almost to the point of feeling bullied by it.

Funny- I feel the same way about your posts.

They are stalking our signs to see where they are in town. I hope this doesn't show guilt over the vandalized signs in town. Maybe they went around and uncovered them in the snow storms as a kind gesture?

This could be flipped around to be "the Yes side is picking on the No side." As this is how they seem to be most of the time- crying foul and slandering our cause. If anything is said that is against what they believe in- they scream "bullying" and "unfair" tactics.

Yes they are popping up. However they are two and three in one location. Like that this one in the Bitstrip is in red which is the Vote Yes colors. Freudian slip much??? 

(and they do not have a group name/ individual name on them which is against an RSA which I do not have handy at the moment)

These Bitstrips were pulled off a No voters Facebook page. (I am not friends with this person- the wall is public) All had comments from other No voters saying how funny they were, how hilarious the author was, and that these comics were so true. I am posting them here to show how grown up and mature these life long residents are towards others who do not share their opinions.

I do not want to be associated with that group in the least. Please join me in voting yes on March 11th. The new school is the only option left.

Opinions are mine as this is my blog and I can post what I want on it.

what the hell is going on in newmarket?

This seems to be the question lately. The new school article on the ballot this March 11th has done something awful to our town. It has split us into two camps. I am very concerned that on March 12th no matter the result, we will not be able to call ourselves a community that cares. Both sides- No voters and Yes voters are so far divided over what is the best for our town, I do not see that gap being bridged. 

I am sad to see life long residents being petty to the point they are telling parents to move to Durham if they want a better education for their children. The No voters are posting misinformation about the bond on the new school -$45.1 million will be the bond amount NOT $79 million. These same residents are bad mouthing other residents who chose to put themselves in the spotlight to fight for a cause they are passionate about. 

Once something is posted in cyber space- it cannot be taken back. Even if it is deleted by you at a later time someone has read it, copied it, and passed it along to others. Think before you post. Remember at the receiving end of your comment is another human being with rights, opinions, and feelings. You may not agree with that human being but belittling them for not thinking like you is plain cruel. 

The latest controversy to befall us? 

The use of the community BANDSTAND which houses our veterans war memorial. The No voters are shocked and dismayed that there are children climbing on the bandstand while the Yes voters (their parents) are trying to educate anyone who is not up to date on our small town issues. They think it is disrespectful of those children to be on the bandstand at all. And how dare the Yes voters choose that spot in the whole town to show their support. If the bandstand was not meant to be climbed on, why are there stairs bringing you to the top?

Let's remember that those men and women in the armed forces died for everyone to have the right to support whatever cause they choose to support. This is a free country with the right to gather. Just because the Yes vote is in direct conflict with your No vote does not make where or how they choose to support their cause disrespectful to those brave service people.

Facts- the Yes group has permission from the police chief to be there. This is a high traffic area in our town and one of the few spots where the sidewalk is actually wide enough to allow pedestrians to pass by while the group is gathered. Especially with the height of the snowbanks recently. The parents were keeping their children safe by having them on the bandstand and out of the flow of traffic. Nothing has been left behind by this group to cause a trash issue or vandalism to any part of the area. In fact, trash in the area has been picked up by the vote Yes supporters while they are there.

Question for those No voters who are so shocked over the use of the bandstand- how is the Yes vote using the bandstand different than bands playing there? Maybe the types of music being played is offensive to service people? Or did the Yes vote beat you to the punch of using the bandstand yourselves?

This is the latest incident of the pettiness that has befallen our town.

I am opting from this point forward to not engage the No voters that are overly vocal to the point of offensiveness. Flap your gums. Pass along your misinformation. I am going to continue to educate as many voters as I come in contact with to the truth of the situation.

The old school needs to go. It has been used to the point it is falling apart. It cannot be saved. And why would we want to save it? So we can remember how divided a community can become over an issue? To see our tax dollars that have been used to band aid the situation for way too many years? It is not a fine piece of architecture that needs to be preserved. It is a school that needs to be put out of its misery before it breaks and kills a student.

VOTE YES FOR A NEW SCHOOL!