way too long

I am returning to the land of blog. It has been a crazy six months around here (actually longer than that but since I last posted here) 

Let's begin with the working mom thing- I was doing the subbing gig at the elementary school when another couple of paraprofessional positions became available and I applied again. This time was the trick!! I started in January working in one of the third grade rooms and one of the fourth grade rooms. I also had the fun of doing afternoon bus duty as well as a couple of lunch duties (fourth grade and first grade). Totally loved it. Some days the bus duty was rough but it was just getting the kids to move forward to get on their buses! I remember practically throwing kids aside when the final bell rang. Not these kids. Time changes things I guess.

Waiting to hear exactly which room I will be in for the coming year but so far have heard that I am back in third grade! Very very happy about that. Crossing fingers it will be the same room as before. Totally loved working with that teacher and we got into a great rhythm by the end of the year. The kids were amazing too.

Both the kiddos did great in school and will be advancing to their respective grades come August 31st. I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that my Kira will be a freshman! OMG! Seriously. I was just dropping her off at kindergarten and now she is in high school. That went way to fast for this momma to handle. And my baby going into fourth grade? Someone please tell Alex he is not old enough for that! sigh.

The world of the bears is still being good to hubby. Love the new direction the company is taking and love seeing the new licenses they are getting. Minions anyone?? Or maybe Star Wars is more your speed?

Town stuff-- The elections were a process and I do believe that the right people got into the correct spots. Lots of good conversations and the direction of the town seems to be going forward instead of sitting in the past. Best part is that tuitioning of our students out of district to another district has been removed from the table. It has been a very long and drawn out process but in the end it was determined that it was not a cost effective long term solution to our school/ facilities issues. WOO HOO!! Now to determine what shall be done with both buildings- the junior senior high school as well as the elementary school. Never a dull moment here in Newmarket!

Home stuff- We had new windows installed in October/ November. What an amazing difference that made. Our heating bill was lower and the rooms were so much more cozy. And we did not have to put plastic up to keep the drafts out. Happy happy. We had also discussed the possibility of redoing our kitchen. Hubby started playing around with IKEA designs and a few trips to the store later, we have purchased our cabinets! We have a contractor who will be starting in September and a new kitchen will be happening! We have ordered all the appliances as well and are getting very excited to have a new space. Lots of before and after pictures to come.

terri's teases- after the holidays and before I started working every day, hubby surprised me with a major remodel of my office space. Like removed everything and started all over again! We used IKEA cabinets and storage and made my room so pretty! Now I can have a lovely breeze in my space from having two windows open as well as finding everything in my space. After having an open concept room since the beginning, I have discovered that I really am someone who needs to have all my stuff hidden. I get distracted easily.... squirrel.... Anywho- I have the green doors and drawers as well as the teal shelves. Guess they sold out of the teal since I cannot find the link anymore. But it is very pretty with my room. I also got a new desk! We did a long desk top with two of the drawer units at either end in white. Now I actually have space to work and be on the computer. So happy. My mom was so impressed with my space, she went to IKEA as well and picked up some of the storage units to redo her sewing space. Looks pretty darn awesome and so happy for her too.

Because of the remodel and then the whole working thing, I was not able to craft as much as I would like (none). This summer I have been making up for lost time and have created a bunch of cards. Hoping to get them listed and maybe sold. If not, I will have a great stash of cards for my own personal use.

That is about it. I am sure I have missed something. But I shall return. Thanks for taking the time to read. Off to see if I can find any pictures of the items I have created since being back at it.

has this ever happened before?

**This is my personal blog. All opinions, thoughts and musings below are mine. If you do not agree, that is fine with me but I will not debate you here or anywhere else online. You have your rights, and I have mine.**

I cannot remember this phenomenon happening before. It is great to see and I am happy but WOW!! Never thought it could happen.

What you may ask has happened in our fair town of Newmarket, NH? We have SIX candidates running for the two 2 year positions on the school board. 

WOW!

Being on the school board is a thankless and often hated position to be in here in Newmarket. What with our facilities issues, the fact that the cost of educating the students is increasing and we have to pay teachers to do the teaching. The people who do put themselves out there and run and are elected onto the board are just asking to be harassed by the public who think that they themselves could do the job better if they were on the board (of course those people hide behind their computer monitors to complain, do not attend meetings or even run for the school board.)

I appreciate these men and women who put themselves out there in the public eye and take the brunt of trying to run our school district. I will admit that it is not a position I could do. One because I am extremely passionate about educating the children of Newmarket and do not understand why others are not of the same thinking and would have a very hard time controlling my frustrations. And second to be on the school board, I would have to give up my substituting job and my volunteering at the school. Both of which give me so much pleasure I would be miserable without being in the elementary building. 

I do support the board in their endeavors.

Until this year.

Somehow this years board has taken a few steps backward in their thinking and what they want to accomplish. Instead of looking forward on our facilities issues, they have returned to the past to once again rehash decisions that the previous boards as well as voters have decided on. Seriously- parents do not want our kids shipped out of district to receive their education. Get that through your heads. It is not an option for us. The No votes will have to accept that and the sooner they do, the sooner we can close this gap we have in our town. As a parent, if I wanted my child to go to Dover, Somersworth, Derry, Epping, Exeter, Oyster River, Portsmouth, or any other town on the seacoast, I WOULD HAVE MOVED THERE!! I chose Newmarket and want my kids to go to the school HERE. This board seems to want to appease the No votes and waste time and money funding studies to come to the same conclusion as we started the year at.

Maybe it isn't the whole board. It could have something to do with the chairperson of the school board- Gail D-Wentworth. From watching meetings, it seems that she has switched from wanting a new school in which to educate our middle school and high school students, to shipping them off for another district to deal with. Not sure of the reasons why. But her personal agenda has now become the school board's agenda and from the number of people running for the school board this year, they are as displeased with her as I am.

I have watched the meetings and watched her pack up her belongings while another board member reads a citizen's email to the board (at the end of the meeting when the room has emptied out) only to have her face seem shocked when being called out for her lack of interest in the facility issues. I have seen her ignore the passing of a beloved Newmarket teacher until another member brought it up. That one really hurts me. As the chairperson of the school board, that should have been the first words out of her mouth at that meeting.

I have sat near her during a public session of the budget committee and town council and tried to listen to the concerned citizens speaking, only to hear the low buzz of her chatting and giggling with the ladies she was sitting with. The meeting was concerning a warrant article that the school board had previously passed and wanted on the ballot about the all day kindergarten program. She as the chairperson of the school board did not get up to speak in support of this program, but almost seemed like she wanted it to fail at the stage of getting the budget committee and town council recommendations for the ballot. As soon as the issue had the recommendation of both groups, she left.

At that meeting, she was asked by a citizen sitting behind her to please be quiet to which she made a face and then promptly made a joke out of it on her Facebook page. See below.

Yes this is what our school board chairperson has done. Yes it was on her personal Facebook page, but being an elected official, as well as the chairperson of a board, puts you under greater scrutiny than the average citizen. There is no respect in this post.

I can see why the citizens of Newmarket are up in arms to get on the school board. The only concern I have now is that we have too many people running and we don't want to split the votes and risk having another year of backwards thinking. 

Welcome to the election campaign process- Craig Dionne, Kimberley Shelton, Michael Kenison, Mary Jane Hilton, Matt Eveangelista and Al Zink. There will be more discussion about the candidates in the coming days and who I think would make an excellent addition to the school board. But I will give you a hint-- the first two candidates listed.

what a difference a year makes

Last year at this time the town of Newmarket was in a very heated battle. Should we build a new Junior/ Senior High School or do nothing? The town voted to do nothing. Not of course that that is a surprise for those of us who have lived here for any amount of time. You can read about the start of this debate here. To catch up on all the gory details of the fight we undertook, search this blog using the words- vote/ March 11/ Jr/ Sr High School or new school. I was quite vocal and passionate about this issue and still am to this day.

However, as the year has come and gone and we are staring at a new deliberative session, new concerns are being voiced in town. Keep funding a bus that helps the home bound elderly get around or not and should we introduce a full day kindergarten program to our school. Both seem to be items that would not be a big deal in other towns. But here in Newmarket they are very big deals. It all comes down to the bottom line and how it will impact the home owners tax bill.

This brings us to today's deliberative session.

The town portion went very quickly. So quickly in fact, hubby and I had time to grab a bite to eat before the school portion. Love that!! The only issue that was discussed was the funding of an elderly bus. Something that the town of Newmarket has been doing for a very long time. In the end, it will be on the ballot and I am pretty darn sure it will be voted on in a positive way. The total impact on my taxes for this funding?? $.01. Yes you read that correctly- one cent per $1000 of my tax bill. I think I got that.

The reason it was even a debate? The people of this town are always looking for ways to cut programs and save money. To this end, our town administrator (who does rock in this girls opinion) was trying to do whatever necessary to save money and removed this funding. Not because he doesn't like the elderly. Not because he doesn't think we need this bus. But because the town of Newmarket is already giving the entity which runs the bus a pretty substantial tax break on their properties in our town- they have two. Yes the town is federally mandated to do this as they are a non profit organization but once again the town administrator is charged with keeping us running a sound budget and he was trying to do what we as tax payers asked him to do. He was not sneaky about it. He stated to the town council where the cut was coming from and why he removed it. No one questioned it as it was a bit over $10,000 off of the budget. That always makes people happy to hear they are saving.

In the end, after numerous registered citizens came forward to speak, this warrant article will go to the voters to decide if they do in fact want to keep it when we vote on March 10, 2015. It is in your hands Newmarket.

The school portion of the deliberative session. Again so much different than last year. The bleachers were practically empty. Although there were more citizens present than had shown up for the town portion. It was nothing like it was last year. Last year, we were all squeezed into those bleachers like sardines. People were standing in line to voice their concerns about the building of a new school. It was a heated debate.

Not this year. 

Our biggest concern this year is whether to start up a full day kindergarten program in our school. To do this, the school would need to hire one full time teacher as well as four full time aides to help the kindergarten teachers. Our class sizes would be going from 13-18 to about 20-23 depending on the enrollment each year. The best part?? We could be saving money and stress in the end. Catching learning issues early on is the best thing for both the student and the school. With a full day program, these issues could be caught and dealt with sooner before the student goes to first grade and is behind before the school year even starts. Once a student is in first grade the issue has to be established, researched and a course of action taken. This could take from 3-6 months depending on the issue and how quickly it shows itself. Now the child is behind even more and will have a very hard time catching up. If they end up needing special services, that costs the tax payer money. See where I am going with this? This common sense thinking is so overrated. 

The other issue with the all day kindergarten program is our facilities issues. oh yes, those pesky facilities issues have not gone away. In fact they are even more in the fronts of our minds than they were last year. Where to put another classroom full of adorable kindergartners? It was first discussed to add another portable/ modular out in back of the school. There are those that think that is the worst idea ever in the whole world. While it not might be the best, it is not as horrible as it be made out to be. Those portables/ modulars are pretty darn nifty. They have a ton of space. More windows than any of our current classrooms have. To get in you need a key. They have air conditioning as well as room controlled heat. No freezing or hot kids. You don't have the noise of the hallways and they do have restroom facilities available. Would it be better to have a grand new addition to the elementary school to house all of the students under one roof?? oh hell yes!! But seeing as how history has continued to replay itself here in our fair town, that is not going to happen until money grows on trees and pigs fly. We cannot wait to solve our facilities issues. We have been waiting for at least the 15 years I have lived here. Always we are on the cusp of finding the answers to make it all better. I am still waiting on this cusp and I am no longer holding my breath.

To appease the strongest no voters on this issue, the school board and the kindergarten task force worked together on lowering the amount needed to start this program. With the lowering of the cost, this warrant article will not impact the taxes at all! Yes you read that correctly. Voting yes for the all day kindergarten program will not raise your taxes by anything! 

That being said- please vote yes for the all day kindergarten program in March. It is long overdue. If by some miracle we can renovate the elementary school in the future, then we will have all students out of the portables/ modulars. Until then, let us do what is right for this large population of our town and educate our youngest children all day.   

**Lots more to come here on my blog concerning the upcoming election. Lots of information to re-read and my thoughts to get out of my head.**

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.

american heart association's jump for heart

Every year Newmarket Elementary School students volunteer to Jump For Heart with the American Heart Association. Both kids have done it and loved doing it. This year the American Heart Association has added a way to collect donation online!! So much easier with family and friends across the country and the use of social media!

The kids can earn rubber ducks when they reach different levels of donations. The first one that Alex is wearing in the picture below is when he received his first in person donation and the lanyard to keep him on.

The second duck he received and I didn't take a picture of it yet, was for his first online donation. As you can see below, he thanked Nana and Papa for the donation as well as his birthday present.

Cute little guy.

Anywho... if you are feeling so inclined to donate to the American Heart Association and want to help Alex reach his online goal of $75 please click HERE. FYI- Alex would also receive another duck for his lanyard. Thank you!!!

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!

silver lining

Yesterday our town voted on whether to approve the funds necessary to build a new Junior/ Senior High School as the current one is lacking in many many aspects making it an eyesore for the town. However, once again Newmarket has shown its true face and did not approve the funds. There are people who still believe we can work with another town on a tuition agreement (maybe a town in Massachusetts will take us?) or that the project can be done for $20 million. I would hate to see the $20 million school being built as it would be as useless as our current facility and would need to be added on to in the near future.

After months of positive energy flowing from the Yes vote people, it was a let down last night when it was announced that the warrant article did not pass. Facebook was swarmed with unhappy people. Once the morning came we are still sad about the outcome, however we are bouncing back so to speak. We are picking ourselves up and are happy with all that we did accomplish for this election. 

There are three new board members on the budget committee who are not about doing business the way it has been done since Newmarket was established. The voter turnout was unbelievably amazing yesterday!! The polls had to stay open late because the line to get into the building was so long. Our Yes vote received almost 50%! That is the biggest amount we have had concerning a new school- ever! The Yes side ran a clean campaign and spread truth without resorting to misinformation. 

We also showed that we will put our names and faces out in the public for something we believe in. We did good Newmarket! Pat yourselves on the back for an election that had people meeting for the first time and now friendships have been created.

We got this! Next March will be different. Keep the momentum going.

VOTE YES!

Image created by Nicole Roy. She asked all of us to post words/ phrases we thought of when we looked back on this election. The larger the word, the more times it was mentioned. Looks like we have an amazing COMMUNITY!! I have to agree.

vote yes today

Today is the day!

Get to the polls Newmarket and 

VOTE!!!

We can make this happen.

YES

FOR

A

NEW

SCHOOL!

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!

vote yes march

This little seacoast town is simply AMAZING!

The number of people who have come together in support of building a new Junior/ Senior High School leaves me speechless. I can feel the town pride when we are gathered. I can feel how friendly this town can be. We all truly care about Newmarket. And we should- it is our home.

Sunday March 9, 2014 at 3pm- a LARGE group gathered behind the town library to kick off a Vote Yes March to the current Junior/ Senior High School building. It was a wonderful sight to behold and to be a part of.

This is towards the end of the line of families walking. (picture by Tom Swiatek)

Here is the front middle part crossing the road.

Great time once we got to the Junior/ Senior High School. Hot chocolate for the kiddos along with cookies. They also had the chance to draw positive messages on the side walks on both sides of the road. Too bad the snow fell today and washed them away. They did a great job on them.

Tomorrow is the big day!! Get out there and vote.

Renters- you can vote too! Even if your license does not have your current address. Bring it and a utility bill (to prove residence) and you can register at the polls! Let your voice be heard!

Here's to hoping this building is in our immediate future!!

VOTE YES!!

THANK YOU TO NEWMARKET SOLUTIONS

FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE!

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!!!