Mark Hounsell [12/07/2002]

By Mark Hounsell

God Bless these people. All those hard-working members of the local boards and committees do so much as they oversee our local government and public schools. It is that time of season when the municipal and school budgets are being prepared. Most assuredly spending will increase. The difficult decisions of allocating limited resources programs and positions will be painstaking, heated and eventually accomplished with the best hope for optimum yield and positive effectiveness. It is a tough job and we are fortunate to have so many good public servants willing to tackle the problem.The funding of public education it is especially difficult as the members of the school boards attempt to determine impact on the tax rates without having accurate revenue projections. It is expected that (for the sake of establishing tax impact) the anticipated revenues from the state adequacy grants will be understated. We all know the special education grants will be under-funded.The increases in expected special education cost should be the springboard by which the people should remind Sen.-Elect John Sununu and Congressman-elect Jeb Bradley of their promises to put federal dollars behind this unfunded federal mandate.Carl Nelson, SAU 9 Superintendent, was clearly disappointed when he informed the Conway School Board that the increase in health insurance cost would be 30 percent! This means that employee health insurance cost will represent 14 percent of the entire operating budget for the school district. Many taxpayers in the area do not have health insurance and to ask them to absorb these increases is difficult. What to do, what to do?Conway School Board member Brian Duchesne is ecstatic over the good news that the district has been awarded a grant for the continuation of a part of Project Succeed that pertains to Conway Elementary schools. More news about the $625,000 award over the next five years should be forthcoming from SAU 9. America is at war. The men and women who serve in our armed forces have our absolute support and our greatest appreciation for serving to maintain our national fortifications. This past week it was reported the Pentagon has the authority to access the personal records of high school juniors and seniors. This is a sobering reminder that whenever our military needs soldiers, the harvest field will be our young. The unwritten social contract must provide for the investment and enhancement of our childrens education as fractional recompense for their willingness and availability to serve in the military.Conway Selectman Dick OBrien refuses to gloat over the news that the contract for the widening of Route 16 was rejected. Although it is evident he is satisfied the will of the voters at last Aprils town meeting was recognized by the states executive council when that body voted 3 2 to reject the DOT endorsed $5.7 million dollar contract. Here is a prediction: Transportation Commissioner Carol Murrays tenure is coming to an end.As predicted, those people who supported Sen.-elect John Sununu will run the Carroll County Republican Committee. Chairman Betsy Patten and Vice Chairman Erik Taylor (both of Moultonborough) were elected on Dec. 2. Both are strong allies of New Hampshires soon to be junior senator.Gov. Jeanne Shaheens selection of former State Senate President William Bartlett, of Kingston, as the interim director of N.H. Department of Fish and Game is a good one. Senator Bartlett has forgotten more about the workings of state government then most people will ever know. He will be able to run that agency with rare expertise while avoiding the political and possible legal dilemmas of embattled and suspended Director Wayne Vetter.One often hears the saying out of tragedy comes good. Recent indications that Sen. Bob Smith is being considered for appointment as Secretary of the Navy go a long way to healing the wounds of a divisive GOP primary fight. But more importantly the good senator is immensely qualified both as an 18-year member of congress and as a naval Vietnam war veteran. It is certain the 70,000 voters who supported Senator Smith in the primary felt violated by the absence of party loyalty and total disregard for the senators many years of principled service to the people of New Hampshire. President George W. Bush is to be commended for recognizing the senators immense contribution on the Senate Armed Services Committee and his work on the Sea Power subcommittee. A special debt of gratitude is extended to Gov.-elect Craig Benson for supporting the nomination and his leadership role in bringing the party together. Secretary of Navy is a fitting tribute to a patriot who has experienced the horrific sacrifice of loosing his Dad, a naval aviator, in World War II.The news that the methodology of raising support from Conways portion of Adelphia Cables franchise fees needs tweaking will make Valley Vision Inc. a financially stronger company in the long run. Conway Board of Selectmen Chairman Theresa Kennett is absolutely correct when she asserted her confidence the community will support Valley Vision. Her claim will become evident in April when the voters go on the record with their support of a long overdue vote on the appropriation of town revenue. Town Manager Earl Sires's correction to the 1995 establishment of the trust fund for VV is further indication of his excellent management expertise.Speaker Gene Chandler begins his second term as the leader of the N.H. House of Representatives and there is no doubt his rise to this powerful political position is due mainly to his willingness to serve his state with integrity and distinction. Regardless of how any might feel about any particular position he may take, Representative Chandler is willing to put himself on the line for the positions he believes in. Congratulations Mr. Speaker, on both your election and (more importantly) on the birth of your first grandchild, Ela Rose Chandler. Mark Hounsell of Conway, a former selectman and state senator, can be reached at MarkHounsell@aol.com.