I-95 guardrails, politics in Halloween parade, and more: Letters

Nov 04, 2024

Nov. 2 -- To the Editor:

Today Seacoastonline reported that the NHDOT "will install more roadside reflective markers between exits 2 and 3of I-95 concentrating on the area where the recent crashes have taken place." They also reported that median guardrails will be added to parts of I-95 beginning in the summer of 2025. While I am pleased that the state is finally taking some action this is much too little and much too late. Adding more reflective markers will do little or nothing to prevent more median crossovers. When a driver loses control of their vehicle due to excessive speed, distraction and or impairment those reflective markers will be useless. Waiting to install median guardrails until next summer means at least another 7 months of many totally unprotected medians on I-95. This action is way too late for those victims and their families who have been injured or killed, and it will be too late for those who may be injured or killed waiting for the NHDOT to begin to install median guardrails next summer.

The most basic responsibility of the government is to protect the health and safety of the people it serves. New Hampshire has failed to meet this most basic governmental duty. In the face of so many preventable injuries and deaths for which a very effective solution is available to the state there is no excuse to have waited 12 years to do anything, and to wait an additional 7 months to take some effective action. Massachusetts has installed effective median barriers on the same highway that exists in NH. They have already demonstrated how this can be done, New Hampshire simply needs to do what they have done. While the state has limited control over reckless driver behavior, it does have a great deal of control when it comes to taking preventive actions like installing median barriers to prevent injuries and deaths.

In the future I hope to learn more about why the state has delayed for so long in protecting motorists on I-95. I have submitted a Freedom of Information request under RSA 91-A to the NHDOT requesting all pertinent documentation and communications regarding the issue of median barriers on I-95. I am currently in discussions with the NHDOT to expedite this request. We must hold the government accountable when they fail to live up to their most sacred obligation.

Rich DiPentima

Portsmouth

Oct. 30 − To the Editor:

Last week, the Dover City Council faced a critical decision regarding the approval of the Tri-City Agreement for the operation of an emergency warming center during the upcoming winter months. The vote to table this agreement reflected our commitment to ensure that all our concerns were addressed before proceeding. A special meeting had been scheduled for October 29 to further review the necessary information and cast our vote.

In preparation for this meeting, I had the opportunity to tour the Willand Pond Warming Shelter, where I had a productive conversation with the directors in attendance. This visit was invaluable, as it allowed me to assess the services that will be available to those in need.

While the initial contract presented last week focused primarily on the business agreement between cities and subcontractors, it left many unanswered questions regarding the guidelines for service provision. Fortunately, I received this year’s guidelines just before our meeting, which detailed the essential services to be offered at the shelter. After reviewing these guidelines and considering my observations during the visit, I am now confident that they will provide a safe environment for both staff and guests.

The shelter is currently undergoing necessary improvements, such as the installation of alarms and security cameras along with routine maintenance. Despite the ongoing renovations, it is clear they are dedicated to meeting the basic needs of individuals who rely on their services, including addressing concerns related to staffing and staff training.

I am pleased to report that the shelter has made provisions to meet the fundamental needs for food, shelter, and bedsduring inclement weather. They have established various sleeping arrangements depending on the distinct needs of individuals and have a plan in place for overflow when capacity is reached. Per the fire code, the maximum capacity is set at 87 individuals, but it is important to note that adding more beds may limit the flow of traffic necessary for safety.

City Manager Joyal and the management team assured me that this emergency shelter is committed to not turning anyone away. If capacity is reached, guests can remain indoors until transportation can be arranged, ensuring they are placed in safe environments.

As a councilor, I understand the weight of voting on such agreements. Sometimes it is difficult to support a proposal when one envisions more comprehensive solutions. However, I firmly believe we cannot allow the pursuit of perfection to hinder our progress.

The Willand Pond Warming Shelter is a vital emergency resource for our community during harsh winter conditions. Nonetheless, we must also advocate for the State and Federal Government to collaborate with us in securing more permanent and stable solutions to homelessness and shelter needs.

Tony Retrosi

Dover City Council, Ward 3

Nov. 1 − To the Editor:

As a former participant of Portsmouth’s parades and a “Clippers” band member of the PHS class of 74, I was unhappy about the politicized Halloween parade.

The Parade started off with “Bee the Change. ” There were handmaids in red with signs on their backs saying “We won’t go back.” These were obvious propaganda points for NH voters to push them to vote for Kamala Harris.

Dozens of bloody zombie bridesmaids replaced the fantastic Clipper band who made the parade famous, playing and dancing to Thriller using authentic old band costumes dressed like zombies.

Granite staters are being told they are now a swing state that could decide the election. Whoever put politics on parade should be fired!

Laurie Ellen (Goodrich) Hudson

Rome, Maine

Oct. 31 − To the Editor:

Americans are, I believe, inherently aspirational. We are either immigrants or descendants of immigrants. We all want the same thing they did: a better life for the next generation. We are not so different after-all.

That was easier to see when 30 million of us all watched the same evening news. We act not only in our own best interest but in the best interest of our communities. We supported school budgets even when we didn't have children in those schools. We rush to assist a family whose house has just burned down. Volunteers have organized themselves to assist in times of disaster; Team Rubicon among them. The helicopter pilots who heard the call and rallied to provide assistance to stranded victims in western North Carolina who could not be reached by road. Thirteen hundred Red Cross volunteers who left their families to assist those in need. New Hampshire's First Responders were driving south while Hurricane Milton was still raging. Never do we know who among them is voting Republican or Democrat but these are all aspirational people.

Those people who disagree with us, who aren't watching the same evening news programs we watch, they too want a better life for the next generation. This is what we all need now to focus on, we are all in this together. We all want to see a safe and secure election, a peaceful transfer of power, and a better life for the next generation.

Bess Mosley

Portsmouth

Oct. 28 − To the Editor:

Healthcare shouldn't be political, but it is. Nine years ago, then candidate Donald Trump promised “the best health care system ever,” although he never specified any details. I was skeptical, but willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. But nine years later and after his disastrous handling of the COVID pandemic where more Americans were killed per capita than in any other industrialized nation, he still doesn’t have a healthcare policy or even the concept of one.

During the debate, he said he had a “concept of a plan” without giving any details (again). This is the political equivalent of saying his dog ate his homework. Too bad we can’t bluff our way out of our healthcare bills or medical problems just as easily.

As of March 2024, 8% of Americans have no health insurance. An additional 43% are underinsured. That means that at least 51% of Americans are one hospital admission away from medical bankruptcy. Even if you have health insurance, you may not be as protected as you think you are. The people most vulnerable to healthcare bankruptcies are minorities, women, and non-union working-class men.

Americans are more likely to be adversely affected by our healthcare system than by an undocumented immigrant. More Americans lose their jobs and their lives because of poor health and an inadequate healthcare system than from illegal immigration. This shouldn’t be political. Cancer, disease, injuries, and drug overdoses affect everyone regardless of political affiliation or unaffiliated. Vote for the candidate who takes healthcare seriously and not for one who tries to bluff his way out of a healthcare solution.

James Fieseher MD, FAAFP

Dover

Oct. 27 − To the Editor

Alan Forbes filled an enormous amount of space in Sunday's paper justifying a vote for Donald Trump. Let me offer just three reasons why Mr. Trump doesn't deserve anyone's vote.

First, a remarkable number of Trump's senior advisers from his first administration will not support him this time: his own Vice-President (Mike Pence), his longest serving Chief of Staff (John Kelly), both of his defense secretaries (Jim Mattis and Mark Esper), two of his National Security Advisers (H. R. McMaster and John Bolton), and one of his attorneys general (Bill Barr). If none of these people, who worked closely with Trump in his first term, will support him this time, that tells us either that Trump does not deserve a second term or that he cannot pick good advisers.

Second, Trump refuses to admit that he lost the 2020 election and that he is responsible for instigating the insurrection on January 6th, 2021. Just this week, Joe Rogan gave him a chance to lay out evidence that he actually won the 2020 election, and he could offer nothing concrete.

Finally, while we may not be "picking a valentine," as Forbes wrote, we are giving the winner a bully pulpit. In recent days, Mr. Trump has seen fit to use a profanity to describe his opponent, commented on a deceased golfer's genitalia, and called the United States a garbage can.

Simply put, we should not trust this man with the awesome power of the presidency.

Kurk Dorsey

Durham

Oct. 26 − To the Editor:

It is time for a non-partisan candidate to represent Portsmouth in Concord!

After attending candidate’s night at City Hall and hearing the familiar political party-bashing form the basis of every candidate platform there, it was refreshing to listen to Portsmouth resident Thom Rossi. His was an astute assessment of the housing, education and economic needs facing NH residents, in particular the challenges facing our workforce and the young people who would like to be able to afford to remain here in the state where they were raised. Stinging from the shock of my recent property tax bill, with the promise of commercial offset of our residential tax rate dissolved into never-neverland, I welcomed his presentation and wealth of experience re: building partnerships with the private sector to bring in successful industrial and commercial ventures.

It was also music to my ears to hear the other side of the tax equation addressed: budgeting and fiscal responsibility. He ticked off several potential legislative actions he would support in Concord, all of which were not only reasonable, but involved working together with ALL parties for the good of the citizenry (like he does currently as ZBA member). He was the sole candidate that night not loaded for bear, already itching for a fight once elected. No more, please. It’s time for grown-ups to get to work on behalf of the taxpayers!

Concord’s been singing the same tired song for years, and needs fresh voices. Vote for Thom Rossi State Representative, November 5th!

Elyse Gallo

Portsmouth

Oct. 25 -- To the Editor:

This is it. America either chooses decency and virtue, or corruptness and despotism. I was a child of the 70's but too young to really remember or understand Watergate. I learned that when it came down to the issue of right or wrong, Watergate was never a partisan issue. Both sides chose country over party. I was always impressed and inspired by the conclusion to that dark chapter in our nation's history. That no matter the differences in political ideology there was a common American virtue. This was part of the American character for decades. But maybe it was slowly being worn away over those decades and I just didn't notice. The America of today is completely different. I feel worse for the young people who have known nothing but the current climate of Party, or worse, Person over Country political mindset that we have today. This is not how America was. America was always on an (albeit, sometimes slow) upward tract of virtue since its founding. But America is now at a crucial decision point on which path it wants to take.

Countless honorable Americans, many of them who served with President Trump are warning America about the dangerous darkness that would envelop America under a second Trump Administration. Trump cares not about the US Constitution. I'm not even sure he understands what that document really is. Many of us who have worn the uniform of the US Military swore to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign or domestic. There is no clearer example of the need to defend the Constitution than the prospect of a second Trump term. Republics do not last forever. As the prescient Benjamin Franklin stated while characterizing the fragile nature of the new nation, "A republic, if you can keep it."

Eric R. Christian

Eliot, Maine

Oct. 25 − To the Editor:

Kelly Ayotte is the leader we can trust to keep New Hampshire moving in the right direction. As New Hampshire’s Insurance Commissioner, I worked alongside Kelly for five years when she was Attorney General, and we both served under Governor Benson and then Governor Lynch.

Kelly and I sat in countless meetings together, working through issues facing our state with the Governor, Executive Council, and members of the House and Senate. Kelly was exceptionally collaborative and always willing to hear both sides of an issue before making her decision.

When Kelly was elected to the Senate, that same integrity, deep understanding of the issues, and bipartisan spirit went with her to Washington. As President of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and after, I visited D.C. several times to meet with members of Congress, including Kelly. Kelly was always accessible to her constituents and always candid when discussing critical issues.

As a veteran, I have always appreciated Kelly’s steadfast support for our military and our veterans. I have no doubt that with Kelly in the corner office, our service members, veterans, and their families will always have a strong advocate.

I have seen firsthand how Kelly Ayotte will work with anyone — regardless of their party — to do right by the people of New Hampshire and protect our Live Free or Die way of life. That’s the kind of trusted leadership we need in our next Governor. I can truly say I am in Kelly’s corner, and I hope voters will join me in casting their ballots for Kelly on November 5th.

Roger Sevigny

Dover