"Letter To The Editor - March 8th, 2008"
By Anne Thomas
An introduction by Eric "Ren" Fisk - Rindge, New Hampshire.
In
an effort to help and get behind local issues in my home town, I'm
fully endorsing
"The Rindge
Citizens For Smart Growth," and I'm opening the door for
everyone to participate in this discussion on my site.
I also invite small town residents, folks who love living in
their Neighborhoods around the country, Fedora Chronicles Readers
and Electric Speakeasy Members to contribute articles about the
topic of preventing "The Homogenization of Society" and the
preservation of Hometowns and American rural areas, or post about
this in
our forum.
If there's an article or materials about this subject you would
like us to host, please
send them to me via this email address. You can also e-mail us
your thoughts and reactions to these articles at that address, or
discuss this issue here.
Now... Anne Thomas' letter:
Letter To The Editor - The following is
a letter Anne and Bill Thomas of Rindge New Hampshire wrote and
was sent to the local paper: The Madnadanock . While it directly
addresses local issues here in my area, it's an example (or a
template) for many other people elsewhere on how to get your
point across and inform others in your neighborhood of issues
that matter to you most.
To The Editor:
Rindge voters have an excellent opportunity to affect the future of
the town’s growth and its character with informed choices in this
election. Of particular importance are several petition articles
that have been proposed by a few citizens.
The town ordinances have been carefully crafted and voted on by
the citizens of Rindge, and they are in line with the town’s master
plan. Please vote AGAINST articles proposed to abolish these
important ordinances and vote for candidates who are working for the
best interests of the town and not for their personal benefit or for
the town’s unregulated growth.
Specifically, there are petitions to abolish completely the
wetlands, sign, and accessory dwelling unit ordinances (allowing for
additional detached dwelling units that could be rented) and one
asking for any regulations for recreation to be removed (aimed at
allowing noisy vehicles free range through the town.) Please vote
against articles 13, 14, 15, and 16. I, for one, will be wary of any
candidates who have promoted and signed these petitions to abolish
ordinances that have gotten in their way personally, and that they
then may well be asked to impartially uphold if elected.
We’ve made some great progress in the last few years with our
town boards working to preserve our natural aquifers and rural
character and use careful planning for the town’s growth. The Growth
Management Ordinance that was voted in by a good margin in 2004
needs to be renewed (especially to avoid any rebound growth by its
sudden removal.) Please vote for article 2 to renew the GMO, which
limits the residential growth to allow community facilities to
‘catch up’.
I urge concerned citizens to vote for Burt Goodrich for
selectman, for Kim McCummings, John Vorfeld, David Tower (all
currently serving) and Rick Godin (on the Conservation Commission)
for Planning Board, and for George Carmichael (currently serving)
for ZBA. Also, please consider Helene Rogers (a CPA and currently
serving the town) for treasurer. These are candidates who would like
to serve the town fairly and uphold the ordinances impartially.
Respectfully submitted,
Anne Thomas
Rindge, NH
If there is something you would like for us to host, such as an
essay about this issue or a letter you wrote to the local paper you
would like for us to archive, or have a suggestion on how we can
better help in preserving small towns around the country, please
send it to
this email address.
You are also free to discuss this on
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