LETTERS

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

I support Rob Kleiner as the candidate for Concord City Council, representing Ward 2. I am a business owner in our downtown community and I have had the privilege of knowing Rob closely for several years. I can attest to his dedication and trustworthiness. It is clear that he genuinely cares about the well-being of our city. One aspect that resonates deeply with me is his support for the arts.

As a business owner, I understand the significance of a thriving arts scene in our community. We need representatives who understand the needs of the business community while also valuing the cultural vibrancy that makes our city unique. With his business experience and education, Rob, in my opinion, would be an excellent addition to our city council.

ERIC REINGOLD

Concord

Auxiliary police, also called special police, are usually the part-time reserves of a police force. They may be armed with a taser or unarmed. They may be unpaid volunteers and members of the police service with which they are affiliated. They have full powers of arrest. In some towns the part time guys out number the full time ones. Towns save money on benefits and pay scale but they do have less training which has become an issue and many towns are doing away with them. With drug use numbers at a record high in New Hampshire you would think that towns and cities in New Hampshire would want to flood themselves with auxiliary police officers.

Have these part-time police officers at schools during the time students are coming to school and at times the students are leaving school to get kids used to being around police officers. These officers would also work out great for cracking down on underage drinking, underage smoking and marijuana use. The main reason why we have a heroin pandemic right now is the decriminalization and legalization of marijuana. What the drug cartels lost in revenue do to legal marijuana they have made up for in pushing heroin. This is a fact. The decriminalization and legalization of marijuana put this country into a heroin pandemic because it is a gateway drug and drug cartels wanted to make more revenue due to lost revenue to legal pot sales.

JOSEPH PINEO

Concor d

A recent letter to the editor stated Ward 5 City Councilor Stacey Brown is employed by the city. This is not true. It is true her husband works for the police department. Stacey has recused herself from discussions and voting on city council items related to the police department as required in the recently revised city’s code of ethics. City’s Code of Ordinances 1-6-(18) Stacey is the administrative assistant for the Concord Public Library Foundation (CPLF). The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that is a separate and distinct entity from the Concord Public Library. A separate city board, the Library Board of Trustees (distinct and separate from the CPLF) is granted their powers and duties from the State of NH, RSA 202-A. A vigorous debate with your opponents and pointing out differences should be encouraged. But it is unfortunate when candidates attack their opponents character. Concord is better than that. Let’s stick to the issues.

ALLAN HERSCHLAG

Concor d

Voters in Concord’s Ward 8 have an opportunity to elect a candidate to the city council who is whipsmart, thoughtful, easy to talk to, and a serious thinker with a marvelous sense of humor. I’ve known Ali Sekou for five years and two things are true about every visit I’ve ever had with him: I’ve always learned something from him; and I’ve always walked away feeling better about myself.

Ali’s is an amazing story, and I encourage Ward 8 voters to check out his website for the details. Then they’ll understand why he is a terrific candidate and deserves their vote for city council.

ROGER CARROLL

Belmont