Mudslinging, personal attacks, political posturing can all lead to a loss of focus on the needs of our community and in economical challenging times, which we certainly have today. We elected people need to come together for the best interests of Derry.
So too, the towns people must cut through all the distracting political super hype and focus on what your elected officials are doing for the town as a whole.
In this up coming fiscal year, the council has CUT taxes by .18 cents/1000 of your homes value. Hard decisions were made and in the end the council did do its job and showed the taxpayers of this town that we are "plugged in".
Now some will say that a small savings will not get much, however there is no way that cutting town side of government is going to make dramatic changes to our tax structure. Big changes, by "down shifting" in State budget will only add to our tax burden while town services will eventually suffer. In the end, its a cruel game of increasing taxes and cut services where we all end up losing. We shall leave state spending to another post on its own.
Anyway, we at town side are doing our part in helping control escalating taxes.
The second leg to bringing taxes down is to bring economic development to town. By achieving a TOTAL commitment in economic development. Ahh, those two words " economic development" have been hollow "buzz" words for years that make one almost electable just by saying the words. This time, All seven councilors are on record to doing and committing to the TIFF district on Manchester Rd as the best option right now in bringing in business. See what a difference a year makes.
( Notice no Burtis comments yet or Rev Joe making statements that Manchester Rd is not in failure. PS to the town newbies, we all know who these two are aligned with! Funny how the mouthpieces fall of the face of the map when their councilors are NOW in favor with it.)
The only question councilors must decide on now is how will we pay for the infrastructure and widening that must get done. Stay tuned. I'm sure it will be interesting in discussions. At least we are moving forward!
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55 comments:
BC- I love it. Do you read your own stuff? In paragraph 1 you come out against “personal attacks” and in paragraph 4 you are attacking Burtis and DiChiaro.
I don’t care what position Councilor Coyle or Fairbanks has, I oppose the TIFF because TIFFs are accounting gimmicks that move money from one of the town’s pockets to another adding no value. In the process they cost us more in interest than normal bonds.
Whether RT 28 should be widened is another whole question and must be put in context of: “compared to what”? Any investment must be compared to other possible investments, for example investing in water and sewer to Ryan’s Hill.
You continually wave around the term “road in failure” as if it is some magic wand used to scare away all opposition. Could you educate us, is a “road in failure” a legal term? If so what is its definition? If it only means that there is sometimes traffic on the road, could we come up with something a bit less dramatic? (Road to Armageddon, Trail of Tears and Bataan Death March have already been used.)
With your focus on RT 28, are you back on the “let’s get Big Box Stores” theme that you preached a year or two ago? Do you really want employers in town who pay near minimum wages?
Is it true as Jack suggested (I have lots of witnesses) that no one even knows what commercial property is available for development in Derry? Might compiling that list be a good step in promoting Commercial Development? If you don’t know what you have to sell it makes closing a deal much more difficult.
Notice that I completed an entire blog posting without attacking anyone. Now you try it BC.
Doug Newell
Ok Doug lets take a look a a few things. #1) TIFF on Manchester RD vs Water & Sewer up Ryan's Hill.
TIFF and Roadway Improvements 5 Million
Water & Sewer Up Ryan's Hill 23 Million.
Next, you pick on retail business. Doug tell us what kind of business will we attract for Ryan's Hill?? If anything maybe the flea market property is enough to do something with and everything else is to far away from major highway exits.
Next " road in failure" is not my term nor the towns term. you see the State grades these roadways as "A" "B" "C" "D" and then failure. Have you driven by the intersection of Manchester Rd and Tsiennetto at Commuter times or on a Saturday???? I have and it is not pretty.
And lastly you accuse me of back to the retail store again theory. When in fact doug, It is zoned GC " general commercial" and allows for anything commercial. Sanmina which I helped bring back jobs ( not retail jobs either Doug) is in this TIFF area.
And lastly, just because you do not understand what a TIFF bond is and does doesn't mean its a bad thing. This is a classic example of you not seeing through the trees to see the forest. What have you done to attract business?? Or lets hear how you would do it anyway.
BC Don't be so sensative. I'm not attacking you (on this subject). You were a strong proponent of Big Box Stores. It is a reasonable question to ask whether your enthusiasm for a wider 28 has something to do with that.
I believe I do understand what a TIFF bond is. Why do you think I don't? Please communicate the advantages over a regular bond in your mind. Isn't it the case that they carry higher interest rates?
I'll be happy to tell you how I would approach it but I have Father's day duties to attend to. Perhaps later.
Doug,
Your little minions think that you are so wise in your “analytical ability that relies upon comparative metrics." It is so easy to fool some of the people all of the time isn’t it?
You are correct in that Derry should care less about minimum wage jobs. But you have ignored the taxes paid by both Wal-Mart AND the additional jobs, tax base and revenue other development creates.
We want commercial/industrial development. We lost Hadco, lost Samina, lost the building and have had prime real estate in the center of the commercial district lie fallow. Awaiting what? What is your thinking? Do you and the Fairbanks brain trust think GM is relocating here? Do you think that the shoe industry will reconstitute in Derry because you and the ADT will it to be?
Derry continues to be in a commercial tax revenue hole. You/the ADT believers have pissed and moaned about development for years. Yet the opportunities we have had at our disposal weren’t of the right type for you. When in a hole, Doug, stop digging!
You impassioned retort to my unveiling that your motivation is protecting nothing but your own lifestyle is borne out by the reality that neither you, Coyle, Fairbanks nor any other member of the ADT HAVE EVER DELIVERED ANYTHING on the revenue generation side of the equation. Stops the tiffs, turn away development opportunities, prevent the wheels of progress, any progress, from turning. Eliminate investment and let’s try to SAVE our way to prosperity! That is the ADT platform.
One of the biggest development corporations in the world told Derry that Manchester Rd. needed to be fixed. They were willing to contribute to the project. Were they to pay it all? No, that was not their total responsibility. Now that your brethren ran them off, guess what? It still needs to be fixed before development can occur. Costs will go up every year from here..
So Doug lets put our differences aside and have you answer what the ADT can and will do to bring the correct commercial tax revenue to town without investment?
I believe we will hear crickets chirping from English Road or some distracting bluster from you when it comes to your answer.
8:39, BC and I were having an intelligent civil conversation discussing important issues. You jump in with your usual attacks adding nothing.
Neither I personally nor the ADT have ever come out against all investment. In fact if you bother to read the conversation BC and I were having, we were discussing the relative merits of two different investments. Can you do better than attacks and straw men? If not please stay on the sidelines and learn.
Somehow we just do not get it.
All that is being offered to offset the spending is attempting to increase revenue.
No one does this with their household budget unless they are the type that can not manage a budget. Why do we allow government to do this?
Do not spend my tax dollars on futile endeavors that at best will increase some revenue for a very short period of time.Then the real costs of the increased revenue kicks in and now it becomes a negative number, only to try to increase revenue once again.
Here is the simple secret to balancing a budget:
REDUCE YOUR SPENDING
Get rid of half of the town employees that bilk the system everyday with low or non-existent productivity.
Get rid of the unions that make you pay more for labor than what it is worth on the open market.
Sell a school and consolidate the classes including year round schooling.
Not the format for a private conversation Douggie!
However you have proven my point which was just what I expected. A non-answer.
Don't kill the messenger Doug. It's your the political smarminess raising it's ugly head again. I ask you questions and because I irritate you I am not worthy of answers.
Well this is social media Doug. Welcome to 2009. Others (who hopefully do not irritate you want these answers too.)
You brought it up and opened the door in your response to BC in the beginning of the thread. I am just trying to get an answer from you, on behalf of everybody on the blog, of what your/ADT's specific action plan is.
I suspect you have not thought that far ahead as progress is not what the ADT is all about. You object to my representation but you words and deeds show a different reality.
Poster 9:59 embodies that reality. Fire employees, Cancel contracts, year round schooling? Is that progress Doug?
We all clearly know what the ADT platform for the future is not.
Not the DEDC,
Not Wal-Mart,
Not big box retail.
So what is the plan Doug?
Let's give you a second kick at the cat for the benefit of all of us "on the sidelines."
Tell us what the ADT has accomplished in bring new revenue to Derry and how it proposes to accomplish this in the future?
I bet that more readers than I can learn from your answer. I am certainly are willing to learn something from it!
No offense 8:29 but your posts are starting to become tiresome. Why the attack on the ADT? After all, they're not the ones that got us to where we are today; neither is Ms. Fairbanks or Mr. Coyle. And while you label the ADT's efforts of trying to reduce taxes as a lack of progression (and personal agenda) maybe if the town adopted some of their ideas/philosophies over the years we wouldn't be in the position we are today. Property tax rates are an important factor in the cost of owning a home or business and the fact is we're just not competitive with bordering towns (not to mention our location which makes attractability even tougher).
You really think Walmart/Big Box is the answer? Sure, they may dazzle you with the promise of jobs and tax revenue, but they do it with scant mention of the jobs and revenues of existing businesses whose demise is all but assured when Walmart sets up shop. In our struggle for economic development are we really that easily duped into thinking that they represent limitless consumer markets and have residents content with minimum-wage jobs? Chains impose a variety of hidden costs -- economic, fiscal, social and environmental that doesn’t show up on their price tags but are borne by all of us nevertheless, not to mention they benefit from a shocking array of public subsidies, tax advantages, and other policies that have effectively tilted the playing field and undermined the competitive viability of independent retailers. But what? In the absence of any economic development they're usually a guaranteed bet so we're on board? I'm not.
I don't believe (correct me if I'm wrong) that it's the ADT's agenda or responsibility to bring in economic development. I too question the cost vs. the successful marketability of the Manchester Road and/or the Rte. 28 projects. If both were already completed I doubt we'd be any better off in the economic development arena than we are today. I too am not an advocate for establishing TIF districts (and neither should you since it diverts tax revenues that would normally go into the general fund). I don't think a TIF is appropriate for that project (right tool for the job) and believe that economic development will or won't occur at the same pace whether a TIF district is established or not or for that matter whether that road is widened or not.
Finally I will say that I came across a study some time ago that compared leaders in eight communities that were successful in economic development and here's what they found they all had in common:
1. Age 40 to 50 years
2. Already successful in business;
3. Not born or raised in the community
4. Credibility, respect and trust within the community at large;
4. Willingness to invest their time and money in the project;
5. Extensive network of business and government contacts outside the community;
6. Creative thinker and problem solver;
7. Positive, optimistic and cheerful;
8. Post-secondary education;
9. Previous (proven) leadership skills and experience; and,
10. Willing to dedicate a number of years of persistence work to advance the project concept.
#7 alone eliminates almost all of the current players. I'd think before we do anything we need new Economic Development leadership committed to transparency and different ways of thinking and acting. Economic development starts with a vision and it succeeds with commitment; both of which are non-existent in the community. We throw money at study after study, we form committee after committee; we wanted an economic developer and hired a community coordinator and then we blamed her for the lack of community development. There has to be an ED/EDC out there willing to take on the challenges of the community and provide vision, strategic planning and follow through based on 21st century economic development drivers. The town's too big and at too big of a crossroad for anyone other than a professional to take on economic development.
Brian-
In these dreadful economic times, when we can't afford the DEDC or an economic development coordinator, when your council majority is still dodging the 125% retirement rule, when refusal of the state to give Derry any money at all to rehab the old Hood school indicates that we will not be receiving a single red cent of the 1.9 million dollar shortfall in state funding you have been warned about yet Mr. Stenhouse is still "rolling the dice" with our monies and our future with this current budget, while the national unemployment rate has pushed past 9.5% and climbing and ours is probably higher, while our local businesses report a growing blizzard of latex checks (I've spoken with many along Broadway, the open ones), while houses are still being foreclosed, while we still face a serious and growing problem of uncollected taxes, and just when the total bill for the abject carelessness of President Obama's first swipe at TARP and his seemingly limitless bailouts has added some $55,500 of debt to every legal citizen in the USA - we want to add another TIFF district to our growing list of indebtedness.
But I'm against any sort of TIFF madness now because we just cannot afford it, no more than we can afford the millions of dollars of free government money to build a fifth fire station to replace the best one we have by stealing somebody else's money from some other community that's just as broke as we are.
As one of your previous TIFF experts explained the magic of TIFF to me years ago, "It allows you to run up massive debt off the books where nobody sees it. But you're on the hook for it, just the same."
Yep, it's another marvelous way, as we head for a depression, to throw some more money we don't have, money that we won't be able to see, money we may not be able to pay back, around on a project that nobody'll come to for quite awhile because they're broke, too. And why would they come to Derry anyhow, what with our ridiculous tax rates, crazy zoning, and our inability to make a deal?
Sure, chase your idiotic TIFF, but you won't have a bit of support from my corner on any of it, not when the old folks are giving away their pets, selling their heirlooms, where nobody can find a job, and where folks are stealing brass cemetery ornaments to sell to buy soup.
And on top of it all, the fire department plows snow on overtime to clear cisterns in the winter on overtime, while the DPW could do it on straight time. Madness.
We all need to understand the TIFF a little bit better so that I have a clear understanding that people understand it the same way that I understand it. I will write on a seperate entry so that people can chime in and follow and add comments.
Anon 4:07
I do not know who you are Pilgrim but have brought more common sense to this blog than most of the entries combined …..including mine!
Thank you.
To clairify I do not feel Wal-Mart is the magic bullet. But it is a start. Economic development is a journey of many steps.
Sure there will be calls about all other stores going out of business but in reality the Wal-Mart effect has not done that in population densities such as we have in Derry and as many purchase opportunities we have within short driving distances.
Our location is an asset in marketing Derry not a liability unless we continue down the path of being known for NO.
The big box retailers will come and will be everywhere around us as has already begun.
Derry resident will travel to shop there and we will get zero benefit (to express that the economic benefits are just minimum wage jobs is a total mischaracterization.)
This is why a professional plan has to be developed and codified. This is why there must be enough agreement in town to find the professionals to execute to the plan.
Development in Derry is strategic. Saying no to national retailer on a tactical basis as this town did not once but twice is just wrong.
Here's a couple of YouTube videos explaining TIF Districts -- they apply to TIF districts in Wichita but NH law is more or less the same.
Part 1
Part 2
Folks...you are being part of the problem. All I hear is whining and belly aching. I don't see anyone putting up suggestions as to possible courses of action.
This is your opportunity to have free discussion with a Town Councilor! Use it wisely. Who wants to listen to people complain!?
Think about it... Is it really productive to listen to someone complain all the time? Or do you just eventually drown them out because they never have anything constructive or helpful?
If you really want change, then we need to put all the complaining, insults and barbs aside and work together towards a common goal. This in-fighting is just ridiculous and counter-productive.
Derry is in a death spiral, and all you folks care about is who could get the last "good shot" in, or complain about how terrible an idea is.
Time to put up folks. Time to give suggestions to your Town Council. The more heads we put together towards solving our problems, the faster we get there.
This problem is bigger than any one individual. It is OUR problem. We ARE the town of Derry. We need to help our Town Council fix this!
BC, correct me if I am wrong, but I think the Town Council would value suggestions from residents.
BC- OK You claim Burtis and I don't understand TIFFs. Educate us. I believe I understand them very well. I also understand that "there is no such thing as a free lunch." Please explain why we should favor a TIFF over a regular bond.
p.s. AS promised I also posted my answer to your question on ADT's site blog.
DJN
10:34
There are many good ideas posted here.
Re-read the posts.
Its time to admit what we are: a bedroom community. We are not a business hub. Its time to stop trying to attract manufacturing, medical, industrial, and other commercial enterprises here. Look at Windham. They are prospering by being just what they should be: a great commuting community to Boston. Stop spending money on the hope they will come. The business that have come are no improvement to Derry. Stop spending on infrastructure that is not needed, and encourage quality of life projects. This idea will get us back on track.
Auburn Road Observer (its better than anonymous)
See Blow hard Burtis is up to his Fire department bashing again.
He complains about the 125 percent while he sits at home and complains while collecting his bloated pension. The DPW most of the time while plowing is on OT and where is there a plan for a fifth Firestation. Just because Mr Burtis was never hired to be a Fireman somewhere he has to pick on our hard working Firefighter EMT'S here.
All I know is I am sick of the lies you spread John and the tax money you waste with all your requests.
Move to another town PLEASE
B Blowing own horn
U unrealistic answers and solutions
R Redundant answers
T Two Faced
I Idiotic Ideas
S self proclaimed KNOW IT ALL
9:26 There are the start to good ideas here, but we need to expand on those. Some ideas are interspersed with harsh remarks which really doesn't help the process.
In regards to 6:37. I think you are wrong about Wal-Mart not having impacted Derry. Ames is gone, K-Mart in Londonderry was almost gone, Marshall's in Londonderry is gone as well as numerous smaller stores that could not compete.
Wal-Mart does attract jobs, but it also causes the loss of jobs, so there is either a net loss of jobs for the area or if there is an increase, it is so small that it doesn't benefit the town.
All I meant for my earlier post to do was to have people stop and think about how best we could serve the town of Derry.
We all seem to want the same thing...a better Derry. While we don't agree with the way we would go about getting that, let's discuss it without personal attacks. Those get us no where and only cause hard feelings and in counter-productive.
Agree?
America’s retail landscape is shifting; there's not too many developers building big box stores these days or malls for that matter. The trend now is faux main streets yet we have one and won't do anything with it. I don't think we should go ahead with the Manchester Road or Rte. 28 projects until we have a goal of what the community should be.
I'm assuming most of the people here are baby boomers (as am I). While you’re all caught up in comparing cars, houses, shopping habits and who has what college degree are we all dismissing that economic development takes years and needs to be done with the next generation in mind? While it’s estimated that there are 80 million baby boomers it's also estimated that there's about the same amount of millennials. If you’re discussing building up the community on YOUR wants and needs then over 55 housing, nursing homes, major highways and Walmart may just be your ticket. Don't expect the entrepreneurs to follow.
Although I consider myself a pretty hip dude my kids certainly wouldn't agree. We can all google "economic development in the 21st century" respond on a blog and join a committee or two but pseudo economic developers won't make a viable community and neither will getting a bunch of baby boomers together to discuss it.
Reach out to the younger generation; engage your kids, they certainly are a vocal group. And while most of us aren’t ready to be put out to pasture just yet the decisions we make today is the community the next generation will have to contend with. Do we know what THEIR wants and needs are?
I believe (if I'm not mistaken) at a recent counsel meeting a young woman volunteered for an alternate position on the planning board. She stated that she graduated from Plymouth State University in '06 with a degree in Environmental Planning. Seek her out; pick her brain, heck I'll even forfeit my .18 cents of tax savings to get her on board.
I personally think Derry has great potential and is more or less an open palette. It's time to move the community forward and break the ties with old alliances. It’s time for new ideas and new blood that can look at the community with fresh eyes. Hire an Economic Development Director or EDC using the criteria that 4:07 listed, make the commitment, properly fund and support the organization and get over yourselves, there’s actually people out there more qualified and better educated than you in the field of economic development.
8:36....Great points! This is the kind of thinking and participation Derry needs!
Wal-Mart is not a panacea for Derry. I am in print saying that.
I have also suggested faux Downtown Development many times providing the benefit of my travels around North America where progressive towns have http://www.burrridgevillagecenter.com/ tackled the same issues in a progressive manner and are benefiting from it.
But 3:22 you neglect to recognize that we do not operate in a vacuum.
Wal-mart will build their 151 new stores this year, some of them will affect Delahaize stores as the Plastow store does their local Hannaford regardless of whether it is in Derry or not. Derry will receive the detriment with zero benefit. You are taking a selective approach to which chair to choose as the music stops in the game of musical chairs. Thus far Derry has not found a seat.
Commercial revenue will be in many small steps. Wal-Mart is but one of these small steps. Being left out is not a good result. And the reputation we currently have at working with developers is not positive at this point. Plus we have zero structure to seek out business save the sign on 93. (VERY professional by the way!)
And someone mentioned that it is not that we are Wal-Mart adverse. We have one! However when they build a supercenter in close proximity to service Derry patrons they will close the Derry store leaving us with an empty building and yet another revenue whole.
As for the poster who mentioned Ames and Kmart. These were concepts that could not adapt. Zayres, Hills, Mars and many others were eclipsed by Target and Wal-mart, Bed,Bath and Beyond and other more modern retail concepts. I can rattle off 100’s of store concepts that died because they could not adapt to the consumer changes. I would not own Mall management stocks for the next 20 years either.
But you underscore the need for professionals that know what is going on outside of Derry so that we align out thoughts in the forming of a plan. Seeking out a Sears, Mervyns or other retail dinosaurs is not good business. Wal-Mart? Here to stay for the foreseeable future.
I agree with Auburn Road Observer in that Derry has potential to be something without all the commercial development. We need to focus on smarter development.
Let's start with an assessment of what Derry has that attracts people here now.
#1 answer - our Schools!!! Let's face it many have moved here for the schools - particularly Pinkerton. And many say that once their kids graduate they are moving out. Some see that as a problem - but is it? Maybe we should eb the community where people want to come to raise their families.
#2 Our location - we are located in a perfect place to be a bedroom community for Boston and Northeastern MA workers, Manchester and even Concord. We are close to 93 (North South) & 101(East West) highways.
But we are not going to compete effectively with Londonderry and Manchester for big commercial development (my opinion).
Given this perhaps we are focused on the wrong things - brining in commercial development. Maybe we should focus on building up the town to attract more folks looking for quality of life. Improve the downtown, change the "spot zoning" development and focus on improving and building neighborhoods where people want to live. This will mean attracting homeowners vs. building more big rental developments. The development of the past means that we are stuck with the big apartment complexes, duplexes and mixed developments. But that does not mean we have to keep sailing on the same course.
The one thing I will say is that Derry needs a plan and an identity. What do we want Derry to be in 10 years, 20 years? Without that vision we will continue to drift. I am encouraged with the initial meeting in April and look forward to seeing some kind of concrete plans come from the sub-committees. BC - maybe you can tell us what is happening there - not much news on that since the April meetings.
Let's focus on our strengths, build upon them and stop trying to be everything to everyone.
A vibrant downtown is one thing that I believe will be key to Derry's success.
Auburn Road
Did you just say that Derry is a BEDROOM COMMUNITY????????? Which Derry are you living in. there are more than 34,000 people here. That is a small city, with retail and industrial development.
Sure there are residential neighborhoods, but Chester, not Chester is a bedroom community. The longer the folks in Derry want to pretend they live in "Aw shucks, small town USA" the longer it will take for the problems to be solved.
Yes, I said we are a bedroom community. Even if we have 34,000. We are not a destination for business. 90% of our people work elswhere. Many in Mass. So stop trying to be what we are not and celebrate what we have to offer. Attracting another drug store or fast food restaurant is not the answer. Its not an 'aw shucks' attitude. Its facing our problems and realizing the old fix ideas have fallen short. They should not be repeated.
Auburn Road Observer
11:31
Please recognize that regardless of where we work, where we live, shop, eat, educate, play, defines our lifestyle. The more non-Derry residents we attract to come to Derry and spend money the lighter the load on our tax burden. We cannot rent out schools, God knows that “renting” out emergency services is a sum-net loss. Attracting industry as a TAX COW is almost impossible. So besides dining and shopping what else can we invest in to bring in outsiders?
11:31
help me to understand your logic.
"The more non-Derry residents we attract to come to Derry and spend money the lighter the load on our tax burden."
When tourists spend money in Derry the merchant makes a profit.
It costs the town more for police to cover the traffic, repair the too often used roads, plow the sidewalks and snowbanks downtown, etc.
I will agree the merchant will hire a minimum wage worker here and there, however because they are low income the town assists in their housing and other services including often free medical for them and their children.
Bottom line is it will be less expensive and less traffic congestion to just pay someone $8 an hour to stay out of Derry.
I have lived a longtime and can tell you from experience the more congested an area the more it cost to live there.
This includes TAXES, housing, food, etc.
IT just does not work the way you say. You are being sold this concept by those that have special interests and will gain $$$ and power from a congested town.
Thats my point! Stop the infrastructure improvements. Stop the proliferation of drug stores,etc.
Less will relocate here. Our manpower will not be stretched. That equals less town employees.
We have become too big. We cannot provide for the masses.
Lets go back to a reasonable way of life. I will not be disappointed if I have to drive to Manchester to buy a TV at a large box store.
Lets act like what we were. Its the reason many of us came here. Oue success has spoiled the very way of life we treasure.
Auburn Road Observer
UM,11:10
Do not businesses pay taxes on their profits?
BC,
The DFD had a few props in the union leader and Derry news that taxpayers find a little bit phony. Showing as the chief calls it a "mind set" a firefighter turning a light switch off to save electricity while they take the fire trucks for rides all weekend is not saving a money.
The reason the department did not use 1000 gallons of fuel last year was this blog of yours . PEOPLE spoke out about the abuse at the supermakets,icecream stands,pizza joints, and joy riding with taxpayer owned vehicles. This blog was the gallon saver not the mind set .
The next day,taxpayers read he wants to build another fire station.
The taxpayers are tired of this chief and his ego. A new station would reqire more fire trucks,more firefighters,more four wheelers,more boat trailers,more 4x4 trailers,more boats,more boat motors,more boat stuff,more ambulances,more cass certification,more juicy pentions,more union pressure,more captains,more overtime,more insurance buy outs,more exersise eqipment,more dream kitchens,more bucket trucks,more gas grills,more sirens,more generators,more radio stations,more uniforms,more step systems,more trips to shaws to pick up birthday cakes with ladder trucks . And lastly another empty fire pub.
Im sorry I have to go to work to pay for the last new fire station.
4:00 pm
Taxes are paid to the State of NH and the Federal government.
Nothing is paid to Derry except a few permits here and there. The personal required to process these permits are inefficient and non-productive. They cost more than then generate in revenue.
anon 11:31,
While this town has squabbled for the last 5 year about who is in charge or who is not a good person, I see that Merrimack will be attracting outlet stores... This was an idea I heard about 7-10 years ago that if we had our act together COULD of done this here in Derry. Thats one. Two, what resource does Derry have that we should be marketing too? How about the many children we have. Where are those businesses that young adults spend their money on???? We need to get are act together quickly and I'm afraid the door is closing on creating business to offset our taxes here in Derry
Auburn Road Observer
Can we give you a take back? Clearly you don’t mean to say that we stop anything progressive and revert to the sleepy time of the 1950’s?
Do you really believe that can happen? Do you think that the mistakes of the past, apartments, condexs bad municipal management can be rolled back? Would you consider your viewpoint reactionary? Are you a member of the ADT?
Sure lets kick everybody out of town that has not lived here 35 years or more. Certainly 34K residents will gladly walk away from their investments. Maybe we can dig up all of the old dead landowners that sold out to developers in the 60’s 70’and 80's and have them dismantle the abandoned homes. We can return all of the lumber to Grant Benson. I am sure he will give us our money back as will Cooper Homes and all of the other developers.
We can eliminate all municipal departments, burn our own trash, walk in the winter, drill our own wells, hunt out own food. Neighbors can help neighbors to suppress fires and deliver emergency services over our crumbled roads. There will only be 6 school age children in town and we can educate them in between hand sewing shoes at 10¢ per day. No schools, no school budget. They can work 7 days a week, no need for recreation.
Lets find Ward Cleaver and Donna Reed while we are at it. Can't wait for "Duck and Cover" drills again!
Or we can wait for you to pass on and progress can commence again.
Hey, Newell at least he had the balls to say what you feel!
Strange I don't recall any squabbles about who is in charge. Have the police had to eject people sitting at the council who were not elected? BC, you and your buddies have had a veto proof majority since I can remember. (even past the year of 6-1 votes where Hopfgarten tried to speak out for the taxpayers). What are we talking about 10 or 15 years of Good Old Boys rule? Any now the lack of progress is due to the existance of a vocal but powerlass minority? Give us a break.
So that's your vision of our future Outlet stores? I bet we can steal all the Lawrence shoppers. Our problems are over.
11:31
Please explain to us how more businesses in Town for people spend money at will lower our tax rate and influx of people into our school systems?
This is just a sales pitch from people that have special interests. I asked a person how a Super Walmart would help Derry and they said they were not sure however they liked Walmart and supported it. This is the mentality of the herd and what we are dealing with including at the top.
I have never read a logical explanation, just some ideas that may or may not work.
Lets go by what we see in existence now.
Has any town or city benefited in the LONG HAUL from increased stores in the community?
It seems towns with almost no stores have very low tax rates.
So 11:33 let me get this straight; you advocate that the 34000 residents in Derry shop elsewhere and our taxes will go down? Are you serious or are you just goofing on the rest of us.
Closing the barn door after the horse has run off is counterproductive.
The 34000 people ARE ALREADY HERE! How can you suggest that not catering to the needs of our own population at a minimum will save us money?
As for the person that you asked regarding Super Wal-Mart (excuse me but they are called Wal-Mart Super Centers) you must the smartest member in your circle of acquaintances.
Another blogger recently could not connect the dots between profitable businesses in Derry and our tax bill lessening. When Hadco/Samina left town leaving that eyesore in the middle of our new commercial difference we certainly felt the taxes rise.
Perhaps 25/6/09 11:10 could mold his clever mind around the fact that if unprofitable business leave town and taxes rise than the opposite must be true (profitable businesses = tax revenue). Note that this is in addition to all of those minimum wage jobs. (11:10 remind me again how many Hadco employees actually lived in Derry?)
Gentlemen think before you blog. Everything is connected. Major development raises all development boats, brings new business with new ideas.
The idea that a Target, Kohls, Walmart, Lowes, or other well designed development capitalizing on emerging trends in urban planning connecting to our downtown is bad for the tax base is just foolish.
Please read something about the discussion topic before you participate in blogging.
I will do the work for you: http://www.walkablestreets.com/emerging.htm)
Thanks 28/6/09 11:19 AM
I do have balls. Unlike you trying to insult me rather than making a valid argument. I am not a member of the ADT. I disagree with 99% of what Doug stands for. But I must admit he has a little more dignity than you in his use of adjectives.
I did not say kick everyone except June and Ward out of town. I said stop trying to attract even more people here. We do not need anymore large retail businesses here. Our services and stretched to the limits now. New infrastructure is not the answer. The improvements should be for quality of life projects for families, etc.
Sorry if I got the balls that were supposed to be for you, but thanks for pointing it out.
Auburn Road Observer
8:41
WOW your post is really an eye opener.
I now realize more profitable businesses in town will lower my taxes.
I had always thought stopping spending would lower taxes, just like a business or household has to do when income does not keep up with expenses.
I am now moving to Salem, NH
They have loads of profitable businesses and no doubt pay peanuts in taxes, have no congestion and small government.
11:33
Auburn Road Observer
Yes we probably disagree on many subjects however it is nice that you understand that it is possible to have a discussion without making things up that the other person never said.
11:19's world is full of "progressives" those who have the vision to spend your money for you and "reactionaries" those of us who resist the progressives because we have other things to do like pay mortgages and put kids through college.
I think ARO we may have some common ground in that while I favor business development I believe that "you are what you eat". Big box retail is the equivilant of junk food, some is ok but don't make a steady diet of it. It takes up alot of our precious developable land, generates both low paying jobs and traffic, but if you are starving for development it can look awfully good.
I was at the Derry Medical building on Tsienneto the other day. Had to really search for a parking place. Does that generate any ideas, anyone? (I think there are a few good paying jobs in there don't you think?)
8:09 AM,
Very typical response from a non progressive. Can I get you Dougs phone number?
Salem might not be a bad place to own a shop with the Federal Republic of MA taxing everything that moves.
Enjoy the move Boyo.
DJN - interesting point on Research, Medical, Office Building type development vs. big box retail.
I too believe that Big Box is NOT the type of development we should be looking to promote. We should look to add jobs that will attract people who might actually live in town, not just drive here from surrounding towns to shop the big boxes and leave. I honestly don't see a huge success factor for Big Boxes in Derry given the convenience of access to these same stores in neighboring towns like Londonderry and Salem with access right off the highway exits.
Unfortunately, from the article in the Nutfield News the other day I see that the town is considering changing zoning near the Robert Frost Farm from more restrictive zoning ORD - to General Commercial. We should be doing the opposite - changing some of the General Commercial zoning in town to Office Business, Office Medical and Office Research.
We need to both make Derry "The Place to Be" in NH and market it as such.
Anyone interested in evaluating "big box" and their positive and negative impacts on the community here's a link to an unbiased evaluator.
Big Box Evaluator
6:22
Thanks for the website
I plugged in Derry scenario and I was right
The town will lose $77k per year with a big box store.
Just think of the bargains we will miss if they don't build here.;-(
Did you happen to catch Joel Olbrecht's latest bit of whinning in the Derry News?
Seems Joel is bemoaning the fact that despite having been funded with over $1 million taxpayer dollars, his beloved DEDC may now be working with communities other than Derry. As if Derry will be missing out on something?
Joel old boy, in retrospect, are you really that satisfied with the DEDC's results during one of the longest economic expansions on record?
Please, do set up shop elsewhere. This time be sure to maintain appropriate accounting checks and balances by occasionally checking balances. This little formality has proven capable of saving a lot more than face.
Oh, and the next time, if there is a next time, be sure to be graceful in your exit when it becomes clear that Dowd, Bulkley and yourself are not the right guy's for the job; reassurances to one another by one another, are self serving and often delusional. Thanks so very, very much.
10:22 Love it!
What appendage of the Burtisnewellfairbankscoyleappotomos are you?
So typical.
You make assumptions based on your hypothesis, your only hypothesis and Suprise!, Suprise!, Suprise!, it supports your position.
Now the coffee club braintrust will think that this is fact and positions will be hardened all because you stuck your thumb in the plum pudding and came up with the wrong answer.
I LOVE DERRY!
The power of the lowest thought and the biggest mouth!
I can't wait to sell my home and watch with glee as Derry spirals into the morass.
1:44 typical, an opinion but no facts. Did you take the time to visit that web site? (I did... got the same -$77k number) What faults do you find in its methodology? When you put in your assumptions what results do you get? We really don't care about your opinion, opinions are cheap; Derry has over 30,000 of them. Add some substance to our discussion.
Sorry to see you leaving, you are adding so much to solving our problems. We will spiral a little slower without you.
Anon 1:44, what exactly are you trying to say????
On second thought, don't bother trying to answer.
I will only offer that the three folks you atempted to malign although not perfect have more on the ball than this town government has seen in a long time.
So please do sell your house and move out.......as soon as possible!!
One more thing, how do you spell "suprise ?"
Now go put that cone shaped hat on and spell it correctly 100 times on the blackboard...."suprise?" ....not once, not twice, but THREE times????
YIKES, a member of the "challenged faction"...four shure.......i mean, for sure.......damn!! is there something in the water?
Could someone tell me how Carol Robidoux, corresponsent for the Manchester Union Leader, can also be a full fledge member of the ADT? The articles she writes are definitely slanted and yes I know all about 'freedom of speech' and all of that but seriously....where's the justice here?
I guess it's just another example of 'you can't always believe what you read in the paper'!!!
8:01 No Carol is not a member of ADT. She has signed up on our web site to stay informed.
Doug
Anon 3:49
Are you really that stupid?
Suprise, surprise, surprize. Don't you remember Gomer Pyle? He was the filling station pump jockey set in another backasswards town.
Look in the dictionary or call John Burtis (he knows all the big words).
God please do not tell me you are a Derry public grad!
Also:Burtisnewellfairbankscoyleappotomos pokes fun of 4 people that I have zero respect for, not 3.
Counting out of your realm too?
Were your reading glasses dirty?
Get with it or are you crouched in the root cellar with a carton of smokes and a case of beer awiting the return to lower taxes or the Grim Reaper (which ever comes first)?
Londonderry is kicking Derrys butt in the organization and marketing of business development. Maybe we should send an envoy across the bridge to see how they have done it? Anybody but Fairbanks.
14/7/09 7:58 AM
Sorry Doug but just how stupid do you think people are. You click on MEMBER and you see her and the rest of those 'members' listed that belong to your group.
As for staying informed...yeah right. Her slanted columns she writes speaks volumes.
I'm not buying it.
For the record, I am not a Derry resident and would have no reason to be part of a local taxpayer group. It was my error to sign up on the ADT site listing me as a member, which I only did because it seemed a convenient way to get updates or alerts as the group worked toward a Charter Commission. That was what was happening when I started covering Derry in March. I have respectfully requested that Mr. Newell remove my profile, so as to settle the question of a bias. I have been a reporter for 20 years and have covered the news in NH for seven of those years. I have no particular bias. I do, however, value honesty and integrity, and would find comments on this blog, or any blog, more credible if they were not posted anonymously. It is easy to say things without attribution. My name appears on every article I write. I am more than happy to speak to anyone with a legitimate concern with accuracy in my reporting, or matters of town importance, on the record or off. My goal is really the same as everyone's who posts here: elevating the town you all love. My professional goal is providing coverage of all aspects of life in Derry, not just politics. It is a tall order. I am still becoming familiar with the history of the town and its people. I appreciate Mr. Chirichiello and Mr. Newell calling this to my attention, rather than just making uniformed statements anonymously on a blog. - Carol Robidoux, Union Leader Correspondent
Carol when a journalist shows no understanding regarding anonymity is a small town political blog I wonder what planet she is from.
Carol...if you are a 'seasoned' reported as you claim to be you should already be aware of the fact that you do not align yourself with any one group...Signing up on the ADT blog? What were you thinking? And why did it take someone on this blog to bring it to your attention also seems lame!
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