State of Economic Development

Remember the old saying " are you better off today than you were last year".Well in the town's economic development arena, I will have to say that the answer is a big NO. The town has for the last two fiscal years supported an in house economic development director after a few years of working with the DEDC. The DEDC are a non-governmental, non-profit group of business owners who have looked after attracting businesses into Derry so that we may get some tax relief for the single family homeowners who's tax bills keep increasing and relief is needed.
Last night, former council member and now president of the DEDC came to give the town an update on DEDC status. They are requesting that the DEDC come back in working arm and arm with the town because they can do it at a far better cost, according to Bulkley, and they can do a far better job in bringing business into town.
The DEDC is requesting $20K this year and an appropriation of $60K for FY2010.
Many questions then followed and some public forum questions were addressed.
It seemed to me that all councilors had and continue to have an open mind right now however I'm sure more questions will be asked before any money is put aside.

The Big question becomes this:
1) Is economic development a priority in this town?
2) What have we gotten for the 200K we spent in two years with in house E.D.?
3)Do we bring back DEDC and how will everyone work hand and hand for the good of the town?
4) If we do nothing, what do we get in the form of new businesses to offset taxes?
5)Are there any new ideas outside of both DEDC and in-house E.D.
I want to hear form you.

Who will be the next..Derry Town Council Chair?

Fresh off yesterdays town elections, the buzz that is all around is all about who will be the next town council chairman?
I would like to hear from you blog readers on who you think will be the next chairman or chairwoman and your reasoning behind your pick..

Also I wanted to congratulate all the winners in yesterdays election and to say thank-you for running and your commitment to the town of Derry for the runners-up.
Please keep engaged into the political scene in town and let your voices be heard.

Polling Places

Just a reminder.

Districts 1 & 4 Vote at Gilbert H Hood Jr High

Districts 2 & 3 Vote at West Running Brook Middle school.

Please exercise your right to vote tomorrow!!!

Top 10 Least Taxed Cities in America

This puts things into a little better perspective.
Check Out #2!
http://finance.yahoo.com/taxes/article/106691/Top-10-Tax-Friendly-Cities

Sewer Bonding.

I was asked in a previous post about how I would work with Kevin and Janet if they so happen to get re-elected. The post said that if that scenario were to happen that they expected that we all work together moving forward and that we should have the best interests of the town at all times. I agree.
I would like to state here and now that if in fact Kevin and Janet do get re-elected that both have mentioned numerous times over the last couple years that they both support extending sewer as a priority for them. They make it both clear that 4A and the TIFF is not something that they could support. Fine, that's their right as an elected official. But you will be the very first to read this here in this blog.
If Kevin and Janet both get re-elected, I will then make a motion to bond between 5-30 million dollars for running sewer and water down Rte 28 towards Ryan's Hill.
After all this is what they have wanted for three years now. Do you think either candidate would vote YES on this issue AFTER they get back in???
Lets remember its very easy to say NO all the time... Where are the solutions? Talk about rubber stamps. I'm willing to bet that they both will vote NO again and for another 3 years Derry stays stagnant. Do you agree?

The Big Bad Blog!

I'm not running for any position this year however looks like some councilors want to blame this big bad blog as the reason why the councilors all don't get along. Have we not been down this road once before..Some want to stifle others freedom of speech and its this type of censorship that gets me wondering that its fine for some to be critical of others however when someone is critical of them... They don't like it. They want it to be destroyed, and they don't give a damn if others have the right to free speech.

During the political show that is produced every year, A question was asked about what party affiliation a candidate belongs to and Councilor Coyle came out and said he was Independent... Funny he has registered as a Republican and then recently as a Democrat.It depends what best suits him for that particular time.

Then the loaded question about finance contributions..Kevin and Janet stated that they had very limited funds from outside.. Janet stated a friend paid for her signs and she received $100 from someone and a check that she is returning.. Kevin said his campaign will cost $1000. With $400 coming from "friends"..

I don't know which world you live however i believe that is what politicians do. They raise money for their campaigns. What does it say when nobody wants to contribute to their campaigns????

The facts are that in the first election Mr.Coyle picked up lots of money that this time around those friends had none to give. So now its an issue when 3 years ago it was not?? Kevin also stated that since he and Janet were elected no more "back door" arrangements had occurred.. really? What about the Land for bike path deal Kevin?

The question comes to the simple facts.. Do you think the town can get things done with Kevin and Janet coming back or with new fresh faces Maureen and Joel?? Think about it?

Also, Do you think this blog has value in expressing ones thoughts or do you think like Ms. Fairbanks that it is the reason for the towns undoing and ill will towards council members. The facts speak for themselves in this blog. Even people who are critical of me and my positions are posted for all to see.. That's part of the political process. Why someone runs and doesn't want to be criticized is beyond me.
Your thoughts!