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Nominations for the next silent demonstration?

Started by Dave Ridley, September 21, 2006, 07:03 PM NHFT

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They're our bedrooms and city employees aren't invited!

Dave Ridley


Property owners? rights are being squashed
Published: Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007
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To the Editor:

In March, 2006, 80 percent of the voters overwhelmingly vetoed a conservation commission-proposed amendment to the wetlands ordinance to impose a 100-foot buffer around allegedly "significant" wetlands. The commission and now the town council have chosen to ignore the vote and continue to pursue added protection to these wetlands with one of the stated options to be an "ordinance" and the use of buffers. What part of "no" do these two groups not understand?

On at least two occasions the commission was confronted by Bedford residents who pointed out the lopsided veto of the ordinance change and were asked why they continued to pursue a course of action which took property owners? rights away. Both times the response to the question was silence. Again, on Dec. 20, the town council, when the March vote was brought to their attention, chose to remain silent when asked if they would provide the conservation commission some guidance with respect to the voter's wishes.

Unless high school Civics classes have been totally revised with their teaching about elected versus appointed government agencies, then the town council, as the elected governing body, is responsible for not only appointing residents to the various "appointed" bodies, but is also responsible for the conduct of these bodies which would include providing "guidance" on matters which the voters have voiced a position. The council is ultimately responsible for legislation (ordinances) which are proposed by these unelected bodies as the council is the only "legislative body" within Bedford according to state statue. The "connector road" comes to mind here, where the council has stated they will no longer pursue the issue with the school board in view of the last vote. (One may ask why in one instance the council has voiced a position yet on another similarly contentious issue chooses to remain silent.) Let us not suspect the council is in agreement with the commission that property owners? rights are subservient to the rights of salamanders and turtles.

Please do not misunderstand: There is likely not one of the 650 wetland properties owners (about 1,300 voters) who would argue against added protection to all wetlands; our wells are in close proximity to these lands and we live with the wildlife. These people would, however, protest having their rights to use their properties as do all other "dry land" residents taken from them. In a year when the Bedford tax rate could (voter approval needed) climb by 40 percent between town council and school board budgets, the last thing either of these governing bodies should want is an unpopular effort by an unelected town body. Any effort which even remotely resembles the March '06 attempt to take away the rights of these owners and expect these owners to continue to pay full taxes is bound to promote strong feelings,

Additionally, the Bedford governing body needs to step up and respond to the question of why 3,732 voters continue to be ignored.

BILL DERMODY

Bedford

CNHT


Dave Ridley

kat's post about the lady being forced out of her business might be a good start for an sd

Dave Ridley

i heard there was a drug bust in pelham last night, heard it on tv.  dont see it on google.   

just some clean cut young adults selling Ex to an undercover cop .    I nominate pelham p.d. and mabye other implicated entities.... but will look for more info meantime.

Dave Ridley


Russell Kanning

how about more at the irs .... talk about unrepentent :)

Russell Kanning


Dave Ridley

who knows what I will do (other than keep my promises)?   even i don't

Dave Ridley



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