Around Milton NH, This and That........A Peek at What's Happening in our Neighboring Town of Milton, NH

An open letter to the residents of Milton NH,

 

‘We the People of the Unites States…’ begins the Constitution of the United States. Though not the earliest example of democratic principles, the Constitution of the United States is one of the oldest such documents used in the world. However, the dream of a citizen-run government depends upon citizens who care about issues and vote on them accordingly. Why is it then that many voters today don't seem to care?

The low turnout in recent Town Meetings in Milton does not seem to be a result of voter alienation, but rather the outcome of voter apathy due to the fact that some believe they cannot make a change. 

 When very few people vote, the people we have elected cannot represent the beliefs and values of the general population.

The major cause of voter apathy is a general lack of agency: people may doubt their ability to make a difference. 

 

In a recent poll, conducted on Facebook, 55 people voted that they would either support reducing the Budget or vote to close the schools in Milton and send the pupils elsewhere.  Albeit it was not a scientific poll, it gives a sample of the population in Milton that have strong feelings about the spiraling costs of education.  At the Deliberative Session that was held on Saturday 2/6/15 2016

I made a motion to reduce the School Budget of $9,444,248.84.  The motion failed 18 to 16.  That is democracy and I have accepted defeat.  My concern is that there appeared to be support for this when it has had been discussed and rehashed for weeks, but not enough of the people that had voiced their concerns showed up.

 

What is a vote worth?   Well in Milton on last Saturday a vote was worth $328,141.63.  That is 1/3rd one third of the votes needed to have had the amendment pass, which would have reduced the budget by 10%.  ($984,424.88).  So yes your vote does count.

 

There are some Milton who are deeply concerned about the voter apathy and lack of participation in making Milton a better place for all.   I do not have the answers. I am not always right. I am concerned and willing to work with people to help.   But it will take more people to commit for anything to happen.  There is power in numbers.  Last year when Milton was threatened by a proposed landfill, Milton voters came out in droves to support a proposal and amendments to stop them.   Milton won!  So how do we wake up the silent majority who sleeps between catastrophes?  How de do we get people involved?   How do we make Milton a better pace place for us, for our children and for anyone who would entertain the idea of moving here?    Change the dates and times of meetings?

 

That can’t happen if no one gets involved.   This poor turnout appears to be indicative of Milton in general.   Everyone wants change, but it appears that no one wants to work for the change.

In order to move forward and make changes we are going to need more people to make a Sacrifice for the change.

Without participation from the people in Milton, everything -- actually it will get worse -- not stay the same.

There are several groups who are trying their best to get the information out to the residents of Milton.  Discussing the issues and the candidates is important information for people to make educated decisions. 

 

We cannot change the past, but looking forward, we can.  Things would be drastically different going into this election if only an additional handful of voters had turned out to support the change they had voiced.

 

Les Eder

Milton NH

Governor LePage Submits State of the State in Writing to the 127th Legislature

02/08/2016 01:00 PM EST

AUGUSTA - Following the historical tradition of sending a gubernatorial address to the Legislature in writing, Governor Paul R. LePage today delivered his State of the State in written form to all members of the 127th Legislature.

In the eight-page State of the State, the Governor details his top priorities and urges the Legislature to work with him so they can move Maine much more quickly from poverty to prosperity. He also calls on lawmakers to focus on the heroin epidemic that is killing Mainers every week.

"As you know, I have chosen to forego the pomp and circumstance of a live speech so we can spend our time and energy on what truly matters: getting work done for the Maine people," the Governor wrote to the Legislature. "I've talked to thousands of Maine people in the past five years. They want us to work to reduce their tax burden, reform welfare so it benefits the truly needy, lower electricity rates so employers can create jobs, find ways to keep our young people here and eradicate the drug crisis that is ravaging our state."

Governor LePage also asked Mainers to pay attention to who they elect in November to represent them. "To the Maine people, I say this: If you want to improve our economy, if you truly want to prosper, then you have to change the culture in Augusta," the Governor wrote. "Vote for those candidates who will work for you. Hold them accountable; demand their attention."

 

TO READ GOVERNOR PAUL LEPAGE'S 2016 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS,

IN IT'S ENTIRETY, CLICK THE LINK BELOW:

http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbXNpZD0mYXVpZD0mbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTYwMjA4LjU0OTExMzUxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE2MDIwOC41NDkxMTM1MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2Nzk5MDM2JmVtYWlsaWQ9bGViYW5vbnRydXRoc2Vla2Vyc0Bob3RtYWlsLmNvbSZ1c2VyaWQ9bGViYW5vbnRydXRoc2Vla2Vyc0Bob3RtYWlsLmNvbSZ0YXJnZXRpZD0mZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&101&&&http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/attach.php?id=669201&an=1

Obituary: Sandra J. Brown

Sandra J. Brown,
obituary

SANFORD, Maine- Sandra J. Brown, 67, of Sanford, died quietly in her sleep on the morning of Thurs., Feb. 4, 2016, after a long battle with cancer. Sandra was born Dec. 5, 1948, to the late David R. and Mary (Prefontaine) of Sanford. Sandra is survived by a son, Troy, of Lebanon; and a daughter, Lacey, of Limington. There will be no funeral services per Sandra's wishes. Online condolence messages can be submitted at www.mainefuneral.com In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Sandra's name to your local animal shelter. 

Around Milton, This and That.......a Peek Into Our Neighboring Town of Milton NH

 

2/6/2016  From the Desk of Les Elder

 

Only 34 Milton residents showed up today to approve all of the Warrant Articles that were submitted by the Milton School Board. Article # 2, the operating Budget of $9,844,284.84, was the only article to gather much discussion.   Les Elder made a motion to reduce the Budget by 10% to $8,859,823.96.  However there was an attempt to make a second amendment to the Operating Budget, but the Moderator ruled Stan Nadeau out of order and would not allow the amendment, since the discussion on the question had been closed, and a motion had been made and seconded to limit discussion.  (There appears this may have been incorrectly motioned, but the moderator asked and was given authority to continue) The Amendment was defeated by a vote of 18 to 16.  There also was some discussion regarding the $279,034.00 for leasing new computers and the only amendment was a housekeeping measure which passed.  Minor discussion and questions on the remaining Warrant Articles left all warrant articles intact and all passed.  Sending to the voters of Milton a total package of approximately $11,208,360.00

 

It was true democracy at its best.  And they are right when they say your vote counts.   If more people that had shown an interest in cutting some of the articles had shown up things may have been different.   We will never know.   It’s over and done and will now passed on to the voters in March.

It's appears that everyone in Milton is happy with the Schools, they way they are operated and their escalating taxes. I for one am not. But it takes a majority to make changes in a democracy. That majority was not there when needed, if in fact it even exists.

Around Milton, This and That.......a Peek Into Our Neighboring Town of Milton NH

Around Milton, This and That                                                     2/4/2016
Shared by Les Elder

There are four contested town positions for the annual town meeting as follows: Selectman for (3) years, Mike Beaulieu and John Katwick, supervisor of the checklist-Diane DuBois and Robert R. Ferris, town treasurer-Pamela J. Arnold, David Buchanan and McKenzie C. Campbell, zoning board of adjustment (3) years-Mike Beaulieu and Larry Brown.

There will be a meet the candidate’s night on Thursday, Feb. 18 at town hall beginning at 6 p.m.

SCHOOL NEWS

The Milton School Deliberative Session will be held Saturday at the Nute High School Cafeteria at 1 p.m.

This session will consist of explanation, discussion and debate of Warrant Articles No. 2 through No. 9. Warrant articles may be amended subject to limitations, and all warrant articles (even if amended by majority vote) will be placed on the official Ballot for final vote.  The proposed budget is $ 9,833,472.00.

 

The Nute Middle High Schools Junior Class will be hosting a "Princess Ball" (a father/daughter dance) on Saturday, February 13th at the Elementary School from 4-6pm and they will be serving dinner, dessert and of course there will be dancing. Flyers should have been sent home last Friday. The cost is $10 per person. This is open to the community ages 5-12.

 

The Teneriffe Sports Club, a non-profit group that is a resource for sport groups, is putting together a fundraiser to support their efforts. There will be live music and dancing at the Milton Moose Lodge on Friday, Feb. 19 from 7 to 10 p.m. Rob and Jodie Gourlay will provide live music and the dance floor will be open. Tickets are $15 per person. There is a limited amount of tickets because of the limits of space. Call 605-285-5136 for information about the event or tickets. Also, there will be raffle and a 50/50 drawing.

Milton Free Public Library

Curiosity Creates, a new program is being offered at the library in Milton Mills. The first event is Saturday, Feb. 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Three more events will be held in March, April and May. Children are also welcome to come at any time during library hours and use the upstairs space to explore, play and discover. Young people age 6 through 14 are encouraged to sign up early, as space is limited. Please email the library at mfpl@metrocast.net or call 603-473-8535. Parents are welcome and encouraged to come and play with the children, but be aware the upstairs space will be a "screen free" zone during creative play times.

Can Peanut Butter REALLY Be Deadly for Dogs?? The Answer is YES, If It Contain's Xylitol.......

Is peanut butter REALLY deadly for dogs??

The answer could be YES, if it contains Xlitol, a sugar substitute commonly used in sugar free gums, candy,

and now peanut butter!!!

Be sure to check the ingredients of your peanut butter and encourage children to keep sugar free chewing gum or candy out of the reach of your pets!!

 

For more information, check out this post...........

 

http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/xylitol.asp

New Scam in Town......Scammers Use Fake E Mail to Lure Victims Into Giving Personal Information.

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Amy Herbert, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

The subject line says “Get Protected,” and the email talks about new features from the Social Security Administration (SSA) that can help taxpayers monitor their credit reports, and know about unauthorized use of their Social Security number. It even cites the IRS and the official-sounding “S.A.F.E Act 2015.” It sounds real, but it’s all made up.

It’s a phishing email to get you to click on a scammer’s link. If you do, a scammer can install malware — like viruses and spyware — on your computer. Or, the link might send you to a spoof site — a lookalike website set up by a scammer to trick you into entering your personal information.



Not sure if an email is really from the government? Here are a couple of clues. Did the email end up in your junk folder? Email providers use filters to help catch phishing scams and prevent spam from getting into your inbox. And when you hover your cursor over the link, is the web address really a trusted website? In this fake SSA email, when you hover over the URL you’re invited to click on, you see the link goes to an unrelated “.com” — instead of the Social Security Administration’s socialsecurity.gov or another “.gov” site.

If you get a questionable email, don’t click on any links, or open any attachments. Report it to the FTC by forwarding the email to spam@uce.gov — and to the real organization impersonated in the email. You also can report it to your email provider. Some email providers let you mark messages as phishing scams. Your report is most effective when you include the full email header, although most email programs hide this information. To find out the full header, type the name of your email service with “full email header” into your favorite search engine, and include this information in your report. When you’re done, delete the email.

If you’re unsure about an email that looks like it’s from the government, contact the agency directly. But find the contact info yourself.