Forum, March 6: Anonymous mailing is not persuasive
Published: 3/5/2021 10:00:15 PM
Modified: 3/5/2021 10:00:12 PM
Anonymous mailing is not persuasive
As new residents of the city of Lebanon we have been receiving informational mail in connection the upcoming election on Tuesday. We have worked on political campaigns and for civic causes, which we support, for most of our adult lives, and value receiving voter information and even requests of support.
However, we find it disturbing to have received a hand-addressed postcard urging us to vote in a particular way on Lebanon’s school resource officer position that contains no attribution. We think it is both essential and respectful to let constituents know who is asking for a vote or support on any civic matter. We cannot consider following a request of this type unless we know who or what organization made the request.
Published: 3/3/2021 10:00:16 PM
Modified: 3/3/2021 10:00:14 PM
In Lebanon, vote inclusion, innovation and involvement
I encourage everyone reading this letter to vote for my mother, Karen Liot Hill, for Lebanon city councilor at-large, and Lilian Maughan, Stephen Kantor, and Lisa Vallejo Sorensen for School Board.
I have lived in Lebanon for almost 20 years, graduated from Lebanon High School in 2017 and am currently finishing my senior year at Dartmouth College. I serve as an adviser to the Lebanon Students of Color Collective. My years in the Lebanon School District were marked by frequent changes I attended the School Street, Hanover Street and Seminary Hill schools, Lebanon Junior High, Lebanon Middle School and Lebanon High School. I served on Student Council for my four years at LHS, served two years as student representative to the School Board, and was moderator (similar to president) of the Student Council my senior year.
Forum, March 3: Proposed Lebanon zoning amendments raise questions
Published: 3/2/2021 10:00:07 PM
Modified: 3/9/2021 9:54:19 AM
Proposed Lebanon zoning amendments raise questions
On Tuesday, Lebanon voters will be deciding on three amendments to the zoning ordinance.
One proposal would allow building heights in the R-1 zone to exceed the maximum of 45 feet by 10 feet to allow for parking under or within the building, with Planning Board approval. Maybe some voters are not interested in seeing 55-foot-high projects on our skyline. Why should Lebanon be the dumping ground for these rectangular blocks? Larger developments mean demands for more services requiring higher taxes.
Another proposal would allow houses of worship in R-3 zones as a permitted use as in other districts. This appears innocuous. However, houses of worship come in all sizes and with varying other accessories, such as function halls, parking areas, schools and shops. Maybe proposed houses of worship in all dis
Forum, March 2: Two voices for all Lebanon residents
Published: 3/1/2021 10:00:07 PM
Modified: 3/9/2021 9:47:46 AM
Two voices for all Lebanon residents
A community is strongest when all residents are empowered to advocate for their needs within local government. To achieve this, elected officials must be willing to connect with community members who are in need, understand and empathize with them, and use their position of power to be their champion in government. This is not easy work. It requires time, effort, care and compassion.
This is why I strongly support Devin Wilkie (Ward 2) and Sylvia Puglisi (at-large) for Lebanon City Council on March 9. Both these candidates have demonstrated that they will put in the work to be the people’s advocate in Lebanon city government.
Forum, March 1: Better to deal with ‘divisive topics’ openly, honestly
Published: 2/28/2021 10:00:06 PM
Modified: 2/28/2021 10:00:05 PM
Better to deal with ‘divisive topics’ openly, honestly
I was more than a little startled by the headline “NH bill would bar teaching ‘divisive topics’ ” (Feb. 20). The New Hampshire Legislature would sweep issues of racism and sexism under the rug rather than bring them into the light of day.
Yes, our country is deeply divided. This year began with insurrectionists proudly displaying Confederate flags and pro-Nazi symbols in our nation’s capitol. A con artist divided the nation over the false claims that he won an election he actually lost by more than 7 million votes while seeking to disenfranchise millions of Black voters. If anyone doubts that there is systematic racism in this country, think for a moment how Donald Trump would have responded to a mostly Black crowd trying to break into the Capitol. In these troubled times