One of the primary responsibilities of our town council is to manage the tax payers dollars as wisely as possible.

I listened to “Speak Out” last Friday night, hosted by Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Cumberland. I heard the question asked to those running for town council, “Would you be in favor of moving the June election to November?”

I see this idea saving the taxpayers money; not only is our voter turnout greater in November, but by holding one election, in the off year when there is no primary election, Windham would benefit from a substantial savings. Carol Waig and John MacKinnon, Lane Hiltunen, and Mike Wakefield voted in favor for the combined November election. Will Blanchard indicated he was not in favor.

I also heard the question “Would you be in favor of moving the skate park?” For those of you who may not know, Windham spent $15,400 on a sound study to address concerns of abutting neighbors. $10,000 was raised to build a ramp in memory of a regular skate park attendee, Mackenzie MacVane.

In 1999, $13,030.00 in grant money was awarded to move forward with the skate park. The park is visible to the police and safety building and conveniently located near the schools. Having invested this amount of money and hard work into the park only to walk away from it to start over makes no fiscal sense to me.

The appropriate time to implement the park on the school grounds was during construction, not a few years after completion. Tearing up an existing ball field or clearing undeveloped land on the school grounds will only cost the tax payers more money. Hiltunen and Blanchard indicated they would support moving the park. Wakefield was unsure and Waig and Mackinnon indicated they would not support moving the park.

Regardless if you are a skate park/BMX park supporter, we are all taxpayers. I want councilors in office who make responsible decisions with our hard earned money. Waig and Mackinnon have suggested reducing the speed limit on Route 202. This would increase the safety of our kids walking from our schools to the park, but also increase the likelihood of receiving grant money from the state to pay for a sidewalk. Carol Waig and John MacKinnon are getting my vote on June 10. I encourage you all to do the same.

Sylvia Harkins

Windham

One of the primary responsibilities of our town council is to manage the tax payers dollars as wisely as possible.

I listened to “Speak Out” last Friday night, hosted by Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Cumberland. I heard the question asked to those running for town council, “Would you be in favor of moving the June election to November?”

I see this idea saving the taxpayers money; not only is our voter turnout greater in November, but by holding one election, in the off year when there is no primary election, Windham would benefit from a substantial savings. Carol Waig and John MacKinnon, Lane Hiltunen, and Mike Wakefield voted in favor for the combined November election. Will Blanchard indicated he was not in favor.

I also heard the question “Would you be in favor of moving the skate park?” For those of you who may not know, Windham spent $15,400 on a sound study to address concerns of abutting neighbors. $10,000 was raised to build a ramp in memory of a regular skate park attendee, Mackenzie MacVane.

In 1999, $13,030.00 in grant money was awarded to move forward with the skate park. The park is visible to the police and safety building and conveniently located near the schools. Having invested this amount of money and hard work into the park only to walk away from it to start over makes no fiscal sense to me.

The appropriate time to implement the park on the school grounds was during construction, not a few years after completion. Tearing up an existing ball field or clearing undeveloped land on the school grounds will only cost the tax payers more money. Hiltunen and Blanchard indicated they would support moving the park. Wakefield was unsure and Waig and Mackinnon indicated they would not support moving the park.

Regardless if you are a skate park/BMX park supporter, we are all taxpayers. I want councilors in office who make responsible decisions with our hard earned money. Waig and Mackinnon have suggested reducing the speed limit on Route 202. This would increase the safety of our kids walking from our schools to the park, but also increase the likelihood of receiving grant money from the state to pay for a sidewalk. Carol Waig and John MacKinnon are getting my vote on June 10. I encourage you all to do the same.

Sylvia Harkins

Windham