Must be a better way to spend that $375,000

www.citizen.com                          March 7, 2008

Editor, The Citizen:

A letter from Suzane Fullerton appeared in the Laconia Citizen on Tuesday March 3rd promoting a yes vote on Article 9 of Moultonborough's 2008 Warrant. This particular article will authorize at least $375,000 to determine (per the Selectmen Minutes) just how much a new Recreation Center, oops I mean Community Recreation Center, oops again, I mean Community/Recreation/Senior Center will actually cost. I do not know the letter writer and I acknowledge her personal point of view and opinion, but I must respond and comment on some issues raised. 1. This proposed project was never primarily a Senior Center. Senior Center was tacked on to make the tax cost more palatable to the aging public. 2. Our current Selectmen voted the proposal down for 2008 due the uncertain economic times we live in and many pressing priorities in our town. 3. Our current Selectmen reversed their position by placing Article 9 on the ballot authorizing $375,000 as they were "so impressed" by the 300 petitioners who requested spending our tax dollars for a project supposedly put on hold. This despite the fact that only 25 of the signatures were actually verified as valid (as required by law). 4. I feel for the writer's situation with her mother-in-law being a winter shut in. She also makes it sound like living here in Moultonborough is akin to living at the North Pole. Nothing here for her? Nonsense. I fail to understand though how a new community center would affect the winter weather as "she was afraid to drive in winter". Did she live next door to the current Lions Club? My mother just moved in with us this past summer (she is 80 years old) and it has been challenging for her to get around. I sure wish I could afford to buy her a place in Florida. She would love it. In fact, I would love to afford to live in Florida for the winter. 5. The writer stated that the RSPT "has not been intimidated" and "continues to move forward in their quest to give the town the simple opportunity to vote". Intimidated by whom? The public that has many questions and worries about rising cost of living here in our little town? Also, there is no warrant article voting on a community center, Article 9 is authorizing a trust fund to determine cost if ( and a big if) the current proposal is to be built. Let me conclude by saying that in writing this response, I do not oppose a community center. The problem which the RSPT and a vocal minority can't seem to grasp is that we want further study to find a solution that we can all truly afford, not just the well off. My final word on this is how about putting that $375,000 into some local transport system so seniors could safely get out and about. Now that would make sense.

Linda N. Punturieri

Moultonborough, NH 03254