A.C.T. NOW! is a group of citizens who demand greater Accountability, Communication and Transparency from our School Board and administrators. We are non-partisan (but we are opinionated!), supporting the wise use of fiscal resources while striving for the best possible education for our children.
We act as watchdogs, attending School Board meetings and monitoring the actions of school administrators. We report what we see here, and provide a forum for the community to discuss and debate issues relating to our schools. And if necessary we mobilize our network of activists to write letters and speak at public comment to hold our elected officials and school administrators accountable.
Please look around, and feel free to join the conversation by clicking on the links to the right. We are working to expand our focus with help from community members!
We are looking for new authors to post articles to this community blog. It does not matter what side of an argument you are on. This is an OPEN forum to discuss and debate issues that affect all of us living in Durham, Lee, and Madbury. If you wish to write regularly or just once in a while, please contact us at oysterrivercommunity@gmail.com.
Finally, we are NOT (repeat NOT) affiliated with the Durham Taxpayers Association (DTA) nor the Citizens Exchange (CE). While we respect the viewpoints of both groups, we want to create a more general awareness and report to the public items of interest for debate.
Thanks!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
New School Board - New, Long Range Plan
Now that the new School Board has been elected, it's time to consider the District's priorities. Where do you feel there should be change? What is working well? Are there programs / opportunities you would like to see for your children?
What do we want to see in the District's long range plan?
I hope we can use this forum to express thoughts, ideas and considerations.
I am confident the new Board will listen to suggestions, so let's start providing some input!
I hope we can use this forum to express thoughts, ideas and considerations.
I am confident the new Board will listen to suggestions, so let's start providing some input!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
VOTE JUST IN
For School Board:
Jocelyn O’Quinn
Henry Brackett
Mark Townsend
For Durham Town Council:
Neil Niman
Diana Carroll
Robin Mower
Jocelyn O’Quinn
Henry Brackett
Mark Townsend
For Durham Town Council:
Neil Niman
Diana Carroll
Robin Mower
Please remember to VOTE!
Well, there is normal turnout this year despite the good weather. As of ~noon, there were approximately 650 votes cast in Durham. Most candidates were standing outside holding signs and greeting voters. Please support the candidates and come out to vote. It doesn't take too long.
Also, please comment on how you think the vote will go tonight or on anything else this election day...
Also, please comment on how you think the vote will go tonight or on anything else this election day...
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Can't we all get along?
This is an open letter from Mark Townsend - School Board candidate from Madbury:
Tonight I received an email from a supporter, forwarding an email that was distributed earlier today in our school district. The email informed voters “that if Brian Banafato were to win, the choice of who represents Madbury would be decided by the school board.”
First let me respond by saying - I respect that this person has opinion. We are a Democratic society that values freedom of speech. I do not agree with the method or opinion expressed, but I do respect that they have a different opinion.
I do not believe that Brian has any knowledge of this action. He’s a good person, and I respect his decision to withdraw from the race.
I have been working to earn your votes.
At the Oyster River High School this week, the six candidates answered questions from the “Citizenship Education” class and ORHS Chapter of the National Honor Society. As the sole uncontested candidate - I let our students know that I am still making every effort as if it were a contested race, I work to “EARN” everything in life. That is an important lesson I was taught and a lesson I wanted to demonstrate to our youth.
Work hard and earn respect.
If you haven’t had the chance to meet or talk with me, I urge you to reach out and contact me. I’ll gladly take the time to listen to you - as I have with many voters in our district.
Let Madbury choose its representative, fairly and without prejudice.
I ask for your support on March 10th.
Thank you,
-Mark
Do you want to choose Madbury’s representative or let the school board decide?
Please vote for Mark Townsend on March 10th.
Tonight I received an email from a supporter, forwarding an email that was distributed earlier today in our school district. The email informed voters “that if Brian Banafato were to win, the choice of who represents Madbury would be decided by the school board.”
First let me respond by saying - I respect that this person has opinion. We are a Democratic society that values freedom of speech. I do not agree with the method or opinion expressed, but I do respect that they have a different opinion.
I do not believe that Brian has any knowledge of this action. He’s a good person, and I respect his decision to withdraw from the race.
I have been working to earn your votes.
At the Oyster River High School this week, the six candidates answered questions from the “Citizenship Education” class and ORHS Chapter of the National Honor Society. As the sole uncontested candidate - I let our students know that I am still making every effort as if it were a contested race, I work to “EARN” everything in life. That is an important lesson I was taught and a lesson I wanted to demonstrate to our youth.
Work hard and earn respect.
If you haven’t had the chance to meet or talk with me, I urge you to reach out and contact me. I’ll gladly take the time to listen to you - as I have with many voters in our district.
Let Madbury choose its representative, fairly and without prejudice.
I ask for your support on March 10th.
Thank you,
-Mark
Do you want to choose Madbury’s representative or let the school board decide?
Please vote for Mark Townsend on March 10th.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
O'Quinn, Brackett and Townsend for School Board
On March 10th, the Oyster River School District will vote for new School Board members. I endorse Jocelyn O'Quinn (Durham), Henry Brackett (Lee) and Mark Townsend (Madbury) in this election.
These three candidates support greater accountability, communication and transparency in the Oyster River School District. In a competitive global economy, challenged by economic recession, we need competent representation to make every dollar count and to strive for academic excellence.
Recently the Oyster River School District has been questioned for not obtaining multiple bids on large projects, neglecting to vote on contracts and awarding large salary increases with multi-year terms contracts to the District's Superintendent and Business Administrator. The time is now for a change. We cannot afford wasteful spending in today's economy. Moreover, we should not spend valuable tax dollars that detract from vital, academic priorities.
The Oyster River District tradition for excellence needs to be renewed. Elect O'Quinn, Brackett and Townsend on March 10th.
These three candidates support greater accountability, communication and transparency in the Oyster River School District. In a competitive global economy, challenged by economic recession, we need competent representation to make every dollar count and to strive for academic excellence.
Recently the Oyster River School District has been questioned for not obtaining multiple bids on large projects, neglecting to vote on contracts and awarding large salary increases with multi-year terms contracts to the District's Superintendent and Business Administrator. The time is now for a change. We cannot afford wasteful spending in today's economy. Moreover, we should not spend valuable tax dollars that detract from vital, academic priorities.
The Oyster River District tradition for excellence needs to be renewed. Elect O'Quinn, Brackett and Townsend on March 10th.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Yes We Can...er....Maybe Not?
Fosters Article published Mar 2, 2009
It's déjà vu for Durham
While the faces sitting in front of the camera and behind the table change a bit each year, the issues don't.
During a recent Durham Town Council candidates forum, five candidates seeking three seats put their best faces forward.
On the issue of development: Durham needs it, but just where in town is still the debate.
On the character of the community: It must be protected.
On the cost of living in Durham: Too high for too many.
On relations with the University of New Hampshire: Need work.
On the future of Durham: It must move forward.
All of the above could and often have been said or written of Durham over the past four or five decades.
Why? Because Durham is a community divided, even though many won't admit it.
What most do agree on, however, is that Durham is a beautiful community with a solid school system.
But there are two rubs.
One is the University of New Hampshire. The other is the tax rate.
The story has been told over the years of homes that are gorgeous from the outside, but barely furnished inside. Whether that is true today, it has been the case on and off in the past.
Then there are the candidate forums, like the recent one, bemoaning that young families and retirees are being forced out of town because of the taxes they must shoulder.
Whether the university is a burden or a benefit is always on the debate table. Sometimes UNH is a thorn in the side of taxpayers. At other times the university is a "best bud."
The bottom line is that Durham is an expensive community in which to live, raise a family and retire. Based on current and past candidate forums, there is no reason to think that will change. soon. Those who seek to dramatically grow the tax base are in a Mexican standoff with those who like Durham they way it is and are willing to pay the price.
It's a bit like the Democrats and Republicans in Congress. Whomever is in the majority at the moment gets to push a bit in their direction, but never gets very far before losing power.
As for UNH, every political debate season promises to renew talks with a new or relatively new university president. But results are few and far between.
Are there issues, if tackled properly, that could move things along to affordability and ease relations with UNH?
The consensus over the years has been "yes, we can." But then the will wanes and local taxes rise. When this happens a new crop of candidates files into forum chambers as election time nears to repeat what newbie candidates before them have said many times.
Don't misunderstand. Durham's fate is not sealed, and there is no intent to badmouth anyone. But it would be nice if someone who spoke out during one of these forums about real change stood a chance of getting elected. That's dynamic change. That's grab-the-bull-by-the-horns change. Without being partisan, perhaps an Obama type at the local level is what Durham needs.
But there is a sense that this kind of candidate scares Durham voters into playing it safe. The result is that Durham gets safe candidates and as a result nothing much changes — taxes remain high and, fair or not, UNH remains a punching bag.
It's déjà vu for Durham
While the faces sitting in front of the camera and behind the table change a bit each year, the issues don't.
During a recent Durham Town Council candidates forum, five candidates seeking three seats put their best faces forward.
On the issue of development: Durham needs it, but just where in town is still the debate.
On the character of the community: It must be protected.
On the cost of living in Durham: Too high for too many.
On relations with the University of New Hampshire: Need work.
On the future of Durham: It must move forward.
All of the above could and often have been said or written of Durham over the past four or five decades.
Why? Because Durham is a community divided, even though many won't admit it.
What most do agree on, however, is that Durham is a beautiful community with a solid school system.
But there are two rubs.
One is the University of New Hampshire. The other is the tax rate.
The story has been told over the years of homes that are gorgeous from the outside, but barely furnished inside. Whether that is true today, it has been the case on and off in the past.
Then there are the candidate forums, like the recent one, bemoaning that young families and retirees are being forced out of town because of the taxes they must shoulder.
Whether the university is a burden or a benefit is always on the debate table. Sometimes UNH is a thorn in the side of taxpayers. At other times the university is a "best bud."
The bottom line is that Durham is an expensive community in which to live, raise a family and retire. Based on current and past candidate forums, there is no reason to think that will change. soon. Those who seek to dramatically grow the tax base are in a Mexican standoff with those who like Durham they way it is and are willing to pay the price.
It's a bit like the Democrats and Republicans in Congress. Whomever is in the majority at the moment gets to push a bit in their direction, but never gets very far before losing power.
As for UNH, every political debate season promises to renew talks with a new or relatively new university president. But results are few and far between.
Are there issues, if tackled properly, that could move things along to affordability and ease relations with UNH?
The consensus over the years has been "yes, we can." But then the will wanes and local taxes rise. When this happens a new crop of candidates files into forum chambers as election time nears to repeat what newbie candidates before them have said many times.
Don't misunderstand. Durham's fate is not sealed, and there is no intent to badmouth anyone. But it would be nice if someone who spoke out during one of these forums about real change stood a chance of getting elected. That's dynamic change. That's grab-the-bull-by-the-horns change. Without being partisan, perhaps an Obama type at the local level is what Durham needs.
But there is a sense that this kind of candidate scares Durham voters into playing it safe. The result is that Durham gets safe candidates and as a result nothing much changes — taxes remain high and, fair or not, UNH remains a punching bag.
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