A lot has happened in CLAREMONT, THE TOWN THAT PRETENDS IT'S A CITY, since my last posting(s). The city has updated its website apparently, done some 'clear-cutting' of trees in several areas, had some changes in street repairs and designs, some elections and tax changes to the fiscal year, and a lot of continuing problems that seem to have no answers and possibility of solutions,for the usual reasons, one of which, is, of course, public apathy and ignorance as well as the 'usual suspects' holding various offices and positions.
The new school superintendent ,for example, has come under fire for some basic getting off on the wrong foot approach due to his assumptions about Claremont and its peoples. Also, the demographics of CLAREMONT have changed a great deal and more houses are up for sale than ever before.
Places to LEASE OR RENT are at an all-time high as are 'ROOMS FOR RENT' but the job 'market' or 'work opportunities' are still scarce and what exist are obviously 'MINIMUM WAGE' affairs.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Friday, January 25, 2013
THE FISKE FREE LIBRARY BUDGET CUTS
Several announcements about cutting the BUDGET of the FISKE FREE LIBRARY have appeared in various newspapers and media,including the Eagle Times and THE NEWS REVIEW,etc. Already the library has done away with WEDNESDAY OPENINGS and let magazine subscriptions run out without renewing to save a FULL TIME POSITION, while, of course, retaining the higher priced personnel.
Figures that attempt to show possible savings are there, of course, but the question remains, how long can the TOWN OF CLAREMONT afford to operate a public library? Inf the coming trends in TECHNOLOGY are any indication, CLAREMONT LACKS BEHIND AND WILL NEVER CATCH UP.
Upper Valley Libraries, in more affluent towns, have much better facilities and newer ones, that demonstrate 'computer-savvy' and design, along with other amenities, such as coffee,etc. and guest passes,etc. with special codes rather than cumbersome cards.
At present, coffee and other beverages and,of course, snacks, baby bottles, and food,etc are PROHIBITED, EXCEPT FOR STAFF MEMBERS WHO EAT AT THEIR DESKS IN THE PUBLIC EYE AND CONSUME DRINKS AND THE LIKE AND ORDER DELIVERED PIZZAS. Patrons of the library are well aware of the privileges the staff enjoys and also the many instances when library staff is late for work, in opening the doors,etc.
Nevertheless, the staff does an extraordinary job in many other ways the public and the TAXPAYERS OF CLAREMONT DO NOT REALIZE. Their current attention to the patrons and their needs is important and to be lauded as it has now created a better atmosphere in library that should be meeting the needs of READERS OF ALL KINDS AND AGES.
Right now, the diminishing number of books on the shelves indicates that soon books will not be on the coming budgets for many reasons. One is the various regulations and laws both local and state and perhaps federal that do not allow libraries to retain books seldom taken out and if not taken out within 'three years' are discarded and used to be burned and destroyed but now can be sold off to those who wish to buy them at very low prices.
Eliminating the purchase of new books entirely few wish to happen and they tend to be blind to the fact that this is going to eventually happen. Book publishing companies are being consolidated under obvious monopolies when it comes to the major houses and distribution confined to certain stores and venues that may market them in various ways. Some end up in used book stores or dollar type stores and so many book stores find that patrons do not buy the high priced ones but wait for sales.
The library, however, gives access to the internet which in coming months and years will assume a most important role for people now not on the internet as nearly all things will have to be accessed via the internet, and especially when it comes to government forms and agencies,etc. Already this is true for most tax purposes. As the United States becomes a PAPERLESS SOCIETY, people will have to access documents, forms, information,etc. and download it to their own computers and print off any forms or 'hard copies' at their .own expense. This will mean buying and learning to use new,expensive, ever-changing equipment of all kinds to do so.
People do not use the library just for reading books, magazines, or applying for jobs and printing off applications but for copying things, researching things, especially Claremont History. and occasionally for certain meetings or programs which have now seemed to have sought larger or easier facilities. THe Children's library is important. Another thing about the library is this: SCHOOLS IN CLAREMONT AND IN OTHER TOWNS AND CITIES NOW HAVE THEIR OWN LIBRARIES AND SO STUDENTS, WHO FREQUENTLY HAVE LENGTHY STUDY HALLS,ETC. DO THEIR HOMEWORK THERE(IF THEY HAVE ANY TO DO).
This means that the public library competes with schools and local colleges who have their own readership via their own libraries. Many senior centers and homes for the elderly, retired, and the like have their own libraries so those people who might have used the library more often and perhaps every ttime is is open, no longer do so.
We can expect that with the language changes now coming into our HIGH TECH SOCIETY & CULTURE, people will not be reading or writing in the traditional ways but use acronymns, codes, and other devices to be 'literate' if at all.
Figures that attempt to show possible savings are there, of course, but the question remains, how long can the TOWN OF CLAREMONT afford to operate a public library? Inf the coming trends in TECHNOLOGY are any indication, CLAREMONT LACKS BEHIND AND WILL NEVER CATCH UP.
Upper Valley Libraries, in more affluent towns, have much better facilities and newer ones, that demonstrate 'computer-savvy' and design, along with other amenities, such as coffee,etc. and guest passes,etc. with special codes rather than cumbersome cards.
At present, coffee and other beverages and,of course, snacks, baby bottles, and food,etc are PROHIBITED, EXCEPT FOR STAFF MEMBERS WHO EAT AT THEIR DESKS IN THE PUBLIC EYE AND CONSUME DRINKS AND THE LIKE AND ORDER DELIVERED PIZZAS. Patrons of the library are well aware of the privileges the staff enjoys and also the many instances when library staff is late for work, in opening the doors,etc.
Nevertheless, the staff does an extraordinary job in many other ways the public and the TAXPAYERS OF CLAREMONT DO NOT REALIZE. Their current attention to the patrons and their needs is important and to be lauded as it has now created a better atmosphere in library that should be meeting the needs of READERS OF ALL KINDS AND AGES.
Right now, the diminishing number of books on the shelves indicates that soon books will not be on the coming budgets for many reasons. One is the various regulations and laws both local and state and perhaps federal that do not allow libraries to retain books seldom taken out and if not taken out within 'three years' are discarded and used to be burned and destroyed but now can be sold off to those who wish to buy them at very low prices.
Eliminating the purchase of new books entirely few wish to happen and they tend to be blind to the fact that this is going to eventually happen. Book publishing companies are being consolidated under obvious monopolies when it comes to the major houses and distribution confined to certain stores and venues that may market them in various ways. Some end up in used book stores or dollar type stores and so many book stores find that patrons do not buy the high priced ones but wait for sales.
The library, however, gives access to the internet which in coming months and years will assume a most important role for people now not on the internet as nearly all things will have to be accessed via the internet, and especially when it comes to government forms and agencies,etc. Already this is true for most tax purposes. As the United States becomes a PAPERLESS SOCIETY, people will have to access documents, forms, information,etc. and download it to their own computers and print off any forms or 'hard copies' at their .own expense. This will mean buying and learning to use new,expensive, ever-changing equipment of all kinds to do so.
People do not use the library just for reading books, magazines, or applying for jobs and printing off applications but for copying things, researching things, especially Claremont History. and occasionally for certain meetings or programs which have now seemed to have sought larger or easier facilities. THe Children's library is important. Another thing about the library is this: SCHOOLS IN CLAREMONT AND IN OTHER TOWNS AND CITIES NOW HAVE THEIR OWN LIBRARIES AND SO STUDENTS, WHO FREQUENTLY HAVE LENGTHY STUDY HALLS,ETC. DO THEIR HOMEWORK THERE(IF THEY HAVE ANY TO DO).
This means that the public library competes with schools and local colleges who have their own readership via their own libraries. Many senior centers and homes for the elderly, retired, and the like have their own libraries so those people who might have used the library more often and perhaps every ttime is is open, no longer do so.
We can expect that with the language changes now coming into our HIGH TECH SOCIETY & CULTURE, people will not be reading or writing in the traditional ways but use acronymns, codes, and other devices to be 'literate' if at all.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
CLAREMONT CONCERNS THAT RESIDENTS HAVE MENTIONED TO ME
Various residents in Claremont have voiced some concerns over a number of issues, ranging from increased property taxes and more coming on the way, renovations of STEVENS HIGH SCHOOL, the supposed lack of a sprinkler system in the new CSB CLAREMONT COMMUNITY BUILDING, troublesome traffic flows and conditions, various construction flaws in some city buildngs, and a host of other things.
Some people are dissatisfied with the current situations in Claremont as they tend to dwell on the negative aspects that crop up for various reasons. A definite lack of public relations and communications seems to be evident, especially to newcomers to town.
Merely describing residents as 'disgruntled', 'negative', and 'hostile' to the plans by various institutions and agencies in town, particularly those aspects that the current TOWN GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE PROPOSES, does little good to improving things.
We are now in the ELECTRONIC AGE wherein nearly all forms, papers, and communications will be PAPERLESS or, at best, printable at the individual's expense rather than the government's expense. More drastic policies will be coming forth in the future and the consequences of these have yet to be felt.
As regulation increases along with taxation citizens wonder how they will be able to survive under these coming conditions and sense a loss of 'independence' and 'freedom' that sometimes makes them question the motives and plans of those in charge and the various committees who undertake improving conditions in the town.
Often it is the rather misunderstanding of the fact that CLAREMONT CITY EMPLOYEES & MANAGERS ARE THE MAIN EMPLOYERS OF PEOPLE, many of whom may not actually live or reside in town as well as those who come to town to live and bring their previous baggage with them,that is, demanding and wanting 'services' they previously enjoyed and used where they used to live.
Most newcomers to town do not know the history of Claremont beyond a few 'facts' and 'stories' and obvious clues such as the condition and shapes of the buildings and the roads and sidewalks. Most of them have few roots anywhere, whether in New England or whatever and or connections with things beyond a few groups with which they associate.
Be that as it may, an influx of 'new ideas' is not always the better course for newcomers to insist upon nor is it the task of 'oldtimers' to always resist such because a compromise can sometimes be accomplished without raising taxes, salaries or hiring experts of all shapes and manners to come in and straighten out the thinking needed for any of this.
One thing that needs to be done is an entire OVERHAUL OF PUBLIC RELATIONS BY THE ENTIRE CITY GOVERNMENT AND AGENCIES AND BOARDS rather than assuming an 'authoritative' stance beyond the powers entrusted to them by the public, the voters, and citizens and the taxpayers. A 'know-it-all' attitude is not a way to gain approval for things or to solve problems and, of course, those who talk to deaf ears need to shout a bit louder to be heard, perhaps and those who are self-absorbed in their tasks need to listen more and greet the people who are talking to them.
The peculiar notion of PUBIC SERVICE seems to have escaped many these days and some see their positions as a way to enrich themselves and not the community,save in some rare instances probably.
CLAREMONT NEEDS TO BE OPEN TO THOSE WHO WISH TO LIVE AND WORK IN CLAREMONT, that is, become CLAREMONTERS and not just for those passing through on their way to someplace else or using it as a 'bedroom'.
As more people move out of Claremont and others move in, THE DEMOGRAPHICS HAVE CHANGED DRASTICALLY AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO as jobs change and laws change and economics enters into daily life more and more.
Some people are dissatisfied with the current situations in Claremont as they tend to dwell on the negative aspects that crop up for various reasons. A definite lack of public relations and communications seems to be evident, especially to newcomers to town.
Merely describing residents as 'disgruntled', 'negative', and 'hostile' to the plans by various institutions and agencies in town, particularly those aspects that the current TOWN GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE PROPOSES, does little good to improving things.
We are now in the ELECTRONIC AGE wherein nearly all forms, papers, and communications will be PAPERLESS or, at best, printable at the individual's expense rather than the government's expense. More drastic policies will be coming forth in the future and the consequences of these have yet to be felt.
As regulation increases along with taxation citizens wonder how they will be able to survive under these coming conditions and sense a loss of 'independence' and 'freedom' that sometimes makes them question the motives and plans of those in charge and the various committees who undertake improving conditions in the town.
Often it is the rather misunderstanding of the fact that CLAREMONT CITY EMPLOYEES & MANAGERS ARE THE MAIN EMPLOYERS OF PEOPLE, many of whom may not actually live or reside in town as well as those who come to town to live and bring their previous baggage with them,that is, demanding and wanting 'services' they previously enjoyed and used where they used to live.
Most newcomers to town do not know the history of Claremont beyond a few 'facts' and 'stories' and obvious clues such as the condition and shapes of the buildings and the roads and sidewalks. Most of them have few roots anywhere, whether in New England or whatever and or connections with things beyond a few groups with which they associate.
Be that as it may, an influx of 'new ideas' is not always the better course for newcomers to insist upon nor is it the task of 'oldtimers' to always resist such because a compromise can sometimes be accomplished without raising taxes, salaries or hiring experts of all shapes and manners to come in and straighten out the thinking needed for any of this.
One thing that needs to be done is an entire OVERHAUL OF PUBLIC RELATIONS BY THE ENTIRE CITY GOVERNMENT AND AGENCIES AND BOARDS rather than assuming an 'authoritative' stance beyond the powers entrusted to them by the public, the voters, and citizens and the taxpayers. A 'know-it-all' attitude is not a way to gain approval for things or to solve problems and, of course, those who talk to deaf ears need to shout a bit louder to be heard, perhaps and those who are self-absorbed in their tasks need to listen more and greet the people who are talking to them.
The peculiar notion of PUBIC SERVICE seems to have escaped many these days and some see their positions as a way to enrich themselves and not the community,save in some rare instances probably.
CLAREMONT NEEDS TO BE OPEN TO THOSE WHO WISH TO LIVE AND WORK IN CLAREMONT, that is, become CLAREMONTERS and not just for those passing through on their way to someplace else or using it as a 'bedroom'.
As more people move out of Claremont and others move in, THE DEMOGRAPHICS HAVE CHANGED DRASTICALLY AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO as jobs change and laws change and economics enters into daily life more and more.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
CLAREMONT IS A TOWN WAITING FOR A DISASTER!
The recent PANIC IN THE STREETS in the town of Claremont, is a wake-up call to residents who complain and moan and groan over taxes,especially, and who have numerous opinions on how the town should be run and how the taxes for locals should be spent. The present councils and boards all do a great job of spending while at the same time cutting expenses, and hiring numerous experts from allover to do 'studies, they think and believe will solve all problems or nearly all, as long as people support whatever it is that is studied and accept the results. SYSTEMS LIKE THE ROADS & WATER are two of the most important aspects of CLAREMONT that outweight bringing into the 21st Century any and all schools in Claremont, precisely because no one wants to see, drive on, or walk on miserable roads and lousy sidewalks and these must be paid for by taxation of some kind.....As for WATER, the recent 'boil your own' and shutdown of businesses in Claremont for the presence of E. COLI that upset all the fastidious, antibacterial people and mandated by current laws, points out that no one in their right mind would want to bring children or themselves to Claremont and suffer from bouts of diarrhea,dysentery, and other stomach/bowel upsets, and the like. IN all the years I have lived in and on and off in Claremont, only a few times have citizens been advised to BOIL THEIR WATER COMING OUT OF THE FAUCET and so on. Since obtaining water from the SUGAR RIVER for drinking and other purposes, which many, including myself, thought was a very bad idea to begin with, since a lot of pollution still exists in various ways, apparently, the town has,despite various changes in the water and sewer system had problems. Some time back it was found that some sewage f rom areas not closed down was still going into the river, but that supposedly has been stopped. The recent PANIC in town was rumour filled and non-informative until someone made the observation it was from a deer found dead in the reservoir, which should perhaps have been pursued further until those who shot the deer and did not report or find it,etc. were found, fined, etc. Hunting in that area on city property should be prohibited where necessary or restricted..... Of course, with the wood and trees cut down around such, birds can land on these easier perhaps and deposit their 'poop' because in flight they can see the water better. Other animals also add to the waste matter from time to time perhaps. BUT THE REAL PROBLEM NOW IS THIS: If someone wants to shut down the town again, they can pollute the waters very simply by contaminating the reservoirs and so on....Water systems, electrical systems, road systems, all need to have a certain amount of security these day to prevent domestic and other terrorists from operating and creating problems. But quite likely, in light of more mass shootings and killing around the nation more security will be placed on the school systems,etc. All such security involves expenses that raise taxes. Be prepared for many increases. Renovating a school now will require new plans for HEIGHTENED SECURITY.
Monday, March 21, 2011
THE VOTING PARADOX
CLAREMONT AND SURROUNDING TOWNS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE have experienced a number of balloting concerns and voting outcomes of all kinds, mostly due to expanded and increased budgets and also possible tax increases,etc. CLAREMONT SAW ALL OF THE ITEMS ON ITS SCHOOL BUDGET PROPOSALS DEFEATED, except for one, which brings me to the VOTING PARADOX that few understand and so I will briefly mention a portion of it here, which I shall expand upon at another time, but most reading this will assume it is obvious but the implications of ordinary, obvious thought can be far reaching as well as short-sighted... CLAREMONT VOTERS,whether taxpayers or not, who are registered to vote and do so and those who may not be voters at all, but who in some way have items placed on the ballots for voting, are experiencing THE VOTING PARADOX! THIS VOTING PARADOX IS OPERATING AT EACH AND EVERY VOTING SESSION OR ELECTION. For example: suppose we have ITEM A & ITEM B on a ballot for which to vote for either or even both......by,say, 1000 registered voters but only 500 registered voters actually vote. WHAT WILL BE THE OUTCOME? The usual answer is generally this: THE OUTCOME WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE PREFERENCE FOR EITHER A OR B. Later, I shall give another consideration that will show why it is important to have preferences that will pass voter scrutiny and acceptance and why formulation of items on which to vote either succeed or fail or do not meet the expectations of those who formulated them, thus causing those with a certain agenda, no matter what, to be, as some of them say, 'disappointed','frustrated', 'defeated', etc. Well you supply your own adjectives for how those who lose feel and for those who win......More next time...
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
THE 'ZIMMERMAN' EFFECT
The recent 'flap and concern' over the comments made by a consultant/'headhunter' at an SAU 6 BOARD MEETING brings up a problem that is currently plaguing the United States, apart from various forms of litigation. It is the rise of an elite composed of 'professional parasites' that continue to extract and consume wealth from cities, towns, states,institutions of all kinds,etc. in the form of fees and services that used to be based on local control and conditions and such intangibles as 'commonsense'. Panels of experts, whether ranging from tax advisors to health care providers or any other form of consultant/expert deemed necessary through mutual- backslapping groups who rely and insist on such to direct and focus their lives and their pocketbooks or credit cards, are the coming career choice that bureaucracy and government demands. But the real effect of the 'Zimmerman" approach leaves unaswered the question why Claremont,the town that pretends to be a city, continues to be painted as it is in very negative terms.... Putting aside actual perceptual problems in viewing Claremont through lack of rose-colored glasses or of a rosy halo hovering over the area, it indicates the actual real estate problems not only of Claremont but the entire country as well. Nor should we admit the problems, financial, social, political, economic that all forms of government, local,country, state or national experience and will continue to experiences as the agricultural capacity to produce food and the industrial capacity to produce tangible goods are diminished increasingly in terms of the world market or the rise of other nations once thought to be 'third-world' or undeveloped or developing since many have concluded the United States is on the way to joining them.... Claremont's problemsare a microcosm of the macrocosmic ones of this nation and since most locals,even those who should know such things, continue to ignore such in their daily lives,we can expect little or no solutions that will dispell any of these problems. This does not mean that well-intentioned persons will not come forward to offer 'comfort and solace' to the suffering area or to propose various plans and schemes to alleviate the stress, strain,aches and pains of a basically faltering series of systems that consultants, experts, managers,advisors and administrators,etc. have disrupted over the years. Claremont,'The Heart of the Twin-State Valley', despite its 'diseased' condition as diagnosed by the Zimmerman Effect, will survive in some way, long after all those responsible for the ill-health of Claremont have departed the area in some form,whether rode out on a rail or in a casket or a limosine on their own volitions and new influx of 'flatlanders' come in to 'upgrade and revitalize' everything-adding, by the way, to 'the Gene Pool' which led to the flap and concern in the first place, and this may possibly and probably happen quite literally....
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
VACANT LOTS, VACANT BUILDINGS, PARKING LOTS
Vacancy of any thing, whether the brain cavity of moderns who pursue inane and unproductive pursuits and tend to fill the space or vacuum of the brain cavity with fantasies and other things, has its consequences which old timers often discuss and mention or mutter among themselves. AS many have noted, the 'downtown' of CLAREMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, the town that pretends it is a city, consists of vacant store fronts, that undergo a continual bingo game of relocation, opening up, and shutting down of various business ventures, none of which are really supported by a business friendly community or the town fathers, whoever they wish to be and whatever else they call themselves, save for a few entrenched and die-hards, with vested interests, and who consist not of a status-quo mentality but who may not have ever lived in the prosperous times of Claremont and do not understand the source of their reluctance re-build,what some have called'THE SPIRIT OF CLAREMONT". I once remarked to the present manager, one of many who have graced the town with their esteemed presences, that the first thing anyone driving into Claremont or through it, especially any who might have an inkling or urge to settler in THE HEART OF THE TWIN-STATE VALLEY(the one created between VERMONT & NEW HAMPSHIRE by the CONNECTICUT RIVER and sometimes called 'The Connecticut River Valley) is NOT THE SCHOOLS, THE TOWN CLOCK, THE BIG BOX STORES, THE PEOPLE, THE INDUSTRIES,ETC. BUT: the roads and sidewalks and streets and eventually the store fronts and vacant lots and numerous parking lots that have nearly leveled the town,especially on BROAD STREET, once one the more prosperous and scenic areas of the town, to a LEVEL PLAIN(plane).... The manager had no idea who I was but he did know the person with whom I was chatting that day in front of the POST OFFICE(that institution soon on its way to extinction thanks mostly to government policies that have it with one foot in government and the other in private enterprise) he did know as he had had some sessions of various kinds or discussions,etc. But I knew who the manager was because I had seen and looked intently at him a few times when he was wandering about the streets in search of something,perhaps looking to see how he could improve the town in some way,or bring in bigger and better businesses, if not industries of some scale,whether large or small...... To his credit the very next week a sidewalk and road improvement began and eventually new, attractive street signs were erected to help continuall confused CLAREMONTERS find the streets that 9-11 had RENAMED often with ridiculous results and if the police, firemen, and taxis could not learn the old names, then how can be be sure they would know the new ones any better...given their dependence on GPS and spelling abilities among other talents needed to keep law and order in the 'crime-ridden' area,where some discussions of unsolved murders are still one everyone's tongue form time to time... No, I am not claiming that the manager listened to me directly as he,no doubt, was getting this message from some others who were,not in some instances, members of his'fan club' but he does deserve credit for a few things they will have to perhaps grudgingly acknowledge since he no longer commutes, apparently, to the Bay State.....and has gone 'granite', rubbing shoulders with the ex-flatlanders who pride themselves as not being newly transplanted as well as the 'natives'....
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