THE JAVA CUP

THE JAVA CUP is a coffee shop that has comeunder new management in town. I visited the first owner's shop shortly after it opened, mostly out of curiosity,but I found that I much preferred the now closed GREEN ACRES. On my visit to the new owner's store/shop, I was warmly greeted and found the coffee in greater variety than the previous shop had on tap, and the bakery products which I did not taste, seemed fresher and more appealing than the one's I encountered on my first visit. Moreover,the prices are reasonable, the staff friendly, helpful and accomodating. The decor of the place was much better and the walls serve as venue for photos and art work by local persons who wish to display such. People came in and out and sat at the chairs and tables which were far different than the previous furniture and they also indulged in conversations and remarked on the quality and type of food served there,which will, by word of mouth, bring in more customers and I highly recommend the JAVA CUP. THE JAVA CUP has a website at thejavacup.net and a facebook page at facebook@thejavacup Youcan also call 603-542-2222 and the place is open MONDAY THRU SAT FROM 6AM TO 6 PM and Sunday from 8 AM to #PM.

GUN CONTROL AND THE BANNING OF GUNS

A great deal of time and energy is spent by advocates of banning guns entirely,partially, or allowing all kinds of gun ownership and has not led to any rational conclusion so clouded up are these issues by sheer emotion and constipated thinking, along with inane arguments and inflexible positions. IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO THIS; WHAT THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND-THEY FEAR! WHAT THEY CANNOT DO THEY BAN.

BANNING OF SKATE BOARDS

Similar to the banning of cell phones, the banning of skateboards is a parallel development that really came earlier as towns and cities really could not understand the appeal of these devices,which are, essentially means of transportation that old-fuddy-duddies cannot fit into their rigid ideas of what people like to do,be free to move and express themselves outside of the portable wombs(cars) that many strap themselves into and shield themselves supposedly from the cold,cruel world. The risks of skateboarding that seem so inherent in the spectacular antices and maneuvers seen done are there to be sure but the fact remains that THOSE WHO SEEK TO BAN THESE HAVE NEVER BEEN ON A SKATEBOARD and if they got on, would quite likely prove to be spastic asses, uncoordinated and inflexible, and,of course, continue to hide behind 'the DOCTRINE OF PUBLIC SAFETY' or some similar item. AGAIN, what they do not understand or have not experienced, THEY FEAR.

DEALING WITH CELLPHONES IN SCHOOL

Since the cell phone and other devices are now gaining an importance in the modern world and for communication,etc. it might we wise, but do not expect such from entrenched educators, to hav e these things used in the classroom effectively by students in tune with things that educators are not. Few educators really appreciate the devices to the extent of knowing how to use them and how to teach such.

SOCIAL NETWORKING AND SCHOOLS

In the future, SOCIAL NETWORKING will be done by electronic devices and 'machines', perhaps implanted into the brains or some accessible place for such on the bodies of people(much like the various pace-makers,etc. are now) and will assume an importance few now comprehend! The communication barriers are disappearing, a fact all governments and corporations fear but which youth continues ot embrace. WHAT THOSE WHO BAN SUCH THINGS AS CELL PHONES,ETC. do not understand, the obviously FEAR! few of these policy makers,whether educators or town officials or what, really utilize these cellphones or or other devices to their fullest extent. IT WILL SOON BECOME APPARENT TO BOTH STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS,who have not really been consulted in the matter,that the policy makers are or will be BATTERING THEIR HEADS AGAINST A WALL THEY ERECTED, similar to that of the Berlin Wall or the Great Wall, to keep the so-called 'safety and sanctity' of education 'pure' and 'sanitary'. BUT WHEN THE GREAT TIDAL WAVE(tsunami) of the vast sea of electronic useage engulfs them and drowns out their archaic protests, they will be lost at sea. IF ALL ELECTRONIC GADJETS & DEVICES ARE TO BE BANNED in the schools, then we should insist that all the present computer systems and media systems(audio-visual) that bureacrats have installed in the schools and many of which they finger and fiddle with all day long be removed from the schools as well.

BANNING CELL PHONES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

THE CELL PHONE,for those who do not as yet know it, is rapidly developing to the point where desk top monitors and equipment may be entirely replaced by populations on the move everywhere, even in teh everyday workplace and schools where people will no longer sit rigidly confined at desks or machines, but enjoy a freer environment. Few people wil understand this, until they wake up some morning to find out, that the world they once knew or thought they knew and felt so comfortable in, secure in their fantasies, no longer exists and they must either adapt or perish. To go a further step- cars,driven by fossil fuels, will undergo further changes until their entire elimination, and the familiar gas pumps and 'service' stations(convenience stores mainly) will become fewer and far between, which will also change the nature of the highways system and the layout of towns and cities will also change, of course, to an as yet unappreciated drastic alteration.

BANNING CELL PHONES & OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES

BANNING cellphones and other electronic devices in Schools in CLAREMONT will not bring Stevens High School or any other school in town 'INTO THE 21st CENTURY as the touters of the present building plan are proposing will happen if and when the new high school plan is adopted or voted on. REACTIONARIES to the increasing demand for and the use of these devices and opponents of local,national, and global social networking, communication and information have, under the guise of educating youth, BANNED THESE INSTRUMENTS. WHAT THIS TELL US:-the old methods of instruction are still prevailing which will lead to more dropouts,truancies, and the like-THAT CLASSROOM TEACHERS will become CLASSROOM COPS instead of pedagogues and have tghe added duty of confiscating such devices if used without permission from the Principal who must, like Solomon, decide these issues and teachers will have to 'harvest' the phones prior to classes, have them safeguarded, and then redistribute them to their owners after classes. SUCH A POLICY, as this recently reported in one of the local newspapers, show that administrators and educators have litttle understanding of the changes going on in and at all institutional, economic, political and social levels in this coutnry,outside of the sound bytes they may receive via CNN etc.

BANNING OF CELL PHONES IN CLAREMONT SCHOOLS

A recent decision was made by 'officials' in Claremont to ban the use of cellphones in the schools.In another state, newpaper headlines mentioned the 'banning of chocolate milk' as well. Both policies reflect a growing trend to restrict certain 'choices' and 'personal freedom' in this country. I can remember when comic books and certain toys were banned and confiscated when I was in school. Toy guns, jackknives, and other things are also banned today for the most part. TO BAN OR NOT TO BAN, that is the question and a lot of things have led to' certain states of hysteria' among educators, school systems, state and local governments as well as teachers and parents and has resulted in many extreme, well-intentioned, no doubt, consequences but none of these things have really solved the problems of education or of schools in this country as yet and never will, despite a growing trend of both radicalism and conservatism that pit segments of the populace against each other in the name of education.

MORE DRUGS COMING TO CLAREMONT-THE RETURN OF CVS

According to reports CVS is coming back to Claremont but as what costs? First, situating it on Broad Street is no guarantee anyone will patronize the place and will lead to traffic problems that no amount of stop lights will solve in an already over-crowded street system and inefficient traffic flow, that is in some cases, as most pedestrians on Broad Street know, downright dangerous! With the White Whale/White Elephant still attesting to the plight and blight of Claremont, which is empty-store fronts and buildings as well as to innumerable empty lots and its attendant virus of more parking lots, erecting another monstrosity in the town seems beside the point. Claremont tends to cater mostly to big corporations in hopes that this will somehow magically improve the town, increase tax revenues, create more employment, and bring in more people,etc. This has yet to be demonstrated so that everyone feels this in their pocketbooks,except for those who manage to stay on the rolls of tax-paid income for their endeavors. the best that can be said for CVS is that it will perhaps give some minor degree of competition to the other pharmacies,particularly Rite-Aide.

CLAREMONT'S NEXT BIG PROJECT FOR TAXPAYERS

Years ago there was a common expression circulating around Claremont,the town that pretends it's a city, which was, to the best of memory, this:"PUT A ROOF OVER THE TOWN OF CLAREMONT AND IT WOULD MAKE A GOOD WHOREHOUSE"! In keeping with modern trends, so evident on some street corners and byways, this can be amended to: PUT A ROOF OVER CLAREMONT AND IT WOULD MAKE A GOOD 'CRACK' HOUSE."!

THE STORE WINDOW SHUFFLE

Claremont as of this writing is undergoing 'the GREAT STORE WINDOW SHUFFLE' as stores and store fronts continue to become vacant in and around TREMONT SQUARE & PLEASANT STREET. TREMONT SQUARE,which at present is more of a 'rotary' than a square, has been given the name of 'OPERA SQUARE' which I always refer to as 'HORSE OPERA SQUARE, an apt name because of the once existing Magnet and Tremont Theaters! At any rate, when the square was re-designed, fifty-four parking spaces were lost. In a time when parking meters were used to garner revenues, this was quite a loss. Even though more parking lots are being build on a continuing basis in Claremont, the town that pretends it's a city, more spaces are actually being lost on the streets themselves!

SECURITY AT STEVENS HIGH SCHOOL

Many have expressed concerns over 'security' at the new project for Stevens High School but very few know what that actually entails and exactly what is needed, except for a few people who are expert in this area or who have experience with such. Simply restricting entrances is not the entire solution and also makes evacuation of the school sometimes a greater problem, especially if and when such doors or entrances are 'chained' as I have seen in some city schools that experience high crime incidents,etc. in around their buildings,etc.

STUDENT PARKING AT STEVENS

The State of NH has apparentluy mandated that student parking be set up or the proposed project involving Stevens High cannot be done. What exactly entitles high school students to free parking or being allowed to park on either city or school property? I have modestly proposed that all students, who will park on such lots around the school(s), if such is required and mandated and the project of property acquisition and demolition undergone, PAY A FEE, AND ALSO HAVE PERMITS ISSUED BY THE CITY, with residents of the city paying a lesser fee than out of towners, and HAVE PROOF OF INSURANCE, AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY HAVE CARS THAT ARE NOT CLUNKERS, ARE ENERGY-EFFICIENT,ETC. or not parking for them at these lots. Another alternative is to have students who drive pool to a MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT constructed for that purpose and taking a shuttle bus for that purpose to the school. Special contracts for such buses,etc. very feasible and a transit bus system already exists.

SOS

SOS can stand for,'SAVE OUR SHIP' or it can stand for the old, 'SHIT ON A SHINGLE' that many have eaten, but in CLAREMONT'S CASE it stands for 'SAVE OUR SERVICES'. The assumptions arrived at by some papers and people seem to think a sort of 'victory' has been achieved and that the people of Claremont have made a decision by voting in certain candidates. Whether or not the assumptions that Claremont wants progress and to continue moving has yet to be proven or determined, since it is only the small number of voters that voted are considered. If the votes for city mayor are tallied it might well show that the voters were not all 'property owners' or, if they are or were, perhaps their houses were already up for sale and their bags packed to get out of town when the tax increases escalate. Actually, the votes for mayor were nearly split evenly and in the next two years it will be interesting to see what occurs in Claremont. Progress in Claremont and movement can be determined by the number of empty store fronts on Pleasant Street that diminish during that time and the number of vacant lots that are filled with housing, despite the proposed demolition of other housing in Claremont.

THE WHITE ELEPHANT OF WASHINGTON STREET

The White Elephant of Washington Street stands/sits diagonally across from the corner of Winter Street that intersects with Washington and is the VACANT building constructed by a pharmacy chain whose former arrogant CEO,who has been aptly described elsewhere in news media, attempted to monopolize Claremont by first changing the historic landscape by demolishing buildings in a certain area and secondly, driving out via 'business negotiations' another pharmacy chain in order to reduce competition adn to maintain high prices-although they are still unable to match "WALLY'S" distinctive, generic medications. A simple visit to any of the local 'FARMS"/PHARMS will reveal just how hooked and dependent people in Claremont are on drugs and one wonders why health care is such an issue!

CLAREMONT'S "LIGHTHOUSE"

Last night as I drove through town along Main Steet as I returned from the UPPER VALLEY, I was dazzled by the lighting display of the new PARKING GARAGE which I understand causes the stars in the heavens to appear rather dim to those who watch the skies or try to do so at night. Among the questions that might spring to mind is one: WHO IS PAYING FOR THIS, & HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? Perhaps the answer lies in the 'use of extremely energy-efficient' bulbs and lights,etc. that there is hardly any cost or perhaps no cost? HOWEVER, this edifice so well-lighted serves to bring attention to Claremont since it serves as a beacon for drivers, especially from out-of-state, to 'taste the waters' and focus their attention to the area as they pass by in the night?

THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE PROJECT FOR STEVENS HIGH SCHOOL

In a place noted for its 'mutual backslappers' any competion of this important project, altered or modified as it may become, will bring a loud round of applause when the first graduates step on the stage of the new auditorium to receive their diplomas, many of which or such, will be issued in a strong possibility of the future: 'ON-LINE" ,even on FACEBOOK!

STEVENS HIGH SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION PLAN

No amount of projected costs and tax revenues to pay for such a project as envisioned for Claremont can fulfill the goals because all these 'imaginary' figures that tend to little match the pocketbooks of 'JOHN Q. PUBLIC' will suffice to solve the problmes of AMERICAN CULTURE & SOCIETY or at the very least, those of Claremont, itself. The PROJECT haas inherent in it many unforeseen consequences but even so, should not be abandoned or dismissed by skeptics and 'nay-sayers' since the problems to be encountered during any approved construction will emerge and those that rear their ugly heads after the completion will be evident, no doubt.

THE STEVENS HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT

It would be nice if a GREAT MAGICIAN could come to Claremont, the town that pretends it's a city, and wave a magic wand over STEVENS HIGH SCHOOL and transform and transmute that building into the marvelous edifice that the architects and committee have envisioned but since that is unlikely to happen,those who have labored to conceive this project must now turn to PUBLIC SUPPORT, that unruly herd of sheep and goats with numerous whims and attempt a 'GREAT ROUNDUP' to achieve the goal and aim! Those who favor or once favored the COMPLETE DESTRUCTION of STEVENS HIGH SCHOOL and hoped for constructing a monument comparable to the TAJ MAHAL or THE GREAT PYRAMID or some similar 'sacred shrine' built on the outskirts of Claremont can claim a 'certain victory' in that if this plan is followed up and accepted and undertaken will assure the ultimate destruction of Stevens in years to come, for the school, 'designed to bring it into the 21st century' and assure its much needed accreditation 'higher authorities' than the people of Claremont, will be obsolete if present trends in education, science, technology, culture,goveernment continue.

THE GREAT NEWSPAPER REVIVAL

When the EAGLE TIMES shut down, the VALLEY NEWS and the UNION LEADER newspapers attempted to make use of the opportunity to extend and increase their circulation in CLAREMONT(and surrounding area,no doubt) but in the wake of the apparent demise of the EAGLE, three other newspapers emerged:THE CLAREMONT CITY POST; THE COMPASS; AND THE CLAREMONT VILLAGER. As of this writing, these latter three are still existing despite the resurrection/revival of the EAGLE TIMES! In a period when newspapers and magazines are decreasing, downsizing, declining and ceasing to operate, future national trends, small papers,both in actual size and shape, and circulation that cater to specific communities will survive the rapid digitalization via the electronic media revolution that is reshaping all present institutions as well as government operations. Two of these papers in Claremont are free:CLAREMONT CITY POST & THE COMPASS and both depend on advertising and interest in them. THE POST was at first a single sheet,floded with print and color photos on both sides. It has since expanded into two full size sheets, making four sides total. It has, and rightly so, tended to focus on positive affairs and events in the Claremont area and has avoided the negative politics of the town for the most part and one might hope that they will shun all of this and continue to concentrate on the groups, people, and activities they have featured thus far. THE COMPASS has involved former EAGLE employees apparently and covers a a large area than merely Claremont. THE COMPASS should succeed or survive but it also faces,as do all the others,competition from other papers in Vermont and New Hampshire. THE CLAREMONT VILLAGER has on its staff Archie Mountain who also worked many years for the DAILY EAGLE(as the EAGLE TIMES was once known) and then started his own paper,THE NEWS LEADER( apaper to which I subscribed,incidentally). THE CLAREMONT VILLAGER, like the former NEWS LEADER, faces great competition from the EAGLE TIMES simply because most people who read the EAGLE and supported it before are too lazy to support the new publications, and out of habit, prefer the long familiar name to them of EAGLE TIMES to the courageous upstarts,even if two of them continue to be free! They somehow imagine a certainloyalty to the name EAGLE TIMES,which binds and obligates them to do so.

CHINESE & ORIENTAL RESTAURANTS IN CLAREMONT

I will discuss this topic in future postings but I think Claremont could use a THAI RESTAURANT. It now boasts a Japanese one in the old BISTRO NOVEAU/OLD PIZZA HUT building. The name sort of rhymes with SUDUKO or is it SUDOKU? I prefer GO & SHOGI to Suduku! So, what was the first CHINESE RESTAURANT IN CLAREMONT? It might not be what you think!

THE COMMON MAN RESTAURANT

On September 15, I dined at the Common Man Restaurant and had 'filet mignon' etc. I found out that plenty of diners show up or did that day. I was surprised that anyone in Claremont ate there and could afford the prices! Well, some other restaurants also charge comparable prices, no doubt, and I must say the food could be eaten at this place,which I can't always say about others. Anyway, the whole setup is most pleasing to the eyes and the river adds an atmosphere that most enjoy. People from other places,especially Massachusetts, like it but only a rare few really know what all this 'historic' stuff is all about! Claremont has allowed a great deal of its history to be demolished and destroyed but that is 'water over the dam' but let's keep the dams in place. They often used to produce electricity, you know. THE COMMON MAN family of places is growing and Claremont is lucky to have one here. I work in Plymouth,NH at present, and have heard of the Common Man there and also the ITALIAN FARMHOUSE,etc. but I have not eaten in any other Common Man except Claremont's so that will be the way I judge the others should I perchance dne in any of the others, especially if someone else pays for my dinner!

SOPHIE & ZEKE'S

I, for one, will not miss this restaurant which closed down although it does sort of limit the number of eateries available in Claremont,but as one falls another rises. It is an exciting time for eating,no doubt. Aside from over -extending,that is, moving from the locale from which they started, they really didn't know how to keep people going and satisfied. I am referring, of course, to the fact that our High School Class had been promised the restaurant would cater our reunion party, only to be told they would not do it or follow through the agreement because they thought they would clean up by attracting all the other classes and their delegates for dining! They don't realize how such a thing reverberates and how word of mouth can be most effective. Also, the place really has bad vibes from the previous eatery based there which has moved to a more successful area by far and doing well. This eatery catered for our class reunion and I highly recommend it,especially for breakfast, DUSTY'S!

'BOXING' THE COMPASS

The second FREE issue of the COMPASS came out Thursday,August 6, the anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima during WWII. THE COMPASS announced that it is beginning WEEKLY publication starting Thursday,August 20. At least one former EAGLE TIMES correpsondent is on the staff of the COMPASS: KATELYN HARDING. Vying with the CLAREMONT CITY POST, THE VALLEY NEWS,& THE UNION LEADER, THE OCMPASS is pointing in several directions to become the Lower Valley's,and perhaps Claremont's, paper of choice!

IMPORTANT NOTICE

I inadvertantly posted all the topics about THE COMPASS, THE CLAREMONT CITY POST,etc. under another heading, the very first one:THE GLUTTONOUS GORMET. Anyway, it takes time to digest whatever news and information any of these papers contain, so good eating: BON APPETIT! So if you have any real interest in these blogs, such a conditon will not deter you from looking futher. No apology for this mishap as I am new to all of this blogging. Halford E. Jones

GOVERNMENTAL NONSENSE

Two items that always are cited in various discussion on taxes: FAIR SHARE OF TAXES & FAIR MARKET VALUE. First, the only fair share of tax IS ONE EVERYONE OR EVERBODY PAYS AT THE SAME AMOUNT, with no exceptions. Several suggestions on this have been made over the years: such as, a single sales tax or a single income tax(erroneously called 'flat tax' by flatheads and flatlanders who do not understand SINGLE TAX THEORY or Principles). Now we are hearing about 'a single payer' plan for health care which, to many, makes more sense than the group plans to those who really need health care. I have BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD-BC/BS- and this is supposedly used by all governmental people,including Congressmen and Senators,but regardless of how politicians seem to assert that most people are happy with their health plans, I am not. The reasons are quite clear. Especially to those who try to use it. Of course, the coverages and other areas involved are set forth in the manuals issued each year one is enrolled in these plans. There is more to be said about all these things.

THE FARMERS MARKET

FARMERS' MARKETS,so-called have sprung up in various area across the US,for many reasons. The Claremont Farmer's Market has been going for quite some time but the participants have varied over the years. Some of them were followed by BAND CONCERTS which were somewhat popular and served to bring people in early,etc. However, some of the things there seem to resemble 'glorified' yard sales,despite the notion of 'arts & crafts'. Nevertheless, while these things may seem a bit 'medieval' they are only slightly regulated at present by local cities and towns,which,of course,extract their fees and permits, to help fill the ever emptying coffers, being drained in innumerable ways,far too lengthy to enumerate here. Although so-called 'public' land is involved(also called municipal, town, city,etc.) the land is not really accessible to the public except on certain imposed schedules,regulations,etc.

PROPERTY TAXES & PROPERTY ASSESSMENT

Those in Claremont who own property received notices of an increase in property values. In this particular era of economic downturn, an increase in value,done without consideration of the present economic realities, seems to be counter-productive and will lead to some dire consequences for the town of Claremont in years to come. First, employment is down and unemployment on the rise. Wages may have been increased minimally for low-paid workers but with new taxes and fees being imposed by ALL governments, from towns, cities, counties,states and also the Federal, such things amount to little or nothing for the most part. ALL FORMS OF GOVERNMENT, whether National or Local, are in TROUBLE and will continue to be in trouble to the extent that growing unrest and growing poverty will continue. As for Claremont, itself, it may be time for 'TEA PARTY' which other towns have performed in the past. It is also a time to send politicians a message on taxes, health care, and the like. Claremont has a vast number of VACANT LOTS, and remember, every parking lot you see, whether private or public, is A VACANT LOT! Likewise, every vacant building you see is unproductive, is not bringng in revenues or helping the business climate,etc. What is the solution? It is something that most people tend to ignore.

THE DEMISE OF THE EAGLE TIMES

The EAGLE TIMES has apparently ceased publication just as I was getting interested in some of its articles, the last two of personal interest to me being on John and Virginia Meloney who were once neighbors to me when I lived on Winter Street. Both articles are worth reading and a lot more could have been said about each of them.

THE NEW PARKING GARAGE IN CLAREMONT

With the erection of a new parking garage on Main Street near the newly prepared COMMON MAN, Claremonters can express a bit more pride in the town, although we might well wonder at the continued asphalting of the town, especially on North Street near the tourise center that hardly sees any dramatic use, either by locals, natives, or flatlanders passing by or gawping at the place if they have time. Claremont is full of parking lots, asphalted affairs, both public and private that contribute to continual run-off and that require constant maintenance which all raise taxes. Also, the restrictions that all towns, cities, and villages tend to impose on parking makes one wonder what will be next?

SKATE BOARDING & THE NEW SKATEBOARD PARK

Claremont has a new skateboard park and a lot can be said about this. As I am not a skateboarder myself, I can only speak from one who has seen the growth of this activity since its inception in Claremont many years ago. This activity is misunderstood by the majority of adults, not only in Claremont, but in other towns. Most of the opponents of open and free boarding are persons who have forgotten the lessons of childhood, who are afraid of risk-taking in nearly all forms, and who think that the roads and streets only belong to cars. Of course, the roads and streets and highways are becoming less accessible to people in contrast to the days when many of us enjoyed much more personal freedom with out government restrictions. To see this, just look at the old movies of the 20's,3o'40's, and 50's to see what I mean. Later in other comments and blogs, I will give more details for those who wonder what the fuss is all about.

FISKE FREE LIBRARY

The Fiske Free Library, sometimes known as, THE CLAREMONT PUBLIC LIBRARY, has ,at present, an excellent staff and is another focal point of the community always under attack by jFlatlanders and outsiders,who demand a lot more than what is there at times. However, the present building built by Carnegie, has seen many alterations over the years. Originally, the magnificent collection of books that once was there,until the BARBARIANS OF THE '60'S got in there, was at the building that bears its name on Sullivan Street, which also housed, if I am not mistaken, THE GAR, meaning to the iagnoramuses of today: THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC!

STEVENS HIGH SCHOOL

Stevens High School has the oldest high school alumni association in the United States, a fact that all the incoming flatlanders, and out- of- towners and education-obsessed parents simply do not appreciate or realize in their zest and zeal to demolish the actual building or re-locate it elsewhere, probably in preference for erecting a huge, monstrosity, like all 'consolidated' and 'regional' schools are: mere warehouses for children and factory lines for 'no pupil left behind' in what can be called, AMERICA'S SACRED COWS! Schools are America's Sacred cows and Compulsory Education is America's Secular RELIGION.

'CITY MANAGERS'

Claremont has had over the years a number of 'city managers' who had come and gone, leaving a lot of things up in the air. Most,if not all of them, have come here merely to pad their resumes and to gain experience in this field of management, usually with little or no real experience and certainly no real ties to Claremont by any stretch of the imagination, except for their pay checks. Aside from this, many of them had 'personal' problems and other 'eccentricities' that sometimes led to their departure, no doubt. You will not, of course, see much of this in the newspaper article that appeared with mention of any of them during their 'reign'. Probably many will not think this a fair or accurate assessment of the many managers whose names escape me at the moment and really do not need any publicity here,especially since they are not on the present scene.

THE EAGLE TIMES, once known as: THE DAILY EAGLE

Although I have lived on and off in Claremont for many years, I do not recall the very first newspaper, but I do recall the Claremont Daily Eagle which metamorphized into THE EAGLE TIMES. Over the years, I have, like so many readers and ex-subscribers, a love-hate relationship with this paper which once had its headquarters right in town,off the square(Tremont, which now has been Christened by well-meaning Flatlanders, as OPERA HOUSE SQUARE, but I much prefer my version which is HORSE OPERA SQUARE! The move from Sullivan St. effectively moved the paper out into the countryside and from the minds of people who might happen to frequent downtown, though many would wonder why anyone would really want to do this! At one time, the building for the paper also had a radio station, WLOB(I think that was it's name) and it was basically FM broadcasting and since I did not have at the time, an FM radio receiver,only AM, I could not hear the one radio program that I wanted: RED RYDER. I think also they had a special Dick Tracy show, different from the 15 min. Monday to Friday serial on AM radio.

CLAREMONT CAPERS

Claremont is a town in New Hampshire 03743 that pretends it is a city.