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.