Mary French, Hopkins Green, Hopkinton, NH

I offer the following:

A recent Letter to the editor, Concord Monitor 18 Jan 2007 page B7 From a David Randolph White, while touching on the issue of the anti tax pledge (a pledge which is not honored since taxes are escalating despite that so-called pledge), refers to "a militia of one or more individuals, profoundly enabled by the loose talk of free-staters AND such non-representative bodies as the Hopkinton-Contoocook Taxpayer Association ... is now physically targeting the most vulnerable among our population, namely senior citizens."

In my opinion his rhetoric is in itself inflammatory, by inferring that members who support the aim of HCTA - which is to encourage the officials of Hopkinton to consider the impact & burden ever rising taxes have on these same vulnerable senior citizens he pities.

Taxes which already endanger the elder citizen's ability to stay in their homes by reason of ever escalating tax demands.

As to demeaning the right of citizens to meet peacefully on community questions of importance, by infering that only persons given authority by reason of town vote may discuss tax or any other issues is not well reasoned.

The fact is, the town of Hopkinton previously voted down a Senior Center Plan, largely on cost - but also questioning the need.

The Selectmen, in accepting the very generous offer made by the Slussers, should have made such acceptance subject to Town Acceptance by Town Meeting convened. Such acceptance would have meant town voters being participants, not only on acceptance of the money, but also on plan & placement of such a building. As was the case when previous Senior Citizen Building plans have been presented for Town Vote.

In my opinion the temptation of such a large sum of money blinded the Selectmen to their duty & to the limits of their authority to act, and to the still open question of demonstrated need.

The question again before us as a Town - not limited to individuals or a Committee - is:

Does a Senior Population of some 1700 persons, with a present usage of the Senior Programs now offered standing at approximately: 40 per week for lunch, 15 every other week for bingo, and a 'handful' per week at card games.

These numbers may be enlarged by perhaps 10 or 20 if one considers some seniors come while others might stay home on different occasions ... so call the total usage 75 persons.

This usage by some less than 75 seniors out of 1700 seniors is presently estimated to cost Hopkinton Taxpayers $15,000.00 The new Center is estimated at $33,345.00 per year minimum . Does such a limited service warrant a million dollar building, support of which is to be financed by donations and town taxes? placed on ( expensive) town land? supported by town services? WITHOUT proper vote by the Town of Hopkinton?

We, as residents, were approached at previous town meetings on the basis of a dangerous and only-worthy-to-be-torn-down building (the lot to be sold) , known as Columbia Hall.

Columbia Hall had been termed untenable - evidently that is no longer true ( see Concord Monitor 19 Jan 2007 page A6) .. Since Columbia Hall is NOW VIABLE once more... so ...

WHY build at all?

Why not return the million dollars to the Slussers, (assuming construction or other insurances will cover that loss) with appreciation, and perhaps ask them to consider using some or all of that sum in putting Columbia Hall in proper condition, again serving those same 75 senior citizens .

This suggestion, of course, being something the Slussers are free to accept or reject - just as we taxpayers/ residents of Hopkinton have the right to accept or reject all tax related issues that should properly come before us at Town Meeting, rather than submit to Decision of a Few.