State rep listens to citizens’ concerns

Friday, November 25, 2011

To the Editor:

Saturday, Nov. 19, was a fine crisp November day as I set out to meet the public at the Amherst post office in the morning and at the Milford Rotary Park in the afternoon. I was surprised at what was not asked by concerned citizens. There were no questions on possible Milford/Amherst redistricting due to the 2010 federal census, nor were there any questions about the financial condition of the state of New Hampshire or the possible movement of the Superior Court from Nashua to Manchester and only one question on the New Hampshire Presidential Primary that is so much in the local news. The questions and concerns were more specific to issues that were important to individual citizens such as: availability of treatment programs for child autism; the effect of changes in RSA 627:4 about the right of self-defense were the requirement to “retreat” before defending oneself with deadly force has been modified; and the overall condition, sustainability and fairness of the New Hampshire Retirement System with its division of separate rules for Group 2 (Police, Fire, Rescue, etc.) versus Group 1 for town employees, teachers, and other staff such as county employees. As a state representative, I very much benefit from these “office hours” as citizens speak their minds on what is important to them, and that is not necessarily what the local TV, radio, Internet blogs and newspapers might lead one to believe.

BILL BELVIN

State Rep Milford/Amherst

Hillsborough District 6