O’Keefe: Numbers are preliminary
The Manchester Police Department released preliminary statistics showing progress in their efforts to reduce crime. While department spokesman Lt. Brian O’Keefe stresses the numbers are preliminary and subject to change while they are audited and finalized, which should be late next month, he said the department released the statistics because it had several requests. Part I violent crime, as reported to the F B I, is down by thirteen percent. Driving the statistics were big drops in the reported number of forcible rapes, which was down by a third, and robbery, which fell by twenty one percent. An eighteen percent decline in burglaries and a forty seven percent drop in arsons helped drive the Part I property crime rate down by five percent. Overall, according to the subject to change preliminary numbers, two thousand fourteen saw the number of crimes decrease by six percent over two thousand thirteen. The total numbers of crimes committed remains up since two thousand ten however, according to the graphs provided with the report, which we’ve posted with this newscast at Girard at Large dot com.
Londonderry hears about proposed pipeline route
According to the Londonderry Times, energy company Kinder Morgan will begin surveying land along its preferred route in Londonderry for the thirty six inch natural gas pipeline it hopes to build through several communities in the state’s Southern Tier. Last week, the company presented its plans to the Londonderry Town Council. Most of the two and a half mile route through town is located in the P S N H power line right-of-way. It’s estimated the company’s annual property tax payment to the town would approach three hundred thousand dollars. About five properties in the study corridor belong to the town, with most of the affected properties being residential, according to Kinder Morgan’s right-of-way agent. A spokesman for Kinder Morgan, told the council property owners inside the study corridor were notified by letter and that Kinder Morgan representatives will meet with all property owners in person starting this week to seek permission to survey the land. The surveys will determine the location of wells, septic systems and cultural resources. We’ve linked to the story in the Londonderry Times with all of the details regarding the proposal and the need for it. We’ve also linked to our interview with Merrimack Town Councilor Bill Boyd who discussed the issues the proposed pipeline is raising there.
News from our own backyard continues after this.
Barry: Throws “chin music” at Manchester
“As I have stated before, Manchester’s request for a waiver is not one the Department can grant. Please find enclosed a letter from the United State Department of Education (USDOE), dated December 15, 2014, explaining that the Board’s decision will put not only the District but also the State out of compliance with the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The result of allowing SAU #37 to be out of compliance places federal education funding in jeopardy statewide.” That’s what New Hampshire Commissioner of Education Virgina Barry wrote to the Manchester Board of School Committee last week. Her letter, along with a letter sent by the feds to the state Department of Ed. is on the board’s agenda for discussion tonight.
Livingston: Still looking for answers
Superintendent Debra Livingston sent a letter at the board’s behest several weeks ago not only inquiring about the status of the city’s off requested, but not formally applied for waiver, but also about the strange absence of federal funds the city should have received from the state with the question of whether or not the state was withholding the funds because the city didn’t want to take the Smarter Balanced Assessment. Mayor Ted Gatsas said Livingston was told by the state that the funds were on the way, but nothing was in writing. This letter makes no reference to the city’s inquiry regarding the delayed disbursement, but does warn the district it, quote “faces the serious risk of significant enforcement actions if it refuses to comply with its obligation to participate in the uniform statewide assessment.” End quote. There’s more to the letters and we’ll be discussing that this morning.
All those hands, yet student’s can’t be touched
In another meeting tonight, the school board’s Committee on Coordination and Administration will discuss revisions to the district’s so called No Touch Policy, which the district has been using to suspend principals, teachers and other staff with pay because they touched a kid in the discharge of their duties. Attention was called to this policy by our report that Parkside Principal Forrest Ransdell had been placed on paid administrative leave after being summoned by teachers to a room to remove a disruptive student with a very long list of behavioral issues. That kid had, in just a few short weeks after the start of school, caused the place to be put into a modified version of lock-down three times. We’ll up load the policy with this newscast at Girard at Large dot com, just in case you’re not convinced that common sense is dead yet.
Craig; Portrait of a mayor?
Ward One Alderman Joyce Craig has taken another step toward running for mayor. After doing a little digging, we discovered she’s registered joyce craig for mayor dot com. We asked Craig to discuss her potential run last week. She asked that we wait until she makes her decision final. Not to worry, w’ll ask again. What else can we do?
That’s news from our own backyard, Girard at Large hour ___ is next!
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