Advertising for non-compliant food to be banned at schools?
SENATE BILL 1 0 3, “AN ACT limiting food and beverage advertising and marketing on school property,” met a timely demise in the New Hampshire House Education Committee yesterday. The bill, which earned an Inexpedient to Legislate” recommendation, requires school districts “to prohibit the advertising of any food or beverage that may not be sold at school during the school day.” Quote:
Advertising shall be prohibited on any property or facility owned or leased by the school district or a school and used any time for school-related activities, including but not limited to, school buildings, athletic fields, facilities, signs, scoreboards upon replacement, parking lots, school buses or other school district vehicles, equipment, vending machines upon contract renewal, school district-provided uniforms, school district-developed educational material or approved book covers for distribution.
It also specifically banned quote:
The participation in a corporate incentive program that rewards children when they reach certain academic goals with free or discounted foods and beverages that may not be sold at school during the school day.
Supporters of the bill argued that allowing non-complaint foods to be advertised in any way for any reason was harmful to the health of children.
Sullivan: WHAT?!?!
Opponents, like State Rep. Victoria Sullivan, Republican from Manchester Ward Nine, lost their minds on the bill. In a social media post Sullivan wrote quote:
the bill would have crushed fundraising options for schools. No restaurant of the month, no Mrs. Fields fundraising flyers, no Pepsi sponsored scoreboards even on leased fields. It would have meant no food incentives, like Domino’s for meeting reading goals (they get a coupon for a small pizza). Yep, the Democrats wanted this, but would not pass an amendment that allowed parents options for kindergarten because it quote ‘hampered local control.’ I cannot make this stuff up.
Girard: It’s for the children!
Neither can we and we’re glad we can’t. If we could, we’d probably be sent to the state mental hospital screaming “It’s for the Children! It’s for the children!” Oh My HEAD! How’d that thing get through the senate, anyway?
Oh wait, I see how. The bill exempted quote:
Advertising contained on product packaging of items brought in by students for self consumption”
from the advertising ban. So, it still let kids bring food from home as long as they don’t share it with any of their friends. That’s reasonable, so why not vote for it? Oh My HEAD!…Again!
News from our own backyard continues after this.
New tank to be built in Londonderry
The Manchester Water Works has applied for funds through the State of New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund. The funds would be used to construct a new water storage tank for the Londonderry water system and upgrade the Cohas Avenue Pump Station in Manchester.
The new storage tank will be located adjacent to the existing tank at the end of Josephine Drive in Londonderry. The replacement of pumps, motors, electrical systems and other related equipment in the Cohas Avenue Pump Station will take place inside the building. The combined project is expected to be completed in December, 2018 at an estimated cost of six point one five million dollars.
Both the Board of Water Commissioners and the Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted to authorize funding last year. “A public notice (which we think this is) will be published by the Water Works and a 30-day comment period will be held in accordance with state rules.” The full document is available for review and comment at the offices of the Water Works offices at 2 8 1 Lincoln Street and the D E S at 29 Hazen Drive in Concord.
Wins award
The U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Council on Foundations announced that the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation is among the 10 foundations to receive the 2017 HUD Secretary’s Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships.
The Charitable Foundation received the award for its partnership with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services’ Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services to reduce substance use among New Hampshire’s youth. The Charitable Foundation has committed twelve million over ten years, and significant statewide leadership, to the joint effort. The award recognizes innovative and effective cross-sector initiatives that have increased the quality of life for low- and moderate-income Americans living in urban, suburban, and rural communities.
The Bedford Police Department released a reminder that it, in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration, it will participate in the National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Bedford Safety Complex.
Reminder
The National Drug Take Back Day is a free and anonymous event that gives the community the opportunity to aid in the fight against substance abuse by disposing of potentially dangerous expired, unwanted, or unused prescription drugs. “Don’t allow these drugs to fall into the wrong hands,” urged the police. Drop them off at the Bedford Safety Complex instead! Bedford residents with questions about what can and cannot be dropped off are asked to call Lt. Michael Griswold at 4 7 2 5 1 1 3 X 3 3 8.
no ID needed, just like voting
Check with your local police department to see if they’re participating this Saturday. Many are. For those who live in communities where the police department is not participating, just bring your unwanted prescription drugs to a neighboring community. It’s an anonymous drop off, no questions asked, so it’s a lot like voting in this state; nobody’s going to know who you really are or where you really live.
That’s NEWS from our own backyard! Girard at Large hour ___ is next!
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/319720321″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]
