Staff at SAU 29 did not exactly have to fight their way into work at their new West Keene offices through a crowd of candidates for three opening Keene School Board seats. Wednesday was the first day of the filing period, which extends through next Friday. Total candidate filings after the first three hours: zero. Still no confirmation of who, if any, among the three incumbents whose seats are up -- Board chair Kathy O'Donnell, Kristen Blais or Karl Panza -- plans to seek another term.
A new year, a new counter-offensive against a controversial local recreation project. When City Council did not reconsider its approval of a dog park off the end of dead-end Bent Court in West Keene last year, that locked the planning for the park in ... to the dismay of a number of nearby residents. But the new year brings with it a new chance to change Council's minds. Two letters objecting to the planned location come to council's Muncipal Services, Facilities & Infrastructure Committee tonight. Also tonight, the committee will look at a suggestion from Councilor and former Mayor Dale Pregent, that a street light is needed on the intersection of Park Avenue and Arch Street.
The latest legislative effort to not only decriminalize but license and legalize marijuana in New Hampshire gets a House Committee hearing this morning. Among those scheduled to testify is a local individual who knows a thing or two about marijuana users. Cheshire County Jail Superintendent Richard Van Wickler is a member of a law enforcement organization which believes that the cost of battling illegal marijuana far outweighs its results. Van Wickler will address his support for a bill licensing the sales of pot to New Hampshire adults, before the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.
When it comes to students doing well on national tests, Massachusetts and Vermont students hold their own. The 17th annual Report Card on American Education released by the American Legislative Exchange Council ranks The Bay and Green Mountain States first and second in the nation when it comes to test scores. But there's bad new with the good for Vermont. For education reform policies, such as academic standards and a state's ability to hire good teachers and fire bad ones, Vermont gets one of the lowest grades, a D-plus.
