Thursday, February 15, 2007 Older Editions

LETTERS

To stem health-care cost explosion, leaders need to take radical action

Editor, Townsman:

The Townsman article on skyrocketing health care costs certainly came as no surprise to anyone in town ("Skyrocketing health-care costs worse in Andover," Feb. 1). However, the absolute numbers ($4.3 million in 2001 going to $10.9 million in 2006 should certainly set off some alarm bells. At this current rate we can expect the total to double every two to three years. When is this all going to stop?

The actions being taken by the town manager appear to be in the category of "encouraging new or existing employees" to take the less expensive roads like the town's HMO plan and mail-order prescriptions. The operative word here is "encouraging" and this effort appears to be but a drop in the bucket in trying to stem the tide.

The "possibility" of a state insurance plan is still awaiting legislation, and even if enacted will not offer relief in the amounts needed to push back the double-digit increases.

Another proposal on the table is the formation of a task force that would provide inputs to the town's insurance advisory committee. This new task force is to consist of both union and town officials. One wonders how this new task force will proceed. I'm sure that they will work in good faith and will most likely surface with some new ideas that will pick away at the mounting health cost. Unfortunately, I believe this at best will offer minimal relief.

What everyone must realize is that "the elephant is on the table," and that the only way that costs are going to come down, and significantly lighten the tax burden is for town employees to take an increase in the amount of premiums that they pay. A bitter pill indeed!

However, I doubt that this topic will ever make the agenda for the next task force meeting because the people that are meeting have too much of a vested interest in keeping things the same. One really can't blame them.

The banner for tax relief must be vigorously flown by our elected town leaders. Sometimes radical but necessary proposals must be brought forward by them and others at Town Meeting. And a groundswell for such relief must be full backed by every voter in Andover. If no one speaks out and supports such actions, the Townsman will most probably dust off this same article next year and will publish the inevitable health-care increases.

Joseph T. Ponti

16 Alden Road

Response to tax worries won vote

Editor, Townsman:

In the May 11, 2006 Andover Townsman there will be found a letter I had written when paying my quarterly taxes to the town of Andover. A call came from the Townsman asking if it could print it, entitled "Senior Citizen: Why I Booed at Town Meeting." I was pleasantly surprised by so many who responded to me. Some of the people were in the "same boat" as I: a widow, being born in Andover and living here all my life, who realized I would have to sell my home as it was now unaffordable. The first person to respond was Debra Silberstein, who wanted to meet with me and discuss positive alternatives. What surprised me was that a member of the School Committee was interested in my situation. I can say for sure, Silberstein will have my support in any way I can show it. She is knowledgeable and interested with all of us in the whole community.

She is a leader and will use her knowledge of fiscal responsibility in many ways. I hope you will join me in voting for Silberstein, she will not let you down. She will always listen to the concerns of any of us. I know that for a fact. The other quality Silberstein has, that she probably does not know herself is: she brings out the best in others.

Maureen D. Fredrickson

Coachman's Ridge

172 Haverhill St., Unit 219

Let's surge for peace - by talking with allies, others

Editor, Townsman:

The president would have us believe that 21,000 more American troops will solve the insurgency problem and quell the violence in Baghdad. The president would also have us believe that questioning his decision as commander-in-chief provides aid and comfort to the enemy. I respectfully disagree with him on both counts.

The past actions and decisions of the president and his senior staff have already emboldened the insurgents in Iraq. We have seen the evidence of this during the past four years. When General Shinseki testified before Congress that 500,000 to 600,000 troops would be needed for victory, he was immediately discredited by the Pentagon and was quietly sent home to pack his bags. When General David Patraeus, the new commander charged with heading up the military surge, questioned US military actions in Iraq in 2004, he was given a one-way ticket to a military desk job in Kansas. Our best and brightest warriors were ignored and discounted by the president. The "on the cheap" approach to waging war strongly advocated by former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was never a viable option for success in Iraq.

The military events in Iraq since 2003 have clearly demonstrated the folly of a president not having listened to experienced field commanders and, instead, having relied upon ideology, wishful thinking, and secrecy to promote a military plan that has failed.

We cannot undo the mistakes of the past. But we can demonstrate the courage and fortitude needed to do the right things now and end our military involvement in Iraq.

The president has called upon Patraeus to lead the American troops in Iraq to counter the insurgency and quell the violence. Patraeus is an experienced and very capable warrior and field commander. His assignment may be the most difficult challenge that he has yet encountered during his military career. We should all wish him Godspeed.

But the president is allowing a greater opportunity for peace to slip through his fingers. He is either unable or unwilling to pursue diplomacy as aggressively as he pursues war.

Let's surge for peace. Let's send an army of diplomats to our friends and allies around the world and engage in dialogue to find ways to end the violence in Iraq. Let's send our senior administration officials to speak with Middle East experts at places like Harvard's School of Government and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts and review the Baker/Hamilton report. Let's apply the recommendations of our most experienced advisors that make sense.

Let's surge for peace. The president must be willing to talk with governments of the Middle East, even those we do not like. We must talk with Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia and others to find common ground.

Let's surge for peace. We must seek the opinions of those with widely differing views in our country. We now have seen the devastating effects during the lifetimes of two generations of Americans when presidents and advisors allow ideology, tunnel vision, and secrecy to overwhelm our conduct of war at the expense of rationality, dialogue and transparency.

Let's surge for peace. We must engage those we perceive as our enemies as well as our traditional allies. Yitzhak Rabin said it best: you sue for peace with your enemies, not your friends. How can we ever stop waging war if we are unwilling to find common ground with those we consider our enemies?

If we are to engage terrorism and reduce its prominence in the world, we need all the help we can get. Let us define bold ideas and approaches. Let us listen to our friends and allies, and then let us join with them in engaging terrorism throughout the world.

We have the capability and the power to achieve great things. We need the vision and political courage to do them.

John F. Zipeto

14 Canterbury St.

Nadworny has resolved tough issues

Editor, Townsman:

I am very excited to be writing this letter of support for Eric Nadworny for town moderator. I have been acquainted with Nadworny for several years and have been one of a large number of people who are pleased that he has made this decision to run. I have watched and worked with Nadworny on a number of occasions and have always been impressed with his determination, enthusiasm, and sense of fairness and honesty.

In addition to having a tremendous amount of experience in his professional life negotiating in difficult situations, Nadworny played a pivotal role during his time on the School Committee dealing with and resolving difficult issues. During his time serving the town of Andover, he has demonstrated his skills at listening to and connecting with all sides of town government in a professional, unbiased and honest manner.

Nadworny's commitment and follow through present him as the ideal candidate for moderator. I look forward to supporting him and encourage the people of Andover to do the same.

Andrea Zaimes

William Street

Moderator candidate Samuels has been supporter of community

Editor, Townsman:

I am writing to support David Samuels in his quest to become Town Meeting moderator. Samuels has long been an ardent supporter of the Andover community. While he is presently most visible as a member of the School Committee during the last two years, one should know of his decade and one-half commitment as founding father and active member of the Service Club of Andover, which devotes much needed help in two essential programs in the community, (1) aid to adults with developmental disabilities and (2) a mentoring program whereby juniors at Andover High School are paired with members of the community so that the juniors can see insight into the professions and occupations in which they have an interest while those occupations are being performed by their mentor. The motto of the Service Club of Andover is "Make a Difference." Samuels has sought to do that in various capacities while serving the town. For many years, he has been a coach of swim teams at the Andover/North Andover YMCA and of the Merrimack Pirates. He continues to work with adults with developmental disabilities. He is a leader of the Massachusetts Dental Society. Throughout these activities and others, he has gained extensive experience as a moderator of large groups.

On a personal level and in many conversations with Samuels throughout my years in Andover, we have spoken about a large number of issues. I find Samuels to be open-minded, open to new suggestions that he had not considered, impartial and objective in discussions and he has an essential grasp of fairness. He, moreover, appears to be sensitive to feelings of various persons in the community and is well aware that in Andover there can be strongly held but differing points of view. I feel confident that he would lend his talents to being an excellent successor to Jim Doherty, a role model for what exemplary moderators should be.

James B. Krasnoo

14 Candlewood Drive

Morse: No on-the-job training needed

Editor, Townsman:

As a coach in Andover, I know that you go to your best player for tough assignments. I support Attorney Lawrence B. Morse for moderator as the "best player." Morse is the only one running with experience as a moderator. He will need no on-the-job training. This position as "umpire" for Town Meeting has great responsibility from the get go. As a former Ipswich town moderator, he has stood before a packed auditorium, maintained order, moved the public's business, ensured all sides were heard, and applied the rules.

We need to know the moderator will be fair and impartial. Morse has not served on any board making budgetary decisions. He can be relied upon to represent all Andover voters. He is committed to an impartial and fair Town Meeting. He has sought no other elective public office and is committed to serving Andover where he can best serve. Morse is committed to representing all of the people of Andover in making appointments to the Finance Committee. He has pledged to appoint people to reflect all of our interests and who will ask tough questions to ensure tax funds are well spent.

As one of two attorneys running for moderator, his occupation is a plus. Morse's background and education demonstrate the broadest experience. He graduated from Harvard College with honors in 1969 and then took courses at Middlebury and graduated from Boston University Law. He taught English in high school and business law in the Salem State MBA program. He has practiced law in private practice for many years both in Boston and on the North Shore. He was counsel to a state agency. Morse has worked as an assistant municipal counsel for Newburyport and Wayland. He has served on the Massachusetts Bar Association House of Delegates. No one else running has this depth. We are fortunate this year to have choices but should choose the best qualified candidate.

Aside from experience, Morse has the character that we want. My family has known him for years. He is down-to-earth, solid, sincere and courteous to people. To know him is to see that he genuinely likes people. He has a good sense of humor. He is the one to best follow Jim Doherty. We want to see him on the stage, leading Town Meeting as moderator.

Russ Wrigley

12 Highland Ave.

Dentists speak up for society leader

Editor, Townsman:

As the dentists who practice in Andover, we collectively endorse the candidacy of David S. Samuels for Andover town moderator. As one of the state's most reputable periodontists, Samuels has been a leader of organized dentistry for nearly 20 years. Having been chairman of the Merrimack Valley District Dental Society, he moved on to be a leader of the Massachusetts Dental Society, and represents our collective voices to the American Dental Association. Samuels is no stranger to running large meetings. He is the general chairman of Yankee Dental Congress. With more than 28,000 attendees, this is Boston's largest annual meeting and the fourth largest dental convention in the nation.

Samuels routinely moderates and manages large groups of people, and has the unique ability to bring people with different viewpoints together. His creative "outside the box" thinking makes him a steady, calm leader who facilitates cooperation among various boards and budget forums with our society. He is well known for his open mind and clear understanding of complex issues.

Andover would be served well to elect Samuels as the next moderator. His experience and leadership make him the natural choice to move the town forward in a positive direction.

Anthony C. Broccoli, DMD

15 Central St.

Douglas S. Browell, DMD

2 Elm Square

Arthur A. Daniels, DDS

174 Lowell St.

Richard D. Hopgood, DMD

296 Lowell St.

The letter was signed by 17 other dentists who practice in Andover.

Nadworny handled the hot seat

Editor, Townsman:

I have known Eric Nadworny since 1992, when our daughters attended kindergarten at the K-2 program at Shawsheen School. Working with other parents, Nadworny worked to educate townspeople of the benefits of keeping Shawsheen open. In the years before a debt exclusion override gave the town High Plain Elementary, the additional kindergarten to grade 2 seats that Shawsheen provided gave much needed relief to the other elementary schools, particular West El. and Bancroft There were times when we were not sure the school would continue to remain open but Nadworny never lost sight of the larger goal.

Nadworny has the ability to command respect and be heard, even when things become heated. I have seen it on more then one occasion, most memorably during meetings when the talk was about school redistricting.

He was a member of the School Committee for six years. It was a period of some distress. The high school had a difficult building project. Frequent changes in the schedule had been unsettling, to say the least. The middle schools were growing more and more overcrowded. Budgets were getting tighter.

Nadworny served as chairman of the School Committee for several years and his tenure was marked with open communication and a willingness to open up the process so all could be heard. At regularly scheduled meetings and at special forums, Nadworny provided opportunities where people could be heard. Their thoughts and opinions mattered and they were listened to respectfully.

There have been letters in this space extolling the virtues of both Nadworny and other candidates for the portion of moderator. Where I feel Nadworny differs from the others and why I feel he is the better candidate is that he has been in the "hot seat." He has moderated the difficult discussions. He has always provided a forum and an opportunity to be heard for everyone who wants it. He finishes what he starts.

Patrice Minton

8 Ferndale Ave.

School Committee: Incumbent Collins seeks return

Editor, Townsman:

I am writing to ask for your support in the coming School Committee election. I have spent my entire adult life in the Andover Schools, including the last nine years on the School Committee. I have also lived here for the past 48 years as a home-owning taxpayer. I want to do everything possible to provide our greatest asset, our young people, with the best education possible. In the process, we must work as hard as possible to obtain the funds from the state and other sources without increasing the burden on our property taxes. We have a great school system and the greatest young people in the world. Let us always do our best for them.

One of the greatest pleasures of my service on the Andover School Committee has been working with Debra Silberstein. She is an outstanding individual who has done an excellent job.

Richard J. Collins

117 Lovejoy Road

Candidate: New leadership needed to control school spending

Editor, Townsman:

Knowing school budgets as a school superintendent I have spent the last three weeks assessing and validating the budget figures put forth by our school administration. The current School Committee in the last three years has awarded our School Superintendent a 24-percent increase in compensation in a time of tight fiscal times in which we charge students a fee to play school sports. During the same tough period, the Groton Dunstable School Committee awarded its superintendent a 4-percent raise. As a former teacher and school administrator there is no excuse in this profession to use the shortage of school superintendents for justification of this raise. This is clearly a lack of financial accountability on behalf of our current committee. On the current school budget the School Committee should applaud the recommendation of restoring or adding nine new positions to the budget by our town administrator where all other departments in the town are being level-funded.

As a parent of a special education child, I say it is time to manage the special education program and get all schools like Wood Hill Middle to think in terms of keeping students home. As a advocate of special education children, Andover has a reputation that if you want to get out-of-district placement for a child, move to Andover. If you look at the revenues we are receiving from our special education students I suggest strongly that we are not maximizing all the revenue. Furthermore, all students are special - stop blaming the budget on special education children.

Far too long our school system has been run for the benefit of adults and not kids. It is time to drive more control of the budget in the hands of our principals. Looking at the amount of the school budget, if the leadership truly puts students first, the money is there to reduce fees for students and increase staffing at the school level. To do this, the School Committee must reallocate resources and make decisions that might upset some of the adults working in our school system. It is time for parents of school children to expect this. We can do this without increasing taxes. Finally, remember it is a year for teacher negations. This is another reason for change on our School Committee. Twenty-four percent in three years in a time when folks are being taxed out of the community.

Robert G Coffill Jr.

7 Quail Run