Audit of Chapter 40B projects needed
To the editor:
"This 40B scandal represents the biggest abuse in state history in my opinion."
The above was stated by Inspector General Gregory Sullivan, when testifying to a committee reviewing proposed changes to rules promulgated by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) that dictate how the Chapter 40B affordable housing law is implemented.
Inspector General Sullivan made this statement, after auditing financial statements for 10 completed 40B projects. This review revealed that millions of dollars in excessive profit were hidden by unscrupulous developers who agreed to profit limitations in exchange for significant zoning concessions. These profits should have been turned over to the municipalities that approved the projects upon their completion.
Sullivan also called for "adult supervision" in the future to assure compliance with profit limitations and to assure that our municipalities are not being defrauded.
Unbelievably, Undersecretary Tina Brooks and DHCD (who are charged with the oversight of 40B), have responded by further reducing the power of municipalities to review the financial aspects of projects being proposed under 40B. Instead, they have given greater power of review to the entities that provide funding for the projects. These agencies are shamelessly pro-developer and were highlighted in Sullivan's reports as being either negligent or disinterested in the facts.
Sullivan's audits have compelled the Senate Oversight Committee to call hearings to review his reports, and the role of DHCD and its closely associated agencies have played in this ruse. It is important that our legislators know how we feel about the abuses that these developers, DHCD, CHAPA and MHFA, et al, have perpetrated.
Please contact your representative and senator to ask that they do all in their power to end the abuse, and to identify and return to the communities of Massachusetts the hidden profits due them. This could return hundreds of millions in much needed revenue to those communities that have had to bear the burden that development under 40B brings and assure that future projects receive the appropriate review.
FRANK PUOPOLO
Georgetown
DeClercq is best choice for state representative
To the editor:
Congratulations to the Salem Planning Board for a job well done, getting two million dollars in road reconstruction. With the cost of living, it is a relief to see there is a town board working for the people.
One of its members, Ed DeClercq, has said many times that good planning, experience and common sense leads to good projects and benefits to the taxpayer.
Ed DeClercq is also a candidate for state representative. I am sure, knowing him for some time, that he will bring to Concord his work ethic, experience and common sense. Ed DeClercq believes that when you are elected to a position in government, you are intrusted to serve the people and work for them.
Ed DeClercq has the passion and commitment to fight for the taxpayers in Concord. I ask the voters in Salem and Windham to join me in electing Ed DeClercq to be our next state representative.
CINDY BRAISER
Salem, N.H.
Legion post can no longer host these events
To the editor:
It is with great sadness that we must inform you that American Legion Post 4, Haverhill, will be unable to fund the following events in 2008: Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Dinner, Children's Halloween Party, Children's Christmas Party and Post 4 Members' Outing.
The American Legion Post 4 has been subjected to continual negotiation issues with the City of Haverhill. We have been ready for the past two years to renew our lease.
Unfortunately, constant hurdles, continual roadblocks and other issues beyond our control have not enabled us to reopen our establishment. This has caused Post 4 to be unable to raise the funds needed to host the above-mentioned events that have been ongoing for over 20 years.
We hope to reopen in the near future. barring any other unforeseen obstacles, and are looking forward to continuing these and other community service projects. If anyone would like to voice their concerns about our situation, you may contact your local city officials.
JOHN KAZAROSIAN
Treasurer
American Legion Post 4
Haverhill
Bradley is poor choice for Republicans
To the editor:
Recently, I found out that Jeb Bradley is running for Congress again. I can't imagine why he would, after embarrassingly losing his seat to Carol Shea-Porter. Anyone who would lose to Shea-Porter does not deserve a second chance to prove his incompetence.
Maybe we should remember why Shea-Porter beat Bradley in the first place. Bradley is a big spending, big government Republican who became a poster boy for everything that cost the party Congress and the Legislature here in New Hampshire.
His mandates like Real ID and entitlement expansion set us on a course to national bankruptcy and undercut the message of Republicans being the fiscally responsible party. Jeb Bradley managed to make Carol Shea-Porter look like a frugal spender, and that's almost impossible.
The last thing the Republican party needs is to have Jeb Bradley represent us again. That would be like waving the white flag and telling the country that we should be used to a Democratic majority for a long, long time.
We need leaders who remember what won the Republicans the majority in 1994, not people who brought us the failed policies that made us a minority. That means Republicans can't afford Jeb Bradley.
KATHRYN WILLIAMSON
Hampton, N.H.
