Don’t fault the park plan; join fight instead to improve it

On the surface, it would seem that increased access to Mine Falls Park would be a huge benefit to those who enjoy using the beautiful oasis in the heart of Nashua.

A plan is afoot to build a bridge to Mine Falls off Ledge Street, a project that would lead to connecting the park to the Heritage Rail Trail. Both of these areas are scenic wonders – and choice targets for the homeless and those who use drugs. Understandably, neighbors are concerned about the possibility of those problems spreading.

However, the problem isn’t increased access to the park; the problem is that everyone needs to pitch in and do all we can to eliminate homelessness and the use of drugs in our fair city. We know the Nashua Police Department has been working ceaselessly in the fight against the insidious threat of drug use in the city.

And several agencies do their best with what limited funding and resources they have to try to provide some sort of shelter for everyone who finds themselves in the devastating circumstances of homelessness.

The police can’t be everywhere – but they can have eyes everywhere. If you see suspicious activity, report it.

In addition, donate or volunteer to help groups such as The Front Door Agency in their quest to offer support to everyone in the city who needs aid.

Don’t deny a project that would be of great benefit; join the battle to cut off the problems at their roots.

Chicago Cubs complete
the most impossible dream

In the early-morning hours of Nov. 3, the Chicago Cubs completed a dream more than a century in the making.

For the first time since 1908, the lovable losers on Chicago’s North Side were crowned World Series champions. As fans of our own baseball team with a historically long drought in Boston, it was cathartic to see another team shatter curses and long-held expectations of cynical defeatism.

So the 2016 championship was for Ernie Banks and Ron Santo. And Harry Carey, Ryan Sandberg and Billy Williams. It was for Andre Dawson, Kerry Wood and Sammy Sosa. It was for generations of Cubs fans, especially Steve Bartman.

Congratulations, Cubbies.

Nashua school system
looking at drastic measures

The Nashua School District is faced with a difficult task this budget season after receiving a request from City Hall about keeping figures flat.

But we found out, during an Oct. 25 meeting, keeping the budget level-funded could include giving a pink slip to nearly 50 teachers and 30 custodians, reducing high school electives and potentially closing an elementary school.

"We were asked to identify possibilities of, if we had to, to complete what we called a structural gap between anticipated expenses and known ones, and how those expenses may be met," said Connie Brown, superintendent of schools. "And in closing … please know it’s my strongest recommendation that if any reductions must be made to the FY18 budget, that you need to broaden the discussion to include more stakeholders."

Such a dramatic change to the city’s school system would send shock waves across Nashua’s neighborhoods. We know these are not recommendations from the district, but even the thought of taking such a draconian option is alarming for the city’s students.