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March
6, 2008
“Right to Know” Discusses Water Rights and Warrant Article 24
Show
to be broadcast on GTV-16
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GOFFSTOWN
- The GTV-16 program “Right To Know” (R2K), hosted and produced by Ivan Beliveau, discusses Water Rights, Goffstown Warrant Article 24 and their impact on the residents of Goffstown and the State of NH.
Guests Mary Till, Chair of the Goffstown Water Rights Committee and Linda Leibig, member of the committee, discuss with host Beliveau the importance of protecting the ground water and water table in Goffstown from massive withdrawals by large international bottling companies potentially jeopardizing local wells.
The current Goffstown Water Rights Committee members also include Nancy Nichols, Recorder, and Barbara Barbour, Fred Thompson and Phil Rose.
Mary and Linda explain that access to water is vital for the survival of a healthy community. They warn that Goffstown residents should heed the negative experience of the city of Nashua with the Pennechuck Water Company.
Other cities and towns in NH such as Great Barrington and Newington are also experiencing problems with large multinational bottling companies that desire to build large bottling plants in those communities because the proper legislation was not in place. These problems are requiring that 100’s of thousands of community dollars be spent on legal fees battling these companies.
Mary and Linda explain that the Goffstown Water Rights Committee initiated Warrant Article 24 to preempt the town from having to spend extensive legal fees fighting to protect public water rights.
Warrant Article 24 reads as follows:
"Direct the Board of Selectman to pass an ordinance that states that water is a part of the commons and essential for life,
That the People of Goffstown have the duty to safeguard the water both on and beneath the earth’s surface,
To hold it in public trust as a common resource for the benefit of Goffstown residents and the natural ecosystem,
Further that any large water withdrawal must be approved by a majority vote of the legislative body of the town (i.e. the Voters) at an annual or special meeting, before it shall become effective."
To further inform Goffstown residents, the committee has developed a website, “N.H. Preserve Our Water Resources” at www.nhpowr.com.
Mary and Linda said that there are also DVD’s available for viewing such as:
· “Thirst, a Water Documentary”
· “Panel Discussion on Water in NH”
· “Linzey: Community Rights vs. Corporate Rights”
· “Kinder: NH Supreme Court Decision impact on Water Withdrawal
For more information and to obtain access to these videos also contact Barbara Barbour at 497-4581.
Channel 16 (GTV) Show Times:
Friday- 3/7, at 9:00 AM
Saturday- 3/8 at 3:00 PM
Sunday- 3/9 at 7:00 PM
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