Prior to the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, pro-war rhetoric swirled around much of the country. But there is a difference between the patriotic fervor that fueled the mission in Iraq and the sort of reasonable discussion that many believe was sorely missing. Several New Hampshire peace organizations don’t want to make the same mistake when it comes to Iran, so they have organized an event at UNH to discuss the potential impact of an American-led strike on Iran.

“The Folly of Attacking Iran: A Discussion with Stephen Kinzer” will be held on Tuesday, March 4, from 12:40 to 2 p.m., in UNH’s MUB Theatre II. As a reporter for the New York Times for over 20 years, Kinzer has covered more than 50 countries on five continents. He is the author of several books, including the 2003 New York Times Bestseller about Iran, “All the Shah’s Men: An American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror.” 

“A lot of mainstream media does not adequately cover such important issues. We think that the American people, given good information, can make good choices and understand things,” said Amy Antonucci of Seacoast Peace Response. She helped organize the UNH event, but it was Anne Miller from New Hampshire Peace Action that brought Kinzer to the Granite State.

Miller read Kinzer’s book before visiting Iran in 2005. She was impressed with his insight on how the CIA-lead coup in 1953 contributed to the issues and tensions seen today. “For most Americans, Iranian history goes back to 1979, but U.S. and British intervention goes back at least 100 years,” Miller said.

Kinzer will discuss the history of U.S. involvement in Iran, as well as the current relationship between the two countries. His discussion will also touch on what Iranian citizens think of the United States and how their perspective often differs from that of the ruling regime. However, the focus of his lecture will be on the folly of attacking Iran and the alternatives to military action, including direct negotiations without preconditions.

“It’s important for people to see there are other options,” Antonucci said.

Following the lecture, Kinzer will take questions and sign copies of his book. The event is free and open to the public and is sponsored by the UNH Peace & Justice League, New Hampshire Peace Action and Seacoast Peace Response. For more information, call 603-228-0559 or visit www.follyofattackingiran.org.

Spaulding Turnpike in initial phase of overhaul in Rochester

Major roadwork is underway to renovate the Spaulding Turnpike around exit 12 in Rochester.

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation is working in conjunction with SUR Construction to widen the highway’s shoulders in both the north and southbound lanes, elongate the on- and off-ramps, revamp the exit to Route 125 and add stoplights, providing easier access to and from the turnpike.

Currently, this stretch of highway fails to meet the public’s need for safe and efficient travel, according to project manager Bob Landry of the DOT. When asked why the renovations were necessary, Landry offered a simple answer: “The traffic volume has increased since the 1950s.”

With increased traffic volume comes heightened safety concerns. Many of the structures currently in place on the highway are no longer in accordance with safety regulations. Landry cited the exit 12 bridge as a chief perpetrator, both in structure and layout. The structure underneath the bridge’s deck has needed work since 1992, he said. In addition, many of the turnpike’s ramps fail to meet length requirements that are determined by average traffic volume and speed. 

The project is still in its initial phase, but will eventually stretch far beyond exit 12. The entire stretch of road from exit 11 to exit 16 will undergo lane widening renovations in years to come. Much of the specific planning has yet to be discussed, and various phases of the project are still up for bid, Landry said. The $177 million project will be funded largely by revenue raised by last year’s toll rate increases.

The initial $14.4 million project will widen each direction of Route 16 from 22 to 48 feet (measurement from rail to rail). The renovations will also include a safer design for merging. According to Landry, merging in this area has become a serious safety issue, but elongated on-ramps and well placed off-ramps should quell those concerns. 

A new exit 12 bridge must be completed by July 2009. At that time, traffic will be re-routed to the new bridge while the old bridge is refurbished. Ultimately, the new bridge will carry southbound traffic and the old bridge will transport northbound motorists.

library nearing completion in Rollinsford

When RJ Bolian was 10 years old, he saw the need for a public library in Rollinsford. His initial attempt to recruit support for the library involved writing two letters. One went to the editor of a local newspaper but was never printed. The other letter was sent to President Bush. After several weeks, Bolian received a reply from the White House, which was encouraging, but stopped short of offering help. Undeterred, Bolian stood up at the annual town meeting and stated that Rollinsford needed a public library.

The initial response was slow, but support gradually started pouring in. The elementary school organized a bake sale, someone in town held a yard sale, petitions were signed and, eventually, the Friends of the Rollinsford Public Library was created.

At 14, Bolian, along with the other library supporters, can be proud. In March, the new Rollinsford Public Library will open its doors. Located within the Salmon Falls Mills, the library has been built with donated materials and volunteer hours. With the grand opening just weeks away, much work remains, but when it’s finished, the whole town will have something to be proud of.
“I’m hoping it becomes a community center. I always personally feel that a library is like the heart of a community,” said Salme Perry, a trustee of the library. According to Perry, the people of Rollinsford have tried several times to establish a public library, beginning in 1840. But the sheer determination of current residents made the building a reality.

Nick Gray Builders, of Rollinsford, donated the renovation work and solicited free material from other donors. The South Berwick Library donated shelves, while the mill owners donated the 2,400-square-foot space. Last Tuesday, the Friends bought what was left of the furniture from Dennis Kucinich’s campaign headquarters, including chairs, desks and a conference table. A large percentage of the books have already been cataloged by volunteers from Rollinsford and surrounding towns. “I think they all see the need for a library. They believe in the cause,” Perry said.

A book fair, organized by Scholastic Books, will be held in the new library through March 2 to help raise funds for the children’s section. “The more we sell, the more we’ll be able to circulate,” Perry said.

In addition to the children’s section and an adult section, the library will also offer wireless Internet access, story hours, book groups, meeting facilities, introductory workshops led by artists and musicians and weekly homework help for local students.
The library will open in March, when enough volunteer staff members are organized and trained. Perry hopes more people will volunteer after attending the book fair.

The library also still needs funds. “We need someone to step up and head that up. We would like to hire a part-time librarian, but we have to do some kind of fundraising,” Perry said.

The book fair will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Tuesday, when it will be open from 2 to 4 p.m. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Salme Perre at 603-742-2043.