Should the parking fees be raised?

Around Town with Dick Patten
Don't forget to turn your clocks ahead one hour this coming Saturday night or at 2 a.m. Sunday morning. Daylight Savings Time returns until November.

Don't forget to come to a public hearing in May regarding the possibility of raising the parking in downtown Concord from 50 cents to $1 along with several other recommendations. Many comments were raised during the city council meeting. This could be a great opportunity for someone to begin a valet service in downtown Concord especially during prime shopping times. The valet service could be located somewhere on North Main Street or South Main Street and allow the shopper(s) to leave their car so they could go shopping and not worry about putting money in the parking meters. There are details to be ironed out, but I think a valet service could work. I know the one at Concord Hospital has worked well for those who couldn't find a place to park.

Pineconia Grange # 322 will be meeting Monday, March 22 at 7 p.m. at Havenwood, 33 Christian Ave. in the retirement center auditorium. A St. Patrick's Day Program will be presented. Plans are underway for the annual Grange and Community Awards Night to be held April 19, at Dame School in the auditorium.

Don't forget to get your plastic flowers off the graves in the city cemeteries by April 1st. They will be thrown away by staff workers as the cemetery staff begins the spring clean-up. If by chance you didn't get an opportunity to remove them, they might still have them at the garage. Please call General Services at 228-2737 for info.

David Gill reports the Fourth of July celebration is still in jeopardy. Although there are discussions with a local radio station to help fund the display, $8,000 dollars is still needed to pay for expenses. We have one month in which donations have to be received or pledges made. I know money is tight, but I can't believe in the capital city of New Hampshire we may have to cancel our celebration. Please contact David at 225-8690 to make a pledge or donation. We need everyone's help to reach this goal.

Happy birthday to my dad, Clinton Patten as he celebrates his 79th!

I am not sure I have already thanked Walgreen's Pharmacy and Makris Lobster and Steak House for their donations to help purchase more summer banners for Loudon Road on the Heights. Atty. Chuck Douglas also is to be thanked for a donation to purchase three Merry Christmas banners for downtown Concord. Immaculate Heart of Mary Church also made a donation to purchase a Merry Christmas banner for the pole in front of their church.

I need assistance in helping to do spring cleanup at several areas on the Heights. Please call me at 496-2917 for information.