Rep. Suzanne HARVEY Proud to serve Nashua's Ward 2

Anytime a family considers making an investment in a renewable energy system for their home, they face several major decisions. Which system is right for them? What does it cost and how long will it take to amortize the investment? How much can they afford to pay up front? Can they get a loan? Which vendor should they choose for installation? And finally, are there any rebate programs available to make the investment more attractive?

The NH Department of Environmental Services has published its recommendations for the safe disposal of your unused medications. The purpose is to prevent medicines from getting into our ground water. Although flushing them down the toilet or throwing the bottle in the garbage may be convenient, these solutions cause environmental problems that could and should be avoided.

If the recommendations seem overly protective, that's because they were developed to prevent anyone in your home or neighbors with addictions from getting access to the medications.

To learn about the recommendations, click here.

Several NH police departments, through the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, will be participating in a prescription drug "take back" day, September 25th, where folks can bring their unused meds to a local site. Stay tuned for more information here about Nashua.

Generally there is a low voter turnout for primary elections. This is unfortunate, since this is your opportunity to choose which candidates' names you want to appear on the ballot for the November general election.

Let's reverse that low turnout, at least at Charlotte Ave School in Ward 2, for the primary election on Tuesday, September 14th.

There is not a contested state rep primary for either party in Ward 2; for the 3 seats in this district, each party has 3 candidates and you can choose up to 3 in the party in which you're registered. But there are important primary elections "up ballot," such as the races for governor and U.S. Senate and Congress.

It's your chance to do your due diligence as a registered voter, get to know the candidates, and make your choices. Polls in Nashua are open from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

See you on the 14th.

Fresh air + sunshine+ clothesline=saving energy (Photo copyright Cynthia Clark)Did you know there's a Right-to-Dry movement afoot? Check out the 2007 Time magazine story here that mentions Suzanne's role.

Proponents of the movement support using a clothesline, a "renewable solar device," instead of your energy-guzzling clothes dryer.

Suzanne has sponsored legislation that would have given condominium owners the right to dry their clothes outdoors. The bill simply said that home associations and municipalities could not fully prohibit outdoor drying but could decide when and where on the property it would be allowed.

The intent of the bill, which did not pass, was to provide one more way folks could decrease their carbon footprint and save energy. The argument against the bill formed around the "contract clause" in the Constitution and the by-laws of home associations, which in almost all cases prohibit outdoor drying. But there really is a counter-argument based in the exceptions allowed in state law according to the clause--mainly, would the law serve an important and legitimate public interest?

Recycle your electronic waste responsibly (click on photo to enlarge).You know that old cell phone you put in a drawer, or the old TV that none of the kids want in their room now that you've purchased a jazzy large flat screen TV for the family room? Take those and other unwanted electronics (computers, printers, copiers, fax machines, scanners, VCRs, DVD and CD players, microwave ovens, and audio/stereo equipment) to Nashua's Four Hills Landfill.

These electronic products do not belong in our waste stream; some of the components used in their manufacture are toxic and need to be carefully disposed of. Please take the time to recycle. The accompanying photo above was taken at the Four Hills Landfill; folks brought these items there to be recycled, not thrown into the waste stream.

Don't forget to also recycle CFL light bulbs. Although they are far more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs, they do have a small amount of mercury and should be responsibly recycled at the landfill or at a retail store that has a recycling program.

Anyone who travels on 101A/Amherst Street knows how gnarly it can be, especially from about 3:00 PM until rush hour ends. The city has long planned to widen the road, particularly around the Exit 8 area west to Celina Avenue in Nashua. There are fans of the proposal who believe it will solve the congestion, and there are many critics, especially business and land owners along the route.