The following Letter to the Editor appeared in the Valley News on February 26, 2025.
Residents in Lebanon have an opportunity to make a difference on March 11 by voting in favor of Ballot Measure 2, a proposed Lebanon zoning amendment that would require any recovery housing in our city to be certified through the NH Partnership of Recovery Residences. The NHPRR helps provide individuals with a safe and stable place to live during recovery. Certified recovery housing is shown to be an effective, safe way of helping those in need of a safe place to stay as they seek to rebuild their lives.
I write as pastor of First Congregational Church and Ward 2 resident and voter in support of Ballot Measure 2. Providing certified recovery housing for those in recovery is a sensible way to address a real need in our community. We do not seek to become a magnet for other peoples’ problems but to care for our neighbors in need. We’ve all heard of the opioid crisis. We know people abuse alcohol. This problem is real and it’s here in the Upper Valley. Let’s take a step forward to start to deal with it humanely and effectively.
Rev. Stephen R. Silver
Lebanon, NH