To the editor:

This letter is in response to Mr. Fitzmorris and the PCC’s view on the statewide bond issue.

While $5,300 for each resident is a rather large number, what is the positive economic impact of that? Without context, it does seem like a scary number.

If a family of four has a household debt of $400,000, that’s $100,000 per person. But if the majority of that debt is a mortgage on their home, it changes the perspective. You need a place to live, so the debt is a positive. Unless you are fortunate enough to have $400,000 in cash to buy a home, the debt is necessary.

So, if the money is used to pay for things that enhance the state financially and provide a good return on investment, we need to take that into account.

Also, each bond has a finite cost and end date, so we know when the last payment is due, just like a home mortgage.

We as voters do need to keep a close eye on the state’s spending, but that being said, we must also balance the spending against what will have an overall positive impact on our state.

Michael Eyre

Portsmouth