Authorities warned residents of Lincoln, New Hampshire, to monitor themselves for symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease after five people fell ill in June and July.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services on Monday linked the outbreak of the bacterial pneumonia — which is caused by inhaling water droplets contaminated with Legionella bacteria — to a cooling tower behind the RiverWalk Resort in downtown Lincoln.

“Anybody who has visited the area near the contaminated cooling tower should monitor themselves for symptoms,” Dr. Benjamin Chan, New Hampshire state epidemiologist, said in a DHHS statement.

“People who develop fever or other symptoms of pneumonia within 14 days after spending time in this area should talk to their healthcare provider about testing for Legionella infection,” he added.

MORE: Donated organs likely caused Legionnaires’ disease in 2 lung transplant recipients: CDC

The cooling tower has been sanitized and put back into operation after discussion with state officials, RiverWalk Vice President Renee Blood told ABC News affiliate WMUR.

“Out of an abundance of caution, additional testing will be performed later this week,” Blood told WMUR. The test results are expected next week.

DHHS said the cooling tower’s continued operation could mean further exposure risks, particularly for people within a half-mile of the facility.

“Anyone who is visiting the specified area should assess their health risk,” DHHS said. “Those who are older, are current or former smokers, have weakened immune systems, or have certain medical conditions like chronic lung disease and diabetes are at higher risk for developing Legionnaire’s disease.”

Symptoms usually begin between two and 14 days following exposure and can include fever, cough and shortness of breath. The bacteria can also cause serious pneumonia, the stage known as Legionnaires’ disease. The condition can be fatal if left untreated.

DHHS noted, however, that most healthy people exposed to Legionella bacteria do not fall ill.

ABC News’ Victoria Arancio contributed to this report.

5 diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease in New Hampshire, health officials say originally appeared on abcnews.go.com

I’m outraged by New Hampshire’s treatment of Geno Marconi

Aug. 9 — To the Editor:

I am outraged with the “paid administrative leave” of the Port Director, Geno Marconi and all the secrecy around it.

I chaired the Ports and Harbors Advisory Committee for ten years. I was appointed by Governor Lynch and reappointed for another 5 year term. I also chaired the Piscataqua Maritime Commission (Sail Portsmouth) for 10 years where we brought Tall Ships to Portsmouth. 

I worked with Director Marconi very closely in both capacities and I can say without a shred of doubt that he is “by the book” and an imminently fair and honest man.

As Chair of Sail Portsmouth I worked with Director Marconi to bring Tall Ships to our community, to have a safe and enjoyable event, and to make sure the interests of the State’s Ports and Harbors were safeguarded. It was truly an honor to work with someone that is so protective of our NH citizen’s assets. Remember, these Ports, Harbors and waterways belong to all NH citizens from Colebrook to Seabrook. 

As Chair of the Ports and Harbors Advisory Committee, I saw instances where people thought the NH RSA’s and administrative rules did not apply to them, and Director Marconi upheld the NH Laws and the policies of the Port to the letter. It made some people very upset that they could not get the rules bent for them.  

While I do not have any factual information as to the nature of the suspension, I suspect that someone that regularly uses the Ports and Harbors assets of the State is not happy that they did not get their way, or the PDA wants something that Director Marconi opposes.

It is sad that in this day and age, someone with the ear of a Governor or powerful politician can intentionally inflict emotional distress and destroy the reputation of someone that is merely trying to follow the rules. 

Now with the suspension of his wife from her position as a State Supreme Court Justice, the pressure is turned up. Governor, you have messed with the wrong people. Director Marconi is not one to be pressured to resign. He is a by-the-book man, and you are about to learn that lesson.

So when Director Marconi is reinstated, as Secretary of Labor Ray Donovan under Reagan said “….which office do I go to to get my reputation back?”

Donald Coker

Strafford

My Holocaust survivor father warned us not to be complacent about democracy

Aug. 8 − To the Editor:

Part of what makes this country great is our diversity of opinions and thoughts. However, we should not be each other’s enemies and should have civil discourse among citizens with differing beliefs. I long for the Republican Party of John McCain when he showed his respect for then Senator Obama in that notable Muslim discussion with an ill-informed voter.

Donald Trump however, expresses his dictatorial power goals as he praises world leaders who are dictators. He speaks openly about being a dictator on day one. The Republican Party has become a party of the extreme. I feel that those of us who consider ourselves either “middle of the road” or progressive need to call out extremism for what it is, a danger to our 250-year-old democratic experiment.

My parents were Holocaust survivors who arrived in this country in 1940. My father always reminded me that when he lived in Germany, Jews were well integrated in German society and did not anticipate the threat to their existence. He warned me never to be too complacent with democracy. And here we are, with a Republican candidate for president who is threatening to deport ten million people, including Dreamers.

I have had conversations with friends and seen editorial writers say they will not vote for Kamala Harris, despite their reservations about Trump. These are people who were part of the Republican Party that once believed in compromise, a balanced budget, and educational opportunities for all. I strongly encourage those who are planning on voting for a third party to reconsider and vote for Kamala Harris. The health of our democracy is too important to make any other choice.

Warren Daniel

Durham

Two camps unite to support Harris

Aug. 8 − To the Editor:

You’ve got them, I’ve got them: A friend or family member in the “other” political camp. If you’re a registered Independent, perhaps you’ve got more: People you laugh with, walk dogs with, complain about sports with, but with whom you never talk politics and have rarely seen eye to eye politically.

Until now. Thanks to two high-profile NH GOP leaders, the two camps can agree on a positive future.

A new Presidential campaign, “New Hampshire Republicans for Harris,” welcomes into its tent those who hold conservative values and democracy dear but put truth and country over divisiveness and cultism. Co-chaired by a retired executive director of the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority and a former Green Beret, the new group understands that the way forward is through electing Kamala Harris.

Check it out.

Robin Mower

Durham

Harris-Walz have seven times more experience than Trump-Vance

Aug. 9 − To the Editor:

Experience matters. 

Camala Harris and Tim Walz have 36 years of political experience.  Donald Trump and J.D. Vance, collectively, have five years.

Harris’ record:  vice president (four years), U.S. senator (5 years), California attorney general (six years), and district attorney (four years). Tim Walz has been a governor for five years and was U.S. representative for 12 years before that. And that doesn’t count his many years of public service as a high school teacher and coach.

Trump “served” as president for four years. Vance was a U.S. senator for less than a year.

If for no other reason − and there are LOTS of other reasons – experience and competency should lead all voters to support Harris and Walz Nov. 5.

Cathy Wolff

Kittery, Maine

Small businesses need child care support

Aug. 7 − To the Editor:

As the owner of a small business that provides child care in a variety of settings, I know first hand the struggles that businesses and families go through to find affordable, convenient child care. This crisis, deepened by soaring costs and limited availability, forces parents and caregivers into making sometimes desperate choices: from settling for subpar, unreliable care to cutting back hours or even leaving the workforce.   

Through my business, A Place to Grow, we have worked to expand innovative solutions to this challenge, including by offering in-business child care services in addition to dedicated, stand-alone facilities. But I still hear from people across the state, and particularly from small business owners like me, that there is not enough state or federal support to help address the cost of providing child care.

The repercussions are profound, affecting both family financial stability and broader economic productivity. That’s why I’m joining my fellow small business owners nationwide in calling on our elected officials to address this crisis by prioritizing child care initiatives. 

Nearly 80 percent of my fellow small business owners recently surveyed by Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Voices said they support policy makers taking action to increase federal funding for programs helping families access affordable child care. Seventy percent voiced support for increasing tax credits to businesses who locate or provide child care for their workers. 

I was encouraged by a recent visit from Senator Maggie Hassan to my business, where we discussed the child care challenges facing New Hampshire. Senator Hassan and our federal delegation have been leaders in pushing for federal resources, and we need more to step up alongside them.

It’s time to invest in our children, support working parents and caregivers, and strengthen our economy. 

Jennifer Legere

Exeter

Trump spews endless lies and the media sleeps

Aug. 10 − To the Editor:

Trump spews endless lies and the media sleeps. No questions, no pushback about the $10 million from Egypt, let alone the repetitive Big Lie.

No pushback around his claim that his economy, and employment numbers were better than Biden’s, or the lies about migrant crime.

Trump goes on and on, while prominent journalists hammer Karine Jean-Pierre about Biden’s neurological exams.

Where are those prominent journalists and newspapers that brought down Nixon, published the Pentagon papers, exposed Watergate?

Isn’t $10 million from Egypt worth a Watergate exposure, or even just a question?

Malcolm Odell

Exeter