Four years ago, the Suncook River changed course. It was a devastating event for many people. The riverbed went dry in some places, like at the Old Mill Restaurant in Epsom. Kindhearted people raced to save the mussels that lived in that part of the river. In other places, the river flooded previously dry land and has been depositing silt along its new route, like in Tom Beaumeister’s Pembroke yard.

What’s upsetting to many people affected by this change is that government types seem willing to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on studies, but no money on actually doing anything. We can’t blame them. It seems like an incredible waste.

There’s a $450,000 proposal right now to study the river between Epsom and the Merrimack River. How about taking that money and buying out the properties adversely affected by the river’s new route?

Just about everyone agrees at this point it is impossible to put the Suncook River back into its original riverbed. Mother Nature would fight back too hard, and we would inevitably be right back where we started.

At least the meeting between Epsom, Pembroke, Allenstown and Chichester officials gave residents an opportunity to voice their frustrations. After four years of studying and delay, it’s time to give help to the people who need it. Or at least tell them they have no hope for help if the money will never be there.

- Editorials published by Neighborhood News Inc. are written by an editorial board.

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