From: Rosemary Fifield [mailto:Rosemary@coopfoodstore.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 3:48 PM
To: Sharon.Carson@leg.state.nh.us; fenton.groen@leg.state.nh.us; sylvia.larsen@leg.state.nh.us; jim.luther@leg.state.nh.us; raymond.white@leg.state.nh.us
Subject: SB 157-FN

Dear Members of the Committee,

Over 28,500 families own and patronize the Co-op Food Stores and Co-op Service Center in Hanover and Lebanon, New Hampshire. More than 13,800 of those member families are residents of New Hampshire. In addition, the Co-op Food Stores and the Co-op Service Center are regularly patronized by thousands of consumers who are not Co-op members but rely on the Co-op to meet their food and fuel needs.

I am writing on behalf of these consumers, to express concern over the proposed legislation, SB 157-FN, that would give service techicians the authority to seal scales, fuel pump meters, and other weighing and measuring devices.

Consumers believe that the State of New Hampshire seal indicates an independent third party verification, by state employees, of the accuracy and validity of the device that measures or meters the product they are purchasing. To have a commercial weighing or measuring device sealed by the same party who installs, services, repairs, and calibrates it does not promote confidence among the consumers who rely on you to protect them.

In addition, the independent third party verification by state employees ensures the protection of all businesses operating in the state of New Hampshire, keeping all businesses honest, transparent,and trustworthy.

Our experience with state employees as inspectors has been very positive, and we believe that state employees should continue to ensure—for our customers, members, and our business—that scales and fuel pumps are accurate and functioning properly.

Thank you for considering the importance of this issue to your constituency.

Sincerely,

Rosemary Fifield

Director, Education and Member Services

Co-op Food Stores and Co-op Service Center

Hanover and Lebanon, NH

White River Junction, VT

603.640.6507