Forum for Oct. 23, 2024: Replacing Ruth Ward
Published: 10-23-2024 12:29 PM |
It’s time for a change in Newport, Claremont and Charlestown.
Our communities can no longer afford Ruth Ward as our state senator. In a recent debate in Newport, when asked why the Senate failed to pass HB 1583 and HB 1656 — bills that would have provided much-needed additional funding for our schools and property tax relief — Sen. Ward had no recollection of these critical measures.
When asked about proposed changes by the Department of Education to weaken the state’s 306 rules, which govern our public schools, she admitted she had no knowledge of the details. As she is chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee, this is deeply concerning. How can our senator be unaware of the serious implications these decisions have on our education system?
In contrast, Dave Trumble, who is running against her for our Senate seat, was well-informed about the failures in our state’s education system and its inequitable funding. He has testified in Concord in support of HB 1583, recognizing how desperately our towns need those funds, as well as fighting against the dismantling of the 306 rules.
Please, take the time to educate yourself on the education funding crisis we face and help bring new leadership to Concord. We, the taxpayers, can no longer afford Sen. Ward’s lack of attention and action.
Guenter Hubert
Newport
Re-elect Carl Demrow
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Carl Demrow is running for re-election to the Vermont House and we need to keep him in Montpelier. Carl goes out of his way to hear everybody’s point of view and is about as bipartisan as you can get. He’s kind and caring and a proven fighter for his constituents on the issues Vermonters care about — education, affordable housing, a strong rural economy, climate solutions. He’s accessible: he holds Saturday listening sessions in the towns he represents and shows up at community events. He’s a good communicator: his newsletters are full of information on the current issues in the statehouse so you can keep up with what’s going on in Montpelier and get involved in the ones you most care about. He’s a problem-solver and he’s smart. Carl Demrow has been a terrific state epresentative. Let’s send him back to the House so he can keep working for us.
Mary Hays
Corinth
McLeod makes her case
I’m running for re-election to the Grafton County Commission, District 2. The county commissioners manage a budget of $49 million, with about $26 million raised through local property taxes. Having served as your county commissioner for the last two years and on the New Hampshire House Finance Committee working on the state budget, I bring experience in government budgeting and as a county taxpayer myself, I am a good steward of our tax dollars.
I care that seniors and veterans have a choice of whether they want to get care at home or in our nursing home and that the care is high quality. Almost 23% of Grafton County residents are over the age of 65 which is considerably higher than the state average. My goal is to make sure that these residents have continued access to the quality health care and social services they need now and, in the years to come.
I worked with the Grafton County delegation and my fellow commissioners to reduce the $4 million spent on travel nurses by recruiting and retaining licensed nursing assistants at the nursing home with competitive wages. These initiatives have enabled the nursing home to better serve our county and significantly reduce the additional expense to pay travel nurses.
In the past term, the commissioners put county ARPA money out to our towns, local nonprofits that serve older adults and those in recovery, and small businesses that struggled during the pandemic. And, we brought in $11 million in federal dollars to build a middle mile broadband network to assist in bringing reliable internet service to rural parts of Grafton County.
Whether it is long term care, broadband, or keeping your local property taxes stable, I am working for your interests in Grafton County.
I ask for your vote on Nov. 5. Thank you.
For more information contact mcleodforcountycommissioner@gmail.com
Martha McLeod
Franconia, NH
The Grafton County Commission’s District 2 includes Lyme, Orford, Piermont and Haverhill among its 20 towns.
Hartford boards
face a reckoning
Recently a friend of mine from an opposing political party and I discussed how elected local government officials should govern in a non-partisan way. This friend and I agreed that recent actions by the Hartford School Board and the Hartford Selectboard do not put local government in a positive light. First, the School Board has been extremely defensive about its nonpublic decision to authorize its chairman to negotiate terms of separation for former Hartford School Superintendent Tom Debalsi, which gave him $210,000 in compensation. As I recall, the School District budget vote was delayed because it was apparent that $52 million budget would be “dead on arrival.”
A recent Valley News article discussed the School Board’s response to charges by a former member that the action violated Vermont’s open meeting laws. Another person quoted in the article was also a former School Board member, as was the friend with whom I had the discussion. It appears the School Board’s defense of its actions generates more suspicion, when a simple admission that they messed up might clear the air about this.
The Hartford Selectboard’s hands aren’t too clean, either, in its decision to go ahead with the installation of parking meter kiosks in downtown after the voters turned down by a vote of 2,044-906 a proposal to use local option tax money to fund the project. In the instances of both boards, what we may be seeing is recalcitrant determination to move ahead in defiance of the will of the voters, and their displeasure will be expressed at annual meetings in March. What part of “no” don’t they understand?
William A. Wittik
Hartford
Send Tanner back to Concord
Linda Tanner is running for re-election for her sixth term as state representative in New Hampshire’s Sullivan District 5.
Looking at the differences in Linda’s positions and those of her opponent George Grant, the choice should be clear.
On women’s reproductive rights, Linda believes that the decision should be between a woman and her doctor and not be decided by politicians.
Linda’s opponent supports a ban on abortions after six weeks, when a woman may not even know that she is pregnant, significantly changing the current 24-week law.
With the current school voucher program, Linda believes there should be accountability, both academic and fiscal. We now spend tens of millions of dollars funding parents, 85% of whom were already paying to send their child to a religious or private school.
The program was started to help low income families. Currently only 44% of families funded are considered low income. Once approved, the students are eligible to receive a yearly voucher until they graduate or reach 20 years of age. There are no further checks on income levels or eligibility for the duration of the student’s education.
Linda’s opponent does not support changing the current voucher program.
Linda supports red flag laws to protect us from those who should not have gun — domestic abusers, those on a terrorist watch list, or those who have mental health issues that make them a danger to themselves or others
None of these actions impinge on the Second Amendment and our right to own guns.
Linda’s opponent supports laws that give the rights of gun ownership to those dangerous people who threaten the safety of all of us.
Voters rejected George Grant and his policies in the last election, we need to do it again and re-elect Linda Tanner.
Jerry Karr
Sunapee
Satcowitz for Vt. House
I strongly support Larry Satcowitz for Vermont House and hope you will join me. I have had the pleasure of knowing Larry through his work as our state representative and as a member of the Randolph Selectboard. He has consistently shown a deep commitment to our community and the values of compassion, hard work and integrity.
Over the years, I have contacted Larry about a wide range of issues — everything from affordable housing and road maintenance to wildlife protection. No matter the topic, I have always found an open ear and thoughtful responses. Larry listens to everyone, takes their concerns seriously, and makes sure every perspective is considered.
When I have contacted him about legislation, I have been impressed that he reads bills thoroughly to ensure that the details match the intentions and is not afraid to play devil’s advocate to ensure he understands all sides of the issue. I respect that when he disagrees with me, he takes the time to explain why and does so in a professional manner.
Especially important in these divisive times, Larry is a kind and respectful person. He treats everyone with dignity, and he truly cares about the well-being of our towns and their people. I believe Larry is an exceptional leader who we need to keep representing us.
Jenny Carter
Randolph Center
Trust in the citizens
When Mr. Trump claims that if he wins the election it was fair and square, but if he loses there was fraud, one wonders how he comes to this conclusion. Assuming that he does not personally count every single ballot, how does he know that fraud is not committed in his favor? I rather put my trust in the integrity of all those citizens who will make sure that every vote is honestly counted, rather than in the bold-faced lies spread by the former president and his running mate.
Ulrike Rainer
Hanover
Why Harris?
As someone to the right of Donald Trump it’s hard to understand. What is it that the Democrat left actually wants? What is the ideological imperative of voting for Harris? If you’re able to define what a woman is at all, is it primarily her gender? Is it open borders? Mass migration? Sanctuary cities, states, a sanctuary country? Unlimited, unrestricted feticide? Is it an exaggerated concern for drag queens and transgenderism? The political indoctrination of school children? Is it crime without punishment? Or an insane war against Russia? Is it just pure media-driven hatred for Donald Trump? None of this makes any sense.
I do know how to define a woman. I have no objections to Harris based on her gender. I object to virtually every ideological position that she holds. For so many reasons, Trump is going to win this year’s election. He’s going to win substantially.
Neil Meliment
Hartland
Questions for the GOP
How did the Republican party of John McCain and Mitt Romney devolve into the neofascist cult of Donald Trump? Why are behaviors that would have swiftly disqualified a presidential candidate 10 years ago now tolerated and even rewarded? Trump voters, even if you believe that a second Trump presidency will secure the border, put more money in your pocket or even end legal abortion, how can you excuse Donald Trump’s constant lying and name calling?
John Lajoie
Charlestown