http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU4wKVYK7iI
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Recently I was approached at the NH House by a Free Stater who wanted to ask about my record. Apparently, his group have scored me a F. While I was unprepared - and to use the videographer's own term I did conduct the interview. The following is a link to that interview that includes mis-speaks etc... Check it out here or on the Ridley Report via You Tube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU4wKVYK7iI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU4wKVYK7iI
Sunday, January 27, 2013
ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS
Last week the John Birch Society came to Concord to alert Representatives about what they view as one of the biggest threats to America today! According to the Birchers, there’s something called Agenda 21 that’s seeping into American society and will completely strip us of our rights! Since, all I know about the John Birch Society was that in the 60’s they were anti-communists who also opposed Civil Rights, I thought I’d attend and see firsthand who and what they were about. Actually, until a couple of years ago, when a republican state representative made known his membership, I thought the John Birch Society was defunct. Their heyday was in the 1960’s where they were viewed as a fringe extremist group best known for promoting various conspiracy theories. They were also anti Civil Rights which they described as being a tool of communism. Back then among their biggest enemies were the United Nations and something called the Tri-Lateral Commission.
If their informational forum is any indication – little seems to have changed with the JBS in the past half century (50 years). According to the Birchers – Agenda 21 is a devious attempt by the advocates of a One World Government to strip Americans of their freedoms like owning private property. However, after researching on the internet and talking with local planning and land use specialists dealing with municipal planning and community development, I learned that Agenda 21 is a planning tool dealing with sustainable development. It seems that Agenda 21 is a non-binding product of a 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The document has 40 chapters dealing with economic development and how to manage resources and the "21" in Agenda 21 refers to the 21st century.
I remember growing up how my mother and the good Sisters of Mercy used to say that “actions spoke louder than words”, and that I shouldn’t be confused by clever phrases and phony patriotism. As stated, the JBS in the 60’s were reputed to be racists & anti-civil rights, and if last week’s actions are any indication – maybe nothing’s changed. Latter in the week, while talking with an African-American State Rep, I learned not everyone was made to feel welcome. Although she had informed them she’d be attending, upon arriving she was told that she couldn’t partake in the lunch that was provided. One of the individuals at the entrance confronted her and said “who are you” and then he pulled back her coat to see if she had a legislator’s badge on her chest! Thinking they might be running short on box lunches, she proceeded to sit down but after a few opening remarks by the speaker she chose to get up and leave the event. Interestingly, I arrived after her but was provided a box lunch. Although I was unaware of what transpired, I did note that many people were leaving early, and not wanting to be late for my afternoon meeting, I also left before the speaker finished. As I was working my way across the room to the exit, I noticed that I seemed to have been the last remaining democrat in the room. If last week was any indication – not only do they seem to be still consumed with exposing non-existent conspiracies, but if the actions of these members are reflective of the organization – the racist tag may still fit. So what did I learn from my John Birch Society experience – that it was my last and I won’t be back!
ENTRANCES - EXITS
For more than two decades, I have admired Hillary Clinton. Her ability to clearly outline an issue in a logical, common sense manner has always been refreshing and explains why she was ranked one of the nation’s top lawyers. As someone who supported her for president, I was pleased when she accepted the appointment as Secretary of State. For the past four years, I’ve watched in amazement how she has crisscrossed the globe promoting American foreign policy and meeting with foreign leaders as well as regular people. I’m convinced there has never been a Secretary of State in recent history who has worked as tirelessly as Mrs. Clinton, but I was pleased when she announced she’d be stepping down after the New Year. Quite frankly, I was genuinely worried about her health and maintaining the pace. It’s clear that Hillary Clinton has set the bar pretty high for those coming behind her.
Therefore, her visit to Capitol Hill last week, as Secretary of State, to meet with Senate and House committees investigating security at US Embassies was possibly her final public appearance and finest hour. For months’ members of Congress, some who should know better, have been making a lot of noise regarding the lack of security and the death of four career Foreign Service workers including the Ambassador to Libya. Mrs. Clinton stared them in the eye and took no prisoners. Displaying a spectrum of emotions – from taking naughty school boys to the proverbial wood shed – she clearly outlined the administration’s position as well as provided a very human touch. I don’t know what the future will bring her – but last week she exited with style and class.
If their informational forum is any indication – little seems to have changed with the JBS in the past half century (50 years). According to the Birchers – Agenda 21 is a devious attempt by the advocates of a One World Government to strip Americans of their freedoms like owning private property. However, after researching on the internet and talking with local planning and land use specialists dealing with municipal planning and community development, I learned that Agenda 21 is a planning tool dealing with sustainable development. It seems that Agenda 21 is a non-binding product of a 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The document has 40 chapters dealing with economic development and how to manage resources and the "21" in Agenda 21 refers to the 21st century.
I remember growing up how my mother and the good Sisters of Mercy used to say that “actions spoke louder than words”, and that I shouldn’t be confused by clever phrases and phony patriotism. As stated, the JBS in the 60’s were reputed to be racists & anti-civil rights, and if last week’s actions are any indication – maybe nothing’s changed. Latter in the week, while talking with an African-American State Rep, I learned not everyone was made to feel welcome. Although she had informed them she’d be attending, upon arriving she was told that she couldn’t partake in the lunch that was provided. One of the individuals at the entrance confronted her and said “who are you” and then he pulled back her coat to see if she had a legislator’s badge on her chest! Thinking they might be running short on box lunches, she proceeded to sit down but after a few opening remarks by the speaker she chose to get up and leave the event. Interestingly, I arrived after her but was provided a box lunch. Although I was unaware of what transpired, I did note that many people were leaving early, and not wanting to be late for my afternoon meeting, I also left before the speaker finished. As I was working my way across the room to the exit, I noticed that I seemed to have been the last remaining democrat in the room. If last week was any indication – not only do they seem to be still consumed with exposing non-existent conspiracies, but if the actions of these members are reflective of the organization – the racist tag may still fit. So what did I learn from my John Birch Society experience – that it was my last and I won’t be back!
ENTRANCES - EXITS
For more than two decades, I have admired Hillary Clinton. Her ability to clearly outline an issue in a logical, common sense manner has always been refreshing and explains why she was ranked one of the nation’s top lawyers. As someone who supported her for president, I was pleased when she accepted the appointment as Secretary of State. For the past four years, I’ve watched in amazement how she has crisscrossed the globe promoting American foreign policy and meeting with foreign leaders as well as regular people. I’m convinced there has never been a Secretary of State in recent history who has worked as tirelessly as Mrs. Clinton, but I was pleased when she announced she’d be stepping down after the New Year. Quite frankly, I was genuinely worried about her health and maintaining the pace. It’s clear that Hillary Clinton has set the bar pretty high for those coming behind her.
Therefore, her visit to Capitol Hill last week, as Secretary of State, to meet with Senate and House committees investigating security at US Embassies was possibly her final public appearance and finest hour. For months’ members of Congress, some who should know better, have been making a lot of noise regarding the lack of security and the death of four career Foreign Service workers including the Ambassador to Libya. Mrs. Clinton stared them in the eye and took no prisoners. Displaying a spectrum of emotions – from taking naughty school boys to the proverbial wood shed – she clearly outlined the administration’s position as well as provided a very human touch. I don’t know what the future will bring her – but last week she exited with style and class.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Free State = No State
I find it interesting how incidents that get a lot of attention by NH politicos, often receive minimal notice outside the statehouse. One incident that has been under the general public’s radar screen is a December blog posted by a state rep who wrote that among the biggest problems facing the state is the Free State Movement, and how she supposedly is prepared to draft legislation that would make it more difficult for them to operate. Apparently, she wrote that “Free Staters are the single biggest threat the state is facing today. There is, legally, nothing we can do to prevent them from moving here to take over the state, which is their openly stated goal. In this country you can move anywhere you choose and they have that same right.” Hardly anything terribly offensive so far, but then she added that “what we can do is to make the environment here so unwelcoming that some will choose not to come, and some may actually leave. One way is to pass measures that will restrict the” freedoms” that they think they will find here. Another is to shine the bright light of publicity on who they are and why they are coming.” While I certainly don’t endorse taking away anyone’s freedoms, I don’t especially want to silently standby and watch as an outside group attempts, under the radar screen, to infiltrate government and take over New Hampshire. Furthermore, if I happened to live in Cheshire County, like the rep that authored the article, where individuals claiming to be Free Staters routinely disrupt Keene City Council meetings, or regularly hold marijuana smoke fests as a common occurrence on the Keene City Common, maybe I too would also be a little less diplomatic.
In looking at the uproar her article caused among the conservative side of the political spectrum, one would have thought that she was promoting internment camps and soviet style gulags. The upshot was a tsunami of rancor erupted – even Rush Limbaugh got in the act attacking and chastising the representative for suggesting that freedoms be denied and the insensitivity of her comments. Who knew Rush was so sensitive!
Perhaps, you’re asking who and what is the Free State Movement? In researching them, I googled the term and according to Wikipedia “the Free State Project (FSP) is a political movement, founded in 2001, to recruit at least 20,000 libertarians to move to a single low-population state (New Hampshire, selected in 2003) in order to make the state a stronghold for libertarian ideas.” I then learned that participants sign on and commit that they will move to New Hampshire. Apparently, as of January 2013, over 13,000 people have signed this statement of intent, and now have five years to move here. It seems that the Free-State movement was started by a Yale PhD student who advocated getting a relatively small number of like minded people (20,000) to move to a place (New Hampshire), who would put in motion a process that would result in their taking over the State and implement a libertarian society. Needless to say the idea of a group of people moving here under the radar screen and taking over is very troubling.
The background article went on to state that in 2010, at least 12 "Free Staters" were elected to two-year terms in the 400-member New Hampshire House of Representatives. Interestingly, how many survived the last election and if any new “colleagues” were elected is not fully transparent, since when it comes to elective politics free staters tend to keep a low (invisible) profile. For the most part, they rarely admit when running for office that they’re FS or fellow travelers committed to libertarian principles. Although a few were publically exposed last session, after being discovered they opted to not run for re-election. Despite these bait & switch tactics, we do know that this past election at least two new free staters have been outed. Interestingly they ran as democrats, so we should assume that political affiliation (party) does not matter – Free Staters will run as anything that will get them elected. According to all accounts, Free Staters support a libertarian philosophy that advocates for a radical redistribution of power from the state to individuals. Translation: government programs for the least among us would be no more – everyone would be on their own.
The migration of people to New Hampshire is nothing new – foreign immigration from Canada and Europe in the 19th century is what built this state. The 20th Century movement of people from other parts of the country to the Granite State, as well as the influx of new foreign immigrants, has only made us more diverse and successful. However none of these groups came to “take over” – nor did they hide who they were and why they came. So, in closing, the most alarming fact about the Free State movement is concealing from us, the electorate, who they are and what they plan to implement that makes this most disconcerting. So remember - remain resolute.
In looking at the uproar her article caused among the conservative side of the political spectrum, one would have thought that she was promoting internment camps and soviet style gulags. The upshot was a tsunami of rancor erupted – even Rush Limbaugh got in the act attacking and chastising the representative for suggesting that freedoms be denied and the insensitivity of her comments. Who knew Rush was so sensitive!
Perhaps, you’re asking who and what is the Free State Movement? In researching them, I googled the term
The background article went on to state that in 2010, at least 12 "Free Staters" were elected to two-year terms in the 400-member New Hampshire House of Representatives. Interestingly, how many survived the last election and if any new “colleagues” were elected is not fully transparent, since when it comes to elective politics free staters tend to keep a low (invisible) profile. For the most part, they rarely admit when running for office that they’re FS or fellow travelers committed to libertarian principles. Although a few were publically exposed last session, after being discovered they opted to not run for re-election. Despite these bait & switch tactics, we do know that this past election at least two new free staters have been outed. Interestingly they ran as democrats, so we should assume that political affiliation (party) does not matter – Free Staters will run as anything that will get them elected. According to all accounts, Free Staters support a libertarian philosophy that advocates for a radical redistribution of power from the state to individuals. Translation: government programs for the least among us would be no more – everyone would be on their own.
The migration of people to New Hampshire is nothing new – foreign immigration from Canada and Europe in the 19th century is what built this state. The 20th Century movement of people from other parts of the country to the Granite State, as well as the influx of new foreign immigrants, has only made us more diverse and successful. However none of these groups came to “take over” – nor did they hide who they were and why they came. So, in closing, the most alarming fact about the Free State movement is concealing from us, the electorate, who they are and what they plan to implement that makes this most disconcerting. So remember - remain resolute.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
PRIMARY OBSERVATIONS:
ROCKWELL MOMENT:
Norman Rockwell, the 20th Century American painter and illustrator, is famous for capturing everyday American Life on canvas and last Tuesday, as I entered Ward 3 to vote, I experienced my own rockwellian moment! The Disnard School Auditorium had been transfixed into an election precinct with neatly installed voting booths, registration tables, updated checklists and appropriate signage – everything was in place serving as a perfect reflection on everyday American life!
I was especially struck by the sense of tradition and tightness demonstrated by the election officials – not only was everything in tip-top shape, but the election personnel were ready to do their duty. My second observation was that elections’ in Ward 3 Claremont are very much family events. The Ward Clerk (Brenda Saunders) had her granddaughter (Elyse Gagnon) working as a ballot clerk; the two moderators overseeing cast ballots was former County Commissioner Donald Fontaine and his son Don, a retired Claremont police captain; two of the Checklist Supervisors were Ann and Melissa Richmond (mother & daughter); and to round things out, two of the other ballot clerks were sisters (Marcelle Obymako & Claire MacDonald). Then just to make the image complete, their brother (Joe LaPointe) and his wife arrived to vote to make it truly a family event. While I’m sure this was replicated throughout New Hampshire, it was (for me) a moving Rockwell moment and testimony of Americans exercising their right and doing their duty
WIN / LOOSE:
Maggie Hassan and Ovide LaMontagne, after the dust settled last week, emerged as victors and their respective party’s candidate for governor. Former Senator Hassan ended with a strong showing over her nearest rival former Senator Jackie Cilley who had been thought to be rising in the polls during the final weeks. Senator Hassan did exceptionally well in her home county of Rockingham and equally well in Hillsborough County. While Jackie Cilley had some of the most passionate supporters and creative commercials, her opponent’s decision to run a centrist campaign that included a steady approach of fundraising and building an organization proved successful. Locally, Jackie Cilley did very well in Lebanon and won two of the three wards in Claremont, however that was not enough to offset Maggie Hassan’s big win in heavily populated Hillsborough and Rockingham counties. Now a question being asked is will Hassan be able to replace the funds she spent in the primary to beat back the Cilley surge.
Meanwhile, on the Republican side – Ovide LaMontagne easily won the gubernatorial primary over his 35 year old challenger Kevin Smith, who from all accounts appears to have a very promising future in conservative party politics. Lamontagne was described, by MSNBC pundit Chris Matthews, as a class act in the way he handled his defeat to Kelly Ayotte for the United States Senate. His reputation of being a nice and good man is well founded. Ovide is what the old mémères would describe as someone who’s “mother taught him well” – i.e. manners and politeness. An interesting side bar is, if successful, Mr. LaMontagne will be New Hampshire’s first governor elected of French-Canadian ancestry. Although several, over the years, have tried and run for the office (e.g. Bussière, Raiche, Grandmaison), and while franco-americans account for about 35% of the state’s population, New Hampshire has never elected a governor of French-Canadian ancestry. Interestingly, since Franco-Americans have traditionally been democrats, perhaps having a candidate running this time as a republican might make a difference – then again maybe it just says such things as ethnic politics have run their course.
CT VALLEY SCENE:
Representative David Pierce, from Etna, won the democrat nomination for the new State Senate District 5 seat over his challenger former Representative Sandra Harris. While she won her hometown of Claremont, David Pierce made an extremely strong showing in his home community of Hanover.
On the Republican side – Representative Joe Osgood trounced his opponent Cynthia Coolidge Howard to be the Republican Party’s senate nominee in November. Both Pierce and Osgood have pledged to run campaigns based on issues and policies for New Hampshire’s future. Certainly, it has been a long time since we’ve had two candidates with such divergent and opposite views regarding New Hampshire’s future. It should prove to be a very interesting and informative campaign.
PERSONAL NOTE:
When I woke up last Tuesday morning, I was unopposed running for the New Hampshire House of Representatives; however by the end of the day I discovered I now have two opponents – Richard Madigan, a retired banker, and Gerry Donatelli, a musician! While they came up short of securing the necessary write in votes to be placed on the Republican ballot, they did each get 150 residents/voters in Ward 3 to sign a petition in order to be on the November ballot as independent candidates. These petitions were submitted to the NH Secretary of State’s Office a couple of weeks ago.
So while I’m disappointed and torn about not getting an opportunity to run unopposed – having two opponents certainly fits nicely into the American image of a Norman Rockwell moment –that is (of course) assuming that I win in November.
So stay tuned!
Norman Rockwell, the 20th Century American painter and illustrator, is famous for capturing everyday American Life on canvas and last Tuesday, as I entered Ward 3 to vote, I experienced my own rockwellian moment! The Disnard School Auditorium had been transfixed into an election precinct with neatly installed voting booths, registration tables, updated checklists and appropriate signage – everything was in place serving as a perfect reflection on everyday American life!
I was especially struck by the sense of tradition and tightness demonstrated by the election officials – not only was everything in tip-top shape, but the election personnel were ready to do their duty. My second observation was that elections’ in Ward 3 Claremont are very much family events. The Ward Clerk (Brenda Saunders) had her granddaughter (Elyse Gagnon) working as a ballot clerk; the two moderators overseeing cast ballots was former County Commissioner Donald Fontaine and his son Don, a retired Claremont police captain; two of the Checklist Supervisors were Ann and Melissa Richmond (mother & daughter); and to round things out, two of the other ballot clerks were sisters (Marcelle Obymako & Claire MacDonald). Then just to make the image complete, their brother (Joe LaPointe) and his wife arrived to vote to make it truly a family event. While I’m sure this was replicated throughout New Hampshire, it was (for me) a moving Rockwell moment and testimony of Americans exercising their right and doing their duty
WIN / LOOSE:
Maggie Hassan and Ovide LaMontagne, after the dust settled last week, emerged as victors and their respective party’s candidate for governor. Former Senator Hassan ended with a strong showing over her nearest rival former Senator Jackie Cilley who had been thought to be rising in the polls during the final weeks. Senator Hassan did exceptionally well in her home county of Rockingham and equally well in Hillsborough County. While Jackie Cilley had some of the most passionate supporters and creative commercials, her opponent’s decision to run a centrist campaign that included a steady approach of fundraising and building an organization proved successful. Locally, Jackie Cilley did very well in Lebanon and won two of the three wards in Claremont, however that was not enough to offset Maggie Hassan’s big win in heavily populated Hillsborough and Rockingham counties. Now a question being asked is will Hassan be able to replace the funds she spent in the primary to beat back the Cilley surge.
Meanwhile, on the Republican side – Ovide LaMontagne easily won the gubernatorial primary over his 35 year old challenger Kevin Smith, who from all accounts appears to have a very promising future in conservative party politics. Lamontagne was described, by MSNBC pundit Chris Matthews, as a class act in the way he handled his defeat to Kelly Ayotte for the United States Senate. His reputation of being a nice and good man is well founded. Ovide is what the old mémères would describe as someone who’s “mother taught him well” – i.e. manners and politeness. An interesting side bar is, if successful, Mr. LaMontagne will be New Hampshire’s first governor elected of French-Canadian ancestry. Although several, over the years, have tried and run for the office (e.g. Bussière, Raiche, Grandmaison), and while franco-americans account for about 35% of the state’s population, New Hampshire has never elected a governor of French-Canadian ancestry. Interestingly, since Franco-Americans have traditionally been democrats, perhaps having a candidate running this time as a republican might make a difference – then again maybe it just says such things as ethnic politics have run their course.
CT VALLEY SCENE:
Representative David Pierce, from Etna, won the democrat nomination for the new State Senate District 5 seat over his challenger former Representative Sandra Harris. While she won her hometown of Claremont, David Pierce made an extremely strong showing in his home community of Hanover.
On the Republican side – Representative Joe Osgood trounced his opponent Cynthia Coolidge Howard to be the Republican Party’s senate nominee in November. Both Pierce and Osgood have pledged to run campaigns based on issues and policies for New Hampshire’s future. Certainly, it has been a long time since we’ve had two candidates with such divergent and opposite views regarding New Hampshire’s future. It should prove to be a very interesting and informative campaign.
PERSONAL NOTE:
When I woke up last Tuesday morning, I was unopposed running for the New Hampshire House of Representatives; however by the end of the day I discovered I now have two opponents – Richard Madigan, a retired banker, and Gerry Donatelli, a musician! While they came up short of securing the necessary write in votes to be placed on the Republican ballot, they did each get 150 residents/voters in Ward 3 to sign a petition in order to be on the November ballot as independent candidates. These petitions were submitted to the NH Secretary of State’s Office a couple of weeks ago.
So while I’m disappointed and torn about not getting an opportunity to run unopposed – having two opponents certainly fits nicely into the American image of a Norman Rockwell moment –that is (of course) assuming that I win in November.
So stay tuned!
Monday, September 10, 2012
VALLEY OBSERVATIONS
Last week was the Democrat National Convention and on Wednesday the featured speaker was my old boss, President Bill Clinton, who many consider the best political orator in the country today. We first met, in Claremont during the fall of 1991, when he came to “test the waters” regarding the NH Primary & running for president. We did a walk thru downtown Claremont and I remember being impressed by this tall, chatty and affable southerner. Noticeably even then, he demonstrated this ability to grow ideas and explain complex issues in everyday language, in a way you never thought he was talking down to you, but deep down you knew he was the smartest guy in the room. Our paths have crossed a few times since he left office and I’ve always been amazed by his ability to recall minor details from events long ago. The last time we spoke was when he came to Claremont a few years ago while campaigning for his wife who was running for president. We were at Stevens High and he leaned over the rope line and said something like when this is all over let’s go back through the downtown and show me what’s new! We retraced our route along Pleasant Street and ended up at the Java Cup – unfortunately unlike ’91, where we had strolled up the street flanked by empty storefronts and few people, this time he was mobbed with fans and well wishers. However, being the consummate politico – President Clinton enjoyed meeting everyone. So watching him last Wednesday in Charlotte – I thought who else could talk for 52 minutes on national television – ad lib half the speech – and keep the nation’s attention talking about economics and government policy! Amazing!
***
This Tuesday - September 11 is primary day in New Hampshire, so everyone needs to get out and vote for their candidate. Republicans have primary races for Executive Council, Governor, and the new State Senate District 5. The republican candidates for Governor are Ovide Lamontagne and Kevin Smith, however long time Executive Councilor Raymond Burton is facing a serious challenge from Jerry Thibodeau who has close ties with the Tea Party faction of the GOP. The State Senate District 5 race has Joe Osgood and Cynthia Coolidge Howard vying for the nomination and opportunity to face off against the democrats in November. Howard is tight with the Tea Party crowd. Among the Democrats, there are three active candidates for governor; Jackie Cilley, Maggie Hassan and Bill Kennedy. They all seem to be good people, however Bill Kennedy may have gotten into the race too late and it seems between Cilley & Hassan. Interestingly, the only contested senate race in New Hampshire, on the democrat side, is here in the Connecticut River Valley between Representative David Pierce & former Rep Sandy Harris. The Charlestown Dems sponsored a forum last week that was very informative. Sharon Francis, a Charlestown resident, served as moderator and did a fantastic job keeping matters focused and positive. The result was a civil, substantive and informative discussion.
***
On Thursday, The County Delegation held a public hearing and special meeting regarding establishing a reserve fund. As Sullivan County’s legislative arm, the thirteen member delegation serves as the “guardian of the county purse,” so our thought was to establish a county reserve fund that would serve as a special fund to assist in capital improvements and avoid any sudden unforeseen spikes/surprises in local property taxes. Basically it would be a rainy day fund for capital projects in Sullivan County where by law, we could add to on a yearly basis. All but one of the delegation’s members supported its creation.
***
Sullivan County lost a good man last week with the death of Francis Edes – former lawyer, judge, legislator, WW2 Vet, musician, activist and most important someone who always looked out for the least among us. I first met Frank in 1980, as a young state employee tasked with establishing alcohol social detox sites around the state. Not only was I an inexperienced kid, but without a clue as what to do! Thankfully, it was guys like Frank who lent their gravitas and made the program a success.
New Hampshire had received federal money to de-criminalize public alcohol intoxication; and the thought was we’d recruit a cadre of unpaid volunteers who we’d train as special EMT’s to provide custodial care and be the first point of contact to turn around lives dependent on alcohol. Not only was I to create these sites, but I was to recruit people to staff them on a nightly basis – 7 days a week – for free! The hotshots in Concord told me to go out and recruit people in recovery, unfortunately my supervisors had forgotten that the second letter of AA stands for anonymous and a non-recovering 20 something (me) didn’t really have much credibility in that world. Here’s where Frank came into play – not only was he willing to go public as someone in recovery, he was willing to reach out to the AA community in the Connecticut River Valley and convince them that the chubby “kid” (me) was OK! FYI – Frank’s obit mentioned how he had 54 years of sobriety! Over the years, I continued to cross paths with Frank usually at various progressive political events and always marveled at his ability to be so gregarious and kind to everyone he met, although he didn’t suffer fools & phony’s lightly. It didn’t matter if you were President Clinton or someone who lived in a box under a bridge – you were treated with the same kindness. While he possessed a multitude of skills, his greatest talent was being an advocate for those most needy amongst us! His stories, laughter and kindness will be missed – RIP.
***
This Tuesday - September 11 is primary day in New Hampshire, so everyone needs to get out and vote for their candidate. Republicans have primary races for Executive Council, Governor, and the new State Senate District 5. The republican candidates for Governor are Ovide Lamontagne and Kevin Smith, however long time Executive Councilor Raymond Burton is facing a serious challenge from Jerry Thibodeau who has close ties with the Tea Party faction of the GOP. The State Senate District 5 race has Joe Osgood and Cynthia Coolidge Howard vying for the nomination and opportunity to face off against the democrats in November. Howard is tight with the Tea Party crowd. Among the Democrats, there are three active candidates for governor; Jackie Cilley, Maggie Hassan and Bill Kennedy. They all seem to be good people, however Bill Kennedy may have gotten into the race too late and it seems between Cilley & Hassan. Interestingly, the only contested senate race in New Hampshire, on the democrat side, is here in the Connecticut River Valley between Representative David Pierce & former Rep Sandy Harris. The Charlestown Dems sponsored a forum last week that was very informative. Sharon Francis, a Charlestown resident, served as moderator and did a fantastic job keeping matters focused and positive. The result was a civil, substantive and informative discussion.
***
On Thursday, The County Delegation held a public hearing and special meeting regarding establishing a reserve fund. As Sullivan County’s legislative arm, the thirteen member delegation serves as the “guardian of the county purse,” so our thought was to establish a county reserve fund that would serve as a special fund to assist in capital improvements and avoid any sudden unforeseen spikes/surprises in local property taxes. Basically it would be a rainy day fund for capital projects in Sullivan County where by law, we could add to on a yearly basis. All but one of the delegation’s members supported its creation.
***
Sullivan County lost a good man last week with the death of Francis Edes – former lawyer, judge, legislator, WW2 Vet, musician, activist and most important someone who always looked out for the least among us. I first met Frank in 1980, as a young state employee tasked with establishing alcohol social detox sites around the state. Not only was I an inexperienced kid, but without a clue as what to do! Thankfully, it was guys like Frank who lent their gravitas and made the program a success.
New Hampshire had received federal money to de-criminalize public alcohol intoxication; and the thought was we’d recruit a cadre of unpaid volunteers who we’d train as special EMT’s to provide custodial care and be the first point of contact to turn around lives dependent on alcohol. Not only was I to create these sites, but I was to recruit people to staff them on a nightly basis – 7 days a week – for free! The hotshots in Concord told me to go out and recruit people in recovery, unfortunately my supervisors had forgotten that the second letter of AA stands for anonymous and a non-recovering 20 something (me) didn’t really have much credibility in that world. Here’s where Frank came into play – not only was he willing to go public as someone in recovery, he was willing to reach out to the AA community in the Connecticut River Valley and convince them that the chubby “kid” (me) was OK! FYI – Frank’s obit mentioned how he had 54 years of sobriety! Over the years, I continued to cross paths with Frank usually at various progressive political events and always marveled at his ability to be so gregarious and kind to everyone he met, although he didn’t suffer fools & phony’s lightly. It didn’t matter if you were President Clinton or someone who lived in a box under a bridge – you were treated with the same kindness. While he possessed a multitude of skills, his greatest talent was being an advocate for those most needy amongst us! His stories, laughter and kindness will be missed – RIP.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Ray Gagnon - NH State Rep (Facebook page)
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Elections Québec Style
Contrary to rumors – while I may have been out of the country last week it’s not true that I left because of the Republican National Convention!
I believe summer is for reflection and among the memories lately are my almost annual trips to Québec as a child that included visits to extended family with my parents and grandmother. This was the 1950’s where children were to be seen and not heard, resulting in my taking it all in and be amazed how just a few hours north of Claremont NH, life was so different regarding food, pastimes, and language. Growing up in 1950’s Claremont, it was common to hear French spoken, but where it was everywhere (radio, television and newspapers) was very different! Perhaps it’s the hot summer or just getting old, but thoughts of those days have been center stage – to the point where I recently told my wife I was off to Québec and the memories of my youth! Her response was “bon voyage & see yah!” I also shared this plan with my friend Jim Morin who told me about the upcoming provincial elections and how the separatists could possibly win. Furthermore, he’d be willing to go on this journey to visit the towns where so many Claremont families originated from and provide a firsthand view of elections Québec style.
My mothers’ family (Beaudoin) like many of her extended family (LaPlante, Gregoire & Garneau) came here from the Eastern Townships – an area just north of the border where the principal city is Sherbrooke. The townships were created by the British after the American Revolution as a buffer zone between the French along the St. Lawrence and the new United States of America. The Townships were quickly settled by expanding French populations to where the names of the towns are the only remaining thing British. In the 19th Century, thousands of French-Canadians were enticed to New England which included hundreds of families from the Eastern Townships to Claremont. I recall a delightful story depicting this migration by my second grade teacher – Miss Laurina Issoire – who told how her father worked, as a lumberjack during the winter in northern NH & VT and would each spring be part of a drive where logs would be floated down the Connecticut River to Bellows Falls VT. Men would actually walk on the water and steer the logs down river. After reaching their destination, they were supposed to return to Canada, but her father, circa 1890’s, walked from Bellows Falls to Claremont, found permanent work and stayed.
So being the largest community in the area, Sherbrooke made sense as our first stop and enroute I learned from Jim all about provincial politics and how Quebec uses a unicameral Westminster-style parliamentary government. The premier is the leader of the party that controls the most seats in the National Assembly and Liberals have been in power since 2003 with Jean Charest from Sherbrooke as Premier. Also, the premier chooses when to call an election, which happened on August 1st. Imagine if our elections only lasted 1 month. The premier called for elections on the first of August with September 4 designated as Election Day! Phone banks, visibility, signs, TV ads, and candidate events are all condensed into 1 month! Polls indicate the elections are close with only 6% separating first place Parti-Québeçois (PQ) with32% from the 3rd place Liberals (PLQ) at 26%. The new conservative party, the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), is in 2nd place with 28%.
In Sherbrooke, we visited the Separatist and Liberal headquarters. According to the PQ, Mr. Charest a Sherbrooke native is so unpopular at home that even if his party wins on Tuesday, he may lose his seat. Therefore, should his party win but he loses, a liberal member of the National Assembly will resign in order to keep Charest premier. It’s like if the Republicans maintain a majority in the NH House, but Speaker O’Brien loses his race, a GOP representative would step down so O’Brien could remain the speaker.
While visiting various headquarters differences became obvious, the PQ supporters we met were working class and in their 30’s, while the Liberal volunteers were middle age (40’s) and appeared more affluent. Separatists had their phone banks humming as you entered the headquarters, while the liberals had their get out the vote operations in the rear, away from public view. Obviously two different styles at play, with two different philosophies in motion. Our next concern was public opinion, so like all good Frenchmen we went to lunch where we met a chatty fellow who said it was too close to call, and re-affirmed the story we had heard about Sherbrook’s displeasure with their present legislator who’s also the present premier. We then went deeper into the province driving through rural towns with familiar names thanks to my mémère and noticed that political signs were only on utility poles and not private property! Later we learned that while people have strong personal opinions – they tend to keep them private.
My thought was how can the Separatists be leading, weren’t they trounced in the last election and hadn’t they lost the referendum to secede from Canada? Hadn’t the wind been taken out of their sails, so how’d they bounce back? Apparently their success is attributed to their new leader Mme. Pauline Marois who has been unflatteringly described by one publication as an “old warhorse” of the Parti-Québeçois having worked with René Lévesque in the 1970’s. She was passed over in the past as the PQ wanted leaders that were snazzier and younger; however she’s resurfaced and is credited with bringing the PQ back to its working class roots. So who knows what will happen – but just a few hours north of here, it’ll be a hot time in old Québec on Sept 4th!
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