Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Recount likely
The Concord Monitor is reporting that Jim MacKay may seek a recount. According to the city's Web site, which has the unofficial election results, there are 42 blank or uncounted votes in Wards 4, 8, 9, and 10. So, depending on what is on those paper ballots, the results could swing either way.
Unofficial results: It's DelloIacono and Nyhan
The unofficial results are up online: Mike DelloIacono squeaked out a win against Jim Baer, 1,153 to 1,042. Rick Cibotti received 792 votes.
In Ward 7, Keith Nyhan easily bested Steve Sawyer, 383 to 95.
The turnout was dismal, as I was predicting: 10.9 percent or 3,356 votes cast. Wow.
St. Hilaire won across the city, in some cases handily. Baer came in second in Wards 1, 6, 8, 9, and 10, and may have been buoyed by the turnout for the race for state representative. DelloIacono came in second in the city's traditionally liberal Wards of 3, 4, and 5. He also came in second in Ward 2 and 7.
Interestingly, in the school board race, out of potentially 10,068 votes, only 3,250 were cast. Doug Magee, who dropped out after signing up, only lost by about 336 votes against Chris Casko. Had he stayed in the race - or someone else run a legit campaign - Casko probably would have lost.
I'll have a bit more analysis later on this week when I get a few minutes of downtime.
In Ward 7, Keith Nyhan easily bested Steve Sawyer, 383 to 95.
The turnout was dismal, as I was predicting: 10.9 percent or 3,356 votes cast. Wow.
St. Hilaire won across the city, in some cases handily. Baer came in second in Wards 1, 6, 8, 9, and 10, and may have been buoyed by the turnout for the race for state representative. DelloIacono came in second in the city's traditionally liberal Wards of 3, 4, and 5. He also came in second in Ward 2 and 7.
Interestingly, in the school board race, out of potentially 10,068 votes, only 3,250 were cast. Doug Magee, who dropped out after signing up, only lost by about 336 votes against Chris Casko. Had he stayed in the race - or someone else run a legit campaign - Casko probably would have lost.
I'll have a bit more analysis later on this week when I get a few minutes of downtime.
St. Hilaire, Glahn winners ...
According to rumors going around the city, incumbent at-large city councilor Dan St. Hilaire has easily won reelection, with more than 2,400 votes.
One-year school board candidate Bill Glahn, a former board member, was also elected over Tom Croteau, by a few hundred votes.
Republican Lynne Blackenbeker won a slim victory over former state Rep. and Republican turned Democrat Jim MacKay, by about 20 votes, in Wards 4, 8, 9, and 10, in the race to replace Tara Reardon.
The results for second at-large councilor is leaning Michael DelloIacono's way over Jim Baer by less than 100 votes, according to sources.
There are no results being reported for the Ward 7 race.
Unofficial results have not been posted yet on the city of Concord Web site. They are probably running recounts to make sure the vote is as accurate as possible before posting.
One-year school board candidate Bill Glahn, a former board member, was also elected over Tom Croteau, by a few hundred votes.
Republican Lynne Blackenbeker won a slim victory over former state Rep. and Republican turned Democrat Jim MacKay, by about 20 votes, in Wards 4, 8, 9, and 10, in the race to replace Tara Reardon.
The results for second at-large councilor is leaning Michael DelloIacono's way over Jim Baer by less than 100 votes, according to sources.
There are no results being reported for the Ward 7 race.
Unofficial results have not been posted yet on the city of Concord Web site. They are probably running recounts to make sure the vote is as accurate as possible before posting.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Vote Baer, Cibotti, and Glahn on Tuesday
On Saturday, the Concord Monitor published my endorsement letter of Jim Baer and Rick Cibotti for at-large city council and my shout out to school board candidate Bill Glahn. This post expands on some of the reasons why I came to a certain perspective about the candidates.
In some ways, I will admit, that my decision to not vote for certain candidates isn’t completely fair. I plead guilty to that right out of the box. As someone who pays very close attention to what is going on in our city, I tend to reach conclusions that others might not because they aren’t as closely connected to the issues. It is the responsibility of the voter to learn as much as they can about the candidates as he or she can. These days, there are fewer and fewer information options to find out about those who bother to run. My perceptions come from watching the candidates, speaking to them, deeper analysis and information, and personal experiences.
At-large race
This year, four thoughtful, qualified at-large city council candidates are running to lead Concord into the future. However, Baer and Cibotti will be getting my two votes.
Next year’s fiscal situation is bound to be the worst ever which means we need councilors who will hold the line on taxes. Baer, a retiree, has made the strongest commitment to this cause. As a board member of the Concord Taxpayers Association, I’ve seen Jim in action. He is contemplative, offers alternatives to the norm, while saying, Look, we need to hold the line on taxes. He studied the budget and attended all but one of the council’s budget hearings. At the same time, if elected, he has also made a commitment to work with Mayor Jim Bouley and the council to make sure residents are protected from rising property taxes for at least another year. He won’t be a bomb-thrower (despite some of us thinking that the council could use a bomb-thrower every once in a while …). It is important to remember that we are in the middle of our generation’s Great Depression, and it is a Depression, despite the fact that many of us can still afford to pay for broadband. Many people are losing everything through no fault of their own. The city needs Jim’s competency and creative thinking to ensure that seniors, families with young children, and renters, who may be struggling in this difficult economy, are not driven from their homes.
For these reasons, I will be voting for Baer and urge you to do the same.
Cibotti is a craftsman and long-time resident who forwarded colorful ideas to raise revenue and build a better city. Instead of just rambling on about every city service he knows about, he focused his campaign on things that are a bit more visionary – making Concord a destination city, building a river walk, working to expand health awareness with residents, all lofty but worthy goals. His commonsense nature would be a good addition to the council. He deserves a vote too.
As far as the other two candidates go, I was impressed but can’t, in good conscience, cast votes for them.
Michael DelloIacono did his homework, came prepared, and has potential. But it isn’t hard to wonder whether he will have the time to do the job over the next four years. It’s sad to say but with two young children, a thriving Web business, and service to many nonprofit boards, will he be able to return phone calls to constituents never mind attend to a councilor’s business?
I know from firsthand experience that, in the past, he hasn’t had the time. In 2007, his company had a job opening for an account executive. At the time, I had a number of people sending me potential job leads, including family members and Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce members, since they knew I was losing my gig running a local radio station. When I saw the job opening, I put together a package about all of the marketing things I had done and emailed them to DelloIacono. While I didn’t think I would get the job, I thought I would at least get a response to the job advertisement and possibly an interview. I’ve led small companies, sold copiers, newspaper advertising, radio ads, and even worked in fundraising at a nonprofit radio station. Surely anyone with all this experience deserved a response. But DelloIacono never responded.
When running the radio station, and at other jobs, I have almost always replied to job applicants in some way, shape or form, even if we weren’t advertising for help. I even interacted with people about why they didn’t get jobs or what they could do to improve their future skills, especially in the finite business of radio and media. These days, with many people unemployed and applying for jobs, whether they exist or not, you can understand why a business owner doesn’t reply to every person who inquires. But two years ago, there was no excuse for not emailing a reply acknowledging receipt of an employment package.
The second problem I encountered with DelloIacono’s candidacy was the lack of disclosure about his involvement in Concord TV, the city’s cable access center.
DelloIacono sits on the board. Before he was a board member, he was a volunteer. In the first forum, the candidates were asked whether or not they thought it was right that the cable media access center receives more of the city’s money than any other social service agency or nonprofit combined. Most of the candidates stumbled on the question, praising the center’s coverage and talking about how much they enjoyed watching the city meetings, etc. DelloIacono said the money wasn’t the city’s money it was franchise fees. He also didn’t reveal to attendees that he was a member of the Concord TV board.
This response was wrong on two levels. First, he had an obligation to reveal to voters that he was on the board. One might wonder why he didn’t, since in both the forums he talked about the role he played on other nonprofit boards. Second, technically, Concord TV is city money. Here’s how the process goes: Comcast collects the franchise fees. It gives the money to the city, which is put into the general fund, along with other monies. The city then gives money to Concord TV, with a check cut from the general fund. So, it is the taxpayers’ money, paid for by subscribers, who are also taxpayers. DelloIacono’s lack of disclosure and answer to the question were disappointing.
In the case of Dan St. Hilaire, it’s a bit harder to say No. But, I still have to.
As I have extensively written on OurConcord.com, St. Hilaire played a role in squashing an investigation into problems with our city’s cable access center. At the same time, he has also played a role in thwarting an investigation into abuse of power, misuse of city dollars and potentially unethical behavior by current and former elected officials. This is shocking if you think about it and if the residents of Concord who have pooh-poohed this looked beyond the people involved, they would not be accepting of what happened. If it was a major political player or connected lawyer, the earth would have been moved to prevent this situation from happening (long-time residents know the point I’m making here).
And yet, what is so surprising about this is that as a former prosecutor, St. Hilaire has always had a responsibility to seek justice for individuals, no matter the level of provability or expanse. Instead, in this case, he stood in the way of this investigation, hampered an individual’s ability to seek justice (or reforms), and, probably, unknowingly, left the situation as such that anyone in Concord can be targeted by investigation by the police at the whims of a city councilor, with no recourse to protect themselves. These problems remain. St. Hilaire has yet to answer the questions surrounding his role in this, suffocating the council’s oversight role. It’s shocking.
Despite his likability and wealth of knowledge, I just can’t support someone who would look the other way in this important situation. It’s unfathomable, and that’s truly too bad for someone who is not a bad guy, as the saying goes.
School board 3-year seats
In the main school board race, I will leave my ballot blank, essentially casting a “none of the above” vote.
The incumbents, unfortunately, have failed in their duties. Four schools in the system are designated “schools in need of improvement.” Instead of spending money to improve our schools and fix the problems, the board allows the administration to sit on millions in surpluses.
Instead of improving our cherished neighborhood school system (eight intimate elementary schools), they want to dismantle it and spend nearly $100 million ($60 million-plus, plus interest) tearing down historic buildings, warehousing our young children into four big elementary schools. There is some logic to why they are trying to do this, especially in saved administration and energy costs. But many people are against the plan. Many parents don't want to give up their intimate elementary schools.
With the exception of one or two members, this school board refuses to listen to the parents and taxpayers who are opposed to this scheme.
In addition, two of the incumbents – Kass Ardinger and Clint Cogswell – are actively trying to keep parents from having control over the board’s charter, a right virtually everyone in New Hampshire has. Cogswell recently stated during a Legislative School Board Charter Commission hearing that he would never support a change that would allow the residents to change the charter by initiative petition. This goes against everything our society has stood for. It also continues to perpetuate Concord residents' status as second-class citizens when compared to what other residents in the Granite State are allowed to do with their school charter and even budgets. Get in the back of the bus and stay there, is essentially what Cogswell is saying to citizens.
One candidate who was challenging the three dropped out after filing. I know of at least three people who were eyeing a run but decided at the last minute to not run after this person forwarded themselves as a candidate. In the future, I truly hope that people will think long and hard about this and will commit to running … and stick with it.
School board 1-year seat
In too many ways, Tom Croteau and Bill Glahn agree with the incumbents. They are both, disappointingly, wedded to the consolidation plan. They do, however, have extensive knowledge. At least one person I know has decided to vote for Croteau due to his extensive education background.
But at Wednesday’s debate, Glahn offered the stronger answer on parents having the right to change the charter. Croteau, frankly, dodged the question. The Monitor says he supports citizens being able to change the charter. But during the forum, he didn’t answer the question at all.
Admittedly, I haven’t voted for Glahn in the past. But I will Tuesday in the hope that he will follow through and do his best to convince his colleagues to abandon their efforts to thwart the rights of the people of Concord.
I’ll have the election results posted as soon as they become available and later this week, I’ll write some more about how we, as citizens, can become more engaged in the local political process. Whatever your views, please do go out and vote on Tuesday.
In some ways, I will admit, that my decision to not vote for certain candidates isn’t completely fair. I plead guilty to that right out of the box. As someone who pays very close attention to what is going on in our city, I tend to reach conclusions that others might not because they aren’t as closely connected to the issues. It is the responsibility of the voter to learn as much as they can about the candidates as he or she can. These days, there are fewer and fewer information options to find out about those who bother to run. My perceptions come from watching the candidates, speaking to them, deeper analysis and information, and personal experiences.
At-large race
This year, four thoughtful, qualified at-large city council candidates are running to lead Concord into the future. However, Baer and Cibotti will be getting my two votes.
Next year’s fiscal situation is bound to be the worst ever which means we need councilors who will hold the line on taxes. Baer, a retiree, has made the strongest commitment to this cause. As a board member of the Concord Taxpayers Association, I’ve seen Jim in action. He is contemplative, offers alternatives to the norm, while saying, Look, we need to hold the line on taxes. He studied the budget and attended all but one of the council’s budget hearings. At the same time, if elected, he has also made a commitment to work with Mayor Jim Bouley and the council to make sure residents are protected from rising property taxes for at least another year. He won’t be a bomb-thrower (despite some of us thinking that the council could use a bomb-thrower every once in a while …). It is important to remember that we are in the middle of our generation’s Great Depression, and it is a Depression, despite the fact that many of us can still afford to pay for broadband. Many people are losing everything through no fault of their own. The city needs Jim’s competency and creative thinking to ensure that seniors, families with young children, and renters, who may be struggling in this difficult economy, are not driven from their homes.
For these reasons, I will be voting for Baer and urge you to do the same.
Cibotti is a craftsman and long-time resident who forwarded colorful ideas to raise revenue and build a better city. Instead of just rambling on about every city service he knows about, he focused his campaign on things that are a bit more visionary – making Concord a destination city, building a river walk, working to expand health awareness with residents, all lofty but worthy goals. His commonsense nature would be a good addition to the council. He deserves a vote too.
As far as the other two candidates go, I was impressed but can’t, in good conscience, cast votes for them.
Michael DelloIacono did his homework, came prepared, and has potential. But it isn’t hard to wonder whether he will have the time to do the job over the next four years. It’s sad to say but with two young children, a thriving Web business, and service to many nonprofit boards, will he be able to return phone calls to constituents never mind attend to a councilor’s business?
I know from firsthand experience that, in the past, he hasn’t had the time. In 2007, his company had a job opening for an account executive. At the time, I had a number of people sending me potential job leads, including family members and Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce members, since they knew I was losing my gig running a local radio station. When I saw the job opening, I put together a package about all of the marketing things I had done and emailed them to DelloIacono. While I didn’t think I would get the job, I thought I would at least get a response to the job advertisement and possibly an interview. I’ve led small companies, sold copiers, newspaper advertising, radio ads, and even worked in fundraising at a nonprofit radio station. Surely anyone with all this experience deserved a response. But DelloIacono never responded.
When running the radio station, and at other jobs, I have almost always replied to job applicants in some way, shape or form, even if we weren’t advertising for help. I even interacted with people about why they didn’t get jobs or what they could do to improve their future skills, especially in the finite business of radio and media. These days, with many people unemployed and applying for jobs, whether they exist or not, you can understand why a business owner doesn’t reply to every person who inquires. But two years ago, there was no excuse for not emailing a reply acknowledging receipt of an employment package.
The second problem I encountered with DelloIacono’s candidacy was the lack of disclosure about his involvement in Concord TV, the city’s cable access center.
DelloIacono sits on the board. Before he was a board member, he was a volunteer. In the first forum, the candidates were asked whether or not they thought it was right that the cable media access center receives more of the city’s money than any other social service agency or nonprofit combined. Most of the candidates stumbled on the question, praising the center’s coverage and talking about how much they enjoyed watching the city meetings, etc. DelloIacono said the money wasn’t the city’s money it was franchise fees. He also didn’t reveal to attendees that he was a member of the Concord TV board.
This response was wrong on two levels. First, he had an obligation to reveal to voters that he was on the board. One might wonder why he didn’t, since in both the forums he talked about the role he played on other nonprofit boards. Second, technically, Concord TV is city money. Here’s how the process goes: Comcast collects the franchise fees. It gives the money to the city, which is put into the general fund, along with other monies. The city then gives money to Concord TV, with a check cut from the general fund. So, it is the taxpayers’ money, paid for by subscribers, who are also taxpayers. DelloIacono’s lack of disclosure and answer to the question were disappointing.
In the case of Dan St. Hilaire, it’s a bit harder to say No. But, I still have to.
As I have extensively written on OurConcord.com, St. Hilaire played a role in squashing an investigation into problems with our city’s cable access center. At the same time, he has also played a role in thwarting an investigation into abuse of power, misuse of city dollars and potentially unethical behavior by current and former elected officials. This is shocking if you think about it and if the residents of Concord who have pooh-poohed this looked beyond the people involved, they would not be accepting of what happened. If it was a major political player or connected lawyer, the earth would have been moved to prevent this situation from happening (long-time residents know the point I’m making here).
And yet, what is so surprising about this is that as a former prosecutor, St. Hilaire has always had a responsibility to seek justice for individuals, no matter the level of provability or expanse. Instead, in this case, he stood in the way of this investigation, hampered an individual’s ability to seek justice (or reforms), and, probably, unknowingly, left the situation as such that anyone in Concord can be targeted by investigation by the police at the whims of a city councilor, with no recourse to protect themselves. These problems remain. St. Hilaire has yet to answer the questions surrounding his role in this, suffocating the council’s oversight role. It’s shocking.
Despite his likability and wealth of knowledge, I just can’t support someone who would look the other way in this important situation. It’s unfathomable, and that’s truly too bad for someone who is not a bad guy, as the saying goes.
School board 3-year seats
In the main school board race, I will leave my ballot blank, essentially casting a “none of the above” vote.
The incumbents, unfortunately, have failed in their duties. Four schools in the system are designated “schools in need of improvement.” Instead of spending money to improve our schools and fix the problems, the board allows the administration to sit on millions in surpluses.
Instead of improving our cherished neighborhood school system (eight intimate elementary schools), they want to dismantle it and spend nearly $100 million ($60 million-plus, plus interest) tearing down historic buildings, warehousing our young children into four big elementary schools. There is some logic to why they are trying to do this, especially in saved administration and energy costs. But many people are against the plan. Many parents don't want to give up their intimate elementary schools.
With the exception of one or two members, this school board refuses to listen to the parents and taxpayers who are opposed to this scheme.
In addition, two of the incumbents – Kass Ardinger and Clint Cogswell – are actively trying to keep parents from having control over the board’s charter, a right virtually everyone in New Hampshire has. Cogswell recently stated during a Legislative School Board Charter Commission hearing that he would never support a change that would allow the residents to change the charter by initiative petition. This goes against everything our society has stood for. It also continues to perpetuate Concord residents' status as second-class citizens when compared to what other residents in the Granite State are allowed to do with their school charter and even budgets. Get in the back of the bus and stay there, is essentially what Cogswell is saying to citizens.
One candidate who was challenging the three dropped out after filing. I know of at least three people who were eyeing a run but decided at the last minute to not run after this person forwarded themselves as a candidate. In the future, I truly hope that people will think long and hard about this and will commit to running … and stick with it.
School board 1-year seat
In too many ways, Tom Croteau and Bill Glahn agree with the incumbents. They are both, disappointingly, wedded to the consolidation plan. They do, however, have extensive knowledge. At least one person I know has decided to vote for Croteau due to his extensive education background.
But at Wednesday’s debate, Glahn offered the stronger answer on parents having the right to change the charter. Croteau, frankly, dodged the question. The Monitor says he supports citizens being able to change the charter. But during the forum, he didn’t answer the question at all.
Admittedly, I haven’t voted for Glahn in the past. But I will Tuesday in the hope that he will follow through and do his best to convince his colleagues to abandon their efforts to thwart the rights of the people of Concord.
I’ll have the election results posted as soon as they become available and later this week, I’ll write some more about how we, as citizens, can become more engaged in the local political process. Whatever your views, please do go out and vote on Tuesday.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Media coverage of the city council, school board forum
The Concord Monitor, WKXL, and Concord TV were all present for Wednesday's city council and school board forum.
Here is the Monitor coverage:["Candidates tout fiscal restraint"].
WKXL has audio on its Web site.
Concord TV will be playing its coverage but I'm told it won't be posted online so there is no way to link it.
Here is the Monitor coverage:["Candidates tout fiscal restraint"].
WKXL has audio on its Web site.
Concord TV will be playing its coverage but I'm told it won't be posted online so there is no way to link it.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
City Council/School Board forum Wednesday, Oct. 28
The Concord Taxpayers Association will be having another municipal election forum from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28, on the other side of town, at the Beaver Meadow Golf Course Club House, 1 Beaver Meadow Drive.
From 7 to 7:45 p.m., the four candidates vying for two at-large city council seats – Jim Baer, Rick Cibotto, Michael DellIacono and Dan St. Hilaire – have again been invited to meet and discuss the issues facing our city and will answer questions submitted by you. At 8 p.m., the two candidates running for the one 1-year seat on the school board – Tom Croteau and Bill Glahn – will talk about why they are running and answer questions from attendees. I’m told the clubhouse will still be serving beer and wine so it might be nice to have a drink too.
Please note: The LWV/Walker-Kimball PTO school board candidates night scheduled for Tuesday has been cancelled. So our night on Wednesday will be the only opportunity to see the two school board candidates answer questions from the public.
There was a nice turnout to last night’s event, including a number of elected officials and CTA supporters. The candidates answered numerous questions about why they were running. The Concord Monitor sent a reporter and photographer. You can see their coverage in today’s print edition or here online: http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091022/NEWS01/910220319
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls will be open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
From 7 to 7:45 p.m., the four candidates vying for two at-large city council seats – Jim Baer, Rick Cibotto, Michael DellIacono and Dan St. Hilaire – have again been invited to meet and discuss the issues facing our city and will answer questions submitted by you. At 8 p.m., the two candidates running for the one 1-year seat on the school board – Tom Croteau and Bill Glahn – will talk about why they are running and answer questions from attendees. I’m told the clubhouse will still be serving beer and wine so it might be nice to have a drink too.
Please note: The LWV/Walker-Kimball PTO school board candidates night scheduled for Tuesday has been cancelled. So our night on Wednesday will be the only opportunity to see the two school board candidates answer questions from the public.
There was a nice turnout to last night’s event, including a number of elected officials and CTA supporters. The candidates answered numerous questions about why they were running. The Concord Monitor sent a reporter and photographer. You can see their coverage in today’s print edition or here online: http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091022/NEWS01/910220319
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls will be open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Council debate on for Wednesday
Just a quick reminder that the Concord Taxpayers Association [CTA] will be holding a city council candidate debate on Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The four at-large city council candidates and two Ward 7 candidates will debate at the West Street Ward House, located at 41 West St. at the corner of Badger and West streets, in Concord. All candidates on the ballot have been invited to participate and most have confirmed their attendance. They will be allowed opening and closing statements and will receive questions from the attending audience.
The Ward 7 candidate portion of the forum between incumbent Keith Nyhan and challenger Steven Sawyer will be held from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. The at-large portion of the forum, featuring incumbent Dan St. Hilaire and three challengers – Jim Baer, Rick Cibotti, and Michael DelloIacono, will be held from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The CTA has secured the Beaver Meadow Golf Course for a second debate between the at-large candidates for Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 7 to 9 p.m. Recently, the Ward 3 challenger in the race backed out so we will not be holding a Ward council debate that evening.
The four at-large city council candidates and two Ward 7 candidates will debate at the West Street Ward House, located at 41 West St. at the corner of Badger and West streets, in Concord. All candidates on the ballot have been invited to participate and most have confirmed their attendance. They will be allowed opening and closing statements and will receive questions from the attending audience.
The Ward 7 candidate portion of the forum between incumbent Keith Nyhan and challenger Steven Sawyer will be held from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. The at-large portion of the forum, featuring incumbent Dan St. Hilaire and three challengers – Jim Baer, Rick Cibotti, and Michael DelloIacono, will be held from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The CTA has secured the Beaver Meadow Golf Course for a second debate between the at-large candidates for Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 7 to 9 p.m. Recently, the Ward 3 challenger in the race backed out so we will not be holding a Ward council debate that evening.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
County Dems meet Tuesday
The Merrimack County Democrats will be meeting to elect new leaders on Tuesday night in the wake of the resignations of Alex Lee and Brenda MacLellan after fundraising and loyalty oath spats, for lack of better terms, between the leaders and other committee members. The meeting will be held at the NHDP HQ at 105 N. State St.
Interestingly though, at 5:30 p.m., three potential Congressional candidates for CD2, John Dejoie, Ann McLane Kuster and Katrina Swett, will be in attendance to strut their stuff. The governor also may be stopping by, according to rumors.
Former Republican turned Democrat Jim MacKay, a former legislator and mayor of Concord, will also be speaking to attendees. MacKay is running in the special election for Wards 4, 8, 9, and 10, against Lynne Ferrari Blankenbeker.
In an email to local Dems, acting chairman Eric Tolbert called Blankenbeker "an extremely conservative and very organized opponent."
"It is an immediate priority of the County Democrats to help Jim and keep this seat in good hands," he wrote.
Ah, politics makes such strange bedfellows.
Interestingly though, at 5:30 p.m., three potential Congressional candidates for CD2, John Dejoie, Ann McLane Kuster and Katrina Swett, will be in attendance to strut their stuff. The governor also may be stopping by, according to rumors.
Former Republican turned Democrat Jim MacKay, a former legislator and mayor of Concord, will also be speaking to attendees. MacKay is running in the special election for Wards 4, 8, 9, and 10, against Lynne Ferrari Blankenbeker.
In an email to local Dems, acting chairman Eric Tolbert called Blankenbeker "an extremely conservative and very organized opponent."
"It is an immediate priority of the County Democrats to help Jim and keep this seat in good hands," he wrote.
Ah, politics makes such strange bedfellows.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Community outreach on elementary school consolidation
The architects hired to come up with different schemes for the elementary school consolidation projects will be meeting with the public on Monday, Oct. 19, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., to discuss their latest mock schematics.
According to an email from Matt Cashman, director of Facilities and Planning for the school administration, they will present "several options and layouts" for the Broken Ground, Conant, and Kimball school sites.
"These options will reflect all the input that the architects have received from the teachers, building principals, administrators and community members who helped in the development of the Educational Specifications for Concord," he wrote.
On Tuesday, Nov. 24, the architects will hold another meeting showing the latest revisions to designs based on the community input received on Monday.
School board members and administrators will be in attendance to answer questions as well.
After finally catching up on email this morning, I sent Cashman a note about the meetings. In it, I stated that administrators continuing to have meetings on Monday and Tuesday nights, during the dinner hour, limits the attendance of both parents of elementary school age children and people like me who work into the early evenings. These meetings should not be just about being convenient for administrators, board members, and architects, but the people who actually have to live with the buildings. How come not a Friday evening? A Saturday or Sunday morning? Or a Thursday morning during business hours over coffee? Why is it always Monday or Tuesday nights, during supper hours, when parents of elementary school aged children are feeding them and getting them washed up and into bed?
And while I'm thinking about it, how come there hasn't been a mailer sent to parents weeks in advance of this meeting? No ads in the newspaper or online?
Diversifying the dates and times doesn't seem like an unreasonable request. Getting decent notice to everyone in the community - parents, taxpayers, stakeholders, and others - would only seem proper. I mean, if you can spend $800k to design buildings that may never get built, surely you can spend a few hundred dollars to mail people a notice.
Update: There was a notice in my son's school packet this week after all.
According to an email from Matt Cashman, director of Facilities and Planning for the school administration, they will present "several options and layouts" for the Broken Ground, Conant, and Kimball school sites.
"These options will reflect all the input that the architects have received from the teachers, building principals, administrators and community members who helped in the development of the Educational Specifications for Concord," he wrote.
On Tuesday, Nov. 24, the architects will hold another meeting showing the latest revisions to designs based on the community input received on Monday.
School board members and administrators will be in attendance to answer questions as well.
After finally catching up on email this morning, I sent Cashman a note about the meetings. In it, I stated that administrators continuing to have meetings on Monday and Tuesday nights, during the dinner hour, limits the attendance of both parents of elementary school age children and people like me who work into the early evenings. These meetings should not be just about being convenient for administrators, board members, and architects, but the people who actually have to live with the buildings. How come not a Friday evening? A Saturday or Sunday morning? Or a Thursday morning during business hours over coffee? Why is it always Monday or Tuesday nights, during supper hours, when parents of elementary school aged children are feeding them and getting them washed up and into bed?
And while I'm thinking about it, how come there hasn't been a mailer sent to parents weeks in advance of this meeting? No ads in the newspaper or online?
Diversifying the dates and times doesn't seem like an unreasonable request. Getting decent notice to everyone in the community - parents, taxpayers, stakeholders, and others - would only seem proper. I mean, if you can spend $800k to design buildings that may never get built, surely you can spend a few hundred dollars to mail people a notice.
Update: There was a notice in my son's school packet this week after all.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Charter Commission seeks citizen input
By Rep. Rick Watrous
Tuesday night, Oct. 20, at 6 p.m., there will be a public hearing concerning the Concord school district charter. Concord citizens are invited to the City Council Chambers at 37 Green St. to provide input to the school district charter study commission.
Our duties, as stated in the law (HB 319) that created the commission, read:
"The commission shall study the historical relationship between the general court and the Concord Union school district and evaluate whether and in what manner the present legislative school district charter should be preserved, amended, or terminated in favor of a new school district charter."
The key phrase here is “legislative school district charter.” Concord’s school charter is unique in that it exists in legislative chapter law and can only be changed by action and approval of the state senate, house of representatives, and the governor. Currently neither the school board nor the voters of Concord can change their school district charter without a law being passed by the state house.
The commission is studying how well this unusual arrangement serves the public, and whether and how it should be changed. We have heard from the secretary of state, the school district attorney, and an assistant attorney general. Now it is time to receive vital input from Concord citizens.
As the Concord state representative appointed to the commission, I invite interested citizens to attend and offer testimony on this important subject. A report is due from the commission by Dec. 1.
Rep. Rick Watrous represents Concord Wards 5, 6, and 7 in the Legislature.
Tuesday night, Oct. 20, at 6 p.m., there will be a public hearing concerning the Concord school district charter. Concord citizens are invited to the City Council Chambers at 37 Green St. to provide input to the school district charter study commission.
Our duties, as stated in the law (HB 319) that created the commission, read:
"The commission shall study the historical relationship between the general court and the Concord Union school district and evaluate whether and in what manner the present legislative school district charter should be preserved, amended, or terminated in favor of a new school district charter."
The key phrase here is “legislative school district charter.” Concord’s school charter is unique in that it exists in legislative chapter law and can only be changed by action and approval of the state senate, house of representatives, and the governor. Currently neither the school board nor the voters of Concord can change their school district charter without a law being passed by the state house.
The commission is studying how well this unusual arrangement serves the public, and whether and how it should be changed. We have heard from the secretary of state, the school district attorney, and an assistant attorney general. Now it is time to receive vital input from Concord citizens.
As the Concord state representative appointed to the commission, I invite interested citizens to attend and offer testimony on this important subject. A report is due from the commission by Dec. 1.
Rep. Rick Watrous represents Concord Wards 5, 6, and 7 in the Legislature.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
School board candidate forum scheduled
According to an email I received over the weekend, the Kimball-Walker PTO and League of Women Voters have organized a Concord school board candidate forum for Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Concord High School auditorium.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
CTA to hold first of three 2009 municipal election forums
The Concord Taxpayers Association [CTA] has booked the first of at least three municipal election forums for the 2009 campaign season.
On Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the four at-large city council candidates and two Ward 7 candidates will debate at the West Street Ward House, located at 41 West St. at the corner of Badger and West streets, in Concord. All candidates on the ballot have been invited to participate. They will be allowed opening and closing statements and will receive questions from the attending audience.
The Ward 7 candidate portion of the forum between incumbent Keith Nyhan and challenger Steven Sawyer will be held from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. The at-large portion of the forum, featuring incumbent Dan St. Hilaire and three challengers – Jim Baer, Rick Cibotto, and Michael Dell Iacono, will be held from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The CTA is attempting to secure locations and dates for two other debates: One between the Ward 3 and at-large candidates to be physically held in Ward 3 and one between all of the candidates running for school board.
The public is invited to attend and media outlets are more than welcome to cover this and any of other events scheduled before Election Day.
On Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the four at-large city council candidates and two Ward 7 candidates will debate at the West Street Ward House, located at 41 West St. at the corner of Badger and West streets, in Concord. All candidates on the ballot have been invited to participate. They will be allowed opening and closing statements and will receive questions from the attending audience.
The Ward 7 candidate portion of the forum between incumbent Keith Nyhan and challenger Steven Sawyer will be held from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. The at-large portion of the forum, featuring incumbent Dan St. Hilaire and three challengers – Jim Baer, Rick Cibotto, and Michael Dell Iacono, will be held from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The CTA is attempting to secure locations and dates for two other debates: One between the Ward 3 and at-large candidates to be physically held in Ward 3 and one between all of the candidates running for school board.
The public is invited to attend and media outlets are more than welcome to cover this and any of other events scheduled before Election Day.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Charter commission meets Thursday
The Charter Commission analyzing the School Board's charter will be meeting again at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8, in the city council chamber. Secretary of State Bill Gardner will be testifying and should have some interesting things to say about the current situation.
So far, the commission has had two hearings, one, to elect officers and establish its role and charge, and a second, analyzing the current state of the charter.
The Monitor covered the first meeting. Concord TV recorded the second meeting but is only playing it a few times and is not posting it online. I have made a formal request to have it posted online but so far, it hasn't been. I'm told that future meetings will at least be recorded and broadcast.
So far, the commission has had two hearings, one, to elect officers and establish its role and charge, and a second, analyzing the current state of the charter.
The Monitor covered the first meeting. Concord TV recorded the second meeting but is only playing it a few times and is not posting it online. I have made a formal request to have it posted online but so far, it hasn't been. I'm told that future meetings will at least be recorded and broadcast.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Page to Stage continues at the Audi
From the inbox:
“Page to Stage”, a theatre project fostering new works by New Hampshire playwrights, announces Goffstown resident Les Rosenthal will be the featured author at the
opening of the series’ second season on Sunday, October 4, from 3-5pm in the Concord City Auditorium reception lobby. The Friends of the Audi host the event, which is free and open to all as a Sunday afternoon salon with dramatic desserts.
Mr. Rosenthal will present a staged reading of GIDEON, a new four-character one act play, followed by an audience Q&A. “This play is set in the present,” he says. “There is no place beyond the room. All else is the madness inherent in a society which throws away its elders and castigates those who show brief flashes of individuality in other than professional sports or politics.” He adds with a grin, “this project was originally conceived in a hotel bar with three other writers in 1998.”
A well known member of the state’s theatre community, Mr. Rosenthal served as State Director of the New Hampshire Educational Theatre Association during a 20-year career in educational theatre. Currently he works in computer support while continuing as a writer, radio host, and actors’ tutor.
The New Hampshire Page to Stage project is sponsored by the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust. Its 08-09 premiere season presented six performances of new works, with three going on to receive honors at the Heartland Competition, the Boston Theatre Festival, and the NH Theatre Awards, and one, Rebecca Rule’s CROSSCUT, being chosen by the Walker Lecture Fund for a staged production at Concord City Auditorium on March 24, 2010. The project welcomes submissions of new works for the stage which will be considered for presentations ranging from readings to full productions.
“Page to Stage”, a theatre project fostering new works by New Hampshire playwrights, announces Goffstown resident Les Rosenthal will be the featured author at the
opening of the series’ second season on Sunday, October 4, from 3-5pm in the Concord City Auditorium reception lobby. The Friends of the Audi host the event, which is free and open to all as a Sunday afternoon salon with dramatic desserts.
Mr. Rosenthal will present a staged reading of GIDEON, a new four-character one act play, followed by an audience Q&A. “This play is set in the present,” he says. “There is no place beyond the room. All else is the madness inherent in a society which throws away its elders and castigates those who show brief flashes of individuality in other than professional sports or politics.” He adds with a grin, “this project was originally conceived in a hotel bar with three other writers in 1998.”
A well known member of the state’s theatre community, Mr. Rosenthal served as State Director of the New Hampshire Educational Theatre Association during a 20-year career in educational theatre. Currently he works in computer support while continuing as a writer, radio host, and actors’ tutor.
The New Hampshire Page to Stage project is sponsored by the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust. Its 08-09 premiere season presented six performances of new works, with three going on to receive honors at the Heartland Competition, the Boston Theatre Festival, and the NH Theatre Awards, and one, Rebecca Rule’s CROSSCUT, being chosen by the Walker Lecture Fund for a staged production at Concord City Auditorium on March 24, 2010. The project welcomes submissions of new works for the stage which will be considered for presentations ranging from readings to full productions.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
State Reps. to hold food drive
From the inbox:
The New Hampshire House of Representatives will sponsor a food drive on its next session day, Wednesday, Oct. 28.
The session known as Veto Day, the time when the House takes up the bills which have been vetoed by Gov. John Lynch, will begin at 10 a.m.
Members are being asked to bring non-perishable food items to the State House. Food collected that day will be donated to the New Hampshire Food Bank, which distributes statewide.
“This is a good way for us to reach out and help our fellow citizens, particularly in this tough economy,” said House Speaker Terie Norelli, D-Portsmouth. “With winter and the holidays approaching, this is an opportune time for us to come to the Food Bank’s assistance.”
The New Hampshire Food Bank is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. It serves more than 390 agencies around the state, including 19 soup kitchens and 148 food pantries.
Among the preferred items sought on Oct. 28 are canned goods – vegetables, fruits, meats, soups and stews, and boxed pastas and cereals. A room in the State House will be the designated drop-off point.
The New Hampshire House of Representatives will sponsor a food drive on its next session day, Wednesday, Oct. 28.
The session known as Veto Day, the time when the House takes up the bills which have been vetoed by Gov. John Lynch, will begin at 10 a.m.
Members are being asked to bring non-perishable food items to the State House. Food collected that day will be donated to the New Hampshire Food Bank, which distributes statewide.
“This is a good way for us to reach out and help our fellow citizens, particularly in this tough economy,” said House Speaker Terie Norelli, D-Portsmouth. “With winter and the holidays approaching, this is an opportune time for us to come to the Food Bank’s assistance.”
The New Hampshire Food Bank is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. It serves more than 390 agencies around the state, including 19 soup kitchens and 148 food pantries.
Among the preferred items sought on Oct. 28 are canned goods – vegetables, fruits, meats, soups and stews, and boxed pastas and cereals. A room in the State House will be the designated drop-off point.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
It's Blankenbeker vs. MacKay
Thanks to Ben for giving me the heads-up on the Legislative primary today.
Lynne Ferrari Blankenbeker beat John J. Weeden in the GOP primary, 261 to 53. Eight people wrote-in other candidates.
In the Democratic primary, former Republican Rep. Jim MacKay received 217 votes against write-in candidate Gloria Seldin, who received 10 votes. Other candidates received nine write-in votes.
Turnout was 4.4 percent.
The final election will be held on Nov. 3, along with school board and city council races.
Lynne Ferrari Blankenbeker beat John J. Weeden in the GOP primary, 261 to 53. Eight people wrote-in other candidates.
In the Democratic primary, former Republican Rep. Jim MacKay received 217 votes against write-in candidate Gloria Seldin, who received 10 votes. Other candidates received nine write-in votes.
Turnout was 4.4 percent.
The final election will be held on Nov. 3, along with school board and city council races.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Primary in some city Wards Tuesday
Just a reminder to folks who live in Ward 4, 8, 9, or 10, there is a special primary for one of the legislative seats tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Two Republicans, Lynne Blankenbeker and John Weeden, are facing off. Former Republican now Democrat Jim McKay, who was swept out of office in 2008, is also on the ballot.
Blankenbeker, who also lost in the final election in 2008, coming in seventh, is featured on this edition of Capitol Access: http://blip.tv/file/1317225.
Weeden is a brigadier general with the national guard: http://www.ng.mil/ngbgomo/library/bio/weeden_jj.htm.
A Google search revealed no official campaign Web sites for the candidates.
Two Republicans, Lynne Blankenbeker and John Weeden, are facing off. Former Republican now Democrat Jim McKay, who was swept out of office in 2008, is also on the ballot.
Blankenbeker, who also lost in the final election in 2008, coming in seventh, is featured on this edition of Capitol Access: http://blip.tv/file/1317225.
Weeden is a brigadier general with the national guard: http://www.ng.mil/ngbgomo/library/bio/weeden_jj.htm.
A Google search revealed no official campaign Web sites for the candidates.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Finance Director Howard to step down
Concord's Finance Director Jim Howard has issued his resignation, effective April 2010, according to sources.
Howard plans on retiring at that time but is giving the city enough notice to find a suitable replacement, with ample time for the replacement to be brought up to speed on city finances.
Howard's retirement comes at a time when the city has many vacant positions and next year's budget is going to probably be a difficult one to balance. It also comes at a time when tens of thousands of finance people are out of work across the country. So a high quality replacement, at a below market salary rate, should not be hard to find.
Of course, any new hire will not come with the extensive institutional knowledge that Howard has of the city's finances or history. But with a compensation and benefits budget of nearly $800,000 for nine full-time equivalent positions, the city [and taxpayers] should expect to see some savings from this department line item in fiscal year 2011.
Howard plans on retiring at that time but is giving the city enough notice to find a suitable replacement, with ample time for the replacement to be brought up to speed on city finances.
Howard's retirement comes at a time when the city has many vacant positions and next year's budget is going to probably be a difficult one to balance. It also comes at a time when tens of thousands of finance people are out of work across the country. So a high quality replacement, at a below market salary rate, should not be hard to find.
Of course, any new hire will not come with the extensive institutional knowledge that Howard has of the city's finances or history. But with a compensation and benefits budget of nearly $800,000 for nine full-time equivalent positions, the city [and taxpayers] should expect to see some savings from this department line item in fiscal year 2011.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
More changes in the Concord media landscape
There are more changes coming to the Concord media landscape. In the latest case, it's radio stations being sold.
According to a press release posted on the Nassau Broadcasting Web site earlier this week, the company has sold two of its FM stations to Jeff Shapiro's Great Eastern Radio LLC. Great Eastern Radio owns WTPL-FM 107.7 The Pulse out of Bow as well as stations in the Hanover/White River Junction area that it picked up from Clear Channel, when it sold off a bunch of smaller stations before becoming a privately held company.
Great Eastern Radio is acquiring WNNH-FM 99.1 FM, a 2,800-watter out of Henniker and WWHQ FM 101.5 FM, a 6,000-watter out of Meredith [Both stations, while not officially located in Concord, serve the Concord-Lakes Region radio market].
According to the press release, "the stations were scheduled to be divested by Nassau per FCC ownership requirements as part of the Company’s recent filing with the FCC of its previously announced restructuring."
The terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The FCC must first approve of the sale.
This latest sale comes on the heels of Nassau selling its classical music FM in Boston, WCRB, to WGBH for around $14 million, according to press sources. Nassau, which is also privately held, gave a "controlling stake" in the company to Goldman Sachs, in exchange for forgiving part of the company's debt, according to press sources.
Rumors have been floating around the Internet since this summer about a move by Nassau to unload some of its New Hampshire properties. Radio insiders and other fans have been posting speculative notes on Radio-Info.com that were saying Shapiro was going to be the high bidder for Nassau stations on the market.
Currently, WNNH simulcasts the "Frank" classic hits format on that station and Nassau's WLKZ in Wolfeboro, a station that was also rumored to be for sale a number of years ago. WWHQ broadcasts "The Hawk" classic rock format. Nassau used to also simulcast this programming on WWHK 102.3 FM, the former WKXL FM station that was recently purchased by a conservative columnist [the station currently airs rock music with station IDs and nothing else].
There has been no comment yet on what formats Great Eastern Radio will offer on the stations or whether Nassau will continue with Frank on WLKZ.
According to a press release posted on the Nassau Broadcasting Web site earlier this week, the company has sold two of its FM stations to Jeff Shapiro's Great Eastern Radio LLC. Great Eastern Radio owns WTPL-FM 107.7 The Pulse out of Bow as well as stations in the Hanover/White River Junction area that it picked up from Clear Channel, when it sold off a bunch of smaller stations before becoming a privately held company.
Great Eastern Radio is acquiring WNNH-FM 99.1 FM, a 2,800-watter out of Henniker and WWHQ FM 101.5 FM, a 6,000-watter out of Meredith [Both stations, while not officially located in Concord, serve the Concord-Lakes Region radio market].
According to the press release, "the stations were scheduled to be divested by Nassau per FCC ownership requirements as part of the Company’s recent filing with the FCC of its previously announced restructuring."
The terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The FCC must first approve of the sale.
This latest sale comes on the heels of Nassau selling its classical music FM in Boston, WCRB, to WGBH for around $14 million, according to press sources. Nassau, which is also privately held, gave a "controlling stake" in the company to Goldman Sachs, in exchange for forgiving part of the company's debt, according to press sources.
Rumors have been floating around the Internet since this summer about a move by Nassau to unload some of its New Hampshire properties. Radio insiders and other fans have been posting speculative notes on Radio-Info.com that were saying Shapiro was going to be the high bidder for Nassau stations on the market.
Currently, WNNH simulcasts the "Frank" classic hits format on that station and Nassau's WLKZ in Wolfeboro, a station that was also rumored to be for sale a number of years ago. WWHQ broadcasts "The Hawk" classic rock format. Nassau used to also simulcast this programming on WWHK 102.3 FM, the former WKXL FM station that was recently purchased by a conservative columnist [the station currently airs rock music with station IDs and nothing else].
There has been no comment yet on what formats Great Eastern Radio will offer on the stations or whether Nassau will continue with Frank on WLKZ.
Monday, September 21, 2009
The Retroactivists ...
George Belli and the Retroactivists play at the Green Martini Friday night at 8 p.m.
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