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Robert Arnold IV What Individuality?

"Live Free or Die: For Death is not the worst of evils." From the lips of General John Stark, immortalized as our state motto "Live Free or Die," personally means a lot to me. It's something I have believed in whole-heartidly, since I could perform the funcion of reason. As it happened, we will never know the absolute truth about the birth of this fine nation, but one thing is certain, Live Free or Die was the backbone of that American Dream. . . and it breaks my heart to see the state that t

… Continue

Added by Robert Arnold IV on March 10, 2010 at 1:30am — 2 Comments

LFDA Editor Keeping secrets: Towns and states are doing it

(The following editorial appeared in the Union Leader on Monday, March 8.)

From one week's news clippings, a few examples of how New Hampshire residents are being kept in the dark by their local and state government servants:

In Hooksett, controversial police pay raises were approved in secret because, officials said, a privacy issue was involved.

In Concord, the head of the state Liquor Commission has been on leave, with pay, for weeks while the Attorney Gene… Continue

Added by LFDA Editor on March 8, 2010 at 10:45am — No Comments

Robert Arnold IV To those who wanted a Gay Marriage Repeal:

You want to know something that really annoys me? Closed minds. In the past few weeks of scouring the Herald opinion section, I have been, for lack of a better word, appalled at some of my fellow Puddledockers. What exactly gives you, or anyone else for that matter, the right to judge anyone for who they are, or what they want to be?

I am writing today on behalf of civil unions, because I have yet (and I admit I haven't read every day) to see anyone else do so. In today's world, how c… Continue

Added by Robert Arnold IV on March 6, 2010 at 8:30am — No Comments

Robert Arnold IV An Open Letter to Governor Lynch:

The following was sent to the office of the Governor May, 2009,

Hello. My name is Robert Arnold, and I’ve been a resident of Portsmouth New Hampshire for the last 23 years of my life. Since I’ve been able to vote, I have voted for you. I’ve met you a couple of times. Once at Portsmouth High School in 2004, and once just a bout a year ago at a function in support for President Obama. I’ll get straight to the point. I’m writing this to implore your consideration for the legalization of Me… Continue

Added by Robert Arnold IV on March 6, 2010 at 3:30am — 1 Comment

LFDA Editor Did you know Tuesday, March 9 is Election Day?

Tuesday, March 9 is Election day in New Hampshire. Voters will decide on all town and school articles, zoning amendments, etc. Here's a partial list of polling locations and times.

AMHERST
Souhegan High School, 412 Boston Post Road, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

BRENTWOOD
Community Center, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

BROOKLINE
Douglass Academy, 24 Townsend Hill Road, 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

CHICHESTER
Grange Hall, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

DUNBARTON:
Elementary schoo… Continue

Added by LFDA Editor on March 5, 2010 at 10:00am — No Comments

Jamila Taylor Lasante Stephen wants to run for Governor but doesn't work in this state?

NH has an undeniable need to attract and retain a sustainable workforce. The state doesn't want to see its citizens travel out of state in pursuit of more lucrative careers.

I recently read an announcement in the Concord Monitor that John Stephen kicked off his campaign for Republican candidate for Governor. According to the article, Stephen, a Manchester resident works for a Boston-based governme

… Continue

Added by Jamila Taylor Lasante on March 4, 2010 at 11:54am — 3 Comments

LFDA Editor LFDA Facebook fans debate decriminalizing marijuana

HB 1653-FN, decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana, is up for a vote in the House. Do you believe small amounts of marijuana should be criminal?

Check out some of the comments on our Facebook page:

"did prohibition keep alcohol off the streets? marijuana already is on the streets....ask any junior high kid, he can probably tell you where to get it, even if he doesn't smoke it himself..."
-Geoff B… Continue

Added by LFDA Editor on March 3, 2010 at 1:30pm — No Comments

LFDA Editor “We have not yet begun to fight” against new tolls

(The following editorial appeared in the print edition of the Union Leader and online at New Hampshire Watchdog)

In last Sunday’s Eagle-Tribune article: DOT commissioner committed to I-93 toll, New Hampshire Transportation Commissioner George Campbell reiterated his… Continue

Added by LFDA Editor on March 1, 2010 at 4:41pm — No Comments

Eydie Summit Proves Arrogance of Politicals and NOTHING Else!

Regardless of the fact that The American People are fed up with all "Politicals" the Republicans continue to battle the Democrats and visa-versa. The Health Care Reform Bill is nothing more than a power/money grab on the middle class. To put lipstick on it makes it still a pig laden with pay-offs, bribes and backdoor deals. This administration has already cost me hundreds by slashing the coverage of my eighty year old mother so drastically that I am forced to pay the difference. I have children,… Continue

Added by Eydie on February 25, 2010 at 9:00pm — No Comments

LFDA Editor Legislators to vote on cider, not milk as state drink

For the past two months, there has been debate about the official state drink among our legislators.

Students from Jaffrey Grade School made a pitch for apple cider and ultimately convinced State Rep. Bonnie Mitchell (D-Jaffrey) to sponsor a bill.

Students at Gilford Elementary School made the case for milk, but they could not win over any legislators.

Last week, the House Environment and Agriculture Comm… Continue

Added by LFDA Editor on February 22, 2010 at 12:40pm — 1 Comment

LFDA Editor Alliance aims to empower citizens

(The following editorial was published in the Seacoast Online on Feb. 22)

It's hard to argue with the goal of the Live Free or Die Alliance: to foster civil, fact-based debate about public issues in New Hampshire.

So much of our public dialogue today seems aimed at scoring political points rather than doing what's right. It's not surprising that truth becomes… Continue

Added by LFDA Editor on February 22, 2010 at 9:39am — No Comments

Ananta Gopalan Study: New Hampshire has one of the worst pension systems

Pew Center on States has published the status report on the pension system of the fifty states. New Hampshire rated as one of the worst with over $3B in unfunded liability, funding ratio at 58% and the state withdrawing its funding to 30% and 25% in the next two years. It is a huge burden on the local taxpayers that hasn't come ashore yet. Group II employees can retire after 20 years (amended to 25 for new employees) with retirement pay formula calculated at 125% of the base pay which can includ… Continue

Added by Ananta Gopalan on February 20, 2010 at 11:40am — 1 Comment

LFDA Editor Sen. Gregg: Teachers who don't cut it should be asked to leave

During the Live Free or Die Alliance webcast on Tuesday, Senator Gregg talked about a merit pay system for teachers.

Gregg: "We should say to the good teacher, we’re going to pay you more. To the moderate teacher, we’re going to pay you, but not as much as the good teacher, so get better. And we’re going to say to the teacher who is not cutting it, we’re not only not going to pay you what the other teacher’s are being paid, we’re going to ask you to leave. There is no question that me… Continue

Added by LFDA Editor on February 18, 2010 at 9:30am — 2 Comments

LFDA Editor Sen. Gregg equates stimulus to "sugar high"

During the Live Free or Die Alliance webcast on Tuesday, Senator Gregg offered his opinion on the Obama administration's economic stimulus plans.

Gregg: "If we want to do something substantive to get this economy going again, we shouldn’t be doing these short stimulus events, they’re sort of like a sugar high, they don’t last very long and in some cases they don’t very much. The last stimulus bill did very little in my opinion. I think we have to do structural reform that shows the Am… Continue

Added by LFDA Editor on February 18, 2010 at 9:30am — No Comments

LFDA Editor Sen. Gregg opposed to expanded gambling in NH

During Tuesday's webcast with the Live Free or Die Alliance, Senator Gregg was asked if he supported expanded gambling as a way to increase state revenues.

Gregg: "No. I don’t think we’re a big enough state with a strong enough infrastructure to defend ourselves from the people who might come in here to run those types of operations. Those folks are highly funded people who know how to influence legislative activity, and I would be very concerned about the influence. I also think it und… Continue

Added by LFDA Editor on February 18, 2010 at 9:28am — No Comments

LFDA Editor Is this appropiate behavior for a NH legislator?

Rep. Steven Valliancort (R-Manchester) forced the legislature to individually consider 90 bills that were scheduled to be handled in a single vote Wednesday, according to the Union Leader.

Valliancourt was reportedly upset because he was asked by Democratic leaders to revise a report on tax caps. They claimed the report contained inacc

… Continue

Added by LFDA Editor on February 11, 2010 at 10:51am — 1 Comment

LFDA Editor The Building Code, Child Safety and Frustration

(The following blog post was submitted by LFDA member Susan Bunting.)

As part of the child safety requirements in the state's Building Code (2006 International Residency Code, Framing R613.2), the sill of any window (higher than 16-feet off the ground) needs to be at least 24-inches above the floor.

I recently experienced trouble getting an occupancy permit (I… Continue

Added by LFDA Editor on February 9, 2010 at 10:30am — No Comments

LFDA Editor Will pay-to-play be the New Hampshire way?

(The following article appeared in the Feb. 7 edition of the Nashua Telegraph. It's written by Michael Brindley.)

Before they can take the field or skate out on the rink, many New Hampshire student- athletes and their families are being asked to shell out a fee to help cover the cost of school district sports.

Commonly referred to as pay-to-play, roughly one-third of high schools across the state have implemented some type of fee for students who choose to play sports,… Continue

Added by LFDA Editor on February 8, 2010 at 1:25pm — No Comments

LFDA Editor NH's Most Powerful?

Here are "NH's Most Powerful," according to Business NH Magazine. (In no particular order) Thomas Colacchio and Nancy Formella - Leaders of Darthmouth-Hitchcock Jim Demers - President, The Demers Group Maggie Hassan - Senate Majority Leader Dean Kamen - Founder of DEKA Research and Development and FIRST Richard Ober - VP of Civic Leadership and Communications at NH Charitable Foundation Ed Dupont - Chairman of the Univ. System of NH Board of Trustees an… Continue

Added by LFDA Editor on February 4, 2010 at 1:30pm — No Comments

Chuck McKenney My day at Pres. Obama's Town Hall in Nashua

My first experience with a presidential town hall forum happened this afternoon in Nashua. For some unknown reason, the White House figured I'd be a good guest. Are they aware that I voted for John McCain in '08? Politics aside, I wanted to soak in a good old-fashioned town hall, and for the first time, stand in the same room with a sitting U.S. president. The Arrival With ticket in hand, I arrived at Nashua High School North at 11:30am. I was advised to get there early, and judging by t… Continue

Added by Chuck McKenney on February 2, 2010 at 5:30pm — No Comments

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