Hudson - Litchfield News January 21, 2011 - 3


The Word Around Town... Letters to our Editor


Open Government Pledge


The current Republican majority in the state legislature came into power promising to emphasize “transparency” in government, and especially in its own operations. Unfortunately, perhaps due to the inexperience of the new leadership, there have already been a number of serious problems. For example, in just the first few weeks of this legislative session, the new Republican majority has: • Threatened to begin removal proceedings against the Attorney General because he testified that a bill violates New Hampshire’s long bi-partisan tradition of an independent Attorney General, violates the separation of powers, and is indeed unconstitutional. (Concord Monitor, 1/14/2011)


• Sought to remove an elected representative because he filed legislation they disagree with. (Union Leader, 1/9/2011)


• Refused to allow the public to testify at a hearing because the committee chairman had already made up his mind on the bill. (Concord Monitor, 1/12/2011)


• Filed legislation aimed at limiting the Constitutional right of active duty military personnel to vote. (youtube.com) Deputy House Democratic Leader Mary Jane


Wallner has called on Speaker Bill O’Brien, Majority leader D.J. Bettencourt, the entire Republican leadership team, and all House Committee chairs to sign the following Open Government Pledge:


“Whereas, free unfettered debate is essential to democracy; and


Whereas, the legislature needs information and input from all New Hampshire citizens to make sound public policy decisions; and Whereas, public officials, whether appointed or elected, should be encouraged to share relevant facts, precedents and opinions with the New Hampshire legislature in order to foster sound public policy; Therefore, we the undersigned, make the


following pledge to foster Open Government in New Hampshire: • Public hearings will be properly noticed, and New Hampshire citizens will be welcomed to testify and listened to with respect;


• Members of the legislature will not threaten to remove appointed public officials for offering facts, ideas, and/or opinions;


• Members of the legislature will not attempt to remove other elected members of the General Court simply for offering a different viewpoint;


• Members of the legislature will not attempt to remove judges or other officials because of the substance of their opinions.” Given their support of transparency, and of carrying out the will of the people of New Hampshire, the current House membership should all be willing to support this pledge. Please contact your District 27 Representatives to ask them for their support: Hudson – Randall Brownrigg, Lars Christiansen, Bob Haefner, Shawn Jasper, Jonathan Maltz, Russ Ober, Lynne Ober, Andy Renzullo, Jordan Ulery; Litchfield – Ralph Boehm, Laura Gandia, George Lambert; Pelham – Shaun Doherty.


Mary Ann Knowles - Hudson


The author of the letter apparently has little understanding of the complaint, its matter of being made, and the careful manner in which an open, thorough, and comprehensive review of an ill-defined situation is being carried out, but still does not apparently understand the process. The author clearly stated that the allegations were being examined by a committee; inferring this was a hasty or illicit action. The author just failed to tell people that the Committee would take time to examine and deliberate, as all Committees do in the New Hampshire House. Worse than that, it was alleged that this Committee examination was a rush to judgment. Seriously, has the New Hampshire House ever been known to “rush” anything through except in an emergency? As for cost, well, the Legislators do get paid—$100 a year, less FICA and mileage. Not a whole lot of public treasure. As for “focus,” well, it is the job of the committee to do exactly what it is doing—that is focus. Other Committees are working on other issues, including the time-consuming, detailed work of Finance and Ways & Means. The revenue projections will not even be forthcoming until the week of January 23. All this is public record and immediately available on the House Website. The facts of the situation are slightly different than those elaborated upon by the author. Members of the House themselves, and no other body, are the judges of who can or cannot be seated or remain in the House. A member of the House cannot be paid, and the operative word is “paid,” to advocate a cause. The author even stated, deep in the letter, that the House was doing its job, acting upon the qualification of another member to remain seated. The letter then devolved into political demagoguery. A member of the House noted an apparent violation of the constitutional provision after a person had been seated. There was an allegation, not a statement of a violation, but a simple allegation. An allegation deserves to be resolved to prevent unwarranted accusations being whispered in the halls. The action then is to examine the facts in the open, before the world and not in an adversarial fashion, but in a collegial fashion before a committee of peers. That, and nothing else, is what is now taking place. No surprise, no hasty rush to judgment. Anyone who attended the organizational meeting of the Committee charged with undertaking an investigation would have been stunned by the measured, reasoned, and careful approach to the inquiry. Unfortunately, hacks in the New Hampshire Democrat Party have so obfuscated the issue that they have created a controversy where no such controversy should or did exist. An apparatchik that parrots the “Party Line” is doing a profound disservice to our Constitutional Representative Government by attempting to smear Representative Brunnelle and Representative Greazzo when all that is being done is the seeking of a definition of what is and what is not allowed.


In the past, the line has been less than bright


Clarification on Current House Leadership


Recently, there was a letter in the paper about


what was described as a “hasty, reckless and irresponsible manner,” in which the House under Republican leadership conducted itself.


and downright fuzzy. The Ethics Committee (not yet constituted and awaiting the Governor’s appointments) has, in the past, rendered several conflicting non-public opinions. Ethics Committee actions are, by law, confidential and closed unless certain specific elements are present. If the author of the rather-obtuse article


had bothered to do homework, that fact would have been reported. The current inquiry will, hopefully, bring into focus what is and what is not allowed for all 400 members of the House. This is not the first time that this precise issue has been raised by members. Members on both sides of the political aisle have requested a more clear definition of when one actually becomes a paid advocate as defined by the Constitution and thus this inquiry, early in the cycle, will provide a definitive answer to that question. The proceedings are taking place in an orderly, formal matter for the benefit of all members and the public where the light of day can shine on the actions.


State Representative Jordan Ulery - Hudson


Congressmen should either pass the blame


back to the goons, who are responsible for their own actions, or accept the blame themselves, if they voted against legalizing drugs. If I’m at a public meeting with a Congressman, I don’t want some disgruntled importer to come in and start shooting random people to punish us for electing the authors of blatantly unjust laws. Ain’t my fault Charlie Bass got elected.


Tom Alciere - Hudson Historical Correction Rhetoric and Violence There has been some discussion lately about


how certain rhetoric can incite violence. Well, members of Congress and the public need to be careful to avoid rhetoric passing blame onto constituents. Let’s say the Border Patrol busts somebody


who is peacefully bringing drugs into the United States to satisfy demand here. The importer gripes about how unfair the law is. Typically, law enforcement goons reply, “We don’t write the laws, we just enforce them. Take it up with your Congressman.” To tell the victim that the goons “are just


enforcing the laws that We the People make” or that the laws are imposed by “the will of the people” is to direct the victim’s anger toward innocent people. Remember Christina Green? She was nine. She didn’t vote for Congresswoman Giffords.


The Litchfield Historical Society would like to correct erroneous statements made in last week’s Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down column concerning the demolition of a barn on the property of the Passaconaway Country Club in Litchfield. The demolished barn was not, as we state, one of Litchfield’s oldest, most historic barns. In fact, that barn was built in 1943 by Wilfred Bilodeau, who was the owner of the land at that time. The barn had been built to replace one that had been lost to fire earlier that year. Many residents who were alive at that time, my mother included, can well remember the raising of that barn. Unfortunately, Litchfield, like so many other early towns, has lost a number of important historic structures over the years, but Litchfield residents may rest assured that the yellow barn, which was demolished last week, was not one of them. This Historical Society would like to remind residents that it is always more than happy to answer questions about the history of any building in the town.


Dr. Steven P. Calawa, President, Litchfield Historical Society - Litchfield


Dependable, Professional, Dentistry Here for you when YOU need care!


Your smile is one of the first things people notice. If you want a beautiful healthy smile and exceptional dental health, visit Columbus Dental Care where Drs. Joe and Dori's caring team strive to provide patients in Hudson the highest quality, most comfortable dental care in a relaxing, state-of-the-art environment. Columbus Dental Care can give you the beautiful, healthy smile you deserve with advanced restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Local, dependable care for you and your family!


INCOME TAX PREPARATION • Electronic Filing


• Walk-In or by Appointment • Complete in one visit


Ackley Associates Inc. 883-3912


215A Main St., Nashua (Above Aubuchon Hardware)


Mon.-Thurs., 8:30am-7pm, Fri. 8:30-5pm.Sat. 8:30am-12:30pm GENERATORS INSTALLED T


Malley Electric 8KW Natural or Propane Generator Electrically installed for a great price! $3,995.00 some restrictions apply


J Authorized GENER DealerAC ® 24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE 603-595-2970


Dr. Joseph V. Columbus Dr. Dori Lang Columbus


DISCOVER A WHOLE NEW WORLD OF DENTAL CARING BROOK PLAZA • 30 LOWELL ROAD HUDSON • NH


High Tech Dentistry for


Your Beautiful Smile • Laser Tooth Preparation • One Visit Crowns • Digital X-Rays


• New 3D Digital Panoramic X-Ray


Little Extras:


• DVD/CD Players in Treatment Rooms • Headphones • Refreshments • Outside Financing Information Avail. • Courtesy Insurance Processing


Orthodontics for all ages!


Replace Missing Teeth! Dr. Dori Columbus is now accepting


patients for phase I (early treatment) and phase II orthodontics.


Call now for your orthodontic consultation!


Many adults are looking for relief from ill fitting dentures or missing teeth.Dental Implants could be the solution.


Call Dr. Joe Columbus for your Implant Consultation.


COLUMBUS DENTAL CARE, P.L.L.C. www.Columbus-Dental.com 882-9955


Combined Over 30 Years of Experience


We accept


CareCredit as a payment option.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16