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 HelloReturn to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to this Week-in-Review Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. Making news this week: Filing papers for Office: who's In the running. Bush Advisor Karl Rove in NH stirring protest, the presidential watch heats up, and, two more New Hampshire servicemen are killed. Here to talk about all this and more from the State House in Concord: Kevin Landrigan from the Telegraph and Tom Fahey from the Union Leader, and here in Durham Jeff Feingold with NH Business Review and Outlook's Richard Ager. A warm welcome to all of you. |
| Lynch Files vo Return to index of stories... |
We begin with Candidates filing for this fall's elections.Friday was the deadline. Governor John Lynch filed his papers Friday morning seeking a second term in office. The Hopkinton Democrat won his first bid for public office in 2004. Heading into a new campaign season Lynch is armed with record approval ratings among voters and high marks from legislative leaders for his ability to bring people together. As he filed for re-election, Lynch pledged to keep working with Republicans and Democrats to end divisive politics Q The latest UNH poll has Lynch with a favorablity rating of 72-%. Andy Smith says that makes him "The most popular elected official in NH" WHY? works hard, loves the job Q Voters in BOth Parties love him -- which has got to drive the REPUBLICANS wild? Q Daunting for anyone taking him on. Is he unbeatable? Q Republican Jim Coburn -- filed papers on Wednesday. He's taking on the popular Incumbent Governor. Says he isn't afraid of the long odds.??? Q Give us a sense of who LYNCH'S challenger is. Relative NEWCOMER to politics? Q Didn't eliminate the state property tax didn't seem to hurt him? |
| Filing/1st Cong Dist Return to index of stories... |
The 1st Congressional Race is getting a bit crowded. No primary for Republican incumbent Jeb Bradley but there are 5 Democratic challengers. The best known of the group: House Democratic Leader Jim Craig. He's been in the Legislature 8 years. And the most notorious: Rye Businessman Gary Dodds --who faced FRESH questions about his disappearance in April following a car crash -- when he filed papers. Police have apparently obtained a search warrant in an investigation involving him. Q TOM/KEVIN: Can anyone shed any light on that? Could DODD shed any light on that? Q RICHARD/JEFF: Prospects for Jim Craig?? What about name Recognition. Q KEVIN/TOM? Some other Lesser Known Candidates running in the 1st District? IN the 2nd Congressional District, Republican incumbent Charlie Bass will likely face a re-match, Paul Hodes,a former prosecutor and Concord Lawyer is giving it another try. Q Hodes: no longer the Newcomer -- did Well in 2004. Different Strategy than LAST TIME? Has he been able to raise some Money? Q Is he hoping to cash-in on the anti-Republican mood in the country??? Q a recent UNH poll showed Hodes only 7 points behind Bass Q BASS, does face a Primary. Berlin Mayor Bob Danderson challenging him. Anything to report on that front?? |
| 2nd Cong District Return to index of stories... |
IN the 2nd Congressional District, Republican incumbent Charlie Bass will likely face a RE-match, Paul Hodes, a former prosecutor and Concord Lawyer giving it another try. Q Hodes: no longer the Newcomer -- did Well in 2004. Different Strategy than LAST TIME? Has he been able to raise some Money? Q Is he hoping to cash-in on the anti-Republican mood in the country??? Q a recent UNH poll showed Hodes only 7 points behind Bass Q BASS, does face a Primary. Berlin Mayor Bob Danderson challenging him. Anything to report on that front?? |
| Exec Cnc/Scamman Return to index of stories... |
The Executive Council race, which usually doesn't get much attention is generating some interest. While most of the Councilors are facing a challenge it's the open seat in District 3 that's making all the noise. Longtime councilor Ruth Griffin is stepping down and some familiar names are in the running. Q Kevin/Tom: How is that race SHAPING up?? Local publisher Sean Mahoney. State Sen Chuck Morse. Former state Sen. Russell Prescott. Dan Philbrick of Dover is out. Former New Hampshire Senate President Beverly Hollingworth a democrat +++++++ Q House Speaker Doug Scamman - is NOT seeking re-election to the Legislature. So, The race to replace him is on. Who are the likely CANDIDATES for the Speakers POST? |
| Rove Protesters vo Return to index of stories... |
Karl Rove visited New Hampshire on Monday. President Bush's closest adviser was the featured speaker at the annual State GOP fundraising dinner. Rove's visit to Manchester was greeted by dozens of protesters. Many of the demonstrators referred to the illegal phone jamming during the 2002 election by NH Republican operatives. They accused Rove of practicing the same win-at-any-cost brand of politics. Inside the hotel, about 500 Republicans gathered to have photos taken with Rove. The fundraiser generated about 60-thousand dollars for the state party, which had been almost broke due to legal fees connected with the phone jamming scandal. And any thoughts about bipartisan appeals to Democrats quickly vanished when Rove made his speech. This was Rove's first event in NH since the 2004 campaign and his first public speech since 2003. Q RICHARD: Your impressions? His reception? Q KEVIN: Avoided questions about the phone jamming scandal? Q A Judge DISMISSED most of a DEMOCRATIC lawsuit against Republicans stemming from the jamming of Democratic phone lines in NH in the 2002 elections. BOTH parties claiming victory.what do you make of that? Q Trying to persuade state Republicans that the election year won’t be as bad as some pundits say. Did it work? Seemed to fuel DEMOCRATS -- certainly a lighenting rod. |
| PrioritiesNH broll Return to index of stories... |
The New lobbying group PrioritesNh present at the Rove protest. They join the already numerous list of lobby groups. "PrioritiesNH" wants to take $60 billion in Pentagon funds, and spend it on other priorities. They're trying a somewhat different approach in getting its message across. Q RICHARD/KEVIN: pink pigs and wheels of fortune all part of the campaign. Will this resonate? |
| Politics Eggs/Vilsack Return to index of stories... |
We've seen a plethoria of Presidential wannabees in New Hampshire of Late. New York Governor George Patakis is in the state-- Delware Senator Joseph Biden is here Saturday. And, Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack was here Wednesday. At the Politics and Eggs breakfast event in Bedford, the Democrat weighed in on New Hampshire and Iowa's early role in presidential elections. This was the Governor's first trip here as a prospective presidential candidate. Q Has there been much of a buzz? Q NOT suprinsingly -- VILSACK.ENDORSED the first in the nation NH primary and IOWA caucuses. Q Before his visit I suspect few DEMOCRATS had heard of VILSACK. Anything change after 3 days here? Q Issues raised??? Q ANY great EXPECTATIONS for the Pataki or BIDEN vist? Sen Biden slated for a town hall meeting in Dover SATURDAY??? Gov Pataki in Lebanon and Hanover. |
| NH Soldier Killed Return to index of stories... |
This week we reached a new milestone in the war on terror. The Pentagon annouced 25-hundred American soldiers have died since the Iraq War Began. Army Sergeant Daniel Gionet of Pelham among them. He was killed in Iraq last week when a homemade bomb went off near his tank. We also learned another New Hampshire soldier had been killed, this time in Afghanistan. Sgt Russell Durgin of Henniker was the 5-th New Hampshire serviceman to die in 6 weeks. Q JEFF: When the horrors of war hit home it just fuels calls to bring TROOPS home?? In NH.everywhere? Q The DEBATE over WHEN troops should come home has VITAL consequences in the MID-TERM elections. TOM/KEVIN: Every politician facing that question: even John Lynch asked that question while filing friday morning? The law guarantees state employees on active duty receive health and retirement benefits and the difference in pay between their state and military salaries. |
| Hall/Poet Return to index of stories... |
NH's own Donald Hall has been named U.S. Poet Laureate. The 78-year old Hall has written 15 books of verse. When asked what he writes about. he says: NH, Love and Death. Hall takes up his duties in the fall. Q RICHARD: Hall is one of NH's most celebrated writers? a cultural icon. We'll explore the depths of his work on Wednesday's NH Outlook. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
My thanks to Kevin and Tom at the State House in Concord. And, Jeff and Richard here in Durham. And, thank you for watching. I'm Beth Carroll. I'll see you next time. |
| soldier Return to index of stories... |
AP-NH--National Guard Message,0154 Guard commander offers message for the troops and the state dewho CONCORD, N.H. - On a day when one New Hampshire soldier is being buried and the family of another is planning a funeral, the head of the state National Guard is reflecting on a trying time. In an open letter to members of the Army and Air National Guard and residents of the state, Major General Kenneth Clark said the last 18 months have been the most intense period ever for the state guard, with members supporting the war in Iraq and Afghanistan and helping hurricane and flood victims in the Gulf Coast and New Hampshire. In March, two members of the National Guard were wounded. Private Richard Ghent is recovering at home, but Sergeant Jose Pequeno still is being treated for a severe head injury and soon may be transferred to a rehabilitation facility in California. Since April, five Army soldiers and one Marine have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. AP-NY-06-16-06 1040EDT IRAQ-US DEAD Bush spokesman calls 2,500 figure a 'sad benchmark' WHITE HOUSE - "It's a number." That's the reaction from White House press secretary Tony Snow to word that two-thousand-500 American soldiers have died since the Iraq war began. Calling it a "sad benchmark," Snow says President Bush "very deeply" feels the pain of those families. But he's reiterating Bush's insistence that those sacrifices won't be in vain. The Pentagon released the 25-hundred figure today. The military also says nearly 18-thousand-500 troops have been wounded in action since the U-S invaded Iraq in March of 2003. NH Soldier Henniker soldier is 5th N.H. serviceman to die in 6 weeks HENNIKER, N.H. - The latest New Hampshire soldier to die overseas had served tours of duty in Korea and Iraq before heading to Afghanistan in March. Twenty-three-year-old Sergeant Russell Durgin of Henniker had planned to leave the Army in two years and become a state trooper. He also was planning his wedding. The state National Guard says Durgin -- the fifth New Hampshire serviceman killed in the last six weeks -- died Tuesday by small arms fire. The military in Afghanistan said an American soldier was killed in an ambush as part of the largest military operation in Afghanistan since 2001, but did not identify the soldier. AP-NY-06-15-06 0613EDT ============== PELHAM, N.H. - A fallen soldier is being laid to rest today in New Hampshire. Army Sergeant Daniel Gionet was killed in Iraq last week when a homemade bomb went off near his tank. A funeral Mass will be said for Gionet this morning at Saint Patrick Church in Pelham, with burial at Gibson Cemetery in Pelham. Yesterday, hundreds of mourners filed through the Dracut Funeral Home in Dracut, Massachusetts to pay their respects. Gionet grew up in Lowell and moved to Pelham about 12 years ago. He was a 2001 graduate of Pelham High School who played on his schools baseball, football and wrestling teams. NH SOLDIER' Death raises NH toll to 16 in war on terror. By Brian MacQuarrie, Globe Staff | June 15, 2006 Army Sergeant Russell M. Durgin of Henniker, N.H., had served a tour in Iraq, reenlisted, and then fought the Taliban in remote, mountainous Afghanistan. The 23-year-old had a fiancee back home, a goal to become a state trooper, and a plan to leave the military when his commitment ended next spring. But on Tuesday, Durgin died from enemy small-arms fire in Afghanistan, Army officials said, as US and coalition troops pressed the biggest offensive since 2001 against the resurgent Taliban. For tiny Henniker, Durgin's death is the first in the war on terror. For New Hampshire, the fatality is the fifth in the war since May 1 and the seventh this year. In all, New Hampshire has lost 16 servicemen in the war: 12 were killed in Iraq, and Durgin is the fourth to die in Afghanistan. ``Russell just made an impression on people," his mother, Jean Durgin, said. ``It wasn't that he was all soldier. He was all human." Russell Durgin, part of the 10th Mountain Division, joined the military at age 17 against his mother's initial objections while attending John Stark Regional High School in Weare, N.H. In a family where four of five siblings have served in the armed forces, Durgin's decision seemed natural. His father, Lester, was a Marine veteran of the Vietnam War era. ``Russ was not 18 when he joined, and I declined my consent," his mother said. ``Russell said, `Mom, I'm going to be 18 in a few months, and I'm going to go anyway.' So I did give in, and he tried to convince me it was OK because there was no war." Jean Durgin, a native of Norwood, said her son ``was very committed to what he was doing. But he was ready to give it up when his tour was up" to pursue a law-enforcement career, get married, and start a family. Two of Durgin's older siblings served in the military during the Persian Gulf War. His twin brother, Sean, is a member of the Air Force who is preparing for deployment to Qatar. The family learned about Durgin's death on Tuesday evening, after returning from a dinner to celebrate Sean's graduation from a community college in Baltimore, where he had earned two associate's degrees while serving full-time in the Air Force. Russell's fiancee, Michele Dougherty, took photographs during the celebration to send to Afghanistan. While Sean Durgin was standing in the driveway, he said, a man in a uniform approached the house. Sean said he knew immediately what had happened. Soon, the rest of the family heard the terrible news. ``He made me laugh. He was goofy," Sean said. ``I lost my best friend. I'm going to miss him forever." Once, during a training assignment to North Carolina, Russell called Dougherty, his high-school sweetheart. If you only had one wish, he asked Dougherty, what would it be? For you to be here, she replied. ``Well, why don't you come to the door," he said. Durgin was waiting outside her Weare home with flowers. Despite the tragedy, Durgin's mother said the family is focused on the joy that Russell brought those who knew him. ``We all have a smile embedded in our heads," she said, ``and that's how we'll remember him." In Henniker, a central New Hampshire town of 4,700 residents, the flags have been lowered to half-staff. ``It brings to close quarters the reality of how horrible that war is," said Tom Watman, chairman of the Board of Selectmen. Major Greg Heilshorn of the New Hampshire National Guard said the state's recent spate of casualties has hit hard. However, he added, ``if there's something positive to say about this, it's a reminder that for a small state, New Hampshire carries a big load when it comes to military service." Since May 1, New Hampshire's war dead have included Marin e Lance Corporal Robert L. Moscillo of Salem, Army Private Nicholas Cournoyer of Gilmanton, Army Captain Douglas DiCenzo of Plymouth, and Army Sergeant Daniel Gionet of Pelham. Material from the Associated Press was used in this report. *** Another NH soldier killed By SCOTT BROOKS Union Leader Staff 1 hour, 16 minutes ago Henniker – U.S. Army Sgt. Russell M. Durgin, a veteran of tours of duty in South Korea and Iraq, was killed Tuesday while under hostile fire in Afghanistan, military officials confirmed yesterday. He was 23. “I lost my best friend, my brother, my soul mate,” said Durgin’s twin brother, Sean, himself a serviceman in the Maryland Air National Guard. “I just loved him so much.” Military officers traveled to Henniker Tuesday night to deliver the news to Durgin’s family. Sean watched as the officers’ car pulled into the driveway. “They came out and I saw the uniforms and I knew my life would never be the same,” he said. Durgin, a 2001 graduate of John Stark Regional High School, is one of four New Hampshire servicemen killed while contributing to military operations in Afghanistan. He is New Hampshire’s sixth war casualty in just over two months. Tuesday, suspected Taliban militants attacked a coalition logistics patrol in the southern province of Helmand with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire, killing one American soldier and wounding two others, the U.S. military said. Another coalition soldier died in combat in the eastern Kunar region. Relatives were unable to say where Durgin may have been during his months in Afghanistan or what he was charged with doing there. Durgin kept his mission a secret from his family, except to say that he was “getting the bad guys.” Lately, relatives said, he had been tiring of the soldier’s life and was anxious to return home to his sweetheart, Michele Dougherty. The two had been talking of marriage, and though Durgin had yet to propose, Dougherty had already started shopping for a wedding dress. “He wanted to come home and marry his girlfriend — just settle down and have a peaceful life,” Durgin’s father, Lester, said. “But every day, I know he was doing his utmost to be a soldier.” Durgin hailed from a long line of U.S. servicemen. His father was a Marine lance corporal during the Vietnam conflict. His grandfather served in Germany and Japan during World War II. Other relatives also served. Until this week, the family had yet to lose a member in combat. “He’s the first one to die since World War II,” Durgin’s father said. Even in his youth, Durgin’s interest in the military was apparent, relatives said. Durgin often urged his brother to play war games. Sometimes, Sean said, he’d find Durgin drawing battle scenes at their dad’s desk. Though practically inseparable, the twins were quite different. Russell was the funny one, everyone agreed. Sean was more serious. “Sean was the protector. He was the worrier,” said their aunt, Bonnie Kennedy. “Russell was, ‘Eh, don’t sweat the small stuff.’ Always.” As a high school junior, Durgin shed 40 pounds so he’d be fit enough to join the Army Reserves, his family said. A short time later, his brother joined the Air Force. “We both just wanted to do our time, serve our country,” Sean said. “A lot of people join the military for educational benefits.... Me and him, we knew there was a job to be done and not everyone could do it.” Durgin was activated on Sept. 11, 2001, and sent to Fort Devens, Mass. Soon, he was begging to be released. “He said he was so bored,” said his mother, Jean Durgin. “He didn’t want to stand on guard at Fort Devens. He said, ‘I want action.’” Upon transferring to the active Army infantry, Durgin was deployed to the demilitarized zone in South Korea. He was there when the U.S. invaded Iraq, at which point he told his father, “I wish I was in the invasion.” Durgin made it to Iraq that September. In July 2004, his family recalled, Durgin’s encampment was attacked. A mortar assault ignited a massive fire. Durgin escaped, but two of his friends were killed. There were other horrors. Once, his brother said, Durgin was nearly decapitated while riding in a Humvee. “I remember getting a call from him every now and then when he was in Iraq. You could hear the mortars in the background,” Sean said. When he returned home in September 2004, Durgin found it difficult to readjust, relatives said. One night, according to his mother, he was driving to Fort Drum and ran over a deer. His mind flashed back to Iraq. “He saw body parts,” Jean said. Durgin spent the next 18 months at home. He began dating Dougherty, a close friend ever since they met in a guitar class during their freshman year of high school. “I always knew he was the one,” Dougherty said. “I always knew I would be safe with him — that he’d protect me.” She didn’t worry when she said goodbye this spring, she said. Durgin was supposed to spend a year in Afghanistan. “I wasn’t scared,” she said. “I just wanted him to get there and get it over with so he could come home.” Dougherty was at the family’s home Tuesday night when Sean came through the front door, crying and pointing to the military officers outside. “It didn’t click at first,” she said. “It couldn’t be happening — not to him.” Later that night, Sean found an old hunk of posterboard in the family’s garage. It was one of the dozens of “Welcome home” signs his mother used to post on the lawn when one of her boys returned from overseas. Sean took the sign and planted it in the middle of the front yard. With black spray paint, he scrawled, “We luv u. RIP.” The Associated Press contributed to this report. ?Battle rages in Afghanistan Print Article | Email a Friend | Submit FeedbackSite Search PRIOR EDITIONS |
| gov Return to index of stories... |
CONCORD, N.H. - Governor John Lynch filed this morning for a second term -- pledging to keep working with Republicans and Democrats to end divisive politics. The Democrat is 53 and from Hopkinton. He is being challenged by Windham Republican Jim Coburn and Hudson Libertarian Richard Kahn Lynch reiterated themes from his first term -- chief among them being his belief that government should be a bipartisan effort. As examples of what can be accomplished through bipartisan efforts, he pointed to a law enacted this year establishing tough penalties against child sexual predators. He said he will continue to work to raise the school dropout age from 16 to 18. The Senate approved raising the age, but the House decided to study the idea. Lynch said the effort to keep kids in school should include programs to keep kids interested in getting an education. |
| craig Return to index of stories... |
JIM CRAIG ANNOUNCES HIS CANDIDACY FOR US CONGRESS From his Backyard in the First District, Jim Craig Stands with Family, Friends and Community Leaders to Announces His Challenge to Incumbent Rep. Jeb Bradley -- Today, Jim Craig, State House Democratic Leader announced the filing of his candidacy for Congress in the 1st Congressional District. Jim Craig is challenging Republican incumbent Jeb Bradley and his Bush administration rubber-stamp record. Jim Craig announced his filing from Manchester in the heart of the 1st Congressional District surrounded by his family and friends, including various New Hampshire leaders. “I’m running for Congress because it is time to change business as usual in Washington,” Jim said. “In Congress, I pledge to represent the interests of my neighbors in New Hampshire, not the lobbyists and special interests.” Jim continued, “Four years ago, our Congressman left for Washington as Jeb Bradley and he came back as Jeb Bush. He turned his back on the people of New Hampshire, ignored our concerns and rubber stamped the failed Bush agenda of corruption and incompetence.” In recent weeks, Jim Craig has offered real solutions to the failed policies in Washington including a GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century, practical and long-term solutions for energy independence, Medicare Part D reform and protection of seniors Social Security benefits from privatization. Jim Craig, a life-long resident of Manchester, has represented the 9th District of Hillsborough County in the New Hampshire State House for eight years. As the Democratic Leader, Jim earned a solid reputation for working across party lines to build a lasting, bipartisan consensus that represents the mainstream values of New Hampshire residents. Words of Support for Jim: “I am very pleased that Jim has filed to run for Congress. Jim has done a great job representing NH citizens in Concord, he will be an excellent addition to our leadership in Washington,” said Belknap County Democratic Chair Beth Arsenault. “I have known the Craig family for decades and Jim is just the kind of guy we need in Congress right now. We need someone we can trust and that we know has New Hampshire’s best interests in mind," said Bill Cashin. “Jim Craig is a decent and honorable man with a long record of public service. Jim’s work in the legislature has been marked by bringing civility back to the process. As Democratic leader, Jim's term was marked by his strong presence on key legislation that positively affected the lives and well being of the residents of New Hampshire,” said State Senator Lou D'Allesandro. "I am supporting Jim because New Hampshire needs change. This November is the time to bring new leadership to Washington and I know Jim Craig is the right man for the job,” said Manchester Alderwoman and State Senate Candidate Betsy Devries. “Jim understands the education needs in New Hampshire. He has been very supportive of our school system and is going to be a wonderful leader in Washington,” said Carol Scott, Manchester School Board Member. “I am thrilled that Jim Craig has joined this race. Jim is a person who will speak for New Hampshire. He is exactly what this State and Country need, a leader with backbone. I encourage all citizens of New Hampshire, who love this state and country, to join me in supporting Jim Craig for Congress,” said Bill Shaheen. “Jim Craig has a 100% record on women’s health issues. He will be a fair and responsible voice for women in Congress. Jim stands in opposition to Jeb Bradley who repeatedly fails to trust women and their personal decisions by voting to turn back the clock on Choice”, Dawn Touzin, Director of Public Affairs, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England. ### |
| Karl Rove info Return to index of stories... |
AP-NH--Rove Visit ,0148 Rove kept his none indictment from N.H. crowd dewapnmlbywst MANCHESTER, N.H. - When White House adviser Karl Rove stopped for dinner in Manchester last night, he was holding onto a big secret. Just as he landed in Manchester, Rove got a call from his lawyer telling him he would not be indicted in the investigation into leak of a CIA officer's identity. Rove made no mention of the call during his remarks at the G-O-P fundraiser. A spokesman says Rove is elated and his lawyer says they won't have any more comment. The lawyer made the news public this morning. Rove is back in Washington. At the dinner, Rove said Republicans facing midterm elections should campaign on the economy's strength -- and have no qualms about talking about the Iraq war. Rove said no one needs to apologize for supporting a war that removed the threat of Saddam Hussein. MANCHESTER, N.H. - Republican Party fund-raisers in New Hampshire don't usually attract Democrats, except for this evening. Presidential adviser Karl Rove is the keynote speaker tonight at the G-O-P's annual dinner, and Democrats will be outside to protest. They say the G-O-P is bringing Rove to the state to help raise money to pay legal fees to defend Republicans in a phone-jamming plot against Democrats in 2002. State Republican Chairman Wayne Semprini he said the phone-jamming case has nothing to do with Rove's appearance, though he hopes they'll raise enough money to boost Republican candidates in the fall elections and cover expenses, including the legal fees. Three Republican operatives have been convicted in the plot that jammed Democratic get-out-the vote phone lines. |
| educ Return to index of stories... |
Feds tweak numbers, put schools in limbo By TOM FAHEY State House Bureau Chief 17 hours, 17 minutes ago CONCORD – Schools that thought they made adequate progress last year under the No Child Left Behind law won't know for sure until August. Education Commissioner Lyonel Tracy said federal officials rejected the state's decision to exclude up to 30 children from each school's ranks of low-income, non-English speaking or special education students. The state will recalculate the assessment test data, and add more data to a computer analysis, Tracy said yesterday. The state made several changes in the way test scores are analyzed. That complicates the picture, he said, so it's unclear if schools will do better or worse when the new results are ready around August. He downplayed the development as a "minor inconvenience — we don't think there's going to be a dramatic change." Last month, preliminary findings were that 15 elementary or middle schools were added to the "schools in need of improvement" list, raising the state total to 59. Of 351 schools, 195 reached adequate yearly progress in all areas. Another 156 missed for the first time in either math, reading or both. In previous years, the tests were given in the spring and groups of fewer than 11, whether they be special ed, low-income or non-English speakers, were excluded from results. This year, testing came in the fall, with Rhode Island and Vermont. New Hampshire schools with one class at any level from grades three to eight could exclude subgroups of fewer than 10 students. The bar was set at 20 students at schools with two classes at any level and at 30 students when there are three classes at any level. In April, U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spelling said she was about to "batten down the hatches" when an Associated Press analysis found that her department approved state plans that exclude as many as 10 percent of student scores, with so-called "cell sizes" of up to 50 students. Tracy said he got a call two weeks ago telling him cell sizes in New Hampshire would have to be cut back to 11. Manchester Superintendent of Schools Michael Ludwell said the news "is very frustrating. It basically keeps us in limbo until August." Last month, four middle and four of 14 city elementary schools went on the schools in need of improvement list. High school findings come out in August. Manchester Assistant Superintendent Henry Aliberti said federal rules required a 39 percent increase in the number of students expected to be proficient in reading, compared to 2003-04 levels, and a 20 percent increase in math scores. He plans to continue work on improvement plans for all schools that fell short. "Based on our scores in 1998, we have made progress. We just haven't made enough progress, so we are seeing the impact of the new standards," he said. In Derry, retiring Superintendent John Moody said the change, "Simply throws a monkey wrench into an already complicated process." He said the new analysis will come out just before schools starts, and a few weeks ahead of the next round of testing. "How are we supposed to use results from the first one to make adjustments for the next set of scores?" he asked. Moody said Tracy can't be blamed for this situation, noting this is the second change to state testing procedures that federal officials rejected. The first was the state's decision to switch from spring to fall testing. "In his defense, you don't get a straight answer for months at a time. And then they end up kicking you in the butt," he said. "I think communication has to improve all the way around." On the Net: www.ed.state.nh.us |
| phone jamming Return to index of stories... |
AP-NH--GOP Phone Jamming-URGENT,TOPS,0109 Judge dismisses most of Democrats' phone-jamming lawsuit MANCHESTER, N.H. - A court judge has dismissed most of a Democratic lawsuit against Republicans stemming from the jamming of Democratic phone lines in the November 2002 elections. State Democratic Chairwoman Kathy Sullivan says a judge in Manchester dismissed five of eight claims Democrats had made in the civil lawsuit. Both parties called the decision a victory. Sullivan says she's pleased the remaining claims are going forward. Republicans said the decision shows there is little merit to the Democrats' complaints. The five dismissed claims dealt with conspiring against rights, harassment and conspiracy. The remaining three claims pertain to interfering with phone systems and compensation. AP-NY-06-15-06 1756EDT AP-NH--GOP Phone Jamming-URGENT,0087 Judge dismisses most of Democrats' phone-jamming lawsuit MANCHESTER, N.H. - A court judge today dismissed most of a Democratic lawsuit against Republicans stemming from the jamming of Democratic phone lines in the November 2002 elections. State Democratic Chairwoman Kathy Sullivan says a judge in Manchester dismissed five of eight claims Democrats had made in the civil lawsuit. Both parties called the decision a victory. The Republican National Committee said it shows there is little merit to the Democrats' complaints. Sullivan says she's pleased the remaining claims are going forward. AP-NY-06-15-06 1651EDT |
| coburn Return to index of stories... |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: NH Democratic Party Wednesday, June 14, 2006 225-6899 "Who is Jim Coburn?" - Republican State Representative Bill Field CONCORD -In his two years in Concord, Jim Coburn has rarely spoken on the House floor, sponsored only three minor bills and hasn't made much of an impression on his colleagues in the House of Representatives. In fact, at Coburn's campaign announcement, one Republican state representative had to ask, "Who is Jim Coburn?" "Jim Coburn has not been a leader - or made a difference for the people - in the New Hampshire House of Representatives. The only thing that distinguishes Jim Coburn's short career in the House of Representatives are his reflexively partisan votes and his outspoken support for the Craig Benson way of doing things," said Kathy Sullivan, chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party. "Time and time again, Jim Coburn has been out of step with the people of New Hampshire - voting against important legislation supported by both Democrats and Republicans in the House." "HELPING CRAIG BENSON FINISH WHAT HE STARTED" "I think it's a shame. I really do," said newly elected state Representative Jim Coburn when Craig Benson lost his re-election campaign in the wake of major ethical scandals. According to his hometown Eagle Tribune, Coburn "said he wanted to go to Concord to help Benson finish what he started..." More Coburn: "Gov. Benson took a while to get started, to maneuver the ropes up there." And when he launched his gubernatorial campaign this spring, Coburn turned to the same team that led the scandal-plagued Benson administration. VOTED AGAINST BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO REPEAL DAMAGING SMALL BUSINESS HEALTH INSURANCE LAWS Last year, James Coburn voted against repealing costly Craig Benson-era insurance laws that had caused steep spikes in rates for small businesses across New Hampshire. Like many of his votes in the House, Coburn stood with a small minority of legislators voting against the popular repeal, which passed with more than 75 percent of the vote. OPPOSED BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO GIVE WOMEN ACCESS TO EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION Jim Coburn opposed bipartisan legislation to allow women to get access to emergency contraception without a prescription, a law aimed at reducing the need for abortions. OPPOSES BIPARTISAN EFFORT TO FIGHT CRYSTAL METH Jim Coburn said he opposed bipartisan efforts to crack down on crystal meth, a dangerous and highly addictive drug. Coburn opposed federal legislation aimed at preventing drug dealers from getting the ingredients they need to manufacture meth. The effort, Coburn said, is wrong because fighting meth manufacturers may let government grow. A TROUBLING RECORD OF EXTREMIST, PARTISAN VOTES On vote after vote, Jim Coburn has stood with the most extreme member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives. He voted to pass a law declaring that life begins the moment of fertilization; voted to let pharmacists refuse to fill prescriptions for emergency contraception; and he even voted to amend the state constitution to allow taxpayer dollars to fund religious schools. ### |
| BROLL ROve Return to index of stories... |
Nashua Democrat Debora Pignatelli. “I’ll be back, God willing,” Wheeler vowed. On Monday, Wheeler, 47, kept his promise, signing up to oppose Pignatelli’s bid for a second term this fall. EXEC COUNCIL & SCAMMAN CONCORD – House Speaker Doug Scamman , who has been in public service for over 40 years, announced Tuesday he would not seek re-election to the Legislature making the race to replace him nearly a free-for-all one day before the candidate filing period opens. Scamman returned to the Speaker’s chair in December 2004 after leaving that position and the Legislature 14 years before. His election this time was particularly odd because of how he was elected. In the shadows of Rep. Gene Chandler leaving the Speaker’s chair in scandal, Scamman was elected with the support of more Democrats than Republicans, making his power in the Republican dominated House in question. Posted in State House | read more » DCCC endorsement appears to make the 1st CD primary a two person raceSubmitted by admin on June 4, 2006 - CONGRESSIONAL **** CONCORD, N.H. - Manchester Republican Ray Wieczorek filed today for re-election to New Hampshire's Executive Council representing District Four. Democrats Bob Bruce of Candia and Paul Martineau of Manchester also have filed for the seat. Also filing for a council seat today was Democrat John Shea of Nelson. He filed for the District Two seat now held by Republican Peter Spaulding of Hopkinton. This morning, Rochester Democrat Carol Shea-Porter filed for the 1st Congressional District. Shea-Porter, who's 53, hopes to take on Republican incumbent Jeb Bradley in November. Manchester Democrat Peter Sullivan also has filed for the seat and two other Democrats are expected to file this week -- Gary Dodds of Rye and Jim Craig of Manchester. AP-NY-06-13-06 1640EDT CONCORD – On election night 19 months ago, Milford Republican David Wheeler shrugged off his stunning ouster from the Executive Council by Nashua Democrat Debora Pignatelli. “I’ll be back, God willing,” Wheeler vowed. On Monday, Wheeler, 47, kept his promise, signing up to oppose Pignatelli’s bid for a second term this fall. “I never took my campaign signs off the truck,” Wheeler said. “This has always been in my mind.” Wheeler will go after Pignatelli as too liberal, too anti-family and too anti-sportsman, just as he did in 2004. Wheeler lost that race by roughly 6,600 votes. Pignatelli had more than a 10-year record in the Legislature before joining the council, which approves most state contracts and the governor’s nominees to state boards, department head and judicial positions. The council also oversees the state’s 10-year highway plan and the toll system. “I have a record on the council to run on this time and think it’s a pretty good one,” said Pignatelli, 59. “He used the same rhetoric against me the last time, and the voters saw right through it. They’ll be smart enough to do just that again.” Pignatelli has stressed her opposition to voting against awarding state contracts with only one bidder and communicating with voters through weekly e-mails. Wheeler also was a state lawmaker before sitting on the council, and was known as a maverick for opposing the desires of Republican and Democratic governors. “I worked for the people, not the governor, but over time built good relationships with each one,” Wheeler said. Democratic Gov. John Lynch will be strongly backing Pignatelli’s re-election campaign, as she’s the only Democrat on the five-member council. In fact, he’s hoping to improve the partisan odds with former Senate President Beverly Hollingworth, a Hampton Democrat, seeking an open council seat. Kevin Landrigan can be reached at 224-8804 or klandrigan@nashuatelegraph.com. Subscribe to The Telegraph. |
| Phone Jamming Return to index of stories... |
A judge on Thursday dismissed most of a Democratic lawsuit against Republicans stemming from the jamming of Democratic phone lines in the 2002 elections in New Hampshire. Five of eight claims Democrats made in the civil suit were dismissed. Q What's the response from both parties? Q Where does the case go from here? |
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LONDONDERRY, N.H. - As the Democratic National Committee considers changing the presidential primary schedule, Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack says his state and New Hampshire should keep their current roles. Iowa's precinct caucuses kick off the presidential primary season and are followed by New Hampshire's leadoff primary. BEDFORD, N.H. - Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack is exploring presidential aspirations in New Hampshire. At a breakfast meeting this morning in Bedford, the Democrat said the BEDFORD, N.H. - Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack traded the earliest caucus state for the earliest primary state today, with a visit to New Hampshire as he considers running for president. At a breakfast meeting in Bedford, Vilsack spoke about education and health care. He said the federal government must address the growing number of uninsured Americans, but he said that doesn't mean the solution has to be a government-run program. Regarding education, Vilsack gave no specifics, but said Washington should push to get the best and the brightest to become teachers. He said Iowa is exploring ways to provide incentives for teachers. He also said Congress should send states money to pay for the programs it requires, such as special education. AP-NY-06-14-06 1052EDT |
| key: State Politics/Government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 6/16/06 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 26:00 minutes Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to this Week-in-Review Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. Making news this week: Filing papers for Office: who's In the running. Bush Advisor Karl Rove in NH stirring protest, the presidential watch heats up, and, two more New Hampshire servicemen are killed. Here to talk about all this and more from the State House in Concord: Kevin Landrigan from the Telegraph and Tom Fahey from the Union Leader, and here in Durham Jeff Feingold with NH Business Review and Outlook's Richard Ager. A warm welcome to all of you. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll / Richard Ager NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Jeff Feingold \NH Business Review , Tom Fahey\Union Leader , Kevin Landrigan\The Telegraph |
| Sen. Biden in NH Return to index of stories... |
Governor Vilsack just one of many potential candidates traveling to New Hampshire these days. Delaware Senator Joe Biden back in New Hampshire on Saturday. New York Governor George Pataki in Lebanon and Hanover Friday. Q |
| Gov. Romney Return to index of stories... |
Travel schedule highlights Romney fundraising plan By Glen Johnson, AP Political Writer | June 12, 2006 BOSTON --Gov. Mitt Romney raised money for his political action committee in Utah on Monday, culminating a week's worth of travel that offered insight to his fundraising strategy should he run for president in 2008. , the Republican made two appearances in Utah, tapping fellow Mormons and admirers of his work on the 2002 Winter Olympics who have already become his committee's financial base. He also visited Michigan, his birth state, drawing on a reservoir of goodwill remaining from the tenure of his father and the state's late governor, George Romney. In addition, Romney visited California, a virtual ATM for presidential candidates, where he has been cultivating wealthy donors in conservative Orange County. Over the weekend, the governor delivered a speech in Arizona, home to a politically active Mormon population and Sen. John McCain, a Republican whom Romney aides view as their chief challenger for the nomination. Romney and his staff believe those states -- and supporters in them -- would be the foundation of any campaign. Some also believe the governor has an important advantage over other rivals for the GOP presidential nomination: the business contacts and wealth Romney helped develop while at Massachusetts-based Bain & Co. and its venture capital offshoot, Bain Capital. "You're trying to build relationships with people who have spheres of influence and have the ability to go out and raise money from their friends and supporters on a retail level," Jack Oliver, finance director for President Bush's 2000 campaign, said as he outlined the general goal for the work currently under way by Romney and the other presidential contenders. Most of Romney's top aides would speak only without attribution about his fundraising strategy, but one, Spencer Zwick, said, "The people who contribute to the governor's PAC are people who are excited about his success in Massachusetts and want to help him elect more Republicans across the country." Romney's burst of fundraising travel was inspired a June 30 reporting deadline for so-called "leadership PACs," the political action committees that candidates create to finance national travel and to develop political chits through donations to local candidates. Political analysts often look at the candidates' fundraising to determine their relative strength. Romney's is called the Commonwealth PAC, while McCain's is known as "Straight Talk America." Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York, whom Romney has said he expects to be the 2008 Democratic presidential nominee, has "HILLPAC." Romney, however, is employing a novel fundraising strategy. He established not only a federal PAC, but also affiliated PACs in five states: Iowa, New Hampshire, Michigan, South Carolina and Arizona, although the one in Arizona is now closed. In so doing, Romney has been able to accept the $5,000 maximum per person for his federal PAC, as well as additional money from the same contributors for his various state PACs. Federal officeholders exploring presidential runs, such as McCain, Sen. George Allen, R-Va., and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn, are prohibited from operating similar state branches. More broadly, Romney has been trying to cultivate the big-ticket donors necessary for any successful campaign. Bush had roughly 600 "Rangers" and "Pioneers," the name the campaign gave to wealthy supporters who raised at least $200,000 and $100,000 for his campaigns, respectively. Romney has been meeting with them, while also aiming at friends and associates such as Joseph O'Donnell, a Boston concessions magnate, and David Neeleman, the founder and chief executive officer of JetBlue Airways. Romney's family is also close to the Marriott family, owners of the hotel chain by that name, and Jon Huntsman Sr., a billionaire Utahan whose Huntsman Corp. is one of the biggest employers in Texas. Zwick, the Romney aide who serves as finance director of the Commonwealth PAC, downplayed any religious subtext to Romney's fundraising, even though Neeleman, the Marriotts and Huntsman are fellow Mormons. "We don't raise money based on religion, or skin color, or ethnicity, or gender," Zwick said in an e-mail. "People in Utah who contribute to the PAC are familiar with Mitt Romney because of his leadership of the Olympic Games." ------ On the Net: Commonwealth PAC: http:/www.thecommonwealthpac.com/ © Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. 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