Richard Barnes
A wise and frugal government which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government. – Thomas Jefferson
Gun Rights Upheld!
Last week I wrote about two young men who were detained in Manchester for legally carrying a side arm, you can find the story here. As timing would have it the Supreme Court today released it's ruling against the DC gun ban which would prevent people like Ryan in the article linked to above from not just carrying but even owning a gun unless associated with military or police. As expected this was shot down as unconstitutional.
In a HUGE win for gun rights the Supreme Court ruling states:
"The Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home. Pp. 2–53."
"The handgun ban and the trigger-lock requirement (as applied to self-defense) violate the Second Amendment. The District’s total ban on handgun possession in the home amounts to a prohibition on an entire class of “arms” that Americans overwhelmingly choose for the lawful purpose of self-defense. Under any of the standards of scrutiny the Court has applied to enumerated constitutional rights, this prohibition—in the place where the importance of the lawful defense of self, family, and property is most acute—would fail constitutional muster. Similarly, the requirement that any lawful firearm in the home be disassembled or bound by a trigger lock makes it impossible for citizens to use arms for the core lawful purpose of self-defense and is hence unconstitutional. Because Heller conceded at oral argument that the D. C. licensing law is permissible if it is not enforced arbitrarily and capriciously, the Court assumes that a license will satisfy his prayer for relief and does not address the licensing requirement. Assuming he is not disqualified from exercising Second Amendment rights, the District must permit Heller to register his handgun and must issue him a license to carry it in the home."
The ruling in full can be read here along with the dissenting opinion.
Richard Barnes
in Constitution
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Candidate Response: Jason Bedrick
Once again I remind anyone running for state rep or state senate to email responses to the following 10 questions to lildog@comcast.net and I will post them here. I welcome responses even if they are incomplete so do not shy away if there is a question you wish to skip.
Candidate Response: Jason Bedrick
(Note: Jason is running in District 4 serving Windham and Salem)
1) What do you see as the biggest problems facing our state right now?
The top three issues are the budget deficit, education funding, and I-93 construction.
The 17.5% growth in the budget has left a $200 million budget deficit (even after all the tax and fee increases), and part of the deficit was paid with a bond, which essentially amounts to a tax on the future. The new education funding scheme is a mess and it doesn't address the needs of poor towns. The I-93 construction delays are hindering the economic growth of the entire state, especially the southern tier.
2) What do you propose as solutions to those problems?
First, we must restore fiscal sanity to the House. The legislature should pass a reasonable budget with minimal growth that respects the taxpayers and work to pay off the irresponsible bonds as quickly as possible.
I propose that the legislature pass a constitutional amendment to keep the courts out of the legislature's constitutionally assigned role as policymaker. The court's role is to interpret the law, not to make it. However, since we've seen that amendments are nearly impossible to pass, the legislature should simply do what needs to be done: target aid to the communities which need it most, while maintaining a system of local control.
The state should also give priority to I-93 construction and work to limit the abuse of lawsuits which are being used simply to impede construction rather than as a legitimate tool to address grievances.
3) Are there any current state reps you look up to and why?
This is an incredibly tough question since I look up to so many, so I'll limit my remarks only to those with whom I've served and who are running again (for state representative or higher office). Apologies in advance to those I've left out... In no particular order:
Greg Sorg is perhaps the smartest person in the House. I always learn something when I listen to him speak. He knows more about the Claremont issue than anyone else. He literally wrote the book on it! His Claremont Reader is required reading for anyone who wants a comprehensive understanding of the entire Claremont debacle.
Will Infantine was my mentor and he served with me on Labor. He's always professional and does his homework. Very few people know as much about insurance and workers' compensation as he does.
D.J. Bettencourt dragged me into this whole thing. He's very passionate and driven. He has a clear vision for the state and he's always thinking about how to further the interests of individual freedom and limited government. I think he'll be governor someday.
Marilinda Garcia is bright, talented, articulate and always true to her principles.
Joel Winters is willing to buck his party when he disagrees with their course of action. He cares deeply about freedom and won't compromise his beliefs.
Sharon Carson is a natural leader who's very bright, charismatic and competent. She's also a history buff (especially 18th century America).
Fran Wendelboe is hardworking, dedicated and doesn't let a set back keep her from achieving her goals. When she lost the race for party chair, she established the Reagan Network and dedicated herself to helping like-minded Republicans win election. Few people have their finger on the pulse like she does.
Mary Gorman served as the Labor Committee Chair after the unfortunate and untimely passing of Ed Mears. She's been wonderfully fair and she has an independent streak that makes some members of her own party's leadership a bit nervous. We very often disagree on the issues, but she's always pleasant and has a great sense of humor.
Russ Ober served with me on Labor as well. An old-style New Hampshirite, he says "No!" to almost every piece of legislation. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" might be cliche, but it's very true in the legislature. If 99 out of 100 ideas are bad ideas, losing the one good idea is a small price to pay for killing the 99 bad ideas.
Dan Itse is a man of deep faith and principle and a constitutional scholar par excellence. He has a disabled son who occupies much of his time, but I've never heard Dan complain nor have I ever seen him without a smile.
Howie Lund is a champion of school choice, limited government, and traditional values.
Paul Ingbretson proves that conservatives have a sense of humor. He's also very well-read with an incredible knowledge of history.
Steve Stepanek has gravitas. He's well-informed, professional, and a natural leader. He's also one of the go-to guys on financial issues.
Gene Chandler is the NH version of Newt Gingrich: an articulate former Speaker and policy whiz with a wealth of institutional knowledge.
Al Baldasaro is fearless and doesn't mince words.
John Reagan is serious and knowledgeable. He reads faster than anyone I know and he's able to retain everything. The fact that so many legislators take the American's for Tax Reform Pledge is directly attributable to his hard work.
Mary Griffin is the "peacemaker" -- a great mediator who puts her diplomatic skill to good use. She's also a wealth of institutional knowledge.
Nancy Elliott is one of the HRA co-chairs and she sat in front of me in the House. She never shies from controversy if she believes that she's right.
Bob Rowe is thoughtful and deliberate in judgment. He's wary of the unintended consequences of even the most well-intentioned proposals.
Jordan Ulery has been very helpful when I've come to him with criminal justice issues. He's always informed and informative.
Andy Renzullo is one of the hardest workers in the House. As co-chair of the HRA, he compiles the infamous "Pink Sheet". He also has a terrific sense of humor.
Neal Kurk is one of the few people who can single-handedly overturn a committee report. Incredibly articulate and a passionate defender of privacy rights and foe of government intrusion, he very aptly lives in the town of Weare. (Pronounced: "Where?")
James Phinizy is one of my favorite Democrats. He knows the system and the players, he's professional, and he treats everyone well, no matter what party they're in. (He also looks like Alan Alda.)
Steve Vallaincourt is irascible and incorrigible, traits which can annoy the other legislators but which serve a purpose. I don't always agree with his views and often disagree with his tactics, but no one can deny that he's a parliamentary wizard who does his homework and isn't afraid to stick to his position even if it's 399-1.
And now that I've written about so many legislators, I feel even worse since I'm absolutely certain I've left some of the good ones out!
4) If you had to sum up why voters should vote for you in a brief statement what would you say?
I'm very clear about where I stand on the issues my voting record is in line with my campaign promises. I've made a strong effort to keep my constituents informed by writing regular "Legislative Updates" which I send out via email. I've also recently started posting them on www.jasonbedrick.com (see "Jason's Blog"). I scored 98% on the House Republican Alliance scorecard and the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance gave my voting record an A+ and named me "Legislator of the Year" for my "outstanding and consistent support of the cause of individual freedom."
5) What do you see as this states greatest advantages over other states?
New Hampshire has low taxes, limited regulation, and a healthy respect for individual liberty. That's why so many "tax refugees" are fleeing from other New England states to move here or, at the very least, to shop here. We also have a clean environment, plenty of open spaces, great skiing and hiking, safe neighborhoods, great schools, and friendly citizens. It's no wonder so many publications name us the best place to live!
6) What are your thoughts on taxes, tolls, fines etc?
Taxes should be as low as possible for the state to provide basic services. I oppose the implementation of a broad-based sales or income tax. Fees cover the cost of providing a service; they should not be used as means of collecting revenue to use elsewhere. Likewise, fines should be minimal; they should be only as high as necessary to act as a deterrent, not something that's used as a revenue stream.
7) What are your thoughts about working with the other party?
Most issues in the state house are non-partisan and such legislation ends up on the "consent calendar". When I find common ground with members from the other party, I'm happy to work with them. I proudly cosponsored several bills with Democrats this year, including legislation to divest state assets from Sudan, to establish commission to create an advanced "Running Start" program in high schools, and several others.
8) Do you have any experience with budgets?
Aside from managing the budgets of college student organizations and my own personal budget, I lack extensive first-hand experience with municipal or state budgets. My experience is essentially limited to reading the reports, consulting with colleagues, listening to the floor speeches, and voting.
9) Have you held any other elected positions before?
None aside from my current position as state representative.
10) Is there anything about anything you would like to say to the readers of NHInsider?
If anyone made it this far reading my answers, my hat goes off to you! Please check my website, www.jasonbedrick.com, and feel free to contact me with any questions at jason.bedrick@gmail.com.
And always remember the words of the great NH statesman, Daniel Webster: "God grants liberty only to those who love it and are always ready to guard and defend it."
Manchester Police vs. Gun Rights
I ran across an interesting story in a free Manchester Paper this week about a police gun investigation that took place in Manchester. You can read the story in full here.
Police responded to a tip regarding 4 "teens" one of which had a gun strapped to his waist. Police arrived on the scene and after demanding they stop and put their hand up, detained the three men and one woman (none of which were teens), seized the guns two of them carried and searched their pockets. All of this was done without any crime having taken place or evidence of any crime. Just because two men looked young and had guns safely secured in holsters on their belts.
Police Chief David Mara is quoted in saying “If the people want to make a complaint, it will be investigated and the facts and circumstances will be investigated and determined. And if we find that our officers acted inappropriately, we will take appropriate action.” “The police are not taking a stand against gun rights, we’re just trying to keep people safe.”
“If a person is walking toward a school with a gun, are we not supposed to respond to that because it’s legal for a person to carry a gun? Is it unreasonable for a parent to be concerned and call the police?”
Ok, so if a middle aged man with a bag of candy is seen walking in the vicinity of a school is it appropriate for police to walk up an demand he put his hands up and search him because a parent may be concerned he might be a child molester? Maybe check out his car for any supplies that might be used in a kidnapping?
Or what about a younger black man in a hooded sweat shirt carrying a backpack? If police drove up to him and yelled out "freeze, put your hands above your head" and proceeded to search him because someone is concerned he might be a drug dealer? Clearly police should check out what's in his bag right? Privacy should be taken away if we can protect the kids from a perspective drug dealer, right?
How about they drag in all young women walking down the street wearing provocative clothing for questioning because they might be a prostitute?
Walking down the street carrying a gun is 100% legal in this state and what the Manchester police did was wrong. Had this been the first time they unjustly stopped someone simply because that person choose to use his or her right to carry a gun then it could be excused as a mistake on their part but they made the mistake once already by detaining Dave Ridely. This is becoming a clear cut pattern in their behavior.
In any of the other situation listed above you would see the ACLU filing class action lawsuits again that city and respective police departments. Is that what it's going to take before the Manchester Police realize it is NOT ok to stop someone who has done nothing illegal and nothing wrong? Is that what it will take for them to actually follow the Constitutions they are sworn to protect and uphold?
Lesson 1:
Amendment IV - The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
The federal constitution protects us from being searched without probable cause.
Lesson 2:
[Art.] 2-a. [The Bearing of Arms.] All persons have the right to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves, their families, their property and the state.
The NH state constitution specifically gives us the right to keep and bear arms.
So given the fact that we are constitutionally allowed to keep and bear arms, where is the probable cause for stopping someone carrying a gun? I guess I better watch what I say because if carrying a gun is probable cause then clearly exorcizing free speech and criticizing public officials who violate our rights must be cause to have my whole house searched.
Richard Barnes
I'd like to share a letter writen by one of the young men involved telling his side of the story:
David J. Mara
Chief of Police
Manchester Police Department
351 Chestnut Street
Manchester, NH 03101
Hon. Frank C. Guinta
Mayor
City of Manchester
One City Hall Plaza
Manchester, NH 03101
Friday, June 20, 2008
I am writing to you to lodge a complaint against the Manchester Police Department and Mayor in his capacity of Chief Executive of the City stemming from an incident that took place on Sunday, June 8 at about 6:50pm.
Background
On the afternoon of Sunday, June 8, at approximately 5:45pm, I left a small gathering at Murphy's Taproom, located at 494 Elm Street. I was accompanied by three visitors from Gainesville, Florida: Neal Conner, Roxanne Schulman, and Alexander Villacampa. This was Mr. Villacampa's and Ms. Schulman's first visit to New Hampshire, and they showed some interest in moving to Manchester. I took them on a short walking tour of the center of the city.
Mr. Conner and Mr. Villacampa were carrying pistols in plain view, as is their right guaranteed by the Constitution of New Hampshire.
We walked North along Elm from Auburn to Granite, made a left to walk over the river as far as the I-293 overpass, then turned East, following Granite and subsequently Lake Ave, toward my home. As the heat index that day was well over 100 degrees, we stopped at Han's Food Mart at 353 Lake Ave for drinks, then set out to continue the few remaining blocks toward my home.
Shortly after crossing Lincoln, we heard a sharp whistle behind us and turned. A Manchester Patrol officer shouted at us to put our hands in the air. We complied. When asked, it was made very clear we were not free to leave. Soon, we were surrounded by six officers from two bicycles and three patrol cars.
We were asked to provide identification. Upon questioning, we were falsely instructed that providing identification was required, and we complied. The four of us were patted down and subjected to criminal checks. Mr. Conner and Mr. Villacampa were then disarmed under duress. One officer physically searched inside the pockets of Mr. Conner.
While we waited for records of ourselves and the firearms to come back clear, which they naturally did, we were subjected to a condescending lecture about the carrying of arms, and quizzed repeatedly as to why we would carry a firearm, the most asinine of which was the recursive "This is the most dangerous neighborhood in New Hampshire! Why would you want to carry a gun?" We were also told one officer's side of the story about a similar stop last fall involving our friend David Ridley, implying that either the officers involved knew they were crossing the line, or that it is Manchester Police Department's own policy to do so.
When asked why we would be unlawfully detained and searched simply for lawfully carrying firearms, we were told that the officers had an interest in protecting themselves and the neighborhood. The mere thought that we may have the same goals was laughed off.
We were told that the officers understood that we have a right to carry firearms, but if we choose to exercise that right, we would continue to be subject to such unconstitutional, unlawful, and dehumanizing treatment.
After about 30 minutes of our polite endurance of various disrespectful and arrogant statements and questions by the officers, Mr. Conner's and Mr. Villacampa's firearms were returned, ammunition separately, and they were falsely informed that they were not allowed to reload them.
We continued eastward and walked the remaining block home.
Points of Complaint
We were told that the officers were obligated to respond to every call. While that is certainly true, there are two possible, helpful, and lawful ways to do so: drive by and see if anything illegal is going on, and even possibly stopping simply to talk, and responding to the complaintant to educate them that carrying a firearm is completely lawful. Ensuring one person's feeling of security by violating another's actual security is simply unacceptable.
This detention took place less than half a block from where Officer Michael Briggs was murdered, which I'm sure explains the overly emotional state of some of the officers involved. However, a policy of trying to persuade the law-abiding inhabitants of the neighborhood to disarm can only aggravate the situation, dishearten the people of Manchester to protect themselves, and violates the officer's own sworn duty to protect the public's safety.
The original detention, with no reasonable, articulable suspicion that any of us were or would be involved in commission of a crime, violated RSA 625:6 (All Offenses Defined by Statute); RSA 633:3 (False Imprisonment); RSA 643:1 (Official Oppression); 42 USC 1983 (Civil Action for Deprivation of Rights); Article 2-a (The Bearing of Arms) and Article 29 (Suspension of Laws by Legislature Only) of the New Hampshire Constitution; and the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution as clarified in Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1 (1968) and Florida v. J.L., 529 U.S. 266 (2000).
The searching inside of pockets and seizing of firearms clearly violated the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution as clarified in Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1 (1968).
The entire incident, from start to finish, violated the spirit of Article 12 and the last clause of Article 10 of the New Hampshire Constitution.
The fact that the officers were quite knowledgeable of previous, nearly identical incidents, with at least a 4 year history of such illegal stops, as well as thier assurance that if one wishes to exercise certain rights, he should expect to have others violated, constitutes a conspiracy to and/or pattern and practice of violating rights under color of law, variously 18 USC 241, 42 USC 1983, and 42 USC 14141. The Boston office of the FBI has advised me this is enough evidence to initiate a civil rights investigation of MPD if I wished to do so. However, I do not wish to do that unless absolutely necessary to stop these abuses.
Conclusion
I would like to solve this in a gentlemanly fashion that will compensate myself and my friends, as well as prevent any other citizens from being subjected to this kind of abuse. I request the following forms of relief:
A full, public apology to myself, Mr. Conner, Ms. Schulman, and Mr. Villacampa, from the Mayor's Office and Manchester Police Department, to be published in the Union Leader and the Gainesville Sun, if necessary at the expense of the Mayor's Office or Manchester Police Department;
Retraining of all Manchester patrol officers on Article 2-a, New Hampshire Statutes Chapter 159, and unlawful detentions, searches, and seizures; and
A Manchester Police Department policy of immediate dismissal of any officer found to have repeatedly unlawfully detained any citizen simply for lawfully exercising his or her constitutional rights.
I believe that given the circumstances, this is a very reasonable request.
If all the previous are fully followed through, I will seek no further civil or action directed toward either the City of Manchester or the Manchester Police Department. However, if any are not, I reserve my right to file suit in state and/or federal court against the City of Manchester and/or the Manchester Police Department for these violations.
The last thing I want is for it to take a lawsuit or investigation in order to teach the city that a public servant can't arbitrarily violate one's human, civil, and constitutional rights.
I assure you, I wish to resolve this in as gentlemanly a manner as possible, and await your response.
Sincerely,
Ryan Marvin
459 Wilson St
Manchester NH 03103
603-203-9387
CC:
Kelly A. Ayotte
Attorney General
33 Capitol Street
Concord, N.H. 03301
Richard Barnes
in Constitution
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2008 Liberty Ratings Are Out
The New Hampshire Liberty Alliance has released their 2008 Liberty Report card showing which state reps vote for giving more power to individuals and less to government and which support more government and higher taxes.
They define pro and anti liberty votes as follows:
Pro-liberty votes protect individual freedom of choice and personal responsibility, recognize the superiority of freedom over coercion, respect the citizen's right of self-ownership, promote good government, and recognize the value of voluntary economic decisions.
Anti-liberty votes replace self-governance with interventionist ownership, assume agencies backed by force are superior to voluntary choices backed by personal accountability, and assume a better economy can be designed by a central authority that compels communities to pay for policies people do not willingly support.
Here are the full results of the 5th Annual Liberty Ratings.
A solid congratulations to Jason Bedrick from Rockingham district 4 for topping the charts this year.
TOP 25 House Reps
Name District Grade
Bedrick, Jason Rockingham 4 A
Sorg, Gregory Grafton 3 A
Hogan, Edith Hillsborough 25 A
Itse, Daniel Rockingham 9 A
Elliott, Nancy Hillsborough 19 A
Tobin, William Belknap 2 A
Wendelboe, Fran Belknap 1 A
Gleason, John Rockingham 5 A
Reagan, John Rockingham 1 A
Manney, Pamela Hillsborough 7 A
Ober, Lynne Hillsborough 27 A
Ober, Russell Hillsborough 27 A
Stepanek, Stephen Hillsborough 6 A
Welch, David Rockingham 8 A
Hawkins, Ken Hillsborough 18 A
Ingbretson, Paul Grafton 5 A
Thomas, John Belknap 5 A
Day, Russell Hillsborough 7 A
Kurk, Neal Hillsborough 7 A
Lund, Howie Rockingham 5 A
Renzullo, Andrew Hillsborough 27 A
Weyler, Kenneth Rockingham 8 A
Soucy, Connie Hillsborough 17 A
Allen, Mary Rockingham 11 A
Baldasaro, Alfred Rockingham 3 A
BOTTOM 25 House Reps
Name District Grade
Shurtleff, Stephen Merrimack 10 CT
Wallner, Mary Merrimack 12 CT
Forest, Armand Hillsborough 17 CT
Ginsburg, Ruth Hillsborough 20 CT
Solomon, Peter Grafton 10 CT
Butcher, Suzanne Cheshire 3 CT
Cunningham, Howard Carroll 3 CT
Osborne, Jessie Merrimack 12 CT
Rollo, Michael Strafford 2 CT
Buco, Thomas Carroll 1 CT
Butynski, William Cheshire 4 CT
Cooney, Mary Grafton 7 CT
Day, Judith Rockingham 13 CT
Hackel, Paul Hillsborough 21 CT
Jean, Claudette Hillsborough 25 CT
Knowles, John Hillsborough 27 CT
Knowles, Mary Ann Hillsborough 27 CT
Marshall, Seth Hillsborough 23 CT
Pantelakos, Laura Rockingham 16 CT
Schulze, Joan Hillsborough 26 CT
Snow, Richard Rockingham 1 CT
Tilton, Joy Merrimack 6 CT
Wall, Janet Strafford 7 CT
O'Neil, James Hillsborough 19 CT
Kepner, Susan Rockingham 15 CT
Richard Barnes
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Candidate Response: Andy Sylvia
Once again I welcome anyone running for state rep to submit to me answers to the 10 questions answered below and I will post your views up here for debate and discussion as well as additional attention for your campaign. Simply email your responses to lildog@comcast.net and I will post them here as you supply them to me.
Candidate Response: Andy Sylvia
1) What do you see as the biggest problems facing our state right now?
Education and our Energy Policy, although the biggest issue my district faces is an inequitable toll policy
2) What do you propose as solutions to those problems?
With Education, I lie somewhere in the middle of CACR 34 (complete state control) and CACR 32 (complete local control). However, I believe that funding policies should generally come from the decisions of the general court while everything else should be controlled at the local level by partnerships of teachers, students, school boards, parents and taxpayers.
With our overall Energy Policy, I believe the critical thing is that we as a state do our part to reduce our country's dependence on petroleum (perhaps the only thing the General Court can do to lower gas prices) and the strain on our food supply by helping pass legislation that develops and encourages private and or public interests to invest in renewable energy sources not coming from food commodities. This includes some forms of cellousic ethanol stores that can be grown or found here in New Hampshire (hemp, switchgrass, straw, sawdust, etc.). I'd also support tax incentives or investment in wind and solar investment, particularly in the North Country.
With the toll issue, I propose a three point plan. First, we as Merrimackers would need to not only stop using the tolls, but keep track of how many times we avoid them so we can let the state know that we will not take this lying down anymore. Secondly, our legislative delegation will have to develop true coalitions with other delegations, perhaps even assisting them on non-toll related issues, in order to make sure toll inequity eventually comes to the forefront of the already crowded legislative agenda. And finally, we'll need to use the money that we save from not going through toll booths to spend towards legal representation against the state as well as helping elect legislative allies from elsewhere in the state who are willing to help us bring a just and fair turnpike system for all New Hampshire residents.
3) Are there any current state reps you look up to and why?
I look up to several....
Suzanne Harvey of Nashua for teaching me the ropes
Bette Lasky and Jane Clemons of Nashua and Dan Eaton of Stoddard for thinking i'm more important than I probably am.
Jim O'Neil of Merrimack and Claudia Chase of Francestown and Susi Nord of Candia for letting me know that i'm never going to be alone.
Suzanne Butcher of Keene for reminding me that there are some things more important than being a legislator.
David Pierce of Etna, Gail Morrison of Sanbornton, and Ed Butler of Hale's Location for showing me that you can be an average person and still be a legislator in New Hampshire.
Jim Ryan of Franklin for showing me that you can be an honest person and still be a legislator in New Hampshire.
Tom Buco of Conway for reminding me that 9/10ths of everything is showing up.
Dick Barry of Merrimack and Lee Quandt of Exeter for reminding me that sometimes parties don't matter.
Jim Splaine of Portsmouth for reminding me that sometimes parties do matter, but you don't have to be rude about it.
Marcia Moody of Newmarket for reminding me to remember your roots.
Marlene Dechane of Barrington for making my life easier many times.
Scott Merrick of Lancaster, Andrew Edwards and Jeff Fontas of Nashua, Mike Brunelle of Manchester and all the other State Reps under 35 that I haven't met for letting me know I won't have to wait another 50 years if I want to be a legislator.
Steve Shurtleff of Concord and Jim Webber of Kensington and Jennifer Daler of Temple for showing me the value of kindness and a smile.
Chuck Weed of Keene because he has a great name and he was a great professor in college.
Bob Watson of Rochester for reminding me that if you don't look out for yourself that nobody else will.
Joel Winters of Manchester and Betty Hall of Hollis for showing me that you don't always have to go with the crowd.
4) If you had to sum up why voters should vote for you in a brief statement what would you say?
I can guarantee that I will work hard, probably harder than any other candidate. It's one of the only three things that I can ever guarantee (the other two are listening and being tactfully honest). I've spent the past four years of my life developing myself to become a state rep, even changing the path of my career. I doubt any other candidate can say that, let alone those in my district.
5) What do you see as this states greatest advantages over other states?
Our advantage is our cultural tradition as a regional melting pot. We take in all of the advantages of the perspectives of our neighbors Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont and Quebec while applying our uniqueness and individualism on top of those perspectives, giving us a much broader understanding than many other states when we tackle issues.
6) What are your thoughts on taxes, tolls, fines etc?
I believe they should not be done arbitrarily, but be decided by the people whenever possible by making sure they understand what is in the state budget, asking them what they want, and asking them how it should be paid for. We have to make sure that all regions and demographics of the state pay their fair share, and we should go forward with any cost saving measures that will not cost us significantly more as a state later on.
7) What are your thoughts about working with the other party?
Often, the ideological lines in the state legislature are not along party lines but rather along lines of personalities and individual issues. Working with the other party is essential because on some bills, legislators may side with their regional or ideological interests or side with other legislators that they trust and respect while on other legislation, party leadership might pressure its caucus to go a certain way. I believe a legislator must be fluid and open minded in order to be effective for their constituents.
8) Do you have any experience with budgets?
Yes, on the Merrimack School District Budget Committee.
9) Have you held any other elected positions before?
Merrimack School District Budget Committee and Merrimack Ethics Committee
10) Is there anything about anything you would like to say to the readers of NHInsider?
Please visit my website, www.andrewsylvia.com. And thanks for reading NHInsider! The DeMauras helped me develop my views by giving me this forum to blog on in the past, I wish them all the best in the future.
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Andy Sylvia
Executive Director
Merrimack Democratic Committee
603-440-8236