My four-year term as a Keene City Councilor has gone by in a whirlwind and now I find myself up for re-election. I am hoping the good people of Ward 2 will see fit to send me back to a seat on the Council.

When you register with the City Clerk to run for local office, they give you a chance to provide a short summary to explain to the voters what you are all about. I used the opportunity to say a little about what I've done this past term and what I would like to do in the the next four years. 

Here is an excerpt from what I wrote for that, with a few links I've added for reference:

I am proud of the work I have become known for as a Councilor. I’ve advocated for better sidewalks and bicycle infrastructure, for housing affordability, for environmental protection, and for efficient, effective, accessible, and inclusive city services.

As a Councilor, I introduced a new city ordinance that loosens the restrictions on building Accessory Dwelling Units (aka mother-in-law suites) in residential areas. The ordinance was passed unanimously by the Council and should help to provide some new housing options to people affected by our city’s ongoing housing shortage. I also fought to ensure that safe bicycle lanes will be included as part of the upcoming downtown infrastructure project, which will enable a greener and healthier future for transportation in Keene.

If re-elected as City Councilor, I will continue to work for the people of Keene, and especially for the people of Ward 2. In my next term, I plan to push for the re-establishment of a city street tree program, to ensure that our neighborhoods stay green as our existing trees reach the end of their natural lives. 

I will also continue my work to make sure that the City makes effective use of money that has become available as a result of lawsuits against the pharmaceutical industry for their role in creating the opioid overdose crisis. If prudently spent, that money can save lives in our community.

I consider myself deeply fortunate to be able to serve the people of Ward 2 on the Keene City Council and I hope they decide to send me back.

I'm also excited about some of the new faces we are seeing in the City Council race, including Cora Elliot and Ashok Bahl, who are running for at-large seats, and Laura Tobin, who is running in Ward 4. 

The primary is on October 3, and the general election is on November 7. Best of luck to all who are running.

“The mission of Keene Pride is to promote the visibility of LGBTQ+ people in the Monadnock Region, create community-building programming, and develop a coalition of services, organizations and businesses that embrace and serve the LGBTQ+ population.”

This is the mission statement on the website of Keene Pride.

Included on the website are events listed for Keene Pride Week which will be happening from Sept. 9th through the 17th. Among the events listed is “Just be a queen: a Lady Gaga tribute” held at the Colonial Theater on Sept. 9th at 8:00pm. On Sept. 11th there is Drag Bingo Night at 21 Bar and Grill at 7:00pm. And then of course there is the second annual Pride Fest itself on Sunday Sept. 17th on Central Square beginning at noon. For a complete list of events during that week go to the website.

From Sept.13-18 there will be a display of the Aids Quilt at Keene State College’s Alumni Center. Many years ago, when I was still living in Richmond (yes, New Hampshire, not Virginia), there was a group of us who organized to bring the Aids Quilt and have it displayed at the town’s Veteran’s Center. I was one of many who helped to reverently set up the panels we received for temporary public display. As a quilter and a human being, just knowing each panel was lovingly and painstakingly created to commemorate the life and memory of a fellow human being’s beloved family member or friend was a very moving and powerful experience indeed! I was honored then (and now) to have been a small part in bringing this powerful message to Richmond. It was a wonderful experience. If you have a chance, please take the time to go to Alumni Center and see for yourself eight of the more than 50,000 panels made in dedication to the more than 110,000 people who have lost their lives to Aids.

Thanks to Adam Toepfer and the rest of the Keene Pride Board of Directors for shining a light on the LGBTQ community of Keene and the surrounding towns!

Who takes an oath of office? Public servants do. That would include federal employees, Representatives, Senators, judges, political appointees, and the President and Vice President of the United States all take an oath of office. 

The framers of the United States Constitution decided to include a requirement in the Constitution itself, to take an Oath of Office. Article VI: “The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.” 

The Oath of Office for Senators and Representatives states: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.”

The Oath of Office for President states: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

Which now brings us to the 14th Amendment to the Constitution.
“Section 3: No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.”

That doesn’t sound too hard to understand. Pretty much covers ANY and ALL elected office holder(s) who participated in a coup attempt, insurrection or rebellion, to not be able to hold public office again.

Now, with the brief civics lesson behind us, there have been some law scholars who have stated the Disqualification Clause in the amendment prevents Donald Trump from being on the presidential ballot. In The Atlantic, law scholars J. Michael Luttig and Laurence H. Tribe noted that Trump has already been indicted for several crimes at state and federal levels, including conspiring to overturn the 2020 election results.

New Hampshire’s Secretary of State David Scanlan (R), is now looking into the 14th Amendment, specifically as to whether it gives him the power to keep Trump off the presidential ballot in 2024. He had recently been approached by attorney Bryant “Corky” Messner, who ran for a seat on the United States Senate in 2020, having been endorsed by Trump. 

Our first-in-the-nation presidential primary is five months away (!) and Scanlan acknowledged that he has gotten several letters requesting he take action to keep Trump off the ballot, citing the Constitution’s 14th Amendment. Scanlan has stated he will be looking for legal advice on the matter.

We are not alone. A Florida attorney filed a legal challenge two days ago to disqualify Trump citing the Disqualification Clause. Stay tuned New Hampshire, this is not going away any time soon.

It's late August and the Japanese knotweed is in bloom. 

Japanese knotweed is an invasive plant originally from – you guessed it – Japan, that has taken over so many of our state’s roadside ditches, flood plains, and even city parks. It grows about six feet tall and, where it grows, it will push almost all the native vegetation out of its way.

Ladies’ Wildwood Park, in west Keene, is an example of a city park that has developed quite a knotweed infestation. This past Monday, through a program I’ve organized via the Keene Conservation Commission, a group of half a dozen of us volunteered to pull out as much of it as we could. 

This time of year is a prime time for pulling out Japanese knotweed, because most of the plant’s energy and resources are above ground, in the stalks and leaves and blossoms of the plant, rather than in the roots. That means that pulling the plant up by its roots – and destroying the crown of the plant, where it keeps its energy reserves – is relatively easy as compared to earlier in the season.

Based on the before and after photos, shown to the side here, it sure looks like we took out a whole lot of Japanese knotweed. And we did! We took out a grove that was encroaching on the sidewalk, blocking the view of the park from the street, and threatening to envelop a new hillside. 

Unfortunately, there is so much more of it out there. Realistically, a knotweed problem of the size currently in that park is likely best managed by professionals using herbicides. The methods our group uses are a bit more soft touch, ecologically speaking. 

We pull out the knotweed with the understanding that it will grow back, and that we are going to have to revisit the spot regularly for the next several years to continue pulling it out. All the while, we encourage other species, like sumac and milkweed, to take its place. Once the native plants can recover a foothold, its easier to make sure that the knotweed is, if not eradicated, at least far less of a nuisance.

This is what we have been doing in other spots in the city – Robin Hood Park and Woodland Cemetery, for example – and we are seeing these these areas on their way to recovery.

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If you have a Japanese knotweed problem on your property and would like to read more about what to do, this publication by the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture will give you some ideas on where to start.

The Connecticut River begins just south of the border between the United States and Quebec, Canada, running 410 miles before emptying out into Long Island Sound. Along the way, there are nearly 400 communities in its 7.2 million acre watershed. The Connecticut River Watershed is the drainage basin of the Connecticut River which happens to be New England’s longest river cutting through Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. 

On July 27, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D) introduced a bill in the Senate, S.2660, the Connecticut River Watershed Partnership Act for the purpose of protecting and restoring the river and its tributaries. This proposed legislation would officially recognize a partnership between federal, state and local governments along with tribal organizations, nonprofits and institutions of higher education, with a goal of advancing conservation, education, recreation and restoration efforts in the Watershed area. It would also create a voluntary grant program to make these activities easier. Additionally, the passage of the bill would be a great benefit for fish and wildlife areas along with protecting sources for drinking water and improve flood resiliency. Other benefits would be that of economic and environmental for such industries as boating, farming, fisheries, hunting, recreation and tourism. Other Senate co-sponsors include Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Ct), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Ed Markey (D-Ma), Chris Murphy (D-Ct), Elizabeth Warren (D-Ma) and Peter Welch (D-Vt). 

If we all recall last month’s devastating flooding in many areas around New England, Sen. Shaheen’s office stated in response to the proposed bill, “. . . this event points to the need to put the watershed in a better position to withstand severe weather events.”

A similar bill, HR 5216, was recently introduced on August 15 in the House of Representatives by Jim McGovern (D-Ma.) and co-sponsored by New Hampshire’s Annie Kuster (D). HR 5216 is to “direct restoration and protection efforts of the 5-State Connecticut River Watershed region, and for other purposes.”

This proposed legislation is also supported by private organizations throughout New England such as the Friends of The Nature Conservancy, Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, Kestrel Land Trust, the Connecticut River Conservancy and the Appalachian Mountain Club among many others.

Sen. Shaheen had urged the Biden administration to repeal an order and policy changes made in the final hours of the Trump administration that would have hurt conservation efforts in New Hampshire. She also ensured fullfunding and permanent authorization for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which helped to protect more than 2.5 million acres of land and supported tens of thousands of state and local outdoor recreation projects throughout the nation.

Kudos to these elected officials who recognize the dangers of extreme weather and climate change, not just here in New Hampshire, but nationally and globally!

On August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law by President Biden. It was touted as “an investment in climate solutions,” and is a timely investment indeed. Money that is intended to assist in the fight against climate change and extreme weather is still going through several different federal and state agency programs.

About $70 million is expected to be made available to New Hampshire residents for rebates on purchases of electric stoves heat pumps, and insulation, to give a few examples. New Hampshire’s Dept. of Energy will be responsible for rolling out the funding. The deadline for the agency to submit an application for that program is January 31, 2025.

They are also applying for funding from another program called Solar for All, which is designed to assist low-income families obtain access to solar energy. The deadline for this application is September 26.

In 2009 the state created a climate plan, but it has not been updated since then. There are now plans underway at NH Dept. of Environmental Services (NHDES) to implement some of the Inflation Reduction Act funding to update the plan. An updated plan would be due in March, 2024 with an eye towards funding for climate reduction actions. The NHDES also plans to apply for funding to assist Seacoast communities with adapting to climate change.

Thank you to all in Washington, DC who finally acknowledged the immediate threat of climate change and extreme weather that we have all known about for many decades, for your aggressive and unwavering dedication in getting this Inflation Reduction Act turned into law. 

Inflation Reduction Act Guidebook | Clean Energy | The White House

At tonight's meeting of the Keene City Council, Mayor George Hansel read a proclamation in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day, which is coming up on August 31. The proclamation reads as follows.

Whereas August 31st is designated across the world as International Overdose Awareness Day; and

Whereas, This occasion is dedicated to honoring the memory of those lost to opiate overdose, to supporting those deeply impacted by the loss of loved ones, and to demonstrating our resolve in working to reduce and ultimately eliminate overdose fatalities; and

Whereas, Many members of our community have been affected by the overdose crisis, whether personally struggling with Substance Use Disorder, navigating it alongside loved ones or, having suffered tragic loss due to overdose, are carrying the heavy weight of immeasurable grief as a result; and

Whereas, Opiate overdose fatalities have persisted more than 15 years since the contemporary ascent began, rising to our national consciousness; and

Whereas, These unnecessary deaths are once again increasing across the state of New Hampshire; and

Whereas, The City of Keene is committed to treating those currently struggling, those in recovery and those lost to overdose with dignity and love.

Therefore, I, George Hansel, Mayor, do hereby proclaim August 31st, 2023, as International Overdose Awareness Day in the City of Keene, recognize its importance, and encourage all residents to join us in remembering those lost to overdose at a candlelight vigil.”

The proclamation was received by Anena Hansen and Jodi Newell, who are organizing the upcoming vigil in Keene. Here's what they have to say about it:

Each year thousands gather across the country to remember those lost to overdose. We gather to support each other in our grief, to bring awareness & demonstrate our resolve in preventing further loss.

We will be gathering in the square in Keene at 7pm this year to hear a short program of speakers & light candles in remembrance of our loved ones gone too soon.

Candles will be provided. Attendees are encouraged to bring a picture or a special something that reminds you of your loved one(s). There will be time to share their names & brief comments about them as well.

We look forward to seeing you there.

The New Hampshire House is a 400 member legislature, with (at this moment) 199 seats held by Republicans, 196 seats held by Democrats and two seats held by Independents. Three seats are vacant, one will be having this upcoming special election next month in Rockingham County’s District 1, which includes the towns of Northwood and Nottingham.

The two candidates are Hal Rafter, a former Nottingham selectman and school board member and Jim Guzofski, currently a selectman for the town of Northwood and a pastor of Destiny Christian Church in Concord.

Last year Rafter ran for but lost, by 25 votes, the same seat he is running for in next month’s special election. According to his candidate page, Rafter is a strong advocate for women’s rights, including the right to an abortion. He is a strong supporter of voting rights, not restricting them. He will improve and protect public education and understands that in order to protect our environment, climate change MUST be addressed. 

On the other hand, Guzofski couldn’t be more further opposite. For example, he is against any form of marijuana legalization and/or sales, stricter gun laws, action addressing climate change and electric vehicle fees. He is against mail-in voting and conditional affidavit ballots for new voters. He is against increasing the minimum wage and business tax credits for student loan repayments. However, he is all in for the school voucher program, banning teaching certain concepts pertaining to race, banning phasing out Interest and Dividends tax along with decreasing the business tax. He supports banning abortion during the 1st and 2nd trimester.

While Republicans have a very slim majority, not all show up to vote on every bill. This has given Democrats the occasional voting majority to pass such crucial legislation as blocking a terrible anti-LGBTQ+ bill known as the “Parental Rights” bill and requiring utility companies to pay their fair share into the state's Renewable Energy Fund to name two. 

Fun fact: Districts in the New Hampshire House are very small. To put it another way, if U.S. House districts were proportioned like ours, there would be more than 96,000 members of Congress. Yikes!

If you are able and want to get involved with bringing common sense back to Concord, go to Rafter’s Facebook page to either donate to his campaign or sign up to help in any way you can.

By putting our grassroots people power to work, we can take back the New Hampshire House and bring common sense governance to our state again!

We can do this!!

A new paper, “All Politics, No Longer Local? A Study of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, 2001-2021” by UNH’s Dante J Scala and J. Mitchell Scacchi takes a look at the evolving composition of our 400-seat House, the third-largest parliamentary body in the English-speaking world.

By combing through years of biographical data for the many State Reps that served over the course of two decades, the researches found that, over time, legislators have become less likely to have had previous experience at the local level of government.

The study notes in its conclusion that:

Historically, members of the New Hampshire legislature were often the people who volunteered at local food pantries and served on town committees. But the significant declines we detect in both local governing and civic experience among new members of the New Hampshire House suggest the composition of the New Hampshire legislature may be in the midst of important changes. More specifically, while it is still safe to say that the typical Granite State legislator still has local roots, it is fair to point out that the root structure of the legislature is not as strong as it once was. If we take it that legislators’ backgrounds, at least in part, inform their political opinions and policy preferences, then the general decline in local governing and civic experience among new members of the New Hampshire House may have had an effect on the type of legislation coming out of the New Hampshire General Court.

As a locally-elected official myself, it concerns me that fewer legislators are coming to the job with experience considering the types of issue that we deal with at the municipal level. I guess that just means us local types will have to work all the more harder to keep them informed.

"Moms for Liberty" is an incorporated 501(c)(4) organization which burst into existence a few years ago. Two of the “founders” are former school committee members, Tiffany Justice and Tina Descovich, a communications and marketing professional. A third founder, Bridget Ziegler is still a school committee member. Her husband, Christian Ziegler, is vice chairman of the Florida Republican Party and the owner of a political marketing firm.

Through guest appearances on Fox News and articles in The Washington Post, Moms have made themselves something of a right wing force not to be taken lightly. Moms for Liberty have established three federal and one state political action committees (PAC), one of which is a SuperPAC able to accept unlimited donations. Their members are communications professionals, political strategists and risk managers, some with high connections to state and national Republicans. 

On its website they are actively looking for state coordinators to work with their chapter chair coordinator and are also looking for a communications officer. Two of their National Summit sponsors are Heritage Foundation and Leadership Institute, an interconnected group of right wing billionaires and rigid Christian leaders that is cloaked in secrecy.  

As an example of what Moms for Liberty stands for or believes in, just last week they wrote on a social media platform (unknown which one), “Health care has no place in public schools.” This post was in response to Pres. Biden’s recent announcement of improving mental health care in public schools by expanding access to it and bringing in more providers. Their post continued, “Mental health care is health care Mr. President. That’s why it has NO place in public schools. #ParentalRights.”

Which leads me to why I write this article today. Here in New Hampshire there is an active chapter in Hillsborough county headed by Rachel Goldsmith, former executive director of the Free State Project. There is also either an established chapter or one in the works in Rockingham county. Moms have arrived in NH, folks.

What they do is teach parents (so far, in 45 states) that public educators are the enemy or adversaries. They don’t want children to be taught how to think for themselves. Again, in NH Moms offered a $500 reward to anyone who could get an educator punished for teaching "divisive concepts." They strongly encourage banning books, not just for their own kids, but for everyone else’s. They promote the teaching that some enslaved people who were eventually freed, ended up with useful skills, which could explain where Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fl.) got the idea from.

Free Stater Rachel Goldsmith is not alone in NH in her fight against public education. Free State board member Greg Moore is NH’s director of Americans for Prosperity [AFP] founded by oil billionaires David and Charles Koch. AFP NH previously went door-to-door and mailed postcards encouraging parents to take the state’s vouchers and send their kids to non-public schools. These vouchers from property taxes are funding for religious schools and students who are home schooled.When Gov. Sununu signed school vouchers into law, former Sec. of Education Betsy DeVos came to NH to celebrate.

NH’s Education Commissioner, Frank Edleblut, whose own children were all home schooled, attacks and defames our public schools and their teachers. He was asked by a Superior Court judge to define an adequate education, but claimed it’s not his job to know. He was very active in getting education vouchers and would like to see teachers replaced by “guides” overseen by commercial companies. Wait! A what?

A majority of NH residents support public education and do not want their property tax dollars funding private or home schooling.   This voucher system can be removed in one day by voting in a legislature that reflects the will of the NH people.

Remember to be aware of “Moms” who do not have your children’s best educational interests at heart!