GraniteGrok

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

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• The Granite State region FIRST competition is underway. Our local robotics team has worked hard and hopes their efforts will pay off. We know it already has. Watching the group of students and their mentors working to bring the project to its conclusion, we have no doubt that this has benefits that will long outlast the program itself. This is real "hands on" education that works! (Click here to download the podcast from their December appearance on MTNP radio)
• John Randall is the Online Communications Manager for the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC). We'll discuss what their mission is, and what an "online communications manager" does, and how it differs from other traditional media roles. His group has updated its website with new features and a blog as well. It all ties in with their recently launched "Two Seats Program" that John will be promoting. Mr. Randall will discuss the hot Senate races to watch this Fall, which includes the one right here in NH between incumbent Senator John E. Sununu and former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen. We'll examine the Shaheen Record and contrast it with that of Sen. Sununu. (I just love a good Shaheen bash!)
• All politics is local. Our friend and fellow municipal budget committee member Terry Stewart joins the roundtable in the second half of the show. While some of the specifics are local to us, you can be sure that much the same of what we discuss is going on where you live. We'll chat about the impact a well-functioning budget committee can have on the process. In addition to having a budget committee (RSA 32:14), all towns in the Granite State ought to adopt "SB2"-- the Official Ballot method of voting at Town Meeting (RSA 40:13). This year, it appears there's a movement afoot to do just that here in our neck of the woods, with Belmont, Meredith, Moultonborough, the Winnisquam School District, the Gilmanton School District, and others, among those considering this worthy method of conducting town and school business in the modern era. And of course, the usual suspects are opposed. We'll debunk their worn, tired talking points.
• Watch out for the anti-"pledge" warrant-- with it's appearance on 88 town ballots, there's a good chance it's on yours-- it's on ours here in Gilford. Don't fall for this underhanded trick seeking to begin the demonization process of our existing tax structure in NH. We don't have a tax problem, we have a spending problem!
• What about that county budget? With a 13% hit on Laconia's hapless taxpayers announced after the budget was supposed to have been passed, but wasn't, will anybody take the time to say something about the madness? And why can't the County Convention ever seem to follow the law lately?
• Time permitting-- some prez politics. Yep- after what seems like years, the 2008 presidential campaign lurches onward (still).