On September 27, 2005, just a little over a year ago, the Portsmouth Herald (NH) reported that
“Gov. John Lynch and New Hampshire’s four congressmen called for the resignation of Executive Councilor Ray Burton Monday, citing recent revelations about the criminal record of one of his campaign workers.”
You remember the story- the long time Executive Councilor employed a convicted pedophile and, in the words of Democratic Party Chair Kathy Sullivan, knowingly brought “a child molester into every town in the North Country as part of a political road show.” This was discovered when Burton’s aide was arrested again, trying to pick up teenage boys with beer and cigarettes. Was this poor judgment on Burton’s part- or plain arrogance?
.
They say he brings home the bacon, as it were, to the district. You know, lots of road money. Really? Anybody travel route 106 every day, or even once and a while? Did you know we spent over 60 million dollars on that road several years back? Did it help anyone’s commute? No. But we get rest areas and farm restorations with our gas tax dollars. Thanks Ray! Councilor Burton has never been much of a Republican, especially when it comes to social issues appearing before the Executive Council. That is why the democrats don’t usually oppose him. This year, it’s different. He actually has a Democrat opponent- Mark Blotner. The Carroll County Democrat website states
“Blotner entered the race for Executive Council because he believes that having a member of one political party run as the candidate of two parties subverts the democratic process. He stated, ‘You are either a Republican, Democrat, Independent, etc. and should, therefore, only be on the ballot as such.’”
While this is probably the last time I’ll agree with Mark, he’s getting my vote for District 1 Executive Councilor. I wonder how those who called for Burton’s resignation last year will be voting.
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UPDATE 1
Apparently I’m not alone in my sentiment regarding Burton. Today’s Union Leader weighs in with a scathing editorial endorsing his oponent.
District 1 Executive Councilor Ray Burton has become like the royal governors the council was created to check. In more than a quarter-century on the council, he has purchased popularity by dispensing goodies to the masses. He has become so secure in his office that no one of political stature dares challenge him..But Burton should be challenged. He has become a parody of a good old boy politician.
Ouch! Nothing can be so biting sometimes as the truth. The UL piece recounts the pedophile saga and closes with this subtle, yet powerful indictment of the timeworn Executive Councilor:
Whatever good judgment Ray Burton might have had in the past, he has shown that he can no longer be trusted to make decisions that are in the best interests of the people. Vote Mark Blotner on Tuesday and bring a fresh, interesting and uncorrupted new voice to the Executive Council.
"Uncorrupted"? Not in the criminal way, of course. In the "been in office way too long" sense of the word.
