I have served the people of Grafton County as the register of deeds since 2011. It has been a rocky road, as I am outspoken and passionate about what I do for the people who have an interest in real property in this beautiful county. I also have far too much experience in handling bullies.
I have experienced difficulties with the entrenched administration who hold power over the part time elected officials who control policy.
The audio of the 4/22/2025 and 5/13/25 meeting of the board of commissioners is incredibly telling.
Transparency has never been a strength of these commissioners, as neither of the two with the new four-year terms disclosed that information in any of their campaign material. The longest-serving commissioner has one strength, as she is a retired Dartmouth Freshman English Professor. She relies on this singular strength in the role she plays as editor in chief, producing minutes edited with her heavy hand thick with her narrative spin, which creates the illusion of her possessing actual substance. She selectively eliminates opposing views and statements that conflict with her goals.
The heat has become overwhelming in their kitchen, and the chairman has unilaterally removed the link to internet access to real-time meetings. They will not revisit the subject of online participation and public comment until after the annual budget is presented and passed and after the vote is taken to approve the plans on the controversial new courthouse project. They depend on the hard-working people of the county, being too occupied with their lives paying property taxes to pay attention.
Need I say more?
Featured Image: Commissioner Wendy Piper
Editor’s note: Links added for reference. They were not included in the author’s original.
