Tag: Local Politics

What’s the Point of Dillon’s Rule?

October 25, 2019

As Steve wrote yesterday, SAU 55 passed a School Board policy that bans visitors from being in possession of a firearm on the SAU 55 School(s) property. The problem is they don’t have the legal authority to pass that policy, and it can not legally be enforced. The Chief of Police in the Hampstead, according … Read more

MSNBC Calls Doctor’s Belief in Two Genders ‘Incendiary’

August 27, 2019

Recently an ad for Dr. Ralph Abrahama appeared in the inbox. It was catchy but he’s seeking the GOP gubernatorial nomination in Louisiana. Should he win he will challenge Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards. The race wasn’t local so the email got the delete button. The follow on Well, probably the next day a piece by … Read more

Goodies from the 2013 Warner Warrant

September 26, 2018March 12, 2013

I thought Dems and Progressives were all “Trees – Not Towers” all the time: Article 12 Shall the Town vote to authorize the selectmen to enter into a 5 year lease agreement, with an automatic renewal for four (4) automatic give (5) year terms, with AT&T to locate a tower (on town owned property on North … Read more

Dog Bite Politics

September 26, 2018March 26, 2012

by Rick Olson

“Like a hand grenade, (Pit Bulls) are inert until you pull the pin. Once the pin is pulled, there is nothing you can do to stop the explosion.” —Gary Wilkes

3 year-old Natylee Murphy following the attack of her Aunt's Pit Bull in New Caney, Texas on September 11, 2009.

Last Wednesday, the front page of the Union leader featured Janis Milne who, while out walking her 8 year-old lab named Sue, Monday afternoon, was viciously attacked by what the article describes as a, “Pit Bull.” Milne’s Black lab named Sue suffered serious injuries , as did Milne. This brought to the forefront for me some years ago being attacked by full-sized Collie, chewing me up pretty good. Minding my own business riding along the public street on my bicycle, I was knocked off my bike, and now being mauled by “Lassie.” Anybody who has suffered such an event will tell you it leaves you wincing.

Running for Selectman And Saying What One Means

September 26, 2018January 31, 2012

by Rick Olson

“An association of men who will not quarrel with one another is a thing which never yet existed, from the greatest confederacy of nations down to a town-meeting or a vestry” —Thomas Jefferson

Letters to the Editor, no matter what newspaper features them, are always fodder for intrigue, strange ironies and unintended humor. Other times, letters to the editor are little more than rank lies, propaganda and charlatanry for “true-believers.” But for the most part, letters to the editor provide that surface-level thumbnail viewpoint of the author…for the most part.

2012 is a political year on all levels national, state and local. One such letter that inevitably piques my interest are letters to the Editor by candidates seeking office and asking for the support of the public who might elect them. I pay particular attention to such letters because running for a seat on any town leadership platform inevitably shapes a person’s public persona for better or worse.