Gatsas: Hold of on selling power plants
Manchester Mayor and G O P gubernatorial candidate Ted Gatsas is calling on Governor Margaret Wood Hassan to put the divestiture of Eversource power plants in New Hampshire on hold. In a statement released after Eversource announced it planned to hike power rates by ten percent, Gatsas said quote
“Last fall, the Public Utilities Commission requested a minimum five year halt so issues regarding electric rates could be worked out. While they’ve seemingly changed their minds, I have not. Whether it’s a five-year delay, or more, Governor Hassan needs to immediately implement an official pause on the divestiture process. This is costing the ratepayers an exorbitant amount of money and the current situation is untenable.”
Eversource: Not using upgraded power plant
Gatsas pointed to the legislature’s mandate that Eversource spend half a billion dollars on pollution control measures at its Merrimack Station plant in Bow and questioned why, after the money was spent and the project completed, the state would order it to be sold. Said Gatsas, quote
“Ratepayers continue to pay for the mandate, but ironically electricity is not being generated with any consistency from the plant to ensure stability in rates. Instead Eversource, owner of the only remaining regulated generation in NH, must buy energy in the marketplace while continuing to tack on the costs of the equipment at an idle plant.”
Briggs Center: Face lift about to lift off
Building on Hope will hold a ceremony to commemorate the official start of Build Week 2 0 1 6 at Manchester Police Athletic League’s Michael Briggs Community Center. The center provides a safe and positive after school environment for Manchester’s inner-city youth, offering an alternative to at-risk behavior and encouraging positive relationships between law enforcement and young people. Each day up to one hundred youth between the ages of 5 and 21 go to the facility after school to participate in free activities including judo, aikido, wrestling, boxing, rugby and lacrosse in addition to receiving academic help from Manchester police officers.
Over the past year, volunteers have been planning the major renovation of this 16,000 square-foot, one hundred five year old facility and have already started to make significant changes. Starting on May thirteenth, hundreds of volunteers will work long hours to ensure the extreme makeover-style renovation is completed by May 22nd. The kick off to the one million dollar project is tomorrow from ten to eleven. The public is welcomed to attend.
News from our own backyard continues after this.
Sanborn: Not happy with tabling
District Nine State Senator Andy Sanborn, Republican from Bedford, isn’t happy with the New Hampshire House’s vote to table C A C R 2 7, which would have allowed voters to amend the state’s constitution to require the legislature adopt a balanced budget each biennium. In a statement issued yesterday, Sanborn, who sponsored the bill, said quote:
“This legislation voted down today was a common sense measure that would have solidified the requirement that our state only spends money it receives in revenue and it is unfortunate that this measure was not approved today.”
Hinch: Democrats blocked voters voice
House Republican Leader Dick Hinch, Republican from Merrimack, seemed to share Sanborn’s disappointment, blaming Democrats for the move. He said that while the bill received a majority vote of two hundred one to one thirty nine, it lacked the three fifths majority required to be placed on the ballot. Of the bill, Hinch said, quote:
“It passed the Senate 23-1. It’s unfortunate that House Democrats voted so strongly against this responsible spending measure today, thereby taking away the opportunity for voters to weigh in on this important issue in the Fall.”
Boutin: Stepping down after a decade
District Sixteen State Senator David Boutin, Republican from Hooksett, is calling it a career. Girard at Large has confirmed that the five term senator will not seek reelection. Boutin won a tough primary two years ago, spending one hundred thousand dollars in narrowly defeating former State Rep. Jane Cormier. He bested Democrat Maureen Manning in the general. Girard at Large has learned that Ward One Republican State Representative Joe Lachance, who sponsored the bill that extended the Expanded Medicaid Obamacare program in the state, is considering a run for the seat.
NH DOT Hearing tonight
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting tonight at the Bedford Town Meeting Room, also known as Bedford Community Television’s headquarters, on Meetinghouse Road. This is an informational meeting that will discuss the proposed rehabilitation of the Route 1 14 bridge over Bowman Brook. The meeting will also solicit public input in order to ensure that the decisions made on the project meet the transportation needs, community goals and protection and enhancement of the environment. The meeting will begin at 7, doors open at 6:30
Household Hazardous Waste to be collected on Saturday.
The city of Manchester is holding a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event this Saturday from 9 to 2, at the Dunbarton Road Drop Off Facility. This is an opportunity for Manchester residents to dispose of household hazardous wastes safely, legally and free. For details on what can and can’t be dropped off, please visit manchester n h dot gov slash h h w
That’s news from our own backyard, Girard at Large hour ___ is next!
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