Gatsas: Million Dollar Man
Campaign finance reports were filed with the Secretary of State’s Office yesterday by those seeking state office. The big money raisers were Manchester’s Republican Mayor Ted Gatsas who, with the help of a seventy five thousand dollar loan he gave his campaign, reported more than one million dollars raised and District Two’s Democratic Executive Councilor Colin Van Ostern who, thanks to stalwart Democratic donors, just eked over the million dollar mark. In cash on hand Gatsas said he had five hundred fifty thousand dollars to close out the primary campaign, Van Ostern had less than four hundred thousand.
Edelblut: Self financing
State Rep. Frank Edelblut, Republican from Wilton, raised eight hundred thirty thousand dollars, thanks in large part to a seven hundred fifty thousand dollar contribution he gave himself. He reported having more than six hundred thousand dollars in cash for the campaign’s final three weeks, which is about the amount District Three’s Republican Executive Councilor Chris Sununu reported raising. Sununu pulled up just shy of six hundred fifty thousand dollars and has about two hundred twenty five grand on hand to finish the primary.
Connolly: Competitive
Democrat Mark Connolly raised over five hundred fifty thousand dollars, which includes one hundred eighty thousand of his own money. He’s got three hundred thousand dollars left to spend. Senate Finance Committee Chair Jeanie Forrester, Republican from Meredith, has raised almost two hundred forty thousand dollars and spent half of it. Portsmouth’s former Democratic Mayor Steve Marchand reported raising and spending just over a hundred thousand dollars.
The next three weeks, will, no doubt, prove interesting, as the candidates seek to spend the remaining two million or so dollars in the hopes of winning their primaries.
Mahon: He’s back!
Former Merrimack Town Councilor Tom Mahon is once again a town councilor. He was appointed to the position last week after the council interviewed five candidates they believed were qualified to do the job. Mahon, who chose not to seek reelection this year, fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Jody Vaillancourt, who left the position after her husband found a job out of state. Paul Lagasse, Donald Millek, Daniel Ricker and former State Rep. Kathleen Stroud, were the other candidates who’d applied for the job.
Foster: Hmm, maybe he should try this with voter fraud…
The state of New Hampshire seems to be sending a message to those who would game the unemployment system: Don’t do it! Department of Employment Security Commissioner George Copadis and Attorney General Joseph Foster announced that Lisa Courtois of Manchester plead guilty and was sentenced yesterday to one count of class A felony unemployment compensation fraud. Between December 2 6, 2 0 0 9 and July 2, 2 0 1 1, Courtois filed 80 weekly claims for unemployment benefits while knowingly underreporting her weekly gross earnings in order to get more than she should have. As a result, Courtois received almost sixteen thousand dollars in an additional unemployment payments. She was sentenced to 12 months in the House of Corrections, with nine months suspended for two years and the ability for release on administrative home confinement. She is disqualified from receiving unemployment compensation benefits for 52 weeks. Courtois paid restitution in full for all benefits received plus a 20 percent penalty.
News from our own backyard continues after this.
Sobriety checkpoint announced
The Manchester Police Department has announced it will run another sobriety checkpoint. Despite recent data that shows the checkpoints aren’t nabbing drunk drivers, the department says they are quote “an effective method of detecting and apprehending the impaired operator.” Police say protesters who find and picket their checkpoints forewarn those who’ve been drinking to avoid the checkpoint. In their announcement, Manchester P D said a review of records has shown that drunk driving has resulted in an alarming number of deaths and personal injury accidents. The checkpoint will take place on September eighth and ninth.
Talent Show auditions announced
The 10th Annual Milford Pumpkin Festival Talent Show needs singers, dancers, amateur comedians, jugglers, tumblers, pet acts, and anyone with an unusual talent! Entries are now open for this year’s Talent Show, which will be held at the Amato Theater on Saturday, October 8th. There are adult and kids’ talent contest categories and contestants can win GREAT prizes, including some healthy amounts of cash. Auditions for the Talent Show will take place Saturday, Sept 2 4th from 10 to 4 at the S V B G C, 56 Mont Vernon Street, in Milford. Interested performers can sign up now at milford pumpkin festival dot org to get on the audition schedule. For more information on the Talent Show or other questions, please contact Theater Director Robin LaCroix at rlacroix@svbgc.org or call 6 7 2 1 0 0 2 ext. 20
Trump: In Manchester today
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump will be at the Center of New Hampshire Radisson Hotel in Manchester for a campaign rally with his supporters today. The event begins at one o’clock, with the doors opening at ten. We’ve linked to the online registration site where you can get tickets, if interested. The Trump team asks that you limit personal items and arrive early. They emphasized that they do NOT want attendees to bring homemade signs, banners, professional cameras with a detachable lens, tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, backpacks or large bags. They will not be allowed in.
Metzler: New app will provide information to community
The Timberlane Regional School District proudly announced the launch of a custom mobile app it says provides an all-in-one information source for parents, students, staff and the community, developed to provide direct access to many district resources. This free mobile app, available on Apple and Android devices, gives the T R S D community the ability to access information throughout the district in a faster, easier, more up-to-date, and more personal way. Technology Director Ken Henderson stated,
The Timberlane Regional School District is committed to increasing communication with our stakeholders. The Timberlane Mobile Application will deliver relevant and timely information to people securely at their fingertips.
Green: Can we get info, too?
This announcement caused Timberlane School Board Member Donna Green, who said the board was unaware that the app was in the works until receiving the press release, to question whether or not Superintendent Earl Metzler will quote
next surprise us with a financial accountability APP for the district to enhance the available information for school board and budget committee members.
Don’t bet on it!
That’s news from our own backyard! Girard at Large hour ___ is next!
