Ayotte: Opposed, but willing to fund
New Hampshire Right to Life President Jane Cormier has published “An Open Letter to Sen. Kelly Ayotte” over the funding of Planned Parenthood, which has come under intense fire after a series of undercover videos released by the Center for Medical Progress exposed the organization’s trafficking in organs and other parts from the babies they abort. Several Planned Parenthood officials not only admit to engaging in the practice for profit, but callously describe how procedures used to kill the children can be modified to preserve the body parts buyers want.
Democrats demanded a so called “clean continuing resolution” that included funding for the organization and threatened to filibuster any spending plan that didn’t contain it. Ayotte has said she was opposed to funding Planned Parenthood, but that it wasn’t worth risking a government shutdown over. She similarly said she was opposed to funding the Executive Amnesty ordered by the current occupant of the White House, but refused to vote for a resolution that didn’t contain it because of same shutdown threats made by the Democrats. Ayotte has, of course, called for a full investigation of the practices she says she’s sickened by, but apparently willing to fund.
Cormier: Blasts Ayotte over Planned Parenthood votes.
Cormier’s letter reads as follows:
Just Who is Sen. Ayotte Fighting For?
Why is Senator Ayotte leading the fight in the Senate against those who stand for life?
Not since revelations about Dr. Kermit Gosnell shocked the nation, has the pro-life movement had such an opportunity to expose the gruesome and barbaric practices of the abortion industry – which the recently released videos of Planned Parenthood have done.
This should be a time for those who profess to want to defend the unborn to unify around the uncontroversial notion that taxpayers shouldn’t be paying a private organization to perform abortions.
Instead, I am beyond dismayed to learn that Sen. Ayotte not only voted twice to support this organization, but was the face of the opposition against those who fought nobly to defend life.
Sen. Ayotte was not given the honor of representing us in Congress so she could make excuses for political parlor games. It is way past time she vote in accordance with New Hampshire values and actually stand for something as important as Life.
Jane Cormier
News from our own backyard continues after this.
Salts: Presents anti-graffiti ordinance to city
An anti-graffiti ordinance is in the works in the state’s largest city. Manchester resident Greg Salts appeared before the Board of Mayor and Aldermen Tuesday night to present an ordinance from Salem, OR. In doing so, Salts said he saw four options for the city regarding dealing with graffiti: First, continue with the status quo where the city’s one graffiti removal crew responded to complaints, which isn’t working; second, have the city hire another guy and get another truck to respond to complaints, which would likely not work; third, rely on volunteer efforts, like the one that cleaned up the Riverwalk just south of Fisher Cats Stadium; or fourth, shift the responsibility to clean it up to the property owners who leave it there in the first place.
Salts reported that communities like Salem and others he’d researched saw immediate and lasting improvements once property owners themselves were made responsible to clean up their own buildings. In the ordinance provided to the board, property owners that fail to remove the graffiti would be subject to fines, court action, even jail. The matter was referred to the Committee on Public Safety.
Sapienza: Wants to know what the city gets for $100,000
Also on Tuesday night, members of the board, including Mayor Ted Gatsas, wrangled over a proposal to spend another hundred thousand dollars on a parking study involving the Bedford Street Lot in the Millyard. Developers are looking to conduct a study to determine how to build and pay for a parking structure on the site, in conjunction with a proposed six story, one hundred twenty five room Hyatt Hotel.
Gatsas: What more do we need to know?
Ward Five Alderman Tony Sapienza questioned the expenditure saying the proposal didn’t say much about what the city was going to get in exchange for its money. Ward Twelve Alderman Keith Hirschmann questioned why it was being done outside of the city’s Procurement Code. Gatsas, both at the meeting and during his weekly Wednesday interview on this show, said the city had already spent fifty three thousand dollars and knew what it needed to know.
Among the issues the consultants say needs to be addressed is the creation of a special taxing district in the Millyard/downtown area to pay for construction and maintenance of a facility. Alderman at-Large Joe Kelly Levasseur said area business and property owners expressed support for the district at a recent meeting. Gatsas said he’d heard from others who weren’t. The board deferred action on the matter, referring it to the Committee on Lands and Buildings to get further details.
Weston Tower: ?Get great views this weekend!
This weekend is the last chance to climb to the top of the Weston Observatory this year! Located behind Derryfield Park, Weston Observatory was built in 1896 in honor of James Adams Weston, a former Manchester mayor and New Hampshire governor. The tower stands 6 6 feet tall and gives an exquisite view of the city and surrounding areas from its observation deck. Picnic tables are available, so bring a lunch and enjoy the beautiful fall foliage while experiencing one of Manchester’s best kept secrets! Limited parking will be available in front of the Weston Observatory off of Oak Hill Ave. Please note that the Observatory is not accessible for people in wheelchairs or who have walking disabilities.
Eaton: Explains the man behind the tower and the view it provides
The Observatory will be open this Saturday and Sunday from ten to four. Tickets are ten bucks per person and twenty five dollars per family. Manchester Historic Association members receive a five dollar discount.
