Gibson: Indicted
New Hampshire Attorney General Joseph A. Foster announced that Carl Robert Gibson, or C. Robert Gibson as he now refers to himself, allegedly of 26 Summit Street in Concord (he drives a car with expired Connecticut plates) has been indicted on alternative charges of voter suppression and attempted voter suppression by a Merrimack County Grand Jury. The indictments allege that Gibson knowingly attempted to induce, or induced, voters to refrain from voting in the May nineteenth special election for state representative in Rockingham District Thirty Two, which includes the towns of Candia, Deerfield, Northwood and Nottingham.
On May fourteenth, Gibson issued a false press release to various news sources stating that Republican candidate Yvonne Dean Bailey was dropping out of the race, thereby leaving the impression with voters that the special election was uncontested. Both charges are class B felony offenses, carrying a maximum sentence of three and a half to seven years in state prison and a four thousand dollar fine.
Manchester Ward Eight School Board Candidate Jimmy Lehoux announced he will not sign the “Don’t Wait. Educate.” pledge to provide universal pre-school in the city of Manchester. On its Web site, the group says quote:
“Manchester families can no longer wait for the politicians in Concord and Washington, D.C. to do the right thing. That’s why Save the Children Action Network is acting now and acting locally to bring access to quality early learning programs to all Manchester kids.”
Funny thing is, Save the Children Action Network, this effort’s sponsor, is a political action committee out of Washington, D.C. which has also targeted local races in Iowa and South Carolina. How about that? Washington special interests are targeting local races in the three early presidential caucus and primary states. Nope, nothing political here!
Lehoux: Won’t take PAC’s pledge
Anyway, in a social media post, Lehoux said he did not take the pledge because quote:
- I was able to get very little information on the organization.
- The “studies” they mention are extremely broad and I am sure there are studies that can contradict their claims.
- If you read between the lines they are asking for tax payer funded daycare.
Lehoux went on to say quote:
Before I make such a pledge I would like to know these three things:
1. What type of economic impact will putting this program in have on the private daycare centers in the Manchester area that are completely capable of providing a quality education.
2. Can we partner with these daycare centers that already have existing facilities throughout the city with guidelines and aid for what the school district would like to achieve upon entering the first grade.
3. Can the city co-fund Manchester children in daycare along with the parents so the investment is made by both parties. If the answer is no then the program is to expensive and the entire bill should not be passed onto the tax payer.
Lehoux’s opponent, incumbent Ward Eight School Committeewoman Erika Connors took the Washington, D.C. PAC’s pledge.
Girard and son: Local decisions don’t need Washington influence.
Previous to Lehoux’s announcement, at-Large school board candidate Rich Girard (that’s me) announced he sent a letter explaining why he would not sign the pledge and asked that it be published to their web site. They have not honored the request. Ward Five school board candidate Lisa Freeman also announced she would not sign the pledge. The group has been bombing mailboxes across the city endorsing those who have signed the pledge because, well, they’re for the children, don’t you know.
News form our own backyard continues after this.
Manchester School District: Subs wanted
The Manchester School District is looking to enhance its pool of substitute faculty and staff. Substitutes for classroom teachers, paraprofessionals and administrative assistants are needed regularly when there are unexpected absences. A degree is not required, but people who have earned at least forty eight college credits may qualify to be substitute teachers in the district. Please call 6 2 4 6 3 0 0 and press zero to ask Pam for an application packet.
The twenty ninth annual Derry Holiday Parade will step in the downtown at 1 o’clock on Saturday, November twenty eighth. This year’s parade theme is “The Magic of the Holidays.” Attracting nearly 10,000 spectators, the parade is one of the largest in southern New Hampshire, featuring the sights and sounds of more than eighty festive floats, marching bands, comical clowns and costumed characters.
Participation in the parade is free for area businesses, community nonprofits, churches, synagogues and other organizations. Groups looking to enter a float, marching unit, or other entry into the parade must complete an online registration form and an online organization biography form by Friday, November sixth. The forms can be found at g d l chamber dot org slash parade. We’ve linked to it.
To make this community event possible, the chamber’s Parade Committee is seeking financial support. They’re also looking for volunteers to assist with the set up and coordination of the parade. All the info you need to contribute or volunteer and benefits each are also available at g d l chamber dot org slash parade.
Starting Monday, October twenty sixth through December fourth, Manchester will collect curbside yard waste on a weekly basis. It gets picked up the same day as the trash. City officials ask that you follow the guidelines regarding proper placement of your yard waste to ensure collection. Don’t know what those are? We’ve linked to then.
That’s news from our own backyard, Girard at Large hour ___ is next!
