Gatsas: Super needs to step up
Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas said it was time for school Superintendent Debra Livingston to “step up” on the school district’s budget in his weekly interview on the Girard at Large Radio Show yesterday. Gatsas, who has scheduled a special meeting of the Board of School Committee on April eighteenth to discuss the district’s budget, criticized Livingston for leaving principals to contact the aldermen to discuss and lobby for their individual school budgets, saying she needed to come to the school board and make recommendations. Gatsas said the administration should be spending its time looking for teachers interested in teaching a sixth class and establishing a pool of permanent subs, both of which are now allowed in the teachers union contract. He also said they should be looking into why special education costs have jumped since the new Director of Special Services was hired.
Bradley: Calls on delegation to help get waiver
Leaders in the New Hampshire General Court are urging the state’s congressional delegation to obtain approval for the newly reauthorized Obamacare Expanded Medicaid program’s work requirements. In a statement issued yesterday, they asked the delegation to support the state’s waiver application, including the work provisions outlined in H B 1 6 9 6, which was signed into law on Tuesday.
Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley, Republican from Wolfeboro said, quote:
“By including work requirements…it is clear that the legislature supports this personal responsibility measure and will work to ensure that those receiving benefits as part of the New Hampshire Health Protection Plan [NHHPP] who can work, should work in order to continue receiving benefits.”
Jasper: Broke the tie
House Speaker Shawn Jasper added,
“The people of New Hampshire support implementation of work requirements in order to receive benefits, and our representatives in Washington have a fiduciary duty to do what they can to make sure the state is authorized to carry forward this important program as intended by language in HB 1696.”
Forrester: For before against
In opposing the bill, several critics said the state doomed its chances of getting the work requirement approved when the House approved a severability clause that would prevent the law from being invalidated if the feds refused to grant the necessary waivers. The amendment adding the severability clause to the legislation passed with Speaker Jasper casting the tie breaking vote.
Senator Jeanie Forrester, Republican from Meredith and G O P candidate for governor, attempted to remove the severability clause in the senate, but failed. Forrester, who voted for the original bill expanding Medicaid two years ago, voted against the program’s reauthorization.
News from our own backyard continues after this.
America’s Navy is coming to Manchester, one of 20 cities in eight states to host a performance by the United States Navy Band during its 2016 tour; one of the Navy’s signature outreach programs. A United States Navy Band Sea Chanters performance is scheduled for 7:00 P M on April 15th, 7 p.m. at Manchester Central High School. The performance is free and open to the public. Join the Sea Chanters as they perform music ranging from traditional choral music, including sea chanteys and patriotic fare, to opera, Broadway, and contemporary music. Since they frequently perform at national events, especially in Washington, where they perform for the President, vice president and numerous congressional, military and foreign dignitaries, it is a special treat for them to be here.
The Rockingham County Republican Committee will host its annual Freedom Founders Dinner one week from today, on Thursday, April 14th, at the Atkinson Resort and Country Club. It will begin at 6 p.m. The event is meant to commemorate the Founding Fathers and keep their ideals and patriotism alive. Candidates for governor, Congress and the U S Senate are expected to attend. Part of the fun is they share who is their favorite Founder and why. Tickets are seventy-five dollars per person and sponsorship opportunities are available. Reservations are required and can be made online at rockingham g o p dot org. Any questions should be directed to the event’s chairman, Diane Bitter, at d d bitter at aol dot com.
Maloney
The Special Enforcement Division of the Manchester Police Department made two more arrests Tuesday night as a part of their efforts to combat the opioid crisis plaguing the Queen City. During the arrests, they seized several grams of heroin and cocaine. Detectives Eric Joyal and Christian Horn pulled over a Land Rover on Merrimack Street after the driver failed to use the turn signal. The detectives spoke with the thirty four year old driver Joel Wichenbaugh, and twenty four year old passenger Joseph Maloney, both of Manchester. The vehicle owner consented to a search of the vehicle which turned up a six gram bag of heroin and a six gram of crack. Maloney was charged with two counts possession of a controlled drug and one count of falsifying physical evidence. Wichenbaugh was not charged.
Rautenberg
Detectives made a second arrest outside of 5 7 9 Kimball Street at around 7:10 after receiving information that a man had picked up heroin in Lawrence and was going to that address. Detectives found twenty four year old Kyle Rautenburg of Concord outside of the address and told him about the information they’d received. He coughed up a cigarette pack containing 2 point 2 grams of heroin, after which he was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled drug.
That’s news from our own backyard! Girard at Large hour ___ is next!
