Hassan: Pay to play?
Is Governor Margaret Wood Hassan presiding over a pay to play scheme in the awarding of state contracts? Curious minds want to know, at least on the Republican side of the aisle. Republican State Committee Chair Jennifer Horn called on Hassan to quote “start answering questions about the growing list of no bid contracts she has awarded to her campaign donors,” charging Hassan has quote “turned the state’s contracting process into her personal A T M.” Horn also filed Right-To-Know requests for all records pertaining to the awarding of controversial contracts to a company called Centene, which the Union Leader reported as having given Hassan tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions before and after the company received no-bid contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and all no-bid contracts issued while Hassan’s been in office.
Horn: Makes the case
Among the facts raising questions over the state’s involvement with Centene are the following:
- On December 1st, 2 0 1 3, Centene began coordinating services for N H Medicaid participants. Two days later, Centene employees donated $34,000 to Hassan’s reelection campaign.
- On March 5th, 2 0 1 4, Centene donated $25,000 to the Democratic Governor’s Association, while Hassan was its vice-chair. Two weeks later, Centene donated another $25,000, then, the very next day, Hassan signed Medicaid Expansion.
- On June 6th, 2014, Centene donated anther $75,000 to the D G A, followed by another $10,000 on July 13th. Three days later, a $2 9 2 million Obama Care Medicaid Expansion contract for Centene was pushed by Hassan through the Executive Council. Ten days after that, Centene donated another $50,000.
- On August 5th, 2 0 1 5 a $1.6 billion contract extension, the largest single deal in state history, was awarded to Centene and Well Sense to run the state’s Medicaid program. At the time, Centene was one of Hassan’s largest donors, having given her campaigns $52,000 and the D G A $185,000, while she was vice chair.
- The D G A spent almost eight hundred thousand dollars supporting Hassan’s reelection bid in 2 0 1 4 (WMUR 11/12/14), meaning that Centene’s donations to the D G A represented a quarter of all of the money it spent helping Hassan.
- Centene’s first contract was not originally in the Executive Council agenda but was added as a late item. When District Three Executive Councilor Chris Sununu complained that no one had time to read it, Hassan refused to delay the vote:
News from our own backyard continues after this.
Bow Police: Driveway sealing scam leads to burglaries
The Bow Police Department is warning of a burglary scam it says is affecting surrounding towns. They scammers, operating from a beige van, engage the homeowner in a conversation about seal coating while someone attempts to find a way to into the home. The department is cautioning people to keep all doors and windows locked, even while at home, and to call 9 1 1 if someone you don’t know comes to your door instead of answering it. Updates will be shared with the pubic by the department as available.
Emerson: Wanted by MPD
On October tenth, eighty two year old Janet Frost was shopping at the Market Basket on Elm Street when forty five year old Matthew Emerson ran by her, grabbed her purse from her shopping cart and ran across the parking lot toward Elm Street with witnesses in pursuit. They lost sight of him as he ran through the Valley Street Cemetery. The Manchester Police Department is asking for the public’s help to locate Emerson, whose last known address is 4 7 Old Town Road in Hill, N H. He is wanted for Attempted Felony Theft by Deception, Felony Theft, and Felony Falsifying Physical Evidence. If you know Emerson’s whereabouts, please call the Manchester Police Department at 6 6 8-8 7 1 1 or Manchester Crime Line at 6 2 4-4 0 4 0, where your tip can be anonymous.
Stewart: Forum will be robust
The Greater Salem and Greater Derry Londonderry chambers of commerce will host a U. S. Senate Forum from 10: 30 to noon on Friday, October 2 8th , at Searles School and Chapel in Windham. Both incumbent G O P Sen. Kelly Ayotte and Democratic rival Gov. Margaret Wood Hassan will be on hand to discuss business issues and share their respective visions for the country’s future. Quote: “Forum attendees can expect a robust and exciting discussion,” said Greater Derry Londonderry Chamber of Commerce President Will Stewart. The event will feature a moderated discussion with each candidate, including time for questions from the audience. To register for the event visit g d l chamber dot org. You’ll probably want to reserve your seats early for this one.
MHA: Night at the Museum
The Manchester Historic Association will host its annual “Night at the Museum” gala costume party and fund raiser at the Millyard Museum on the evening of Friday, October 2 8th from 7 – 11. The Manchester Young Professionals Network will join in the festivities this year, as the organization has selected the event to commemorate its twelfth anniversary in the Queen City, with all proceeds going to the historic association. This 21-plus event will feature a costume contest, live band, raffle prizes, silent auction items, food, music, dancing and cash bar. Admission is $25 per person. To purchase tickets, visit manchester historic dot org/events.
That’s news from our own backyard! Girard at Large hour ___ is next!
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