With less than a week to go, writers sound off on Nov. 8 election

Here are some reasons to vote Don Bolduc for U.S. Senate

Oct. 27 − To the Editor:

It is easy to criticize what Maggie Hassan has done as the 50th, decisive, vote for the Biden-Pelosi-Schumer agenda. It is equally important to highlight the positives of her opponent, retired General Don Bolduc:

- He is genuinely “of New Hampshire” – raised on a farm; a local policeman after high school in Laconia; campaigned for two years by holding over 500 “town hall meetings” in every corner of the state. He listens as well as talks, and understands and reflects our aspirations and concerns. Greatly outspent, he is relying on “message over money”.

- He had a highly successful 33-year Army career serving our country in the Middle East, in Africa, and in Washington. His progression from private to general speaks volumes about his competence and character. He is an active advocate for veterans, and serious about his oath to “support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic”.

- He has direct, on-the-ground experience in national security – experience which would surpass any other member of Congress – at a time when relations with Russia, China and Iran will be central to the national agenda.

- He has run an energetic, principled, frugal campaign and will serve that way in the Senate.

Republicans, independents, and thoughtful Democrats should promote General Don Bolduc.

Bill Bowen

Portsmouth

This election, I'm voting for every Democrat on the ballot

Oct. 26 − To the Editor:

Granite Staters have a reputation for being independent and voting across party lines. While I first registered to vote as a Democrat to honor my grandfather’s service to our state legislature, there have been many times since that I voted for a Republican or an Independent I felt was better suited to serve our interests in Concord or Washington.

I’m sad to say, those days are over.

Here’s why:

• US Senate and Congressional Republicans now openly discuss their desire to eliminate, privatize, or raise the age for Social Security and Medicare – our money they’re supposed to safeguard.

• Congressional Republicans voted over 50 times to end the Affordable Care Act, with no alternative for people who depend on it.

• The GOP-appointed Supreme Court has overturned 50 years of settled law protecting choice, with broad Republican support for a national abortion ban if they regain power.

In Concord, our Republican-dominated Executive Council has voted 4 times to defund reproductive counseling, cancer screening, and treatment for the poorest Granite Staters. In October 2021, the Executive Council voted 4-1 against accepting $27 million in federal relief related to COVID vaccination efforts.

These actions are not just out of step with NH voters. They are cruel. They are regressive. And they do not serve the people of New Hampshire.

Therefore, my choice this year is simple: I’m voting for integrity, compassion, and the common good. I’m voting for Maggie Hassan, Chris Pappas, Tom Sherman, Katherine Harake, and every Democrat on the ballot.

Mary-Ann Sullivan

Rye

Phony campaign signs falsely attack Debra Altschiller, candidate for state Senate

Oct. 26 − To the Editor:

It’s amazing how many candidate signs are out there making it pretty obvious there’s an election on the horizon.  I like when good honest people show their support for their candidate and thus their beliefs.  People like myself step forward and give their time to ensure their voice is heard.  Our process is steeped in history and truly the New Hampshire way.

However, not everyone’s approach to campaigning is honest and above board.  I take great exception (and so should you) to candidates, campaigns or even volunteers that allow dishonest signs, literature, texts or emails that spread false information.

Driving through North Hampton, I saw a sign that looked almost exactly like a standard Debra Altschiller campaign sign – below Debra’s name was the phrase "Supports an Income Tax." In the six years Deb has been in the state house – she’s never supported an income tax and never will.  At the bottom of the sign, it read "Paid for by the New Hampshire Republican State Committee Chairman Steve Stepanek www.nh.gop." In New Hampshire, it’s political suicide to support an income tax and what better way to vilify your opponent.  Deb is honest, hard-working and will be an incredible asset to New Hampshire’s state Senate.  If a candidate or political party has to lie about their opponent to get elected, then they do not deserve your vote. I ask that the party responsible for the disparaging signs, step up, do the right thing and remove them.

Donna McCay

North Hampton Democratic Committee Chair

Editor's note: State Rep. Debra Altschiller, candidate for state Senate, is the wife of Howard Altschiller, Seacoast Media Group's executive editor.

Law enforcement officers have confidence in Don Bolduc

Oct 27 − To the Editor:

The forthcoming Election offers us as New Hampshire voters a real New Hampshire Representative in the person of Don Bolduc. Don strongly supports our U.S. Constitution as it is written and will support the nomination of judicial candidates that demonstrate a commitment to strict construction of same. In so doing, Don will be assuring law enforcement of consistency in court rulings on cases impacting the enforcement activities. Law enforcement officers need such certainty in the law to enable them to deal with the ambiguities of the many situations they confront ona daily basis.

Don will not be supporting legislation or policies that reduce the strength of police forces but rather will seek to assure they have sufficient people and equipment to do the job. He will join with the professionals in seeking methods and means to prevent crime, enhance public safety , and bring the people and the police together to maintain the peace and tranquility of our cities and towns throughout these United States.

As a United States Senator, Mr. Bolduc will be a true voice for New Hampshire and not the voice of partisan politics. He is a practical problem solver who can persuade his Senate colleagues with simple logic, sound common sense, and experienced foresight.

The problems of immigration, narcotics and human trafficking, and homelessness must be dealt with more assertively by Congress and the Executive branches of government. Don Bolduc will be at the forefront in motivating and urging strong federal actions to help resolve these persistent problems.

Don’s experience in his U.S Army career make him well prepared to help the Senate and our Country handle issues of National Defense, dangerous foreign conflicts, and military affairs.

William T Burke

Chief of Police, Portsmouth (ret)

Hampton

Vote Ruth Larson for State Senate in District 6, Rochester-Farmington area

Oct. 26 − To the Editor

Folks in Farmington, Rochester, New Durham, Alton, Gilmanton, and Strafford, you have a chance to elect a State Senator who will work for the people: Ruth Larson.

Having resided in your senate district for decades, I have seen voters unwittingly elect candidates who consistently bow to their corporate donors rather than work for struggling New Hampshire families. State Senators Jim Forsythe and James Gray time after time voted in favor of legislation that increased the burden of property taxes, that sabotaged proposals that would lower energy costs, and that stymied our efforts to protect our water and help address climate change.

Not only that, your current state senator, James “book-banner” Gray, is so out of touch with the will of the people, that he was voted down 12-1 as Rochester City Councilman in an effort to ban LGBTQ+ books from the Rochester City Library. You can only imagine what he would like to see for laws regarding a woman’s right to choose.

But on November 8th, you can finally elect a candidate who has always worked for the people and will continue to work for you - not for corporate donors - in the NH Senate: Ruth Larson.

That said, don’t just vote for Ruth on November 8^th.  Get everyone you know in the towns of Farmington, Rochester, New Durham, Alton, Gilmanton and Strafford out to vote for Ruth so we can put an end to this extremist agenda and elect a state senator who is in step with the people.

I now reside in another part of the state, but I have worked with Ruth over the years for candidates and issues that support families and a sustainable future.  I’ve witnessed her commitment and her insistence on listening to and working for the people.

In such a conservative district, we will flip this seat only if we rally our friends and neighbors - who would otherwise not vote in the midterm elections - to get out and vote for Ruth Larson for State Senate. It’s worth getting out of our comfort zone to talk to people and follow up by making sure they get out to vote. We can’t afford not to.

Diane St. Germain

Bedford

No one forced Gov. Sununu to sign abortion ban, he chose to sign it

Oct. 26 − To the Editor:

In the debate at New England College on Wednesday night, Governor Sununu worked hard to convince the audience that he had no choice but to sign the restrictive abortion law that he passed. He claimed that he had to sign it in order to avoid a government shutdown. He went on to say that his actual stance on abortion rights aligned with those of his opponent, Dr. Tom Sherman.

So, did Sununu sign the law because he lacked the courage of his convictions? Or, is Sununu hiding his true beliefs by blaming the Republican legislature for forcing his hand? Neither option is worthy of my vote. If Governor Sununu truly believed that New Hampshire’s restrictive abortion law is too extreme, he would not have endorsed Karoline Leavitt, a MAGA Republican who loudly endorses an abortion ban with no exceptions. Yet, he did endorse her. Governor Sununu called himself independent during the debate, but as soon as he said, “Democrat Party,” his mask came off. MAGA Republicans started saying Democrat Party instead of Democratic Party as a way to disparage Democrats. Saying Democrat Party is a signature of the MAGA culture. No one who calls themselves independent would use this slur. It’s especially distasteful coming from a sitting Governor who serves all of the people of New Hampshire. Independent voters, proceed with caution. The governor is not who he claims to be. He and Karoline are two pumpkins from the same patch.

Carol DeStefano

Greenland

Public comment on replacing the Route 1B (Wentworth) Bridge

Oct. 27 − To the Editor:

I am pleased to see that the Coast Guard is addressing its mission requirement to ensure a safe, secure, and environmentally sound waterways system and to safeguard the efficient and economical movement of $5.4 trillion in overall economic activity flowing through the Nation’s ports and waterways.

One of the main reasons the existing bridge next to the Wentworth Hotel in New Castle is opened so infrequently is because of the restriction imposed by requiring a request for opening to be made 4 hours in advance. If openings were more accessible, it is obvious that the bascule bridge would get more use.

The area behind Great Island is a Hurricane Hole and should be used as a safe harbor providing excellent shelter for small craft and also become an asset to the fishing industry. When a severe storm or even a hurricane threatens, the back channel is a haven for small boats looking to get out of harm’s way. There are fishermen who have moorings in the channel they have owned for years, but only use them in emergency situations. These moorings in the channel go right up to the Sagamore Bridge and beyond. A movable bridge with far better possibilities for opening would undoubtedly enhance economic possibilities up stream.

What is now the Back Channel used to be the Main Channel into Portsmouth Harbor before the massive dynamiting of Pull Or Be Damned Point that opened the present channel. The Coast Guard still maintains navigation aids through the Back Channel.

The causeway on the other end of New Castle was constructed for the purpose of transporting the massive artillery pieces to Fort Stark during World War II. This construction terminated the natural water flow around the islands. Now the back side of Great Island is slowly filling with silt and the channels have to be dredged periodically in order to facilitate navigation. The channel on the West side of Leach’s Island was part of the former main route to Portsmouth Harbor and was used by ships. Today, it is almost impassable to small craft at low tides. It is badly in need of dredging. I have a small 20-foot outboard boat and I have to be very careful navigating the back channel so as not to run aground. Boaters who lack local knowledge should avoid the area.

Erecting a fixed bridge will seriously inhibit access for dredging equipment. Without constant dredging, the channels on the back side of Great Island will continue their slow deterioration and the area will gradually fill and revert to a salt marsh.

Clearance gauges that show both vertical clearances and water depth under the bridge are essential. A wider span is also a strong recommendation especially when the current is running.

It is for these reasons that I support replacing the old movable bridge with a new movable bridge that will encourage better access and restore the back channel to a navigable waterway.

Bill Kingston

New Castle

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: With less than a week to go, writers sound off on Nov. 8 election