In what Democrats are calling a “stunning upset,” for the first time in 34 years, Manchester has a Republican Mayor, Jay Ruias, AND a majority on the Board of Mayor and Alderman. This is fantastic news, a backlash against the Democrats disastrous mismanagement of New Hampshire’s largest city, where we have seen rising crime and homelessness for years under former mayor and now gubernatorial candidate, Joyce Craig.
Our new mayor, Jay Ruias, has his work cut out for him because of Democrats mismanagement over many years. But, he will have support on the BOMA for the first time in more than 3 decades, giving limited-government types a massive opportunity to introduce market-driven solutions to problems.
Congrats to Norm Vincent in Ward 11, and all the other Republicans who won in their wards. Thank you to AFP-NH and all the other grassroots organizations who helped make this success happen. Let’s make sure we maximize on this opportunity, and show Granite State voters that smaller government that lets you keep more of your money to spend as you see fit, is the best way to govern.
This week we discuss the importance of calling things by their proper names. We cover yesterday’s City elections, with our pick, Jay Ruias, coming in first for mayor, followed by Kevin Cavanaugh, the union pick, who, as a sitting alderman is responsible for the past 8 years of decline in Manchester. Only fools would put Cavanaugh in the Mayor’s office.
This week we cover the AG’s cease-and-desist letter pertaining to illegal electioneering done by Gunstock’s management team. We also discuss our picks for next week’s Manchester Primary elections, and more!
We deep dive into Joyce Craig’s remarkably bad WMUR interview (see for yourself) and discuss who else is running for seats this November. Carla tries to parse out the cognitive dissonance in progressives’ thinking… What is self-ownership?
Sununu declared he’s out… Who is in the race for NH governor then? Frank Edelblut? Chuck Morse and Kelly Ayotte? Joyce Craig destroyed Manchester, so she’s not a serious contender. Tune in to find out what we think…
Hard to tell what is happening in Manchester these days but crime is up despite whatever is being “reported.” A man was stabbed to death on the rail trail near Nutts Pond by a known violent homeless man who had just been released on bail. WTF is happening?
Controversial backroom deal to declare a public park with a robust community garden “surplus” in order to sell this green space to a private developer without telling the people living in the neighborhood? Say it isn’t so! This week, I discuss my recent op-ed in the Union Leader regarding the unethical mess happening at Parkside Park. Get involved!
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Next meeting: 8/16 5-7PM at Parkside Middle. YOUR voice counts if YOU show up!
In a recent op-ed, Kathy Sullivan accused me of making unfounded accusations about the proposed Mark Stebbins Center. You can read her inaccurate statements HERE.
Let’s unpack “unfounded accusations,” shall we?
1. It will NOT be paid for “entirely with charitable donations.” There is federal ARP grant money, which they admitted ON VIDEO at the abridged meeting that they cut short when they realized their unethical approach to “community building”–you know, ripping out an actual existing community garden–was backfiring.
2. “Built on land purchased by the City.” NO RFP was requested or required, which is standard operating procedure. Therefore, this deviated from the norm, therefore, it is “special treatment.” This land was designated “surplus” without any criteria being stated or met. Many boilerplate letters were submitted with NO EVIDENCE; again, because the ACTUAL FACTS ARE the land IS BEING USED BY THE COMMUNITY ALREADY.
3. “When the board of mayor and alderman supported”: 14 residents spoke AGAINST the decision. 8–ALL AFFILIATED with the city or project spoke in “favor” (i.e. they should be “discounted” because they have a conflict of interest). To Sally Stebbins’ credit, she did say the project will not proceed without community support. This is also captured on video, and I hope we can believe her.
4. The community partners listed include health services for juveniles that provide, amongst other things, transgender reassignment services and chemical abortions. (Amoskeag Health, where Maggie Hassan had a little presser yesterday, hum.) The other community partners listed include: Easterseals, Waypoint, Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester & Granite United Way. I encourage people to go look at what the areas around some of these places look like on the East Side, and ask yourself if this is what we want next to a middle school?
5. How do we define “underserved”? Manchester isn’t a big city, and you can WALK from the West to East side in 15 minutes, let alone drive from the proposed building site to the current Boys and Girls club in about 5 minutes (it’s less than 2 miles away!).
6. There are several other sites more suitable than a park hosting a thriving community garden on 5 dead end streets where the speed limit is 10 mph. I guess the reason this was picked is because the City thought they could railroad us?
The next meeting is scheduled for 8/16 at 5PM at Parkside Middle. PLEASE plan to attend.