If you use the trails down by the river in West Manchester, thank this guy, Louis Calitz from We Heart West for helping to keep them clean! We Heart West is comprised of action-oriented home owners and renters in West Manchester that are committed to improving the community. My doggos are grateful too 
. Lead by example, and “Live free and thrive!”
PS: I’m married to this handsome fella!
Cranberry margaritas? Choccies? How about all things in moderation?
We get kind of deep this week, and not just because Carla has a literal pain in her butt!
If you want to help people in need in Manchester directly, watch this episode, and get involved! Private charity FTW! We need trees, donations, gifts, etc. Please and thank you!
We talk about Right-to-Know and whether updates in the law should be applied ex-post facto (probably not) and whether Human Rights should trump special interest groups that only give “rights” to some people (definitely).
Read more about the case we mention in the Union Leader: Former Claremont cop seeks to keep files secret (paywall)
I’m not particularly sappy, but finding this Letter to the Editor in today’s Union Leader brought tears to my eyes.
"I was in an accident and became paralyzed a few years ago and Carla, in keeping with her beliefs, gave me a hand up instead of a hand out by helping to find a part-time job for me with an organization she volunteered with. This gave me a sense of purpose and helped me heal mentally while adjusting physically. When our schedules allow, Carla, Louis, their dog Nellie, and I still go for long outings on the West Side trails, where we all live.
I’m proud to have her as a neighbor and friend and urge you to get to know her too. She has an infectious smile and, with humility and intelligence, a willingness to talk about what interests you. Vote Carla Gericke for New Hampshire Senate."
Chris Lopez is a dear friend who went through a tragic accident when the deck on her house in Canterbury collapsed and she broke her back. With an incredible amount of hard work and dedication, and a spirit that just won’t quit, she learned to adjust to her new life.
Thank you, Chris, for your kind words and your vote. Just so you know, YOU inspire me! Let’s get out on the trail sometime soon! <3
If you are going to talk the talk, as I do, about private, free market and voluntary solutions to society’s challenges, then you must walk the walk, too.
This past Sunday, I was delighted to join my fellow Manchester Republicans to participate in the Walk Against Hunger. We raised $1,300 for New Horizons of New Hampshire.
As we walked the 5K route on a humid day with the constant threat of rain lurking in the dark clouds on the horizon, we chatted about issues important to us–will our property taxes go up again?–we bonded with walkers from other groups, and enjoyed the camaraderie that comes from doing good together, as a group, for a good cause.
It reminded me of the untapped "people power" that exists in the Granite State, and how important it is to seek private solutions to problems.
Instead of always turning to the government to try to "fix things," we should be turn to each other to solve things on a local level through our own human action.
Taxes should be kept low to grant people the freedom to spend their own money on the things that are closest to their own hearts and values. Government, which is inherently violent in exercising its coercive force, should always be the last, not first, resort. If you have a pet project, get your community involved. Use social media tools to get your message out. Convince people through persuasion (voluntarism) instead of forcing people through taxation (statism).
Being able to voluntarily contribute to a cause I am passionate about through my own time and treasure, put a smile–and a tan–on my face this past Sunday. "Yellow dog," AKA "Nervous Nellie," had a blast, too!