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August 15. 2012 12:32AM
In Raymond, Sen. Barnes offers candidates pointers
RAYMOND — One of the most important issues facing state legislators in November is the state budget, outgoing state Senator Jack Barnes, R-Dist. 17, told a panel of Republican candidates gathered at Torrent Hall on Tuesday night.
But the most important job is taking care of voters.
So Barnes really wanted to know if the five candidates running for three seats in New Hampshire House District 3, and the two candidates running for the District 17 Senate seat he is vacating, would abide by his “24-hour rule” in getting back to all constituents.
“The most important job you have to do is to take care of the people you represent,” Barnes said.
None of the candidates argued with the senior senator.
They did answer several questions posed by Barnes during a panel discussion hosted by the Raymond Republican Committee, on topics that included retirement reform, right-to-work, taxes, the state budget, gambling and voter identification.
About 40 people from Raymond and surrounding towns attended the discussion.
Sitting representatives Kathleen M. Hoelzel and L. Mike Kappler were joined by challengers Frank Bishop, Harry “Bud” McClard and Kyle Scofield.
Two Republican candidates, Howard Pearl of Loudon and John Reagan of Deerfield, have filed for the New Hampshire Senate District 17 seat, which Barnes has filled since 2000. He also served in the seat from 1992-1998. He announced in June that he would not be seeking reelection. The newly re-districted seat now includes the towns of Allenstown, Chichester, Deerfield, Epsom, Loudon, Northwood, Nottingham, Pembroke, Pittsfield, Raymond and Strafford.
In addressing the state budget, many of the candidates said they would oppose any increases.
In terms of taxes, all seven candidates said they would oppose a sales or income tax and all of the candidates said they support right-to-work legislation.
Nearly every candidate also said they oppose gambling in the state, primarily because of the potential social issues.
But Scofield said he is “100 percent in favor” of it, and said if people want to spend their whole paycheck and all night at the casino, that is an individual concern, not the state’s.
Most of the candidates said they also approve of the voter identification legislation passed recently, but Hoelzel, who also serves as the town’s moderator, said she has concerns.
“People should be able to prove who they are in order to get their ballot, they are already registered voters, but they don’t have to show a photo ID to register to vote. That is where the legislation should have started,” Hoelzel said.
She said another challenge is how moderators can sign off on a challenged voter affidavit if they do not know the person, and the person has no voter identification.
“We haven’t had time to educate people. ... And I’m afraid that is going to cause some problems,” Hoelzel said.
The Sept. 11 primary will be the first test of the system. Voting will take place in Raymond at the Iber Holmes Gove Middle School that day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
gmacalaster@newstote.com
But the most important job is taking care of voters.
So Barnes really wanted to know if the five candidates running for three seats in New Hampshire House District 3, and the two candidates running for the District 17 Senate seat he is vacating, would abide by his “24-hour rule” in getting back to all constituents.
“The most important job you have to do is to take care of the people you represent,” Barnes said.
None of the candidates argued with the senior senator.
They did answer several questions posed by Barnes during a panel discussion hosted by the Raymond Republican Committee, on topics that included retirement reform, right-to-work, taxes, the state budget, gambling and voter identification.
About 40 people from Raymond and surrounding towns attended the discussion.
Sitting representatives Kathleen M. Hoelzel and L. Mike Kappler were joined by challengers Frank Bishop, Harry “Bud” McClard and Kyle Scofield.
Two Republican candidates, Howard Pearl of Loudon and John Reagan of Deerfield, have filed for the New Hampshire Senate District 17 seat, which Barnes has filled since 2000. He also served in the seat from 1992-1998. He announced in June that he would not be seeking reelection. The newly re-districted seat now includes the towns of Allenstown, Chichester, Deerfield, Epsom, Loudon, Northwood, Nottingham, Pembroke, Pittsfield, Raymond and Strafford.
In addressing the state budget, many of the candidates said they would oppose any increases.
In terms of taxes, all seven candidates said they would oppose a sales or income tax and all of the candidates said they support right-to-work legislation.
Nearly every candidate also said they oppose gambling in the state, primarily because of the potential social issues.
But Scofield said he is “100 percent in favor” of it, and said if people want to spend their whole paycheck and all night at the casino, that is an individual concern, not the state’s.
Most of the candidates said they also approve of the voter identification legislation passed recently, but Hoelzel, who also serves as the town’s moderator, said she has concerns.
“People should be able to prove who they are in order to get their ballot, they are already registered voters, but they don’t have to show a photo ID to register to vote. That is where the legislation should have started,” Hoelzel said.
She said another challenge is how moderators can sign off on a challenged voter affidavit if they do not know the person, and the person has no voter identification.
“We haven’t had time to educate people. ... And I’m afraid that is going to cause some problems,” Hoelzel said.
The Sept. 11 primary will be the first test of the system. Voting will take place in Raymond at the Iber Holmes Gove Middle School that day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
gmacalaster@newstote.com
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