It's almost time to go to the polls
Monday, Nov. 2, 2009 Share on Facebook
MANCHESTER – A new mayor will be chosen tomorrow, and that's not all.
Every elected position in city government will be up for grabs, from alderman and school committeeman all the way down to ward selectman and clerk.
Plus, at long last, the voters will have their say on a proposed charter amendment that aims to limit taxes and city spending.
City Clerk Matt Normand has estimated between 22,000 and 23,000 voters will cast ballots across the city's 12 wards tomorrow. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
At the top of the ballot is the mayor's race, which pits Alderman Mark Roy against Alderman and state Sen. Ted Gatsas. Roy is a Democrat. Gatsas is a Republican. Officially, though, city races are considered non-partisan.
In addition, all city ballots will feature a two-way race for welfare commissioner between the incumbent, Paul Martineau, and challenger Jane Triboletti.
Voters in every ward will have a chance to select two at-large aldermen out of a field of three: incumbents Dan O'Neil and Mike Lopez and state Rep. Jane Beaulieu. There are, as well, three candidates vying for the two at-large seats on the school board. The field includes the two incumbents, Kathleen Kelley and Debra Gagnon Langton and a challenger, Kathy Staub.
Ward 12 voters are in the unusual position of casting votes twice for alderman. Once in a special election to fill the seat for the rest of the calendar year; then a second time for the new term that begins in January.
The proposed charter amendment will appear on the back of each ballot. The amendment would cap taxes and spending, so that both would be prohibited from growing faster than the rate of inflation.
Supporters of the cap say it would protect taxpayers. Opponents argue it would hurt city services and jeopardize the city's bond rating.
Most other New Hampshire cities also will be counting votes. Among them: Berlin, Concord, Laconia, Keene, Claremont, Nashua, Rochester, Somersworth, Dover and Portsmouth.
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Maybe it's time to consider not voting and focusing more on just living freely.
It seems more and more we continue to follow this left-right paradigm where all of the problems we face need a partisan solution.
Then every couple of years we run to the polls in hopes of forcing others to fund and comply with the solutions we like best.
What would happen if we tried to come up with solutions and gave people a choice to decide for themselves if they felt they were worth contributing to?
How good can an idea really be if you have to force others to go along with it?
To think this option could never work would be intellectually dishonest. We do business with each other every day on a voluntary basis and things mostly work out fine. Sure, it's not perfect but no other solution is either.
At least this way we could get back to being neighbors instead of bickering back and forth like a bunch of partisan hacks.
- Mike Tiner, Manchester
I like to explain the Tax Cap as an Accountability Gap. It allows overriding any cap for any reason via a super majority but mandates a roll call vote. That so, why would anyone be against it?
- Dan Garthwaite, Manchester, NH
no matter who we vote for they always turn out opposite for which they stand for and promises.people think has any really kept there promises look what we have put into office.i give up
- rick, hooksett
For a city with extimated 110,000 people & only 22,000 or so people voting? Pathetic! Don't complain about government if you're not willing to take a short amount of time to vote.....
- Dave, Manchester
I look at Tuesday election in Manchester as a possible new beginning for the elected boards of our city to finally get control of some of the major issues facing us. It will be a daunting, difficult task as the newly elected officials try and balance need over greed. With the proper leadership from the new Mayor I am hopefull this will be accomplished. However one thing that will prevent success is the partisan bickering from both Republican and Democrat as to right and wrong. There are no absolutes in running a city the size of Manchester. Compromise, common sense and fairness should be the buzz words we look at to get the job done because I tell all of you candidates out there, pretty soon the citizens are going to get disgusted at the process and the fissures that exist already will get wider and wider and nothing will get done. Just think about the ramifications when our children have no future. Our trash isn't picked up and crime is running rampant just to name a few of the problems waiting for all of us. Finally I ask all of you who can vote choose your candidate and support them by voting. But pay attention, get involved. Remember what they promised and hold them to it! So when the next election time comes if a change is needed it's made! We have no one to blame but ourselves if we don't!
- Kevin McCue, Manchester Nh 03104
Just remember. If you vote for Democrats, you might as well rename it North Lawrence. Vote conservative. Make the city what you remember it was long, long ago. Prosperous, safe, not a catchall for the trash from over the border. It can be great once again.
- David Goss, Manchester
A tax cap would not have to appear on the ballot if elected officials were reminded that they are in office to "serve" the people that put them there. Manchester here is our opportunity to CHANGE things.!!!! The CAP is not the solution, the changing of the GUARD is!!
- Ernesto Pinder, Manchester
And in one year from now we can vote all the LIBERALS out of Congress!!
- Harry, Atkinson
People People - Get out and vote. Local elections effect your everday living. Just because there is no BIG National election going on is no reason to VOTE tomorrow. Vote the direction you think the city should go. It's important to let our elected officials if you"re for or against the Tax Cap. These elected officials are suppose to vote in the ciy's best interest but if the people don't let them know then they will vote for what they feel is their best interest. Get out there and VOTE
- Dave, Manchester