The Manchester Free Press

Sunday • June 14 • 2026

Vol.XVIII • No.XXIV

Manchester, N.H.

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News – Politics – Opinion – Podcasts
Updated: 12 min 38 sec ago

Get it in Writing? No, Not Nashua.

Fri, 2024-06-14 14:00 +0000

I’m sure most, if all of our readers are familiar with the term “get it in writing,” but it’s a seemingly alien concept in city hall.

Please take 3 minutes to play this video of Laurie Ortolano during a recent public comment time.  You only need to watch the 3 minutes because Alderman Wilshire cuts people off, presumably with sadistic pleasure, when time is up.  I’m not going to rewrite her words as they’re already well said into the mic, but most readers already know that Laurie already has a full plate with her multiple pro se litigations against the City and her activism in addition to her service to others in the form of advising newly distressed taxpayers on the abatement process, so I’m here to take charge of this one.

When she asked me to “write a short article,” my first knee-jerk feeling was being back in middle school with writer’s block on the eve of a term paper due date, but I quickly snapped out of it when I thought of the RTK I sent early Friday morning to Risk Management and the mayor’s office.  I am still waiting for a response, even if just to acknowledge my request and it’s now Wednesday morning.

The City is a hot mess and a “dumpster fire,” to use the words that Chris Buda applied to just Ward 4 last year or even earlier than that.  This is the sum of multiple brush fires that have yet to be properly extinguished.  Between taxes, RTK and the flag pole, to name just a few ignition sources, wouldn’t it be nice to think about possible solutions in an election year(for state offices, not the City)?

While we’re all watching the activities of the Damn Emperor and wondering when and how he will respond to the RTK tax (HB 1002),

which is presently sitting on his desk, we should be asking candidates for both the House and the Senate about their interest in sponsoring a bill that demands policy in writing.  Yeah, I can close my eyes and already hear the critics saying, “Wah, wah, wah, local control,” but NH is not a home-rule state.

The post Get it in Writing? No, Not Nashua. appeared first on Granite Grok.

Categories: Blogs, New Hampshire

Tips for Golfing in Summer

Fri, 2024-06-14 13:00 +0000

Ah, summer—the season of sun-kissed fairways, gentle breezes, and long days on the golf course. While golfing in the summer can be a blissful experience, it also comes with its challenges, especially when the temperature starts to soar. But fear not! With the right strategies and mindset, you can beat the heat and make the most of your summer rounds. In this guide, we’ll explore some valuable tips for golfing in the summer, helping you stay cool, hydrated, and focused on your game.

Embracing Summer Golf with Golf Simulator Software

Before we dive into our summer golfing tips, let’s take a moment to appreciate the convenience and versatility of golf simulator software. Whether you’re looking to practice your swing, play virtual rounds with friends, or analyze your performance in detail, golf simulator software offers endless possibilities for improving your game. With realistic graphics, customizable settings, and immersive gameplay, it’s the perfect way to stay connected to the game during the summer months, even when you can’t make it to the course.

Dress for Success: Lightweight and Breathable

When it comes to golfing in the summer, choosing the right clothing is key to staying cool and comfortable on the course. Opt for lightweight and breathable fabrics that allow air to circulate freely, such as moisture-wicking polo shirts, breathable shorts or skirts, and UV-protective hats or visors. Avoid dark colors that absorb heat and opt for light-colored clothing that reflects sunlight instead.

Beat the Heat: Stay Hydrated and Cool Hydration is Key

One of the most important aspects of summer golf is staying hydrated. With the sun beating down and the temperature rising, it’s easy to become dehydrated on the course. Make sure to drink plenty of water before, during, and after your round to replenish fluids lost through sweat. Consider bringing a refillable water bottle with you and take sips regularly to stay hydrated throughout the day.

Cool Down with Accessories

In addition to staying hydrated, consider using accessories like cooling towels or neck wraps to help regulate your body temperature on the course. Simply wet the towel, wring out any excess water, and drape it around your neck or shoulders for instant relief from the heat. You can also invest in a portable fan or handheld mister to create a refreshing breeze whenever you need it.

Take Shelter: Seek Shade and Take Breaks Strategic Breaks

Finally, don’t forget to take breaks and seek shelter from the sun whenever possible. Look for shaded areas around the course, such as trees or covered pavilions, where you can take a break and cool off between holes. Use this time to rehydrate, reapply sunscreen, and catch your breath before tackling the next hole.

Conclusion: Enjoy Summer Golf to the Fullest

With these tips in mind, you’re well-equipped to tackle the challenges of golfing in the summer and make the most of your time on the course. So, grab your clubs, lather on some sunscreen, and embrace the joys of summer golf. With the right preparation and mindset, you can stay cool, hydrated, and focused on your game, ensuring a memorable and enjoyable experience on the fairways.

The post Tips for Golfing in Summer appeared first on Granite Grok.

Categories: Blogs, New Hampshire

Slippery Slope: Assisted Suicide Will Always Be Cheaper Than Treatment

Fri, 2024-06-14 12:00 +0000

The Assisted Suicide Bill in New Hampshire got benched for the time being, but not the topic. And we’re not saying you can’t choose to kill yourself. We’re saying the government will inevitably abuse it to the detriment of people and public health.

Related: Slippery Meet Slope: Medically Assisted Suicide Could Save Millions in Health Care Costs

Numerous examples have already crossed these pages, but someone sent us a new one. Canadian Allison Ducluzeau was diagnosed with stage 4 peritoneal carcinomatosis. She was told to get her arrangements in order and to consider medically assisted suicide. Allison chose to do some research instead. She spoke to specialists across the globe, got scans in California, and treatment in Baltimore.

Today, Allison is in remission. She lifts weights daily, and goes running and cycling. She recently married her partner on a beach in Hawaii in front of her children. But she remains infuriated that Canadian doctors offered to kill rather than treat her.

She had to fundraise money to pay for her treatment, but these days, she’s just offended at how Canada’s healthcare system responded to her condition.  “The way it was presented was shocking,” she told me. “I was disgusted to be offered MAID twice. Once, I was even on the phone when I was on my own, having just come back from Baltimore. It left me sobbing.”

Public Health across the globe is still reeling from how badly it handled the Wuhan Virus. Systems that were not socialized behaved like they were monolithic interventions that ruined or ended lives over what was dangerous to a small demographic of people. The freshly-minted fearmongering over bird flu appears to be headed once again in the wrong direction. Public Health cannot be trusted, and as systems get stressed – especially those that rely heavily on taxpayer-backed support – budgets get between doctors and patients.

In Oregon, nearly 80% of people who end up suicided are on government health care. States like Colorado and Hawaii have tried to shorten the wait time. Is it so patients can be convinced to take the death drugs rather than be a strain on resources in the hours and days after a terminal diagnosis? Perhaps not but given the trajectory of health care in the West and its increased alignment and dependence on government – or at least the bully pulpits of politicians and the massive grant funding they control – the issue is not if but when.

Canada has had socialized medicine for a long time and (IMO) not coincidentally is the poster child for fast tracking reasons to offer MAiD to just about anyone it thinks it could afford to do without. That sort of medical ethics is the slippery slope of which we speak. Like the Canadian woman who suffered almost immediate and debilitating side effects from a dose of Moderna mRNA COVID “vaccine.” Her medical issues became so complex that she was offered assisted suicide.

Assisted suicide has been suggested for vets with PTSD, the poor, the homeless, those with mental illness, and children with spectrum disorders. There seems to be no limit to what policymakers and doctors might consider a reason to recommend death to treatment or life.  Keeping in mind that these “authorities” are the same people who will decide what mental illness looks like.

Canadian Truckers, Dutch Farmers, Marie Le Pen’s political supporters in France, and deplorables who oppose open borders. The list knows no end, and there lies the problem. Arguing to allow the government to define the conditions for assisted suicide is a lot like letting it decide what is information and disinformation. You can’t trust it to do either.

 

The post Slippery Slope: Assisted Suicide Will Always Be Cheaper Than Treatment appeared first on Granite Grok.

Categories: Blogs, New Hampshire

Your Final NH House Republican Attendance Report of the Session (Some Reps are Applauding)

Fri, 2024-06-14 11:00 +0000

In the blogging business, if someone is complaining, there’s a good chance you’re doing something worthwhile, especially when the unhappy people are in government. Reporting roll call vote attendance has had its fair share of negative responses, suggesting we must keep doing them.

I think we will publish the entire list for the entire House next week so you can examine both sides and make your own conclusions.

This week, the final day of the regular session, Republicans listed a few good bills because of attendance, so without further exposition from me, here we go.

Note from the data guy: “Lots of Republicans missing, very few roll call votes. More than a few were lopsided for or against and were not affected by missing Reps. Lots of division votes, but can’t tell how many might have been lost due to missing Reps.”

 

6/13 YTD
8 Sanborn, Laurie (R, Bedford) 259
8 O’Hara, Travis (R, Belmont) 208
8 Trottier, Douglas (R, Belmont) 157
8 Summers, James (R, Newton) 72
8 Mason, James (R, Franklin) 59
8 True, Chris (R, Sandown) 43
8 Santonastaso, Matthew (R, Rindge) 38
8 Durkin, Sean (R, Northumberland) 37
8 Cordelli, Glenn (R, Tuftonboro) 10
8 Comtois, Barbara (R, Center Barnstead) 10
8 Healey, Robert (R, Merrimack) 8
8 Lynn, Bob (R, Windham) 8
8 Creighton, Jim (R, Antrim) 8
5 Varney, Peter (R, Alton) 118
5 Dolan, Tom (R, Londonderry) 24
5 Katsakiores, Phyllis (R, Derry) 8
5 Tripp, Richard (R, Derry) 6
4 Testerman, Dave (R, Franklin) 55
4 Murphy, Michael (R, Gorham) 55
4 Tenczar, Jeffrey (R, Pelham) 45
4 McCarter, Nikki (R, Belmont) 29
2 Phinney, Brandon (R, Rochester) 47
2 Ploszaj, Tom (R, Center Harbor) 3
1 Lundgren, David (R, Londonderry) 54
1 Cole, Brian (R, Manchester) 52
1 Panek, Sandra (R, Pelham) 52
1 Bordes, Mike (R, Laconia) 43
1 Vandecasteele, Susan (R, Salem) 29
1 Hunt, John (R, Rindge) 23
1 Hoell, J.R. (R, Dunbarton) 16
1 Reid, Karen (R, Deering) 16
1 Layon, Erica (R, Derry) 6
1 Janvrin, Jason (R, Seabrook) 5
1 Harb, Robert (R, Plaistow) 4
1 Granger, Michael (R, Milton) 2
1 Wallace, Scott (R, Danville) 1
1 Stapleton, Walter (R, Claremont) 1
1 Pratt, Kevin (R, Raymond) 1

The post Your Final NH House Republican Attendance Report of the Session (Some Reps are Applauding) appeared first on Granite Grok.

Categories: Blogs, New Hampshire

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