2012 Election Coverage-President Obama Wins!


Wikimedia
 

President Obama's Victory Speech: A Strong Speech with Clear Echoes of Presidents Lincoln, T. Roosevelt, Kennedy and Clinton 


Obama Election Speech: President Makes 2012 Victory Address


Barack Obama Reelection Signals Rise Of New America  
 President Obama’s Full Victory Speech




Marriage Equality Wins-Gay Marriage On The Ballot In 4 States (INTERACTIVE RESULTS) 
  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/06/gay-marriage-results_n_2074188.html

More to come...



Today is the day - at last - polls open until 7 p.m.


Tomorrow counts!!!

Tomorrow counts.  Every vote counts.  In New Hampshire over the course of decades there have been many races won by a tiny handful of votes - in some cases even one!  We need each of you, your friends, your relatives.

It is no small matter that we have such clear choices to be made.  Democrats fight for ordinary people.  WE have fought to get health care for millions more Americans, to bar exclusions for preexisting conditions, for young adults to remain on parents policies, for women's health care and the freedom to control her own body.

Democrats are fighting to protect Social Security and Medicare - not privatize it and voucher it to death.

Democrats fight to preserve public eduction so all our children can be educated for their future.  Democrats fight to fund UNH so our kids can attend a good state school without graduating with a mountain of debt.

Democrats worked to get stimulus money to NH to rebuild the Spaulding Turnpike, creating a boon to the economy and make transportation efficient and safer for the future. 

Democrats do not cut UNH funding by 50% and cut revenue to the state by cutting the cigarette tax.  "Study less, smoke more" is not a recipe for future success.

Civility and compromise have been driven from the State legislature over the past 2 years of Bill O'Brien's house.

Every vote counts.  Your vote counts.  Make yourself proud to have used the tool democracy gives you.  And make sure those kindred spirits you know do, too.

Thank you.  Thank yourself.

October 2012 Milton Candidates Forum Videos



These videos cover the Milton NH Candidates Forum, held October 21st at the Milton NH Town Hall, in the Emma Ramsey Center. Both Republican and Democrats were represented, as well as a few other party candidates. The video is raw footage of the event. The audience adhered to normal debate protocol and only clapped at the beginning and end to thank all attendees, and after all candidates in each category had spoken. Although there was supposed to be a rolling rotation for candidates answers to questions, that did not happen. Questions were taken from the audience via cards and relayed to candidates by the moderator.







Romney as Commander in Chief???

Real Obama quote from the foreign policy debate...

Read the Voter's Voice!



Voter's Voice

Don't miss Forum, Sunday 21st at 3:00

The following article appeared today in Foster's:

Many candidates meet for forum at Milton Town Hall

By Samantha Allen

sallen@fosters.com

Friday, October 19, 2012

MILTON — The town will host a candidates forum this Sunday in advance of Election Day to better inform voters of the people they could place into office.
The Executive Council, state Senate, state representative, county commissioner, county sheriff and Register of Deeds candidates have all been invited to Milton's Town Hall on Sunday at 3 p.m.
Milton has been hosting forums since 2006 and typically hears from state representative and state Senate candidates, according to coordinator of the event Susann Foster Brown. Congressional candidates are also invited to speak.
This year, Republican incumbent Frank Guinta is up against Democrat Carol Shea-Porter.
“Redistricting has a new Strafford County (representative) District 1 … ,” Brown said, noting there are only two representative seats now for Middleton, Milton and New Durham, compared to the former district comprised of six towns and eight seats. “Given that the number of forum participants would shrink, we decided to open the forum to all positions that would affect Milton's fiscal health.”
Metrocast will broadcast the event to the town. Town Moderator Chris Jacobs will serve as moderator of the forum. The format will allow each candidate an opportunity to present a two-minute statement of purpose, with biographical information, and there will be questions from the audience. There is no time limit for the event, which is slated to start at 3 p.m.
Attending for the Executive Council, District 1, race are Republican candidate Ray Burton, Bath, and Democrat Beth Funicella, of Jackson. Libertarian Howard L. Wilson, of Andover will also be on the ballot.
For the Register of Deeds race Republican Lynn Williams, of Rochester, will be present, with Democrat Dennis Vachon, of Strafford. Kevin McEneaney, of Dover, is also running as an independent in this race.
For the Strafford County of Board of Commissioners race, Democrat Leo Lessard, of Milton, and Republican Catherine Cheney, Dover, will be present. They are running for three seats in the race. Others running include Democrats George Maglaras, of Dover, and Robert J. Watson, of Rochester. On the Republican side, there's Mac Kittredge, of Rochester, and Diane Wood, also of the Lilac City.
In the county sheriff's race, Democratic candidate David Dubois is running for the position and will be present. Republican Joe DiGregorio is submitting a statement for this Sunday's event.
In the state Senate District 3 race Jeffery Ballard, of Brookfield, is running as the Democratic candidate and will be present on Sunday. Republican Jeb Bradley, the incumbent from Wolfeboro, is running against Ballard this Nov. 6.
In the state representative race for Strafford County, District 1, attending candidates are Republican John A. Mullen, Jr., of Middleton and Democrats Larry Brown and Candace Cole-McCrea, both of Milton. They are running for two seats along with Republican Robbie Parsons, of Milton.
The forum will be held in the selectmen's chamber of the Milton Town Hall at 424 White Mountain Highway.


One correction:  Forum will take place downstairs at the Emma Ramsey Center

Lots of campaign tasks look to YOU for time

Call the Rochester OFA office to speak with Meredith (603) 486-7622 and volunteer a few hours to help all our fine candidates from the President on down...call me if you have some time to help write postcards for Carol Shea-Porter...I have hundreds to send out...work like this is POSITIVE - you'll sleep better at night knowing you're helping to save democracy.  Really!

Rochester Times Commentary 10/11/12

 
Letters to the Editor — October 11, 2012

Thursday, October 11, 2012
Thanks, Bill

To the Editor:

I talked to Representative Bill Remick of Lancaster this weekend. A Main Street Republican like Julie Brown, he was my seatmate in 2005. And, like Julie Brown, he will not be coming back. Why? It seems that voters up there also got a postcard – a big glossy postcard — a 4-color half-truth hatchet job like the one that cut down Dick Green.
There is personal speech and there is puppet-string speech with strings pulled from the shadows by money from far outside this state. If you get a big glossy postcard in your mailbox ask who wrote it and be sure to get their name.
In the meantime, please remember Bill Remick, Republican of Lancaster, a retired teacher of courtesy and calm assessment, a good legislator, and an honorable man – one more reminder of the bitter legacy of the O’Brien House.
This November, vote to bring the center back.

Larry Brown (D)

Candidate for NH House
Strafford Dist. 1
Milton/Middleton

Romney Etch-a-sketch over the years

From his run for Senate and Governor in Massachusetts to this campaign...a YouTube (nearly 20 minutes) of contradictory, 180 degree positions...where will he stop next???

First Obama/Romney debate tonight

Be sure to watch so you don't just depend on sound bites...if you lack TV, as I do, watch tomorrow on your computer or go to a friend's house for a debate watch.

Presidential Debate on Domestic Policy

October 3rd at 9pm (ET)
University of Denver, Denver, CO

We don't need Romney to tell us about personal responsibility



Check this wonderful response from one of us 47% who Romney knows won't vote for him...

http://front.moveon.org/this-businesswoman-tells-romney-where-to-take-his-personal-responsibility-pep-talks/#.UGdbGWe5_vQ.facebook

Larry Brown on Healthcare Vouchers


My granddaughter and I have a lot in common.  Her mother is, after all, my daughter.  But Nora and I have more in common than I would wish for any child.  She was one when her father died and so was I.

There was no health insurance for my father.  My mother had $34.72 left when all those bills were paid.  We moved to the kindness of her parents’ house in upstate New York – to a rural life of woodstove and backyard chickens, a Victory garden, and a Mason jar harvest on the cellar shelves (the string beans favored grey).  We had a home for the heart, food for the table, and hope for the coming day.  It is a kindness I will not forget. Thankfully, it is a kindness that my daughter did not need.

My son-in-law had health insurance at work.  When he could no longer work, Social Security Disability Income took up the slack.  And at the end he died at home with the comforts of Hospice, the love of family, and Social Security Survivor benefits for his widow and her child.

Paul Ryan’s budget does no harm to me – I’m over 55.  But Nora is only 7 and my good son-in-law, Byron J. Preston, died when he was 36.  There is nothing so certain as the uncertainty of our lives and the knowledge that every year Paul Ryan’s vouchers will buy you less.  What vote will you cast for your future and your family’s health?

Larry Brown
Candidate
NH House of Representatives
Strafford 1 – Milton/Middleton

A Sweet Contest- N.H. Farm Museum In Milton Holds Annual Pie Fest


Help the Grange Help the Homeless



The Rochester Grange is having a kick-off collection next Saturday, September 29, to get items and cash donations for the Strafford Homeless Shelter. 

Go to: http://www.homelesscenterforstraffco.org/donate.html.

They'll be collecting in Rochester from 8:00 a.m. to noon - bedding, food, kitchen and cleaning supplies...all needed (See the complete list on the website).  If anyone has items to donate but cannot make the delivery, call me and we can take your donation down for you.

Susann Brown - 652-4306

Save the Date - October 21st!


Cole-McCrea on Sequestration

 
Sequestration - Kicking the can down the road
 
Federal funding reductions that will slash most federal  programs and entitlements by 8.2 % may take effect on Jan. 2, 2013.  These cuts are due to sequestration, in response to Congress not passing a budget deal last year.  The Obama administration has been fighting for us to keep this from happening.  If sequestration goes into effect, over $100 billion in cuts will take place across the board.
 
While Social Security and Medicaid are expected to remain as they are, Medicare is expected to lose 11 BILLION.  One billion will be dropped from special education.  Housing assistance will be dropped $14 million.  Developmental disabilities may face a 2.5 billion loss.  These are just some of the programs that will incur losses. Losses will occur in any program for which federal government has no mandatory funding requirement.  Therefore, forestry, environmental, infrastructure, and all other federal departments expect to suffer an 8.2 percent loss.
 
The only way to keep this from happening is to demand that our congressional representatives and senators work with the administration now to reach an agreement on a budget.  We, as citizens, must force both parties to work together for the well-being of the country of the whole.  Our country’s well-being must be the highest priority.
 
When I think of political loyalties that fly in the face of reality, I am reminded of a European rodent, a shrew.  If you put three shrews in a bottle, once they get hungry, two will gang up and eat the third, the weakest, alive.  A short time later, when the two remaining get hungry, they will turn on each other and one will succeed in eating the other alive.  Within a few hours thereafter, the remaining one will get gluttonously hungry and for lack of insight, will eat his own living body, to the death.
 
I should add that this scenario takes place in a jar that has an open mouth.  Since the shrews are too focused on their hunger and each other, they will not see the open mouth, nor strive to escape the crisis.  This experiment has been repeated numerous times.
 
I would hope that we citizens are smarter than shrews and that we insist that our congress does not seek to behave like shrews, seeking only for themselves, their parties, their interest groups, their financial backers for re-election, to the death of us all, starting with devouring the weakest citizens first (elderly, disabled, impoverished, veterans).   Insist they do not devour our country out of greed and self-interest  masked as false ideology.
 
If sequestration happens, we are all to blame.  Whether you like or dislike Obama is not the issue.  We need congress to work with the President now.
 
Candace Cole-McCrea
Candidate for State Rep, Strafford District 1

Cole-McCrea reports on State Committee for the Aging

 
 As representative and advocate for Strafford County, I attended the NH State Committee on Aging on September 10th.
A letter was sent to the NH Housing Authority requesting action relief for the housing crisis affecting low income, elderly and/or persons with disabilities within the state.

The senior volunteer program no longer pays mileage, which leaves many elders without means to pay drivers to take them to appointments.  The respite program is also at risk.  Both of these programs were taken out of the state budget two years ago and are now in the first draft of the new budget so please keep on your representatives!

  A Public Health grant has been applied for that would provide some oral health for persons over 60, within income guidelines,  that need a hygienist.  Right now, Medicaid only covers extractions.  Other grants applied for include one for Risk and Fall assessments, ServiceLink expansion to include counseling for persons who may need long term care but are not Medicaid eligible, and a grant to enable Adult and Elderly Protective Services to assist and support seniors who are or have been exploited.  Hopefully we will get these grants!

We were advised on the duties of the Long Term Care Ombudsman, who advocates for elders in nursing homes, assisted living, respite and family homes and acts independently of any state or private  agency.

It was pointed out that under Medicare, being hospitalized for observation for up to three days is not the same as  being admitted for three days…something I did not know. One has to be admitted in a hospital, not for observation,  for three days before Medicare will step in on a nursing home transfer cost.  We were advised to check for hospital status and financial options before being admitted to a nursing home…I sat there wondering how a person alone would be able to do that!  Medicare also needs to be called on Day 99 of a nursing home stay as Medicare will only pay 100% for the first 20 days, then 80% up to day 100, dependent upon and if and only if occupational therapy/physical therapy state adequate progress towards rehabilitation is being made.  We hope at some point that there will be trainings on this through ServiceLink, but that is not yet available.  We asked for training on Medicare so we can advise our communities; this should be forthcoming.

This summarizes my notes on the September meeting.  Any errors are mine only.  Feel free to contact me with any needs, solutions, or ideas.  Candace Cole-McCrea, 652-7594. snowyowl@metrocast.net.
 

Thank you Milton & Middleton voters



Larry Brown and Candace Cole-McCrea emerged victorious in Tuesday's Primary and thank each and every voter for your support.  The duo will seek to win the two Strafford District 1 State Rep seats on November 6th.  They will hope to be part of a return to a Democratic majority in Concord with a goal of serving all the residents of Middleton and Milton.  We also thank Cory Mattocks for his run - hope to see you more active in Democratic politics.

VOTE TUESDAY - 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.



at the Emma Ramsey Center in Milton, under the Town Offices.  Primary voters will choose Federal and State candidates.  You'll be asked for ID but do not have to show it this election.  Ballot clerks will give you a sheet explaining what ID will be necessary for the November 6th election.  Every election is important.  Your vote is a responsibility of living in a democracy.  Thank you.

Cole-McCrea & Brown State Rep Candidates




Campaign information for both Milton Candidates for State Rep may be found in several posts on the Milton NH Democrats website and on the 2012 Milton Candidates tab located to the right, on the website.

Candace Cole-McCrea 
and 
Larry Brown 
seek your support!


Cole-McCrea For State Rep from Milton/Middleton

Why am I running for state rep from Milton/Middleton?
This is the most important question.  Why am I running? 
I have a wonderful neighbor who is a great man and good friend.  At any time, day or night, 24/7 if I am in need, he will come over and fix whatever so I and my son are safe.  You see,  I use a wheelchair.  This neighbor comes to help  at all hours, smiling, never charging me for more than cost of materials, if that.  I live in a safer world because of him.
This neighbor is an outspoken Tea Party member.  I am a Democrat.  We both have sons about the same age with similar disabilities.  We both are struggling to help our sons  move into adult lives of meaning and value in a social world that is not so accepting of differences.  We both worry about our sons  futures after we are no longer able to care for them.
In so many ways, my neighbor and I are so much alike.  I strongly believe in helping everyone I can, whether they can pay me or not…so does he.  We both want fairness for our sons in the social world.  We both love New Hampshire and want the best for her future and for her citizens.  We both share similar frustrations in the current crises in our state, country and world.  We both want to live out our lives safely in our own homes.
My neighbor is a major reason why I am running for state rep.
I am heartbroken at the way our system has coached us all, all neighbors, to hate and tear each other apart for thinking differently.  I despair when i hear how people elected to represent their constituencies, sometimes,  actually work to manifest their own personal agendas without even listening to what their communities want or need… as if they, the elected, know what is best for everyone…”my way or else” has become the doctrine of public life.
 I thought elected persons were supposed to:
1.      Represent the  people who elected them to the best of their ability…isn’t that why we call them “representatives”?
2.     Be public servants…serve the citizenship and their communities and not dictate policy in an authoritarian way.
I think I have something to offer.  I have spent a lifetime learning how to find unity in differences.  I have years of training in conflict resolution to find best possible solutions that incorporate the wisdom of each person who comes to the table.   I seek to truly respect diversity, even of opinion, and not demand obedience to my will.  I am not perfect, but I can learn from others.  I am a listener.
I would like to be given an opportunity to help the legislature and citizens step beyond the anger at extreme views to  work for the goals we all share:  safety and support for our families, good neighbors, good health, home and job security, vital communities, and an environmentally strong and prosperous future for New Hampshire.  
 And more than this, I would like to be given the opportunity to listen to each one of you…to achieve this goal, I commit to having regular public meetings, open to anyone, in libraries or other community gathering places, well publicized.  I will want to hear you.
Thank you for “listening” to me.  If I am elected, I will spend far more of my time listening to you, than asking you to listen to me.

NH State Rep Candidate Larry Brown

 
Susann and I live in an old cape just north of the Farm Museum about five minutes from the Middleton Town Line.  We have lived there since 1995.  She was born in Concord.  My father’s family farmed N.H. before it was a state – my great grandfather ran the poor farm down in Milford.  My grandfather was a Roosevelt Reform Republican.  Born in the shadow of the Civil War he was still working at 80 and out on strike for fair wages and worker’s rights.

The NH we have today is yesterday’s gift – given by the people who came before us who worked for a common good – in common hope.  For 15 years I have worked to pay for my fair share of that gift, to pay back what came to me and to “pay it forward” to people I will never meet.

I’ve served on over a dozen Town and County elected boards, committees, volunteer groups and projects and I’ve served three terms as your State Rep in a bi-partisan legislature committed to civil government and the services of government that make NH Democracy work.

There is no democracy without a fair tax system.  I’m the Budget Chair in Milton.  We respect taxes.  We set a tight budget.  We expect full service from our town employees and full value for our local tax dollars.

We didn’t get that respect from Concord this session.  We didn’t get full service and we didn’t get full value.  What we got was trickle down taxes.  Concord threw away close to 20 million dollars in cigarette taxes and about another 100 million in highway funding.

How did Concord expect to get that money back?  From your local property tax.  Check for State aid with your school district.  Ask your road agent about block grant funds for road repair.   It’s time to get the Legislature out of the bedroom and back to work on the budget.  We need to fund safe highways and bridges for business and tourism and our daily use.  We need to fund public education, “Kindergarten through UNH”, to build the skilled workforce we need to bring more employers to our state.

I believe I have a solid bi-partisan reputation for competence, courtesy, and community service.  If you agree, please vote to send me back to Concord as your State Rep from Strafford’s #1 District Milton/ Middleton.

Carol Shea-Porter at PPP Thursday, September 6



Bring a friend and get to know Carol Shea-Porter at the Poor People's Pub in Sanbornville, Thursday September 6th, starting at 5 p.m.  Carol is running for the 1st Congressional District seat in NH.  This is a chance to get to ask questions about Carol's stance on the critical issues facing our country today.  We encourage you to come and get involved in the campaign.  The future is up to the voters - we need your involvement.

Strafford County Dems Picnic this Sunday



Looks like fair weather for the annual fund raising picnic on Sunday afternoon in Somersworth's Millenium Park. There will be plenty of good food, candidates, information, raffle prizes, and family fun - click on the link to the left for directions and more information.  Call Susann Brown if you want to reserve tickets 652-4306.  You can always just show up and pay at the gate.  Hope to see you there.

Meet the Democratic Candidates for Governor this Friday, Aug. 17

Jackie Cilley, Maggie Hassan, and Bill Kennedy

With the primary coming up, this is a great way to meet the candidates in the Governor's race!

Date: Tonight,  Friday, August 17th  

Where: Please join the Town of Strafford Democrats at the Bow Lake Grange. Bow Lake Grange, 569 Province Road, Strafford, NH 03884.(Corner of Province Road and Water Street)

Time: The doors open at 6:30 p.m. for light hors d'oeuvres. The forum will begin at 7 p.m. 

Who: Democratic candidates (Jackie Cilley, Maggie Hassan, and Bill Kennedy) will be on hand to answer questions from attendees.

Come find out where the candidates stand on issues you care about! 

Please contact Bob Perry with questions or for more information about this event. perry4nh@tds.net

 The Bow Lake Grange is an accessible location.

Strafford County Dems Picnic - Save the date!!!


Strafford County Democrats Annual Picnic- 2012 Flyer

Save the date!  The Strafford County Democratic Picnic will be Sunday, August 26, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Millennium Park in  Somersworth.   More info to come later...

Cole-McCrea Announces Candidacy

Candace Cole-McCrea
 
Why am I running for state rep from Milton/Middleton?
This is the most important question.  Why am I running? 
I have a wonderful neighbor who is a great man and good friend.  At any time, day or night, 24/7 if I am in need, he will come over and fix whatever so I and my son are safe.  You see,  I use a wheelchair.  This neighbor comes to help  at all hours, smiling, never charging me for more than cost of materials, if that.  I live in a safer world because of him.
This neighbor is an outspoken Tea Party member.  I am a Democrat.  We both have sons about the same age with similar disabilities.  We both are struggling to help our sons  move into adult lives of meaning and value in a social world that is not so accepting of differences.  We both worry about our sons  futures after we are no longer able to care for them.
In so many ways, my neighbor and I are so much alike.  I strongly believe in helping everyone I can, whether they can pay me or not…so does he.  We both want fairness for our sons in the social world.  We both love New Hampshire and want the best for her future and for her citizens.  We both share similar frustrations in the current crises in our state, country and world.  We both want to live out our lives safely in our own homes.
My neighbor is a major reason why I am running for state rep.
I am heartbroken at the way our system has coached us all, all neighbors, to hate and tear each other apart for thinking differently.  I despair when i hear how people elected to represent their constituencies, sometimes,  actually work to manifest their own personal agendas without even listening to what their communities want or need… as if they, the elected, know what is best for everyone…”my way or else” has become the doctrine of public life.
 I thought elected persons were supposed to:
1.      Represent the  people who elected them to the best of their ability…isn’t that why we call them “representatives”?
2.     Be public servants…serve the citizenship and their communities and not dictate policy in an authoritarian way.
I think I have something to offer.  I have spent a lifetime learning how to find unity in differences.  I have years of training in conflict resolution to find best possible solutions that incorporate the wisdom of each person who comes to the table.   I seek to truly respect diversity, even of opinion, and not demand obedience to my will.  I am not perfect, but I can learn from others.  I am a listener.
I would like to be given an opportunity to help the legislature and citizens step beyond the anger at extreme views to  work for the goals we all share:  safety and support for our families, good neighbors, good health, home and job security, vital communities, and an environmentally strong and prosperous future for New Hampshire.  
 And more than this, I would like to be given the opportunity to listen to each one of you…to achieve this goal, I commit to having regular public meetings, open to anyone, in libraries or other community gathering places, well publicized.  I will want to hear you.
Thank you for “listening” to me.  If I am elected, I will spend far more of my time listening to you, than asking you to listen to me.
Respectfully submitted,
Candace Cole-McCrea
60 Ford Farm Road, Milton 03851
603 652-7594
snowyowl@metrocast.net


Cole-McCrea & Brown announce run for NH House

Cole-McCrea & Brown to Run for NH Rep in new Strafford County District 1

Candace Cole-McCrea & Larry Brown of Milton - announce run for NH House
Candace Cole-McCrea and Larry Brown, two Milton residents are running for NH State Rep from our newly redistricted Strafford County House District 1, comprised alone of Middleton and Milton.  The redistricting allows for 2 Reps in District 1.  The former district, Strafford County 3, included six towns - Farmington, Middleton, Milton, New Durham, Barrington, and Strafford - and elected 8 Reps overall.

July 4th The Fourth on the Farm Independence Day Celebration 12:00 - 4:00 pm



July 4th The Fourth on the Farm Independence Day Celebration 12:00 - 4:00 pm


The annual celebration includes homemade strawberry shortcake with farm grown strawberries, music and a reading of the Declaration of Independence along with croquet, living history tours of the Jones farmhouse and visits with the farm animals. $7 adult/$4 child 4-17yrs, Museum members free.

Welcome!



Welcome to the new Milton NH Democrats website! We will be adding new content, updating our calendar, and adding voting information over the next few weeks. Please be patient as we build the new site, it is quite a learning curve. Don't forget to like us on Facebook!