June 28, 2024 •
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Op Ed
By Deborah Aylward
I’m immensely pleased to announce my candidacy as a Republican candidate for State Representative, from Merrimack County, District 5 (Andover, Danbury, Hill, Salisbury, and Webster). Deeply touched by random strangers thanking me for my public service, it has been a great privilege to serve in this capacity for the past two years, and I seek […]
Expert Advises "Buyer Beware"
June 19, 2024 •
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Op Ed
By Jim Culhane
People who know me have heard me voice significant concerns about Medicare Advantage plans. From a consumer perspective, there is a significant lack of transparency in what many plans offer and the wide range of plans available — some better, some substantially worse. In addition, it’s a zero-sum game. If you’re being offered a perk […]
May 31, 2024 •
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Op Ed
By Deborah Aylward

On April 11, the House voted 239-132 OTP/A on proposed cannabis regulations. I voted ‘Aye’ as part of the 18.64% of other Republicans voting in the affirmative for HB1633 sponsored by a Republican with five others as co-sponsors. It was a bit of a ‘“walk on the wild side” due to concerns about adults potentially […]
May 31, 2024 •
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Op Ed
By Louise Andrus
Congratulations to all New Hampshire college graduates. Well done! The world is yours to decide what you want to do with your life. Congratulations to all those High School students who will be graduating in June. The rest of your life and what you do with it is your choice. As for work, always remember […]
April 26, 2024 •
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Op Ed
By Deborah Aylward
The topic I would like to cover this month involves Compassionate Care of vulnerable adults. What happens when you suspect or believe in good faith that an adult is having difficulty to the extent they are, for example, vulnerable to losing their home; not getting enough to eat; living in unsafe conditions; unable to manage […]
April 26, 2024 •
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Op Ed
By Louise Andrus
Happy May. The black flies are out, the frogs are peeping, and it is time to go fishing! As you know Memorial Day will be observed at the end of May. It is time to reflect and honor on this day (and every day of the year) the men and women who gave their lives […]
March 29, 2024 •
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Op Ed
The NH Journal reports: “SB 563, sponsored by Sen. Bill Gannon (R-Sandown), prohibits state and local government entities from adopting sanctuary policies to prohibit or impede the enforcement of federal immigration law.” It also instructs local law enforcement officers to “use best efforts to support the enforcement of federal immigration law.” The bill passed the […]
March 29, 2024 •
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Op Ed
By Louise Andrus
The trees are budding, maple syrup season is almost over, and people are thinking about planting their garden in a few weeks. . In the last issue of The Beacon there was an opinion article about HB 1473, an act relative to social-emotional learning in public schools. And the writer was wondering how I could […]
March 1, 2024 •
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Op Ed
By Louise Andrus
Happy Maple Syrup Season which means Spring is just around the corner! The House and Senate have been very busy with bills in committee public hearings and House sessions. In the Judiciary Committee, we have had hearings on bills like: HB 1602 , relative to the authority of the housing appeals board; HB 1283, relative […]
March 1, 2024 •
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Op Ed
By Deborah Aylward
On the Homemade Food Front, HB 1565 w/A, sponsored by Representative Matt Coulon, was recently passed by a full House vote. Fondly described as the “pickle bill,” the amendment to RSA 143-A Food Service Licensure allows for the production of acidified canned foods (e.g., pickles, relish) in residential kitchens without licensure, which, when signed into […]