With so much attention focused on federal political nominations, deeply troubling political nominations in New Hampshire are receiving less attention and are happening quickly.
For example, Gov. Chris Sununu has nominated Frank Edelblut for education commissioner. Edelblut is a businessman and one-term state representative who was defeated by Sununu in the GOP gubernatorial race last year. He has no experience or training in the education field, has never served on a school board, home-schooled his seven children, and is a critic of public education.
As a state representative, he co-sponsored an education bill that would allow school districts to use taxpayer dollars to send students to private schools. His Facebook page lists a snapshot of his views on political issues, but there is no mention of education.
To be appointed, Edelblut needs approval from the Executive Council. His confirmation hearing is scheduled for Feb. 1. The best way to oppose this dangerous nomination is to call Republican Executive Councilors Joseph Kenney, Russell Prescott and David Wheeler (whose contact information can be found at nh.gov/council). New Hampshire citizens need to make their voices heard. Call. Write. Tweet.
Gov. Sununu needs to know that we are paying attention to his actions and that he must nominate competent leaders. Changing just one councilor’s vote to oppose Edelblut’s nomination will help protect educational opportunities and the future for our children.
Karen Huyck
Hanover
A Fine Leader in Mascoma Valley
I have read two Forum letters over the last few weeks attacking both the Mascoma Valley Regional School District and its superintendent, Patrick Andrew.
I spent 11 years working in Mascoma and during that time I worked with Patrick Andrew. Mascoma is fortunate to have such a capable and caring person at the head of the SAU. Andrew is the perfect example of a capable, involved leader. It was a pleasure and privilege to work under his leadership.
The group attacking him wouldn’t recognize ability and professionalism if it hit them in the face. Mascoma is an SB2 district, so taxpayers are not voting on the superintendent’s budget, but are voting on the Budget Committee’s budget. Now what? A warrant article to fire the Budget Committee?
Sure, the budget can be criticized. Kids have scientific calculators when an abacus is cheaper and worked for years. They also have textbooks. Stone tablets were good enough for Moses, so why buy books? Stone lasts longer!
I’m being sarcastic, but I can tell you from experience this isn’t far from the way these people think.
Mascoma is a well-run district with capable administration, staff, School Board and Budget Committee. They neither deserve nor should be subjected to these criticisms.
George Caccavaro Jr.
Claremont
The writer is former business administrator for the Mascoma Valley Regional School District.
According to a new report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, repealing the Affordable Care Act without a replacement would result in 32 million people losing their health insurance and would double insurance premiums within a decade.
The ACA is far from perfect. It has many legitimate issues that could and should be addressed in a bipartisan manner. But repealing the law without a replacement is not only wrong, it is dangerous. It will yank health insurance away from millions of America’s most vulnerable citizens. It’s not the CEOs, insurance lobbyists or hedge-fund managers who will lose their insurance.
Not a single member of Congress or congressional staffer will be affected. Instead, the bill will take health insurance away from people with pre-existing conditions, students on their parents’ insurance and the 22,000 in New Hampshire who gained coverage for the first time under the law.
The CBO report paints a bleak picture of a post-ACA world, filled with substandard insurance, higher premiums and millions left without life-saving coverage. Make no mistake: the only people that repeal would benefit are the 2.9 percent of Americans — the richest 2.9 percent of Americans — who faced higher taxes under the law, and would face a windfall under repeal.
For the 32 million people who will be left without health insurance, repeal with no plan in place for replacing their lost insurance represents nothing less than a life-changing calamity.
Eric G. Scheuch
New London
Library to the Rescue
Many thanks to the staff of Claremont’s Fiske Free Library for all the reading materials they have provided me as I have been recovering from several surgeries.
From thought-provoking novels to frivolous romances to spine tingling mysteries, the collection is extensive. When one of my requests is not in our local library, the staff has gotten it for me through the New Hampshire inter-library loan system. I also suspect some of my requests have resulted in additions to the library’s shelves.
We are fortunate to have Fiske Free Library here in Claremont, staffed by its knowledgeable, friendly librarians.
In the words of a former loyal patron and avid reader, Hazel Pomiecko, “Read, Read, Read.” Thank you, Fiske Free Library, for making it possible.
Holly W. Moody
Claremont
A Lesson in Corruption
We discover that as early as July 2016, James Comey had evidence that Donald Trump was a Manchurian candidate. Did he investigate? He won’t say because it would be improper to discuss an investigation. But he didn’t have any trouble discussing his investigation of Hillary Clinton when he thought, rightly, that he could get a little more mileage out of her emails.
The people who told us that Clinton was the most corrupt candidate in history are about to get a lesson in what corruption looks like.
I have read that Trump wants the taxpayers of South Carolina to pay to clean up a polluted property that he owns there. He claims that he shouldn’t have to pay for it himself because it was polluted while under control of a previous owner. The previous owner was a business owned by his son.
Is Jason Chaffettz, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, concerned about Trump’s strong-arm tactics? Not at all. He is calling Walter M. Shaub Jr., director of the Office of Government Ethics, in for a closed-door interrogation. Maybe his public attack on Clinton didn’t have the PR result he was looking for, so this time he wants to do his intimidating in private.
Henry VII was placed on the English throne by a French army, and I believe Mr. Trump on ours by the Russians. The House Republicans have brought back the star chamber. Where will it all end?
Ruth L. Stephenson
Lebanon
Which Bad Science?
It disturbs me greatly that the Valley News chose to endorse the Bloomberg View editorial entitled “Bad Science” (Jan. 16), concerning the safety and efficacy of vaccines.
A little research would have revealed that the “thoroughly debunked theory” regarding vaccine-linked autism based on “zero evidence” is refuted by an anonymous group of the CDC’s own scientists. I refer the reader to their report with a letter written to the CDC chief of staff, outlining their concerns: healthimpactnews.com/2017/cdc-scientist-whisteblowers-confirm-corruption-within-the-cdc/ and conservativeread.com/cdc-spider-scientists-attack-the-cdc-blow-the-lid-off/. A bit of circumspection might have saved the Valley News from espousing Bloomberg’s erroneous viewpoint (propaganda).
More importantly, the health of millions of people, especially our children who have no choice, is at stake. And if you believe the host of childhood shots is necessary for healthy children and public health, I recommend you read Dissolving Illusions by Suzanne Humphries, M.D.
Dan Leggett
Hanover