Our courthouse in North Haverhill needs significant improvements to its mechanical, electrical, fire alarm and security systems. The Grafton County Democrats have been hard at work to find a fiscally sound solution. An independent architectural and engineering firm assessed the condition of the building and advised that the most cost-effective solution is to build a new courthouse. The Grafton County Commissioners, in a 2-1 vote, agreed with this recommendation.
But now it appears that the Free Staters are looking to undermine our work and sideline our constituents. We don’t know exactly what their game is, but we do know that on Sept. 26, House Majority Leader Jason Osborne (R-Auburn), Deputy Speaker Steven Smith (R-Charlestown), and other New Hampshire Republicans traveled to see the county courthouse “with their own eyes” and to interfere in Grafton County governance.
We cannot be sure which of the many goals of the Free Staters is served by this intrusion. Are they hoping that someone gets hurt in the dilapidated courthouse? Do they seek to override local control and disenfranchise Grafton County’s citizens? Are they trying to ensure that the government of New Hampshire serves only the needs of its wealthiest residents? Is this a step in their long-term plan to dismantle democracy? All of these goals are on the agenda of the Free Staters, who now control the Republican Party in New Hampshire.
By contrast, the Grafton County Democrats believe that we should preserve and strengthen governmental institutions rather than tear them down.
We strongly encourage all citizens to attend the remaining public hearing on the courthouse project at 7 p.m. on Oct. 21, at the Lebanon Senior Center, 10 Campbell St. Lebanon.
For our part, we support the project. Our public schools, nursing homes, day care centers, rural hospitals, bridges and roads, and yes, our courthouse, are the foundation of a strong democracy.
Mary Hakken-Phillips, Hanover
This letter was co-signed by the Democratic members of the Grafton County Delegation: State Reps. Susan Almy, William Bolton, Peter Lovett, Janet Lucas, Russell Muirhead and Ellen Rockmore