Republican state Rep. Margaret Drye of Plainfield faces Democrat Lawrence Schissel of Newport on Tuesday, Nov. 3, in the New Hampshire House race for the Sullivan 7 seat.
Both candidates point to property taxes as a top concern. Drye says lawmakers should start with what she calls the two biggest drivers of education costs, administration and special education. Schissel, a family physician, says the state relies too heavily on the property tax.
The Valley News asked both candidates in a survey about their experience, why they are running and what they see as the biggest issue facing the state. Their answers, edited lightly for style, appear below.
MARGARET DRYE
Republican · NH House Sullivan 7
68, Republican, Plainfield
Political experience: Current state representative serving second term.
Professional experience: EMT with Cornish Rescue Squad (46 years); Hanover Co-op board member and chair (13 years).
Community service: Plainfield cemetery trustee; Plainfield Finance Committee; Plainfield Water District clerk.
Why are you running? To make sure the projects voted on this term get funded in the next budget and to build on recommendations from study committees I am on.
Biggest issue: Rising property taxes are a big topic of concern. There is no magic fix, but working on the two biggest drivers of education cost, administration and special education, is a good place to start.
Online: dryenh.com
LAWRENCE SCHISSEL
Democrat · NH House Sullivan 7
72, Democrat, Newport
Political experience: SAU 43 School Board (past); Newport Conservation Commission chair; New London Hospital medical staff president.
Professional experience: Family physician with the staffs of Newport Health Center, Valley Regional Hospital, New London Hospital and the Sullivan County Complex.
Community service: Newport Conservation Commission; RERC community member; student mentoring.
Why are you running? Concord has ignored our small towns. High property taxes, underfunded public schools, lack of housing and economical renewable energy threaten the vitality and viability of our towns.
Biggest issue: Over-reliance on an unfair and burdensome property tax.
Online: Facebook: larryforsullivan7
| CANDIDATES: STILL WANT TO BE INCLUDED? If you are running for office in the Upper Valley and have not received the Valley News candidate questionnaire, contact Managing Editor Allison Rogers at arogers@vnews.com or 603-727-3220, or Deputy Editor Molly Hughes at mhughes@vnews.com or 603-727-3213. |