Campton Forward Meeting June 2018

Campton Forward 12 June 2018
 
Present:
Stephanie Osborne, Dick Osborne Michael Osborne, Jane Kellogg, Abigail Robby, Sam Miller, Mike Machanic, Jim Butler, Ron Goggans, Jan Chadbourne, Dave McGraw. Jess Boynton
 
State Senate District 2) and Deaglan McEachern (US Congress NH
District 1)
 
Meeting opened with presentations from Candidates.
 
Bill Bolton
Experience:  Chair of Plymouth Select Board, served on the Planning Board, is on the Board of PRLAC (Pemigewassett River Local Advisory Committee), 30 Year state employee, 9 years municipal employee. Worked in the Public Health lab, Was Chief of Staff for the Health Planning Board.
Was state Registrar of Vital Records where he ushered in a web based municipal broadband network to connect all the towns in NH.
 
Goals if elected:
Pursue completion of broadband for every home, including cellular service statewide
Champion the Right to Vote, protecting the rights of all citizens, including students
Further attention to the roles of prevention and treatment in the Opioid  Crisis in the state. Feels there are minimal funds for prevention. Would advocate for a shared network for treatment, too, including community based, one on one and safe site treatment.
Very strong environmental position – has an environmental engineering degree.  His opponent is very soft on any kind of regulation and has pushed to allow lake owners to skirt regulations. Concerned about respectful development around any waterways.
 
Was a brief discussion of the fact that the owners of the electrical grid charge solar sellers a grid fee, claiming administrative costs for selling power back to the grid that they need to cover. Skepticism in the group.
 
 
Deaglan McEachern
 
Is Seacoast based.  Dad ran for Governor in the 80s
 
Stressed the following points in his candidacy:
 
Concern for health care issues.  Has been through serious health issues in his family and realized how lucky he was to have good insurance and good credit. Many to most people aren’t so fortunate. Feels Medicare for all is both a moral and a business issue.
Quoted Warren Buffett:  ‘Healthcare is a tapeworm on this society.’ 3 of the country’s richest men are starting their own health care company because even they can’t afford the insurance costs. To run a small business most people need a spouse with benefits
 
As a dad he is concerned about the future. Two issues: feels decentralized energy grid needs to happen to make renewable energy affordable. Also feels gun violence in schools is out of hand and has to be addressed.
 
Feels the real threat to jobs is not trade, it is automation.  Estimates 50% of jobs will be automatable in the next 30 years. He runs a tech center to assist businesses in the state and studies and advises on these issues.
 
Discussed the concept of bringing back vocational education to public schools, lessening the stigma of working in a trade. Feels teaching trades in HS can help students learn how to build, how to do computer jobs like coding, because these jobs will still be there. Would also give students the ability to get a job out of HS, even if they wish to pursue higher ed.  Need to
Pursue Title II funding for NH teacher education so that there will be teachers to teach HS kids these skills.
 
Is also pro choice, anti Hyde amendment, and pro environment.  Feels a carbon tax could be the first step and would pursue federal funds for mitigation against disease and insects moving North.  Advocates removal of subsidies for carbon based fuels, subsidies to be given to renewables. 
 
On firearms, advocates banning AR 15, bump stock, high capacity magazines. Advocates full background checks. Monitoring of ammunition use, checking against felonies and abuse.  Suggested voluntary buyback programs funded by ammunition sales.  Feels all semi automatic weapons should be licensed. Understands the strong support for gun ownership, but feels community protection can be achieved.
 
Feels taxes are how we come together to do the will of the people and should be spent as government investment in the future, instead of always ‘me first.’ Advocates a progressive tax system. Now we spend all our moneys on weapons to sustain our empire.  Need to remove dependence on foreign oil. We need to not value capital over labor, have taxes and expenditures that send us forward.
 
Local Issues:
 
Discussion of possible solar project in Campton. There is a feeling that there could be empty space in Campton where one could be placed.  Would need to find a company to partner with to create jobs and revenue.
 
Bill Bolton discussed the plan put forth in Plymouth to use 25 acres behind the landfill.  They had 2 responders, had mapped out a purchase agreement. In the end it was defeated. ‘Appearance is offensive.’ The town attorneys were put of f by the 20 year contract even though the power price was comparable to the electric coop and there were many incentives at the time.  Also reported that Concord Planning Board shot own their proposal because they claimed the solar array would have 10% impervious surface – was incorrectly calculated. But the solar company didn’t fight it.  Jane Kellogg reported that the Campton Planning Board had been approached by a company, but that the company had not followed through.
 
Was discussion of the website.  Determined we need to raise about $180 to cover the yearly costs. &10-$15 per month is basic.
 
Members are encouraged to look at the mission statement for Campton Forward. Will try to finalize at next meeting.
 
Next meeting July 17, 2018 6:30 pm at the Mad River Coffee House.