A call for unity: Why we must elect Cinde Warmington governor: Letters

A call for unity: Why we must elect Cinde Warmington governor

May 10 − To the Editor:

I'm writing to express my disappointment in Joyce Craig's recent attacks against fellow Democrat Cinde Warmington in the governor's race. This election is crucial for Democrats if we want to create a New Hampshire where everyone is free to thrive. Instead of focusing on Republican opponents and her own merits, Craig has chosen to smear Warmington.

As the only Democrat on the Executive Council, Warmington knows how and when to fight for her causes, and when it's best to compromise. Her understanding of the Executive Branch is unparalleled in this race.

Mayor Craig's tenure in Manchester has its accomplishments, but her frequent squabbles with the Governor often hurt her causes. Additionally, the recent mayoral election, seen as a referendum on her record, resulted in catastrophic Democratic losses up and down the ballot, with Democrats losing control of the Board of Aldermen for the first time in decades.

To make matters worse, Craig's historically low net approval rating and record high disapproval rating raise concerns about her ability to win the general election. Even the figures Craig recently released to smear Warmington still show Craig losing against Republican Kelly Ayotte!

The Republican Party chairman has expressed his delight at the prospect of a matchup against Joyce Craig in the general election. Republicans now have a winning playbook to defeat her, and the poll numbers to support it. We simply cannot risk Joyce Craig dragging the entire Democratic ticket down to defeat with her again.

Cinde Warmington, in stark contrast, has been described as a “formidable” opponent by our Republican Governor, and has the record and poll numbers to win this race. It's time to unite behind the formidable candidate with the charisma, strength, and tenacity to win. It's time for New Hampshire to unite behind Cinde Warmington for Governor.

Robbie Warach

City Councilor, Ward 2

Dover

York residents getting a raw deal on beach parking permits

May 9 − To the Editor:

For years, residents of York have been paying a fee for permits that allow us to park at beaches without paying a specific hourly charge.  That’s right, we pay to park on the property of the town we fund with our taxes so that we can access a natural resource that nobody owns. And that privilege merely let’s us compete with tourists, putting locals that run businesses, coach sports teams and volunteer for town committees and events on the same level as visitors. This fee is not community minded.

I can see why families might need to pay for a second permit – if we all parked two cars there might not be room for everyone on a good beach day – but with so much money collected at the tourist meters covering the maintenance costs (which no longer includes trash removal) – why are residents paying to access places we already fund? What is the money for? As anyone frequenting Harbor Beach or Cape Neddick beach knows, there is scant enforcement of the permit parking at those places, further highlighting the absurdity of this fee. If we’re going to be taxed for this permit, the town needs to represent us and enforce.  Harbor and Cape Neddick beaches were once “local” beaches where we saw more friends than strangers. I encourage residents not to roll over about these issues. If you see lack of enforcement, make a complaint to town offices. It’s time town officials support residents as wells as they support tourists.

Chris Ring

York, Maine

Bipartisanship is alive and keeping the country running

May 12 − To the Editor:

A group of clowns is called “a congress.”

Last week has given me hope that the political circus that has been going on in the US House of Representatives may be coming to an end.

Since the Republicans took control of the House of Representatives last year, a handful of Trump acolytes have effectively brought the business of Congress to a standstill while they argued among themselves over which pieces of legislation should come up for a vote.  It seemed that the Republican Party extremists were more interested in holding endless investigations into Hunter Biden and Alejandro Mayorkas than in keeping the government open.

Mike Johnson has risked his Speakership and avoided several government shutdowns by asking Democrats to help pass a budget and support funding for our allies. While I disagree with Speaker Johnson on most political issues, I admire his pragmatism and courage in bringing the necessary legislation to a vote so that it could be passed in the face of opposition from his own party.

I also admire the spirit of compromise and bipartisanship shown by the House Democrats, who have put democracy and responsible governance ahead of partisan politics and ideologies.

Our strength comes from our democracy, which in turn requires bipartisan cooperation. Americans would rather see our Congressional leaders working together to solve the nation’s problems instead of bickering over who gets the credit.  It is only when one party believes it can govern without compromise that our legislature becomes a congress of clowns.

James Fieseher MD, FAAFP

Dover

Article 64 is a regulatory sledgehammer. Vote no.

May 9 − To the Editor:

Vote no on York’s Article 64, short term rental ordinance. 64 is a regulatory sledgehammer to a minor issue. The proposed ordinance incorporates by reference sections R310 and R311 regarding egress and emergency escape requirements in the International Residential Code.

In the IRC, these standards only apply to new construction and alterations to a house, not to existing buildings. By implication, Article 64 is trying to make existing homes conform to a code for new construction. For conformity to the code the proposed ordinance uses the phrase “to the greatest extent possible as determined by the”   code enforcement officer.  This is vague and ambiguous, what does “to the greatest extent possible” mean? It certainly is a tool that could, and may be intended, to make it impossible for older homes to comply and thus be denied a short term rental permit.

If compliance with this code is truly a “safety” issue then all residences should have to comply, not just a rental. This is just one example of overreach in the proposed ordinance.  Some regulation may be warranted but 64 is an excessive solution.

Jay Moroney

York, Maine

Bird feeders can do harm if not use properly

May 12 − To the Editor:

As the last traces of winter have long been thawed in New Hampshire, it’s astonishing how some residents continue to neglect the basics of bird feeder etiquette, both in feeding all winter and in removing feeders come spring. For those who intermittently fill their feeders or forget to take them down in the warmer weather, let’s be clear: such negligence is not only ill-advised but also blatantly foolish.

Bird feeders, if used, should be consistently stocked throughout the winter, when natural food sources are scarce, and birds rely on them for survival. Those who fail to do so unwittingly set up a feast-and-famine scenario that can weaken birds just when they are most vulnerable. But as we turn the corner into spring, the continued presence of feeders becomes a beacon for trouble—especially attracting bears. This not only endangers these majestic creatures but also poses significant risks to our community’s safety.

Furthermore, crowded feeders are breeding grounds for disease, functioning much like a viral exchange hub that can decimate our native bird populations. By disrupting the birds’ natural foraging instincts, these feeders encourage dependency on human-provided food, undermining their ability to adapt to the changing seasons.

It’s simple: if you’re not committed to properly managing a bird feeder—diligently filling it through the winter and responsibly removing it in the spring—then perhaps it’s time to reconsider whether you have the common sense required to have one at all. The stakes are high, involving the health of our wildlife and the safety of our community.

To those who overlook these critical responsibilities, consider this a wake-up call. Let's demonstrate a modicum of intelligence and care toward our environment. The birds—and your neighbors—will thank you.

Kyle Thomas 

Dover

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Call for unity: Why we must elect Cinde Warmington governor: Letters