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February 01. 2013 3:50PM
John DiStaso's Granite Status: Shaheen gearing up reelection campaign with new finance director
BY JOHN DiSTASO
New Hampshire Union Leader
FRIDAY, FEB. 1: UPDATE: SHAHEEN'S FINANCE DIRECTOR. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen's reelection campaign is ramping up with the hiring of a new finance director.
Andy Darkins comes to the Friends of Jeanne Shaheen with extensive national fund-raising experience. He most recently was the national finance director for Arizona Democrat Rich Carmona's senatorial campaign in 2012. Although Carmona lost to Republican Jeff Flake, Darkins' team raised $6.4 million.
Darkins previously served as finance director for West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin's successful campaign in 2011.
Shaheen's 2008 finance director was Louisa Whitney, who has since moved on.
Shaheen raised nearly $8 million in her successful 2008 campaign and since the beginning of the year has been ramping up fund-raising activities for her 2014 reelection effort.
The campaign tells us she raised reported to the Federal Election Commission this week she having raised $195,582 in the fourth quarter of 2012 and entered 2013 with $431,214 on hand.
Much of her fund-raising during 2012 was on behalf of other Democrats. Now, she is focusing on her own upcoming race.
Question is, what Republican, or Republicans, will step up to challenge her?
(Earlier Granite Status reports follow.)
THURSDAY, JAN. 31, UPDATE: 12 BEING PROBED. In our full report below, Attorney General Michael Delaney says that as a result of his office's stepped up enforcement of the state's push poll law, there were only 12 complaints of violations of that law filed during the 2012 election cycle, as compared to 21 during the 2010 cycle.
Assistant Attorney General Steve LaBonte told us Thursday that all 12 of those complaints "remain open and under investigation."
"Complaints of this nature can take a few months to investigate because the caller must be identified, tracked down and if possible a script or recording of the call obtained," LaBonte said. "Once an investigation is complete, it will be reviewed by an attorney to determine if the party did in fact violate" the applicable state law.
(Earlier Granite Status reports follow.)
THURSDAY, JAN. 31: UPDATE: SURPRISE! EMILY's list, the political action committeee that helps elect progressive pro-choice women, has once again formally endorsed Sen. Jeanne Shaheen.
If there is any surprise in the announcement at all, it is how early the endorsement came. But the New Hampshire Demorat is already gearing her reelection campaign for 2014.
"Senator Jeanne Shaheen has been breaking glass ceilings and fighting for New Hampshire women and families for over a decade," said Stephanie Schriock, president of EMILY's List, said in a statement. "During her tenure in the Senate, Shaheen has championed legislation to expand reproductive healthcare access for servicewomen, fought to expand economic opportunity for struggling families, and served on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee. Her dedication and strong leadership is always an inspiration to the EMILY's List community."
EMILY's List supported Shaheen's 2000 run for governor and her runs for the Senate in 2002 and 2008, and is estimated to have raised a total of more than $1 million for her.
In a fund-raising email this week, Shaheen wrote that 2014, like 2008, "won't be a cakewalk. But if we come together now, I know we can pull off another win."
No Republican has yet stepped forward to begin gearing up a Senate campaign but there has been speculation that former U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta and state Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradly are among those interested.
Former Sen. John E. Sununu, who beat Shaheen in 2002 and then lost to her in 2008, has made it known privately he has not ruled out a third run against her.
(The full Jan. 31 Granite Status follows.)
THE AG VS. CHARLIE BASS. Charlie Bass is out of office, but his fight against the Attorney General's office over an alleged illegal push poll back in 2010 goes on.
The AG's civil suit against the Bass Victory Committee, filed last April, is to be heard Feb. 19 in Merrimack County Superior Court, says Bass attorney Chuck Douglas.
The Attorney General charges Bass violated a state law that essentially requires those who make push poll telephone calls to tell the recipient who is sponsoring the calls.
A push poll conveys negative or positive information about a candidate under the guise of a legitimate poll. It's legal in New Hampshire, as long as the proper disclaimer is used.
The AG says that during the 2010 race, won by Bass, his committee "deliberately avoided" identifying itself as a sponsor of a negative push against then-challenger (and current U.S. Rep.) Annie Kuster.
The calls were cosponsored by Bass Victory and the National Republican Congressional Committee, but the AG says emails showed those two committees decided to have only the NRCC identified as the sponsor in the call script because the Bass campaign manager wanted "any issues about 'push polling' (to) be blamed on them." The Bass committee faces a potential maximum fine of $400,000
Bass is moving to dismiss the suit. Douglas argues the state push poll law does not apply to campaigns for federal office, such as Congress, and can be enforced only in state races.
Douglas relies heavily on a Federal Election Commission advisory opinion that says the state push poll law is clearly preempted in federal elections by the Federal Election Campaign Act, which requires no such disclaimers on calls.
The state law, Douglas wrote, "interferes with the intent of Congress, by requiring a candidate for federal office to make disclosures regarding election-related expenditures that the federal government has decided such candidates should not be required to make."
The Bass campaign has also said the calls were not push polls but simply "message testing."
Associate Attorney General Anne Edwards, in the state's objection, argues the FEC's opinion that a push poll falls under the definition of a campaign expenditure is "devoid of any analysis." She writes that the federal law neither regulates polling nor shows "any congressional intent to preclude state action in that area."
In other words, she wrote, since the federal law does not regulate polling, the state can step in and do so.
DELANEY: FEWER COMPLAINTS. It's a case being watched by campaign strategists, consultants and pollsters nationally.
AG Michael Delaney's promise to strictly enforce the state law has drawn criticism from national pollsters such as Whit Ayers, who warned last year that by "harassing" pollsters, Delaney was "handing ammunition to those who would like to supplant New Hampshire's primary as first-in-the-nation."
Interestingly, however, we've just gone through an entire election cycle - a presidential election no less - with no push poll controversies.
According to the Attorney General's office, there were 12 complaints of push poll law violations filed in 2012, compared to 21 in 2010
Delaney called that a "significant reduction" especially since, he noted New Hampshire was a swing state in the 2012 presidential election, while 2010 was a mid-term election.
It's possible fewer such polls were placed in 2012, but he believes his office's tough stance and enforcement efforts "had a deterrent effect, that more polls were placed in 2012 in compliance with state law, resulting in fewer complaints.
"The reduction in complaints received demonstrates how easy it is to comply with this rather straightforward disclosure law," Delaney said.
A decision in the Bass case will probably be appealed to the state Supreme Court. It will be timely because the state will have a presumably competitive U.S. Senate campaign gearing up as Jeanne Shaheen seeks reelection in 2014. Our two House members will presumably defend their seats as well.
DARK-HORSE? While a handful of Granite State GOP activists are jockeying for the post of state party executive director, a dark horse may have the inside track.
Ryan Gough, former Republican National Committee "Victory" director from Iowa, has been in the state in recent days meeting with, and impressing, high-ranking Republicans.
Gough has received high marks for his work in Iowa from former New Hampshire "Victory" staffers, including former state "Victory" director Brennan Ward, who has been introducing him to NH GOP'ers.
We understand Gough is interested in working in the GOP here, either as executive director or in another significant role.
True, Mitt Romney lost Iowa in the 2012 general election, but he also lost New Hampshire.
New party chairman Jennifer Horn is in the market for an executive director, a most important appointment as she looks to rebuild the party on all fronts, including expanding the staff.
Current executive director Jon Simons hopes to return to Washington by the end of February and says he never expected to remain at the party after a new chairman was chosen.
"I'm a realist and know that with a new chairman coming in, they are going to want to have someone in there to enforce their vision and someone who will commit for a couple of years," Simons said. "I can't do that."
He said a "majority of my life is still down in D.C."
Simons came up last July from the Washington area public affairs firm DDC Advocacy after former executive director Tory Mazzola left unexpectedly for the private sector.
Simons said he wanted to "help with the transition" from former chairman Wayne MacDonald to Horn, "but I told Jennifer I'd like to go down south soon."
He said he's willing to "stay around through February," but if something pops up sooner, he may depart before then.
Republicans tell us that among those who have expressed interest in the job are Ward, former Romney state director Phil Valenziano, former Herman Cain state director Matt Murphy, current party political director Jake Avery, former top Rick Santorum/Romney staffers Nick Pappas and Kristen Beaulieu and former Ovide Lamontagne and Romney campaign staffer Jill Neunaber.
FOLEY GOES OFF. Much of the talk since Saturday's Republican State Committee meeting has been on the scolding party finance chairman Jim Foley leveled on some committee members during his finance committee report.
On a day the party faithful were focusing on unity, Foley, at the podium, blasted Republicans who have been critical of the party organization and its fund-raising efforts, including its short-lived attempt to charge committee members $25, a move Foley supported.
Said one committee member, "It was just a weird, shocking moment for everyone."
Foley is not backing down.
"It was very odd," he emailed us. "As chairman of the finance committee, I took offense to the numerous voices who said the party could not fund-raise. It was unfair to a dedicated and hard-working group who actually put the Party into the best financial situation it has been in 20 years.
"That's (party treasurer) Robert Scott's description, not mine."
Foley added, "It also seemed to me that loudest voices were those I never saw at any event or who gave little or no money to the state party. So I called these people out."
20 YEARS LATER. Twenty years ago, Bill Clinton took the oath as President after campaigning with the help of his faithful "Arkansas travelers," a legion of home-state supporters who traveled the country to campaign on his behalf.
Clinton last weekend hosted a celebration and honored the "travelers" in Little Rock.
On hand and "treated like rock stars" was a group of his old friends from New Hampshire, says former state Democratic Chair and longtime "Friend of Bill" George Bruno.
Also making the trek were other Granite Staters who helped make Clinton the "Comeback Kid" with his second-place finish in the New Hampshire Primary on Feb. 18, 1992 - Terry Shumaker, Alice Chamberlin, Deb Crapo, Nancy Richards-Stower and Ricia MacMahon.
Bruno said the group presented the Clinton presidential library with a seedling of a black walnut tree that is on the grounds of the State House, provided by Secretary of State Bill Gardner.
Bruno said there was "a little boomlet" at the event for another Hillary Clinton presidential candidacy.
It's early, but, he said, "There was a lot of excitement and a buzz about her."
THREE SPOKESMEN. Shaheen now has three press spokesmen in her Senate office.
Joining recently were former Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee press secretary Shripal Shah as communications director and Elizabeth Kenigsberg as press secretary.
Kenigsberg had been press secretary for Richard Carmona, an unsuccessful candidate for a U.S. Senate seat in Arizona.
They join deputy press secretary Mark Gordon.
THAT WAS FAST. All it took was for Kevin Smith to pen an op-ed in the New Hampshire Union Leader saying that he will be, watching events in Concord closely over the next two years, as he says we all should.
Three days later, he received a measure of national media attention, as the National Journal's "Hotline On Call" declared, "Smith considering another Gov. run in NH," mentioning his opinion piece.
Since his lopsided loss to Ovide Lamontagne in last September's GOP governor's primary, Smith has sent clear messages that his political career is just getting started.
"I certainly haven't ruled anything out in terms of running again in '14," Smith told Hotline. "If I did, it would most likely be for governor again."
"Apparently," he told the Status, "having an op-ed in your paper is the natural prelude to announcing a candidacy!"
KELLY AND THE SWETTS. Sen. Kelly Ayotte Tuesday delivered remarks at a U.S. Capitol event organized by the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice.
She joined Granite Staters Katrina Lantos Swett, daughter of the late U.S. Rep. Tom Lantos and foundation president, and former Ambassador/U.S. Rep. Dick Swett.
The Tom Lantos Human Rights Prize Award was presented to blind Chinese legal activist Chen Guangcheng.
The Washington Post quoted Ayotte as saying Chen "bravely stood up in the face of oppression" and that China would only reach its full potential when it recognizes the unalienable rights of its people rather than viewing them as a threat to its political power.
Katrina Lantos Swett said, "Chen Guangcheng's work standing up for the rule of law in China has been an inspiration to people from around the world."
The annual Lantos Prize is awarded to raise awareness about human rights and the brave individuals who are committed to fighting for justice around the world.
Also speaking were U.S. Reps. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., and Chris Smith, R-N.J.
2ND AMENDMENT RALLY. Tea Party/liberty movement leaders Jack Kimball and Jerry DeLemus are organizing today's noon "Line-in-the-Granite 2nd Amendment Rally" at the State House.
"The Patriot Pastor," Garrett Lear, will give the invocation and speakers will include Rep. Dan Itse, former Reps. Al Baldasaro, Bob Guida and Jenn Coffee, activist Karen Testerman and Sheriff Chris Conley of Carroll County and Donnie Smith of Washington County, Maine.
Separately, Grafton County Sheriff Douglas Dutile is among 226 sheriffs nationally who "have vowed to uphold and defend the Constitution against Obama's unlawful gun control measures," according to the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association.
MORE ATTENDEES. The latest confirmed attendees for the GOP meeting on Feb. 7 being hosted by RightOn Strategies at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics are Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley, Sen. Sam Cataldo, former Sens. Tom DeBlois and Bob Letourneau, former House Majority Leader Pete Silva, former House Ways and Means Committee chair Norm Major and former NHGOP vice chair Pam Manney.
Also, former state Reps. Fran Wendelboe and Will Smith, NHGOP Area 1 vice chair Vicki Schwaegler and Testerman.
(John DiStaso is senior political reporter of the New Hampshire Union Leader and New Hampshire Sunday News. He can be reached at


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June 21. 2013 9:39PM
Appeal of police sting verdict possible
By MARK HAYWARD
New Hampshire Union Leader
Alexander Ramasci of Manchester was arrested last year for theft of lost or mislaid property during a Manchester Police sting operation at a South Willow Street shopping plaza. (DAVID LANE/UNION LEADER)
Man charged with theft in Manchester police sting involving abandoned purse acquitted
— The county's top prosecutor said she will consider whether an appeal should be filed in the case of a young man who was cleared of a theft charge that arose from a police sting operation during the 2012 Christmas shopping season.
Hillsborough County Attorney Patricia LaFrance said she will look at the judge's order and consult with the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office, which would file the appeal.
On Thursday, Alexander Ramasci was found innocent of a misdemeanor charge of theft of lost or mislaid property. Manchester police arrested him in a sting operation, after he removed a purse and merchandise from a shopping cart that police had placed in the T.J. Maxx parking lot on South Willow Street.
Ramasci has said he never intended to steal the items. He put them in his trunk and planned to go home, identify the owner, contact her and return the items.
In his order, District Court Judge William Lyons said Ramasci could not be convicted because the purse and merchandise were not actually lost or mislaid.
"We're disappointed in the ruling," said Assistant Police Chief Nick Willard. "It will give us the opportunity to reevaluate the use of this tactic and reassess whether the proper charge was brought."
Meanwhile, the New Hamsphire Liquor Commission did not return a telephone call about Ramasci's employment. He worked as a sales clerk for the Liquor Commission, but was told not to come into work after his arrest.
The New Hampshire Union Leader spoke to Liquor Commission Chairman Joe Mollica's secretary, who took information about Ramasci and the reason for the newspaper's interest. No return call was made.
Police actions in the case have drawn criticism on-line, with many questioning the tactic or its need.
"I certainly applaud Manchester Police Department's efforts to prevent these crimes, especially around the holiday season," LaFrance said. "I don't see anything wrong with that."
Willard described the sting operation as victim-oriented policing.
"(Detectives) were thinking of protecting victims at a time when thefts increase exponentially," he said.
And he said shopping-cart thefts are a problem. Two months ago, an 84-year-old woman had her purse with $400 stolen from the produce section of a supermarket, he noted. Police made an arrest after publicizing a surveillance photo of the theft.
Willard said he was shocked to read comments from Ramasci's lawyer, Alderman Joe Kelly Levasseur, who called the sting ridiculous and bad public policy. He said it amounted to another slap to Police Chief David Mara's head.
"I have dealt with defense attorneys in every case imaginable in my 24 years as a police officer and detective, and I have never witnessed a more inappropriate and unprofessional comment than the one attributed to attorney Levasseur in his reference to the chief of police." Willard said.
But Levasseur said his comments just him speaking directly. He said that, as an alderman, he's called for Mara's resignation at least 10 times.
"Sorry, but being direct sometimes is necessary, and I'm not the only one who feels that way," he said.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Burroughs track team is sending 22 athletes to CIF and had eight league champions at the DSL Finals Wednesday at Cerro Coso.
RIDGECREST — The Burroughs track team is sending 22 athletes to CIF and had eight league champions at the DSL Finals Wednesday at Cerro Coso.
"We had a third of our team make it to CIF," BHS Coach Jay Kovar said. "That's pretty good."
The Burros swept the shot put with Rebecca Kandell taking first place with a throw of 33-2, Victoria Rash taking second place with a throw of 31-2 and Jennifer Kandell taking third place with a throw of 30-6.5.
The Burros' throwers also swept the discus. Jennifer Kandell won the event with a throw of 98-4.5, Rebecca Kandell took second with a throw of 97-9.5, while Madison Felix took third with a throw of 96-5.5.
All four throwers made it to CIF.
"The girls throwers have been consistent all year," Kovar said. "You never knew who was going to finish in first place, but it just shows that the training that they have been doing is working. They have been confident this season and it showed on Wednesday.
"Victoria Rash came out of nowhere to help us this season and she is just a freshman, so we're excited about her progress this year."
Rachelle Schiller placed third in the 100-meter low hurdles, running a 16.64 and qualifying for CIF. She also qualified in the 300 low hurdles, running a 48.34.
"Her time was a school record," Kovar said. "She now has two school records. One is in the 200 meters and now she has the 300-hurdle record as well. We couldn't run her in the 200 meters because those races are back-to-back."
Gabby Mills, Meagan Schiller, Arinee Ellison and Rachelle Schiller took second place in the 400-meter relay with a time of 53.21.
Ellison, Beverlee Wood, Marissa Morales and Joelle Steichen qualified for CIF in the 1,600-meter relay, finishing in a time of 4:24.35 for third place.
Maryah Marcano qualified for CIF by finishing in second place in the 3,200 with a time of 11:47.7 and by finishing third place in the 1,600 with a time of 5:29.25.
"Maryah continues to peak and she's only a sophomore," BHS distance coach Anthony Barnes said. "Her and (Josh) Boston continue to do great things for us. They always race well."
Wood qualified for CIF in the 800. She ran a 2:29.3 for third place and punched her ticket after the day got off to a rough start.
"We thought she was going to get into CIF in the 1,600," Barnes said. "We thought about dropping her from the 800 all together, but we kept her in that race. After falling just short of qualifying in the 1,600, she was upset and distraught. I told her, 'OK, you have one more chance in the 800. Make the most of it.' She did just that. She took third place and it was all because of her mental toughness. Not many people can get back up after a let down like that, and come back stronger."
Steichen came in second in the 400 meters to grab a spot in CIF, running a 1:02.34.
"Joelle ran one her best times ever," Kovar said. "Considering the wind definitely had an effect on the times, it was probably her best effort of the season."
In the pole vault, both Anthony Applequist and Isaac Perez punched tickets to CIF. Applequist finished second in clearing 11-3, while Perez took third in clearing 10-9.
Perez also qualified in the triple jump with a 41-11.5.
"Isaac qualified in three events," Kovar said. "It may have been his best day ever. He stepped up again for us and had a great day.
"For Anthony, it's been a tough season. He has pulled his hamstring early in the season, then severely sprained his ankle against Silverado in our last DSL meet. It must've been hard for him not to be at full strength this year. He went to state in the triple jump last year and he won't have that chance again this year."
Jackson French, Sam Surratt, Richard Thomas and Perez ran a 44.11 in the 400-meter relay to take second place.
Surratt, French, Daniel Prescott and Thomas ran a 3:31.15 for third place in the 1,600-meter relay.
Josh Boston won both the 1,600 meters and the 3,200 meters. He won the 1,600 in a time of 4:32.33 to qualify for CIF and won the 3,200 in a time of 9:52.86.
"Every team was trying to find a way to beat Boston," Barnes said. "For him to win both events was one of the best distance doubles the league has ever seen. The last time a Burroughs runner did it was 2004 by Josh Hamilton. He was a senior and Boston is only a junior."
In the 400, Thomas ran a 50.35 for second place, which allowed him to move on to CIF.
"Richard ran his best 400 time," Kovar said. "He is really dedicated to the team and has been one of the most reliable runners we have."
French won the 200 meters with a time of 23.15 to get into CIF as the only runner in the DSL from that race.
"It was great to see Jackson win that race," Kovar said. "He came out in front after the turn. There was a sea of blue around him (Silverado runners), but he had the strength and speed to finish off the race with a win."
Surratt — who qualified in the two relays — also was the only runner to qualify for CIF in the 110 high hurdles. He ran a 16.39, taking first place.
Blake Bays took first in the shot put with a mark of 44-0.75, while Kyle Felix tied for first place in the discus with a toss of 131-9.5.
Alex Rockwell took second in the discus with a throw of 126-7.5.
"We had seven throwers in all make it to CIF," Kovar said. "I'm glad to see all of our throwers compete at such a high level this season."
The Burroughs athletes that made it to the CIF-SS Prelims will travel to Estancia High School in Costa Mesa on May 11.


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May 04. 2013 2:41AM
Woman charged with sex assault of 3-year-old, sending photos to service member
MANCHESTER - A local woman was arrested Thursday on charges she sexually assaulted a 3-year-old girl and sent photographs of the assault to an Air Force service member stationed in Japan.
Police said they began an investigation into Erin Upham, 20, early last month and determined she'd assaulted the girl, recorded images of the sexual activity and transmitted them via Skype Chat to a 21-year-old airman stationed at an air base in Japan. Police did not name the man, but said he is under investigation by the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
The Air Force contacted Manchester police about the exchanges on April 9, police said.
Upham is charged with aggravated felonious sexual assault, manufacturing of child sexual abuse images and distribution of sexual abuse images.


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I'll be posting my day-after breakdown of Sunday's game in a little bit. But first, I thought this would be a good time for a little What Andy Said, What Andy Meant from his news conference earlier today. Enjoy:
How do you avoid having your tenuous job security become a distraction for your team?
What Andy said: "Listen, you control what you can control. And that's getting better as a football team. That's where my emphasis is. Become a better coach and make sure I put my guys in the right position to make plays."
What Andy meant: "I had hoped Jeffrey would address that by giving me a five-year contract extension, but he politely declined."
Are the problems with this team fixable?
What Andy said: "Yes, I believe it's fixable. Like I said, we've got to eliminate the mistakes. It's not (a lack of) effort or want-to. I don't see that. I see guys pressing a little bit where they don't need to press. Guys that have been very consistent players for us in the past are pressing just a bit. They want to do so well. They want to be that guy that makes that play."
What Andy meant: "We're as fixable as the Petraeus marriage."
Do you regret your decision to leave LeSean McCoy in the game late in the fourth quarter?
What Andy said: "I don't regret it. It happened. Do I wish he didn't get hurt? Yeah, I do. I wish he wouldn't have been hurt. But I don't regret (leaving him in)."
What Andy meant: "I effed up."
How does McCoy's concussion compare with Vick's?
What Andy said: "It didn't seem to be quite as bad just from where he was after the game."
What Andy meant: "LeSean at least remembered he played for the Eagles. After Michael's concussion, he kept calling me Warden Smith."
On a third-and-five play in the second quarter, McCoy, Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson all were out of the game. How is the offense in the best position to get a first down without those three guys in the game?
What Andy said: "Somewhere you rest your players. We have a couple of different personnel groups where we can do that. We weren't successful on it. But we had kids out there we thought we had good matchups with and what we wanted to do with the play."
What Andy meant: "Marty had a brain cramp."
From the outside looking in, it looks like things are getting worse. How does it look from the inside?
What Andy said: "I can't sit here and tell you things are great coming off a loss like that. Everybody is searching right now and looking for answers. That can be a healthy thing."
What Andy meant: "I've always been a glass-half-full guy. We gave up 38 points last week and only 31 this week. One small step for man. One giant step for Team Big Red."
Is your leadership still effective?
What Andy said: "I look at everything. So I'm not telling you I'm not looking at that. We're not winning football games and I take that responsibility. Since I'm in that leadership spot, my leadership right now isn't good enough."
What Andy meant: We had perfect attendance at our team meeting this morning. So they must still be listening to me. But I think I might start having Dom the security guy taste my food before I eat."
Is there any scenario where you would step down?
What Andy said: "I'm standing in front of the team and telling them these are the things we need to do. One of which is to continue to battle. (To quit) would be a copout. That's not how I see things. That's not the way I'm wired."
What Andy meant: "I've got 5 ½ million reasons to keep coaching this football team."
Has Lurie's opinion of you changed?
What Andy said: "He's a competitive guy. Nobody wants to win more than Jeffrey. I'll tell you he's disappointed. Rightly so. He feels the same way we do. That we're letting people down in this city."
What Andy meant: "I don't know if this means anything, but I passed him in the hall this morning and he gave me the finger."


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NEW YORK (AP) — Gerry Goffin might have been a chemist, but when it came to music, he was a scientist of songwriting.
Goffin began his songwriting career with ex-wife Carole King, who he met at Queens College, where he studied chemistry. The duo went on to craft songs that have become American classics, from "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" to "The Loco-Motion."
And without King, Goffin was still a powerhouse: He collaborated with the likes of Michael Masser and Barry Goldberg to write hits including the Oscar-nominated "Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)," recorded by Diana Ross, and Whitney Houston's "Saving All My Love for You," which won the late icon her first Grammy Award.
Goffin died Thursday at his home in Los Angeles at age 75. Here's a look at his key songs, written with King and without her.
Gerry Goffin's key songs written with Carole King:
— "Will You Love Me Tomorrow," The Shirelles
— "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," Aretha Franklin
— "Take Good Care of My Baby," Bobby Vee
— "The Loco-Motion," Little Eva
— "Go Away Little Girl," Steve Lawrence
— "Pleasant Valley Sunday," The Monkees
Gerry Goffin's key songs written without Carole King:
— "Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)," Diana Ross
— "I've Got to Use My Imagination," Gladys Knight and the Pips
— "Saving All My Love for You," Whitney Houston
— "Run to Him," Bobby Vee
— "Miss You Like Crazy," Natalie Cole
— "Who Put the Bomp (In the Bomp Bomp Bomp Bomp)," Barry Mann


text:
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text:
Oil in New York rose on optimism that negotiators will reach a last-minute U.S. budget deal that would avert more than $600 billion of tax increases and spending cuts that threaten economic growth.
Futures climbed as much as 0.9 percent as Democrats and Republicans discussed how to avoid the budget measures known as the fiscal cliff. Gains accelerated as President Barack Obama planned to make a statement on budget negotiations at 1:30 p.m. in Washington. Oil in New York headed for its first annual drop since 2008 as U.S. crude production surged.
"A budget deal would be good for demand," said John Kilduff, a partner at Again Capital LLC, a New York-based hedge fund that focuses on energy. "There's fundamental strength to the market, and an agreement would be a catalyst for higher prices going into 2013."
Crude oil for February delivery increased 76 cents, or 0.8 percent, to $91.56 a barrel at 12:51 p.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Prices are down 7.4 percent this year. The volume for West Texas Intermediate oil contracts traded in New York was 62 percent below the 100-day average.
There is no floor trading tomorrow because of the New Year's Day holiday. Electronic transactions will halt at 5:15 p.m. New York time today and resume at 6 p.m. tomorrow for settlement on Jan. 2.
Brent oil for February settlement rose 35 cents, or 0.3 percent, to $110.97 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. The number of contracts trading was 58 percent lower than the 100-day average. Brent has advanced 3.3 percent this year, a fourth annual gain. The European benchmark's premium to WTI narrowed for a fifth day to $19.41.
Annual Decline
WTI has declined in 2012 as the U.S. shale boom deepened a glut at Cushing, Oklahoma, America's biggest storage hub and the delivery point for the New York contract. That has left it at an average $17.48 a barrel below Brent this year, compared with a premium of about 95 cents in the 10 years through 2010.
U.S. crude production rose to 6.984 million barrels a day, the highest level since 1993, in the week ended Dec. 21, the Energy Department reported Dec. 28.
The House and Senate met yesterday after Obama on Dec. 28 asked Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to try to find a solution to the fiscal cliff. Both houses adjourned by mid-evening and reconvened today.
The U.S. and China are the world's biggest oil-consuming countries, together accounting for 32 percent of global crude demand in 2011, according to BP Plc's Statistical Review of World Energy.


text: vid_pandh_sac June 29, 2016 by Travis Simpson Travis Simpson Travis Simpson is a content marketing strategist and President of Symbolscape Inc., a boutique content marketing studio based in San Francisco. He works with his clients to create and deploy custom B2B content marketing solutions on the marketing automation technology backbone. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment Name * Email * Notify me of new posts by email.


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Beginning each August and continuing through the following May, Big 12 This Week will air every Wednesday on ESPNU at 4:30 pm ET/3:30 pm CT, please check local listings for re-airs. Archived episodes can be seen here on Big12Sports.com.
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Published on Brock University (https://brocku.ca)
The University Secretariat works to ensure that the two governing bodies of the University (Board of Trustees and Senate) and their numerous committees operate effectively and efficiently by providing administrative services, research and analysis, and general support.
The Office manages, coordinates and facilitates the processes and procedures of the governing bodies and other various University and Presidential Advisory Committees in accordance with The Brock University Act, the Faculty Handbook, University policy and the General Bylaws of the Board of Trustees. The Secretariat Office also maintains corporate records and is a resource for members of the University community, providing information and counsel on Senate and Board of Trustees policies, procedures, precedents and records.
The Office of the University Secretariat also has primary responsibility for the administration of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and advising on the application of the legislation as delegated by the President and Vice-Chancellor.
The Office of the University Secretariat is located on the 11th floor of the Schmon Tower.


text:
By Joanne Mendes, Archives Assistant
Title: Edward C. Elliott papers, 1890-1975
Predominant Dates:1940-1960
Primary Creator: Elliott, Edward C. (Edward Charles) (1874-1960)
Extent: 22.8 Cubic feet. More info below.
Arrangement: The original collection arrangement by Elliott was preserved.
Date Acquired: 00/00/1960
Subjects: Earhart, Amelia, 1897-1937, Elliott, Edward C. (Edward Charles), 1874-1960, Gilbreth, Lillian Moller, 1878-1972, Hovde, Frederick L., 1908-1983, Lawyers, Purdue Alumni Association, Purdue University--Presidents, Ross, David, 1871-1943, Ross-Ade Foundation
Forms of Material: Clippings (Information artifacts), Correspondence, Manuscripts (Documents), Photographic prints, Scrapbooks
Languages: English
The Edward C. Elliott Papers (1890-1975; 22.8 Cubic ft.) document the life and career of educator and former Purdue University President Edward Elliott. The majority of the papers date from 1940 to 1960. The papers reflect the original order as they were received from Elliott and his family, and therefore have not been divided into series or subject areas.
The Elliott Papers document Elliott's education and career, particularly his tenure as President of Purdue University (1922-1945), but also his work relating to education, military training, and pharmaceutical surveys. Portions of the papers relate to Elliott's positions at the University of Montana and the University of Wisconsin. Some personal papers are included which document Elliott's academic background, family, and personal life. A small collection of Elliott's personal belongings, such as medals and awards, academic regalia, and books from his personal library are included in the collection.
Types of materials in the papers include: correspondence; reports; meeting minutes; printed material (brochures, publications, newspaper clippings, books); biographical information; notes and transcripts of speeches; certificates; diplomas; schedules and itineraries; rosters and lists; ledgers; charts; research notes; articles of incorporation and bylaws; photographic materials; audio-visual materials; sheet music; scrapbooks; artifacts; ephemera; surveys; press releases; works of art on paper; and daily appointment books. The scrapbooks, in particular, thoroughly document the life, career, and activities of Elliott, and his appointment books contain notations to significant events such as bringing Amelia Earhart to Purdue University.
The papers include correspondence between Elliott and noted individuals such as George Ade, John T. McCutcheon, and others. Documents in the collection also relate to Elliott's relationships with and/or memories of prominent people such as Thomas Edison, Amelia Earhart, Booth Tarkington, Frederick Hovde, Lillian Gilbreth, Chase S. Osborn, David Ross, Thomas Francis Moran, Lord Halifax, and artist Maude Phelps Hutchins. Subjects covered extensively in the papers include higher education, pharmaceutical education and surveys, military training, the United States Armed Forces Institute, the Purdue Research Foundation, the War Manpower Commission, the Army Ordnance Corps, the Purdue Aeronautical Corporation, and the Elliott Hall of Music at Purdue University.
Edward Charles Elliott (1874-1960), educator and sixth president of Purdue University, was born December 21, 1874, in Chicago, Illinois, to Frederick and Susan Elliott. He spent his childhood in North Platte, Nebraska. He graduated from North Platte High School in 1891 and went on to attend the University of Nebraska. There he studied chemistry, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in 1895 and a Master of Arts degree in 1897. After graduation, Elliott accepted a position as a high school science teacher in Leadville, Colorado. The following year he was elected to serve as superintendent of schools for Leadville. He served as superintendent until 1903 when he resigned to accept a fellowship at Columbia University's Teachers College. It was at Columbia where Elliott made the decision to pursue a career in education administration. He graduated in 1905 with doctorates in philosophy and education.
Following his graduation from Columbia University, Elliott accepted the position of associate professor in education at the University of Wisconsin. Two years later, in 1907, he married Elizabeth Nowland, whom he had been courting since his years in Leadville, Colorado. The couple had four children John, Susanne, Marion, and Edward. Their home at 137 Prospect Avenue in Madison, Wisconsin, which was designed for the Elliotts by the architectural firm of Claude and Stark, was designated a historical landmark in 1975. In 1909, Edward Elliott was named director of the Course for the Training of Teachers at the University of Wisconsin. During these years he co-authored several significant studies on education and also developed a rating scale for teachers which was the first of its kind in the country. In 1916, Elliott accepted the newly created position of chancellor at the University of Montana. Despite administrative infighting, Elliott was able to establish a university code, start a university funds campaign to finance much needed construction, and modernize the university's business offices. In May 1922 Elliott resigned from the University of Montana and accepted the position of president at Purdue University.
During Elliott's 23 years as president for Purdue (1922-1945), the University saw its greatest period of growth in prestige and service. During his tenure, enrollment more then doubled, 28 major buildings where constructed on campus, and the university's net worth nearly tripled. The Division of Educational Reference, the School of Home Economics, and Purdue's Graduate School, among other programs, were all established during Elliott's presidency. He was instrumental in establishing the Ross-Ade Foundation, the Purdue Research Foundation, and the Purdue Aeronautics Corporation. Under Elliott, Purdue became the nation's first university to own and operate an airport (1930). Elliott brought Amelia Earhart and Dr. Lillian Gilbreth to Purdue as part of his efforts to promote educational opportunities for women. Earhart became Consultant for Careers for Women at Purdue, a role that Dr. Gilbreth, professor of industrial engineering, would assume after Earhart's disappearance in 1937. Elliott, along with David Ross and others, helped establish the Amelia Earhart Fund for Aeronautical Research which funded the purchase of Earhart's Lockheed Electra (nicknamed Purdue's "Flying Laboratory").
In 1938, Elliott served as an educational advisor to the Committee on Educational Policy for the University of The Philippines. In 1940, Elliott temporarily took over as the athletic director of Purdue. During World War II, he served on the U.S. Committee on War-Time Requirements for Specialized Personnel (1942) and received a leave of absence from Purdue to serve as chief of the Division of Professional and Technical Employment and Training within the War Manpower Commission (1942-1943). In 1943, he resumed his duties as Purdue's president. On June 30, 1945, Elliott retired from Purdue University after having reached the mandatory retirement age of 70 in December 1944. Upon his retirement, Purdue's Board of Trustees created the office of President Emeritus for Elliott.
In 1946, the Elliotts moved to Washington, D.C. where Elliott directed a nationwide study on pharmaceutical education, published as The Pharmaceutical Survey. In 1948, the Elliotts returned to Lafayette. Two years later, Elliott was named Director of Educational Relations for the American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education. He held this position until 1952. The following year, Elliott became an educational consultant to the Commanding General of the Army Ordnance Corps. In 1956, Elliott received the National Award of Meritorious Civilian Service for his work with the Ordnance Training Command. The next year, at the age of 82, Elliott suffered a mild stroke which left him partially paralyzed on his right side. He became an invalid and rarely left his home. In 1958, Purdue University renamed its Hall of Music the Edward C. Elliott Hall of Music, making it the first building named for a past president. Edward C. Elliott died June 16, 1960, at the age of 85. Over his lifetime, Elliott authored several books and articles on education and was awarded numerous honorary degrees and citations for distinction.
Earhart, Amelia, 1897-1937
Elliott, Edward C. (Edward Charles), 1874-1960
Gilbreth, Lillian Moller, 1878-1972
Hovde, Frederick L., 1908-1983
Purdue Alumni Association
Purdue University--Presidents
Ross, David, 1871-1943
Ross-Ade Foundation
Repository: Purdue University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections
Alternate Extent Statement: Researchers should note that most of Elliott's working papers as Purdue President, along with many of his personal papers, were destroyed in a warehouse fire after Elliott retired from Purdue.
Access Restrictions: Collection is open for research.
Acquisition Source: Estate of Edward C. Elliott
Related Materials:
George Palmer Putnam Collection of Amelia Earhart Papers
Frank & Lillian Gilbreth Library of Management
Frank & Lillian Gilbreth Papers
Purdue University Archives photograph collection, 1880-2010
Purdue University Artifact Collection, 1880-2008
Preferred Citation: UA 50, The Edward C. Elliott Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries
Finding Aid Revision History: Collection identifier updated from UA 2.06 to UA 50 as of December 2, 2016.
Other URL: http://collections.lib.purdue.edu/fa/pdf/ua00050_elliott_edward.pdf


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Neighbors react after Manchester man shot in Orange Street apartmentBy KATHRYN MARCHOCKI
New Hampshire Union Leader
July 26. 2013 11:00PM
MANCHESTER — A young man was shot in the face when he opened the door to his Orange Street apartment Friday morning, then stumbled down the hallway and collapsed on his front steps while calling for help, neighbors said.
"Please hurry ... ," several neighbors said they heard the youth say over his cell phone as he lay bleeding outside the first-floor 145 Orange St. apartment shortly before 6:30 a.m.
The man, described as a 20-year-old African-American, is identified as Terrence Jackson. But he is also known in the neighborhood as Shawn and best known by his nickname, "Big," for his 300-pound frame.
Police said the shooting victim was out of surgery by early evening and is expected to survive. Investigators were waiting to speak with him Friday night.
Police said no one was in custody and had no suspects Friday night. They said they could not comment on motive and the investigation is active.
Neighbors said the area is a hotbed for illicit drug activity.
"All you got to do is sit on these stairs for 20 minutes and you know what's going on," said a female neighbor who spoke on condition of anonymity because she said she feared for her safety.
Neighbors described a constant stream of visitors coming and going to the first-floor apartment and frequent fights on the street.
The apartment where the shooting occurred is leased to Tony Watkins, who has been in New York for about three weeks visiting family, neighbor Travis Lemay, 25, said.
Jackson had been living in the apartment across the street when he had a "falling out" with his roommate and moved into Watkins' apartment about three weeks ago, neighbors said.
After the shooting, police warned Jackson's former roommate his safety was in jeopardy, according to Lemay and several other neighbors.
"The cops came over to check on him. He said they told him 'I should be in fear of my life,'" another neighbor said on condition of anonymity because he also feared retribution.
An upstairs neighbor described the shooting victim as polite and helpful.
Valerie Fontaine said she heard someone threatening him Wednesday."I heard a couple of young guys downstairs arguing. To me, it sounded like they were threatening him," she added.
Fontaine, who moved in about three months ago, said she is afraid to live in the building.
"I'm friggin' freaking out," she said. "I feel like I've moved into the apartment at the corner of hell town and murder city."
Fontaine said she was already unnerved when she recently learned Jackson was living in the same apartment where convicted killer and Czech national Vaclav Plch stabbed Manchester mother Mary Stetson, 40, to death and dismembered her body in July 1999.
"That apartment has been jinxed," said the male neighbor who refused to give his name.
Lemay and Fontaine said they had to step over blood that covered the hallway when they went to get their mail in the first-floor hallway. They said they also saw blood splattered on his apartment door and the carpeting just inside the door. They said it appeared he had been shot in the doorway, stumbled out the hallway and fell down the three concrete steps to the sidewalk.
At least 20 police uniformed and plainclothes police officers and canine units swarmed through the building and refused to let occupants leave for at least two hours.


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July 07. 2013 9:18PM
Manchester superintendent, school officials to meet on curriculum revamp
By MICHAEL COUSINEAU
New Hampshire Sunday News
— New school superintendent Debra Livingston, who will meet today with a team of teachers revising the district's curriculum, said she wants parents and students to have a clearer understanding of what is taught in city schools.
"This is definitely a priority because it directly affects the learning of children in their classrooms every day," Livingston said Friday.
The school district recently received results of an audit showing it needed to improve its comprehensive written curriculum management plan. The district also is in the process of embedding Common Core State Standards into its curriculum, which is a road map for what is taught in the classrooms.
"Kids will understand and parents will understand what they're suppose to learn," Livingston said.
"At some point, what I'd like to see is we add examples for parents to see, so it's just not particular statements," she said. "Parents should be able to see what that looks like, so if they want to help their child at home, they have a better concept of what that looks like."
A team of 66 teachers from kindergarten through eighth grade is working with a Boston consulting firm to make changes to what students learn, including making it more understandable to non-educators. Livingston will meet with the team Monday morning at the Manchester School of Technology.
"I already have some examples of what they've produced and I'm very impressed with what they've done," said Livingston, who took over running the state's largest school district July 1. "I want to hear their thoughts after the completion on how would they like to see it rolled out."
The superintendent said she will meet with principals in two weeks "and be making some decisions around what came from this committee and implementation."
School board member Sarah Ambrogi, who chairs the curriculum and instruction committee, said she is more than satisfied with Livingston's performance so far.
"I'm very, very happy with her communication, with her thoughtfulness," said Ambrogi, who will attend today's session. "She seems to be a woman who listens and takes action. I think she's going to be real, real good for this district."
Curriculum outlines what educators will teach in the classroom. "There's a lot of confusion when we talk about curriculum," Ambrogi said. Anything that makes it "more transparent to the public is a good thing," she said.
The district is incorporating Common Core State Standards, a math and English language arts/literacy curriculum intended for use across the country that was adopted by New Hampshire in 2010.
School districts are not required to follow the Common Core standards. They can choose to adopt it entirely, pick just the parts they like, or not use it at all.
A new assessment test that will measure student learning of the new standards will become mandatory in spring 2015. The Smarter Balanced test will be taken by about 100,000 New Hampshire students — in grades 3 through 8 as well as 11 — on school computers, though there is an exemption allowing districts to use paper tests for the first few years.
Some districts will cherry-pick what to include, but Manchester will incorporate all the Common Core standards into its curriculum.
"Since we have a chance for early implementation, getting the 30,000-foot view is better than picking and choosing," Livingston said.
She didn't know when work on incorporating all the Common Core standards would be completed.
"It takes time for teachers to develop expertise," Livingston said.


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February 11. 2014 10:02AM
Court tosses felony wiretap conviction in taping of Manchester police captain, high school officials
In this image taken from video, Manchester West High school resource officer Darren Murphy arrests student Frank Harrington. A city investigation cleared Murphy's use of force during the arrest. CopBlock.org founder Adam Mueller, 31, was convicted of secretly recording telephone conversations he had with a Manchester police captain, and the Manchester West High School principal in 2011 about the incident. (YouTube)
Adam Mueller
CONCORD – The New Hampshire Supreme Court threw out the felony wiretapping convictions of the founder of CopBlock.org, a group that claims it polices the police, saying the judge made a mistake in instructing the jury, an error serious enough the jury could have found Adam Mueller innocent.
Mueller, 31, formerly of Jackson, Wis., but now residing in Laconia, was convicted of secretly recording telephone conversations he had with a Manchester police captain, the Manchester West High School principal and her assistant in 2011 and spent three months in jail.
He was seeking their comments on a video he posted on YouTube that showed a confrontation between West High student Frank Harrington III, 17, and police detective Darren Murphy in the school's cafeteria. Harrington was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
Murphy was recorded roughly pushing Harrington down onto a cafeteria table. A police department internal review concluded Murphy did not use excessive force.
Mueller, a Free Stater who goes by the name "Ademo Freeman," posted the telephone recordings online. Police learned of them when Mueller mentioned them on a local radio show and acknowledged he did not tell Capt. Jonathan Hopkins, then West High School principal Mary Ellen McGorry, or her assistant Denise Michael that he had recorded the conversations.
The Supreme Court, in its decision released Tuesday, said Hillsborough County Superior Court Judge Kenneth C. Brown erred when he instructed the jury that a violation of the felony wiretapping statute requires a mental state of "purposely," when the statute specifically identifies "wilfully" as the applicable mental state.
Under state law, "wilful" means the defendant must act with an intentional or reckless disregard for the lawfulness of his conduct. In other words, the defendant has not violated the law if he has a "good faith" belief his conduct was lawful, according to the unanimous decision written by Justice Robert J. Lynn.
The court said the erroneous instruction likely affected the outcome of the proceedings and to allow the convictions to stand "would seriously affect the fairness and integrity of judicial proceedings."


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dontwantaname wrote:street walker
walker colt
jawsuser wrote:walker colt
colt revolver
stacipurv wrote:colt revolver
revolve around
pooflady wrote:revolve around
around town
AZGman wrote:around town
town hall
stacipurv wrote:town hall
hall tree
AZGman wrote:hall tree
tree top
Volunteer Moderator
lplady wrote:tree top
top cat
dontwantaname wrote:top cat
Cat Stevens
lplady wrote:Cat Stevens
Stevens Firearms
Nope, that was Harry Chapin
This is Cat Stevens
pooflady wrote:Stevens Firearms
firearms laws
dontwantaname wrote:firearms laws
law abiding
pooflady wrote:law abiding
conspiracy theory
I guess I should have paid closer attention...
abiding citizen
dontwantaname wrote:Nope, that was Harry Chapin
This is Cat Stevens
Ha, I didn't play it before I posted...just went by the title.
Strange that they don't sound that different now I listened to both. Can tell it's a different person though. Thanks!
dubsnap wrote:I guess I should have paid closer attention...
abiding citizen
Citizens Bank
lplady wrote:Citizens Bank
good catch dubsnap
Bank Officer
dontwantaname wrote:good catch dubsnap
Bank Officer
Officer Friendly
stacipurv wrote:Officer Friendly
friendly visit
AZGman wrote:friendly visit
visit soon
dontwantaname wrote:visit soon
soon enough
pooflady wrote:soon enough
enough talk
AZGman wrote:enough talk
talk less
kwkellipostid="5326981" user="dontwantaname"]talk less[/quote]
Less likely
kwkelli wrote:kwkellipostid="5326981" user="dontwantaname"]talk less
Less likely[/quote]
likely story
pooflady wrote:likely story
story time
dontwantaname wrote:story time
time out
pooflady wrote:time out
out front
dontwantaname wrote:out front
front burner
pooflady wrote:front burner
burning man
dontwantaname wrote:burning man
man eater
pooflady wrote:man eater
eating cupcakes
dontwantaname wrote:eating cupcakes
cupcake stand
stacipurv wrote:cupcake stand
stand back
dontwantaname wrote:stand back
back away
pooflady wrote:back away
away game
GodfatherND wrote:away game
game hunting
AZGman wrote:game hunting
hunting vest
stacipurv wrote:hunting vest
vest pocket
View All →


text:
White PVCu Double Side Hung with Centre Fixed Lite Window (H)1120mm (W)1760mm
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text:
Class sizes in Manchester create a divideBy DOUG ALDEN
New Hampshire Union Leader
April 07. 2013 11:26PM
MANCHESTER - Just how much progress has been made in alleviating class sizes within city schools is far from clear in a series of reports that has caught the attention of the state Board of Education.
As aldermen prepare to adopt a budget for the next academic year, new figures released by the Manchester School District last week showed considerably more classes than previously reported exceed the state limit of 30 students. It's an issue that has dogged the district since the school year began with some classrooms full enough to violate fire codes.
"They have made some progress and deserve credit for that," said Jim O'Connell, president of Citizens for Manchester Schools. "But the fact is there remain huge problems within our schools and there doesn't seem to be the political will or the political courage to take action to resolve those problems."
The budget is on the agenda for today's 4:30 p.m. meeting of the Special Joint Committee on Education, which includes aldermen and some members of the school board. The meeting will be followed by a 7 p.m. Board of School Committee meeting and a special Tuesday meeting of the school board to discuss the budget.
The budget also is likely to come up April 17, when the state Board of Education comes to the city for a meeting at Manchester High School West.
The state board is taking a close look at what has been happening in Manchester and the wide discrepancy in different reports on class sizes. Deputy Education Commissioner Paul Leather said during a February meeting that Manchester reported 36 classes remained above the 30-student limit.
The latest figures show 50 high school classes over the limit in late March. There were 102 middle school classes over the 30-student limit.
"The city has been doing everything it can to obfuscate the truth of what's going on in our schools," O'Connell said.
Mayor Ted Gatsas, who chairs both the school and aldermanic boards, has remained steadfast in his opposition to overriding a voter-approved tax cap. He has proposed a $155.7 million budget he says would provide the necessary funding to restore teaching positions and bring class sizes within the state limit.
Superintendent Tom Brennan proposed a budget of $159.5 million, which he said would bring back more teaching positions and restore class sizes to the levels they were before last year's round of layoffs after a budget impasse.
Brennan's budget would require the Board of Aldermen to go against Gatsas and approve going above the tax cap.
Brennan acknowledged his budget plan has little chance of getting past the aldermen, but feels the $4 million difference between his plan and the mayor's is needed to get the district back within state standards when it comes to class size.
"I think it's incumbent on me to continue to make the mayor and aldermen aware," said Brennan, who is stepping down at the end of June. "Hopefully I will be successful in convincing them at least in closing the gap. My responsibility is to share the facts, provide information when requested."
O'Connell is skeptical of both budgets, enough so that his group took its concerns to the state. He also doesn't like Brennan referring to his plan as the "school approval budget," aimed at getting the district within the approval standards set by the state.
Schools in New Hampshire's largest city should be aiming higher than just meeting the minimum requirements of the state, O'Connell said.
"Part of the issue is an inordinate part of our taxes go to city services and an inordinately low portion toward our schools and the education of our kids," O'Connell said. "We do have great students and great schools. That is in spite of the fact that the mayor refuses to recognize that Manchester schools are among the lowest-funded schools in the state of New Hampshire."
"At some point you get what you pay for," said Nick Want, vice president of Citizens for Manchester Schools.
Gatsas has grown frustrated about the repeated questions he's faced about class sizes over the last seven months. He said he won't support overriding the tax cap because "it's not necessary" and wishes more attention was being paid to student accomplishments and the efforts teachers have made to overcome the difficult circumstances.
"People want to continue to talk about the district and not about the education these kids are getting," Gatsas said. "Everywhere you look you can write something that's positive. Yet we look for everything to tear down this district. And you know what? We're weathering the storm well and at some point we're going to be in great shape."
Gatsas' frustrations go beyond the issue of class sizes. The district has had an unusual run of incidents since the school year began.
There was the mysterious suspension of Manchester High School West principal MaryEllen McGorry and her secretary, then the $100,000-plus tab that followed for an investigation into allegations that have never been made public. The school board accepted McGorry's resignation in January while agreeing to pay her through April and cover health benefits through June.
The district's image took another public hit when the school board failed to pick a successor to Brennan. The field was narrowed to three superintendent finalists. After one withdrew, a majority of the board could not agree to back either of the remaining candidates.
There was also the New Hampshire Union Leader report last week on new state figures for the 2011-12 school year that showed the number of Manchester high school dropouts is well above the state average, comprising a fourth of all dropouts statewide.
The district has also been trying to preserve its agreement with Candia and Hooksett to send students from the neighboring towns to Manchester's high schools. Gatsas said a meeting with Candia officials last week went well and was a positive example of cooperation.
Hooksett, however, has formally declared Manchester to be in breach of contract and wants out of the deal altogether.


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The critically acclaimed chamber music ensemble Dolce Suono will bring their signature sounds to the Schwartz Center next week.
Dolce Suono, a highly acclaimed chamber music ensemble will stop in Dover next week for a rare local performance at the Schwartz Center for the Arts. The concert is a part of Wesley College's 2013 performance schedule, which features compelling films, musical theater and an array of vocal and instrumental concerts.
Dr. James Wilson, Wesley College assistant professor of music, is excited about next week's performance.
"We are lucky to have them in Dover," Wilson said. "Many of the venues they play are top tier."
Here are a few things to know before you go.
1. A Renaissance woman runs the show
Running the show, on and off the stage is world renowned flutist Mimi Stillman. A Yamaha Performing Artist, she wins over critics with a combination of innate artistry and technical brilliance.
Stillman founded Dolce Suono in 2005, and under her direction the group has gone on to create 23 new works in seven years. Commissioned composers include Pulitzer Prize winners and Grammy Award legacies.
And, while the magic of stage performance clearly runs in her veins, Stillman also dedicates herself to propelling the music industry forward on the scholastic front, too. She has taught master classes and performed recitals for universities and flute societies across the country while also serving on the faculty of the Curtis Institute of Music. Her thoughts on music and history have appeared in the Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern World and The Flutist Quarterly. She even took time to write an award-winning book of Debussy arrangements, "Nuits d'Etoiles:8 Early Songs."
But, if your unfamiliar with the credentials she brings to the table, how about this? Stillman also finds herself a "first-degree connection" to Kevin Bacon, having recorded a film score for one of the famous actor's movies.
2. They have "symphony street cred"
The Dolce Suono Ensemble tours extensively and works with some of the brightest note-makers in music today. During its 2010-11 season, the ensemble premiered works by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Steven Stucky and Grammy Award winner Steven Mackey as part of its "Mahler 100/Schoenberg 60" project. The group also launched a partnership with the Domingo-Cafritz Program at the Washington National Opera at the invitation of the Placido Domingo.
As if that wouldn't keep most musicians busy enough, Dolce Suono also did five home concerts in Philadelphia, debuted at New York's Symphony Space and released two CDs.
3. It's budget-friendly enrichment
It always seems like the events that will be the most rewarding, from captivating documentaries to award-winning music that takes you out of your comfort zone, are always priced to exclude the parts of the public who begging for enrichment.
Not anymore. Most of the events, including next week's Dolce Suono concert, are completely free, making it easy to introduce yourself to music and ideas you may not already be familiar with.
WHAT Dolce Suono Concert
WHERE The Schwartz Center for the Arts,
WHEN 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 12
COST Free
INFO www.schwartzcenter.com /wesleydsu.shtml


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posted by Thom Holwerda on Sat 12th Jan 2013 20:25 UTC
"Computer activist Aaron H. Swartz committed suicide in New York City yesterday, Jan. 11, according to his uncle, Michael Wolf, in a comment to The Tech. Swartz was 26." Swartz was one of three co-creators of Reddit, worked on the RSS 1.0 specification at age 14, and so many other things. Swartz faced decades in prison for downloading a collection of JSTOR scientific articles. JSTOR dropped charges, but the US government pursued the case anyway, demanding fifty years in jail. Lawrence Lessig, one of his close friends: "Aaron had literally done nothing in his life 'to make money'. He was fortunate Reddit turned out as it did, but from his work building the RSS standard, to his work architecting Creative Commons, to his work liberating public records, to his work building a free public library, to his work supporting Change Congress/FixCongressFirst/Rootstrikers, and then Demand Progress, Aaron was always and only working for (at least his conception of) the public good. He was brilliant, and funny. A kid genius. A soul, a conscience, the source of a question I have asked myself a million times: What would Aaron think? That person is gone today, driven to the edge by what a decent society would only call bullying. I get wrong. But I also get proportionality. And if you don't get both, you don't deserve to have the power of the United States government behind you." Our sincere condolences to his family and friends. We've just lost one of the good guys.


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Woman, 64, offers burly thief a fierce fight for her purseBy PAT GROSSMITH
New Hampshire Union Leader
August 16. 2013 9:10PM
MANCHESTER — Nidia Toker, 90 pounds and barely 5-feet-tall, didn't hesitate to go after the six-foot, muscular purse snatcher who made off with her stylish pocketbook that "contained my life."
Toker, 64, a native of Argentinian who became a U.S. citizen in 1998, said she didn't think of the possible danger to herself when she tussled with the robber over her purse. Afterwards, her two adult daughters, she said, weren't happy about what she did, telling her that the man could have had a knife or a gun, and no purse was worth her life.
"I didn't think. I just reacted," she said. "When I saw my purse leaving, I saw my life leaving."
The robbery happened about 10:40 am. Thursday. Toker, who is separated from her husband and whose only income is her monthly $475 Social Security check, was walking to the Currier Institute of Art, her woven brown bag accented with a large bow in a dark brown and white giraffe pattern tucked under one arm. In her other hand, she carried a paper tote containing all her personal and financial papers.
She said she could feel someone come up close behind her and then she was grabbed by the back of the neck. The man pushed her head down and automatically she raised both arms. In an instant, he had her purse and the paper tote.
Toker said she immediately grabbed for the tote, which ripped, dumping all her documents onto the ground.
The robber took off running with her purse and Toker ran right after him. She caught up to him in a nearby alley where he had stopped and was rummaging through her purse. He had her purple wallet, one she bought for herself on her birthday 10 years ago, and was tearing through it.
"Money, money, money, money," were the only words the man said, Toker recalled as she grabbed at her purse, yelling "No, no, no, no."
He shoved her to the ground, but Toker still kept trying to get her property back. The purse, she said, contained her life: the cell phone with all the numbers of her children and friends; a wallet with her daughters' photographs; the $2 lucky bill she had carried for years; and very little money because, she explained, she really doesn't have any.
The robber pulled out a leather case and she told him it contained make-up. He dumped the contents on the ground. He pulled out another leather case and she told him "make-up" and he tossed that to the ground. It actually contained her cell phone.
The man, apparently satisfied he got all the money out of the purse, threw it to the ground and fled.
Toker recovered her pocketbook, which also contained her eyeglasses, and her cell phone, which was undamaged in the incident. The wallet is torn, but still useable, although she would like to get a new one.
On Friday, she was nursing her injuries and said she felt like she was 95 years old. And, having gone through the experience, she now is afraid when she goes out. She has no car and her only way to get around is walking.
Police are looking for the robber, whom Toker described as Middle Eastern — Toker believes he was Egyptian — and in his 20s. He spoke with an accent.
He had short dark hair, was clean-shaven and wore a red T-shirt, black shorts and light-colored tennis shoes.
Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call police at 668-8711. Anonymous tips for cash rewards may be made through Manchester Crimeline at 624-4040.


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24 Favorite Holiday Pie Recipes
Chocolate Cream Pie
The filling of this chocolate-crust pie is luscious, but not too rich. (Think old-fashioned chocolate pudding.) A bit of sour cream in the whipped topping balances the chocolate perfectly.
Frango Mint Chocolate Ice Cream Pie
This decadent pie is a favorite at Macy's on North State Street in Chicago. Stir in candy from a box of famous Frango Mints (order at Macys.com ), or use solid mint-flavored chocolate candies from the grocery store.
Pumpkin Chiffon Pie
A spiced filling, made from whipped cream, creates a lighter-tasting version of traditional pumpkin pie. The gingersnap crust adds more kick than classic crusts.
Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Coconut Pie
This classic pie recipe comes from Miss Aimee B's Tea Room in St. Charles, Missouri.
Christmas Apple Pie
Choose your favorite dried fruit to pair with apples for this double-crust pie. Present the cooled pie on a bigger pie plate full of gumdrops for a holiday-festive look.
Chocolate Eggnog Swirl Pie
Serve your Christmas eggnog in this creamy pie, swirled with chocolate. The recipe is from the Elsah Landing Restaurant in historic Elsah, Illinois.
Spiced Cherry Pie
Bring all-time favorite cherry pie into the holidays. Although we tested it with refrigerated piecrust, you can use your own homemade crust, if you like. The filling gets a tasty boost from cinnamon and allspice.
Peppermint Brownie Pie
This rich blend of two favorite holiday flavors -- chocolate and mint -- might start a new dessert tradition in your house. Can't find the mint-flavored pieces? Use regular chocolate chips and add 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract to the batter.
Harvest Pie, Sweet Potato Pie and Sweetie Pie
The holiday Pie Fest at Southmoreland on the Plaza, a historic 13-room inn northeast of Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri, features several dozen pies including Harvest Pie (front of picture), Sweet Potato Pie (left) and Sweetie Pie (top).
Harvest Pie blends the tastes and aromas of apples, cranberries and baked spices.
Sweet Potato Pie has a soft filling with just a touch of sweetness. Pie lovers with a serious sweet tooth need to try the Sweetie Pie, full of melted chocolate, butterscotch, pecans and coconut.
Caramel-Pecan French Silk Pie
Caramel and pecans form a gooey base for this chocolate dream pie. Make this decadent pie at least a day ahead so it has plenty of time to chill before guests arrive.
Black-Bottom Pecan Pie
This pie is from Miss Aimee B's Tea Room in St. Charles, Missouri.
Black-Bottom Pecan Pie
Oatmeal-Pecan Pie
Pecan gets a chewy-good twist in this recipe from an Augusta, Missouri, restaurant.
Masterpiece Mud Pie
A crust of crushed chocolate sandwich cookies holds a rich filling of chocolate ice cream, coffee ice cream, whipped cream and flavorings.
Luke's Lemon Meringue Pie
This lemon meringue pie recipe, which includes candied lemon peel, is a favorite at Southmoreland on the Plaza, in Kansas City, Missouri. The recipe comes from Luke Reichle, brother of Southmoreland co-owner Mark.
Fancy Almond Cream Pie
A vanilla pie gets a holiday makeover with almonds and a cherry garnish.
Millionaire's Pie
This gooey-rich pie blends the flavors of walnut, coconut and chocolate.
Cherry Pie
Cherry pie is the specialty of Betty Reichle, mother of Southmoreland on the Plaza co-owner Mark Reichle. Her filling has a hint of cinnamon and almond. And she weaves a handsome lattice crust on the top. "I make points with Mark when I make this pie," she says.
Cranberry-Raspberry Pie
This sweet-tart Christmas-red dessert adds cranberry zing to an easy-to-make fruit pie.
Eggnog Pie
This creamy rum-spiked yuletide pie makes an impressive holiday-dinner finale.
Something Special Apple-Cherry Pie
We combined two favorite pie fillings--apple and cherry--into one holiday treat. Almonds add a nutty boost.
German-Chocolate Pie
This decadent chocolate-coconut pie looks especially nice when you decorate the crust with semisweet chocolate pieces just after you remove it from the oven.
Finnish Blueberry Pie
This berry pie proves that there's beauty in simplicity. The piecrust is wrapped around a three-ingredient filling that includes fine dry breadcrumbs. You don't even need a pie plate to make this juicy treat.
Mystery Pecan Pie
The mystery ingredient in this pecan pie is cream cheese! A Harrietta, Michigan, reader, likes this double-layer treat that combines two holiday favorites: cheesecake and pecan pie.
Mile-High Chocolate Pie
Whipping cream, semisweet chocolate and bittersweet chocolate create a rich, tall filling for this pie from Murray's restaurant in Minneapolis. A sweet meringue forms the crust.
Chocolate-Pecan Whiskey Pie
A Madison, Indiana, reader makes this chocolate version of pecan pie for her supper club. Club members thought it was their best dessert ever!
Triple Pear Pie with Walnut Crust
You can't mistake the fruit in this cardamom-spiced beauty. Pear nectar and dried pears complement thick slices of fresh, juicy Bosc pears.


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Eighteen years ago, they were crib mates in a Romanian orphanage.
Today, Elena Heimark and Rachel Murphy are roommates at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Taking their first steps into adulthood side-by-side as college freshmen is as natural to them as taking their first steps together as toddlers, even though they didn't see each other for years in between while they were busy growing up.
They were 2 years old when their parents traveled halfway around the world to adopt them and bring them home to Wisconsin — Elena to West Bend and Rachel to South Milwaukee.
There's a picture of the girls sitting on the steps of the orphanage the day they left. Each is wearing brand new sneakers and adorable outfits their parents picked out for them when they were still imagining what it would be like to be their parents.
Once in Wisconsin, their moms arranged occasional play dates to keep the girls connected. There's a picture of them giggling and spinning together in a tire swing. Elena, who is one month and two days older, is a whole head taller than Rachel. You can see their bond. But nothing foretells just how much alike they will be as 18-year-olds.
They have vivid memories of their early years together.
"We loved playing hide and seek," Rachel recalled.
"She'd get mad because I would get bored and leave while she was still hiding," Elena said, turning to Rachel.
Their moms stayed in touch through elementary, middle and high school, comparing notes on how the girls were doing. But by the time Rachel and Elena were 7 or 8 years old, their time was consumed by school and sports. Rachel's family moved from South Milwaukee to Delafield when she was 11.
"I thought of Elena a lot when we didn't see each other for those years," Rachel said recently, as the girls chatted in their cozy dorm room about how they started life together, drifted apart, and got back together.
"I would always ask my mom, 'When are we going to see them again?' " Rachel said.
Elena hadn't forgotten Rachel, either.
"For me, life was hectic," Elena said, "but I knew from the beginning that a part of me was missing."
When they were high school juniors, Rachel found Elena's sister, Nicole, on Facebook. Elena didn't have a Facebook account.
Nicole immediately remembered Rachel, and gave her Elena's cellphone number.
They plotted a Thanksgiving Day surprise. The first text from Rachel to Elena came while Elena's family was in the car, on the way to Elena's grandmother's house. Elena had no idea who was texting her because she didn't recognize the phone number.
Rachel continued to string along a confused Elena after the family arrived at their destination. Elena was holding a box of ornaments for her grandma's Christmas tree when Rachel finally texted, "Don't you remember your own crib mate?"
Elena froze, and then dropped the box of ornaments on her foot.
"I was jumping up and down and thinking, 'It's Rachel! It's Rachel!' " Elena recalled. "I remember (Nicole's) huge smile, like 'You're welcome,' and I gave her a huge hug."
The texting continued through high school. And the more they learned about each other, the more they realized they had in common.
Elena was on the track team and played tennis, volleyball and basketball in high school. Rachel did track and tennis in high school, and played volleyball and basketball in middle school.
They both were "band geeks" who played the clarinet.
It's no coincidence that they both ended up at UW-Whitewater.
Elena picked the school first, and told Rachel. Rachel had narrowed her college search to three schools: UW-Waukesha, Waukesha County Technical College and UW-Whitewater.
"I wanted to stay close to home," Rachel said. "When Elena told me she was going to Whitewater, that helped me make my decision. We thought it would be nice to share this new experience."
"We had so many other milestones together," Elena said. "Why not another?"
Their parents initially tried to talk them out of being roommates.
"Our parents tried to tell us two best friends as roommates doesn't always work out," Elena said.
They took a monthlong summer class together at UW-Whitewater, which also gave them a trial run as roommates.
During that class, they took a personality test with 65 questions, Elena recalled. They not only shared the same overall score, they scored the exact same points on each question, they said.
Rachel is an only child. Elena has two sisters, Nicole and Jenna. While the three sisters have a great time together and share several similarities, Elena said, they look nothing alike. Nicole has blond hair, Jenna has red hair, and Elena is a brunette.
"I would always look at pictures of Rachel and I when we were young," Elena said. "I thought to myself, well, since she looks like me then, she would look similar to me now."
The day they arrived at UW-Whitewater for the monthlong summer class was the first time they saw each other in a decade.
"I remembered her being so much younger," Elena recalled. "So to see her grown up was pretty amazing."
"There's some connection, I feel like," Elena added.
"Maybe we're cousins," Rachel said.
They finish each other's sentences and have similar likes and dislikes.
"We cannot live without applesauce," Elena said.
"And we both love lots of onions," Rachel said. "And Apple Jacks (cereal)."
They enjoy the same TV shows — old movies on the Lifetime channel and "Family Feud" on the game channel.
They both like to play pool and bowl.
Where one is, the other often isn't far away.
"Our RA's and teachers mix us up," Rachel said. "Some people think we're the twins on the third floor."
They have three of their five classes together this semester, and they share the same friends.
Rachel, who has wanted to be a teacher since age 2 or 3, is studying to be an elementary and special-education teacher. Elena is pursuing her longtime dream of becoming a marine biologist.
"It felt like a part of me that has been missing for a while suddenly came back," Rachel said. "After living with her for a few months now, I finally feel like I have a sister … We are alike in so many ways, and I finally feel like I have found that last missing piece to the puzzle."
"I think it's a huge milestone for us being in college," Elena said. "And it's such a privilege we're both here."
Their parents, Vince and Janet Murphy and Susie and Brian Heimark, are glad that the girls are back together and sharing a room.
It's another big step for both families, though UW-Whitewater isn't nearly as far away as Romania, where their journey began.
"This one's scarier," Vince Murphy said of the college milestone.
"But it's nice that it's with someone you know," Brian Heimark said.
"A good family," added Janet Murphy.