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  • Countdown to Spring

    Around Town with Dick Patten
    For OurConcord

    I can't believe that football is finally going to finished for the year. Now baseball training begins this week for some teams and it's countdown to Spring. I hope everyone is planning to do their Valentine shopping this week. Don't forget your [...]
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    Posted: February 07, 2010, 9:36pm EST
    by Tony

  • Astronomy Bowl 2010 Applications Available

    Number of comments: 0
    From the inbox
    The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center announces that New Hampshire’s fourth annual Astronomy Bowl 2010 will take place on Saturday, March 27th. Applications for Astronomy Bowl participants are due by Saturday, March 6th.

    The Astronomy Bowl is a statewide competition for high school students to compete by answering [...]
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    Posted: February 01, 2010, 6:44am EST
    by Tony

  • Goodbye to January ...

    Number of comments: 0
    Around Town by Dick Patten
    Happy Groundhog Day, hoping that spring is just around the corner, but in some ways, it hasn't been a bad winter. I can remember as a child, winters were very cold and a lot of snow. I can remember my father having to bring the' [...]
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    Posted: January 30, 2010, 8:08am EST
    by Tony

  • Substance Abuse Coalition to discuss strengths, challenges in Concord community

    Number of comments: 0
    From the inbox:
    Do you think Concord is a healthy community?
    The Concord Substance Abuse Coalition is interested in hearing your thoughts about the strengths and challenges of our community.
    A brief community discussion, led by Deputy Chief John Duval of the Concord Police Department, will be held on [...]
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    Posted: January 24, 2010, 3:18pm EST
    by Tony

  • Around Town by Dick PattenAround Town ...

    Number of comments: 0
    Around Town by Dick Patten
    Around Town in Concord has been busy this week.
    I have had the pleasure of presenting dictionaries to third grade students in the Concord Public Schools finishing with Beaver Meadow School, Dunbarton Elementary, and St. John's Regional School. St. John's Regional is new this [...]
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    Posted: January 23, 2010, 10:20pm EST
    by Tony

  • Dog Park needs sprucing up

    Number of comments: 0
    Around Town with Dick Patten
    The Concord Dog Park, located at the intersection of Old Turnpike Road and Manchester Street, is in need of tender loving care/repair. Anita Hickey, whose husband John the park is named in honor, has become a very popular place for dogs to come and run [...]
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    Posted: January 18, 2010, 11:37pm EST
    by Tony

  • Around town with Dick Patten is back

    Number of comments: 3
    Editor's Note: For many years before becoming a city councilor, Dick Patten wrote a column for the Town Crier section of the Concord Monitor. Dick hasn't been able to do a column of late but asked to have some space here, whenever he feels like submitting them. And don't miss [...]
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    Posted: January 10, 2010, 9:27pm EST
    by Tony

  • Page to Stage Series to present four new plays at The Audi

    Number of comments: 0
    From the inbox:
    The Friends of the Audi are pleased to present a second season of staged readings introducing new works for the stage. The first season saw growing audience interest in this innovative program and wider acclaim for three of the new plays which went on to win prizes [...]
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    Posted: January 10, 2010, 8:25am EST
    by Tony

  • Foundation awards grants to non-profits

    Number of comments: 0
    The Merrimack County Savings Bank Foundation recently presented grants totaling over $48,000 to 16 not-for-profit organizations, according to Ronald Wilbur, Chairman and CEO of Merrimack County Savings Bank.

    Grants totaling over $48,000 were presented to Bridges: Domestic & Sexual Violence Support Services, Children’s Place & Parent Education Center, Concord [...]
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    Posted: January 09, 2010, 5:59pm EST
    by Tony

  • HNY!

    Number of comments: 0
    Happy New Year everyone! Best to you and yours ... and let's hope 2010 is a lot better than 2009. [...]
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    Posted: January 02, 2010, 1:57pm EST
    by Tony

  • Audi photos on display at Red River

    Number of comments: 0
    Photographer Tom Wright has a display of photos at Red River Theatres. His Web site also has some photos: Digital Vistas Imaging. Pretty impressive shots, if you ask me. [...]
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    Posted: December 31, 2009, 11:16am EST
    by Tony

  • Concord residents should be able to control the school district charter

    Number of comments: 9
    Guest perspective by State Rep. Rick Watrous

    The Concord School District – the only autonomous district in the state – has managed to delay any legislative attempt to allow voters to have more influence over their school system.

    A year ago, six Concord state representatives – at the [...]
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    Posted: December 28, 2009, 11:56pm EST
    by Tony

  • The Rhythm of the Night rocks Audi Jan. 17

    Number of comments: 0
    “THE RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT” ROCKS THE AUDI
    Sunday, January 17, 2010 ~ 2pm

    The Capital City is going “Green”, saving its energy every place and every day but one: the Concord City Auditorium on Jan. 17. That Sunday afternoon, the city’s theatre will be glowing with the red-hot [...]
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    Posted: December 26, 2009, 12:19pm EST
    by Tony

  • Lawsuit filed over Kimball, Conant footprint waivers

    Number of comments: 23
    On Dec. 23, two Concord residents filed a declaratory judgment petition in Merrimack Superior Court seeking a determination that state Dept. of Education waivers allowing the Conant and Kimball elementary schools to be built on smaller parcels than the state allows were improper.
    According to state regulations, new elementary schools [...]
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    Posted: December 23, 2009, 9:14am EST
    by Tony

  • School waiver problems arise plus, what's this about a lawsuit?

    Number of comments: 3
    The Concord School District must reapply to the state Dept. of Education for new waiver applications to build new schools on the Kimball and Conant parcels, according to sources.
    Not 24 hours after voting to demolish both Kimball and Conant elementary schools, the district found out that waivers it had [...]
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    Posted: December 22, 2009, 4:17pm EST
    by Tony

  • A very sad day for the city

    Number of comments: 5
    Last night, the Concord School Board voted 7 to 2 to demolish the historic Kimball and Conant elementary schools in favor of building new schools on the current footprints. The two "no" votes were Eric Williams and Laura Bonk. Williams wanted to renovate the school while Bonk opposed the decision [...]
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    Posted: December 22, 2009, 7:49am EST
    by Tony

  • The eve of Concord's elementary school consolidation votes

    Number of comments: 1
    On Monday and Tuesday of this week, the Concord School Board will hold public hearings about the impending elementary school consolidation plan. On Monday night at 6 p.m., the board will vote to approve design schemes; on Tuesday night at 6 p.m., it will vote to authorize the bonds. Both [...]
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    Posted: December 20, 2009, 7:58am EST
    by Tony

  • Taxpayers Association analyzes consolidation plan; offers alternatives

    Number of comments: 3
    On Thursday night, members of the Concord Taxpayers Association and the general public met with school officials for about three hours to discuss the elementary school consolidation plan at the Draft in Concord.
    Attending on behalf of the school system were Board member Jack Dunn (pictured [...]
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    Posted: December 18, 2009, 1:44pm EST
    by Tony

  • Meeting reminder: Learn about elementary school consolidation plan Thursday

    Number of comments: 1
    Just a quick reminder to let you know that the Concord Taxpayers Assoc. will be holding a forum about the elementary school consolidation project this Thursday, Dec. 17, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
    The event is free and all are welcome to attend.
    The forum will be held in the [...]
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    Posted: December 15, 2009, 9:14am EST
    by Tony

  • Today's Monitor columns ...

    Number of comments: 6
    This morning's Concord Monitor has published a column I wrote about the elementary school consolidation project: ["My plan costs less and preserves neighborhood schools"].
    There is also another good column in the paper from Phil Donovan of the Heritage Commission: ["School board must save historic buildings"].
    A few' [...]
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    Posted: December 12, 2009, 11:37pm EST
    by Tony

  • School board bond hearing Monday at 6 p..m.

    Number of comments: 2
    The Concord School Board will hold a hearing about its $67 million ($100M to $124M, with interest) bond plans to pay for the elementary school consolidation project. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in the board's meeting room at 16 Rumford St. [...]
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    Posted: December 06, 2009, 4:14pm EST
    by Tony

  • Donate food Tuesday night

    Number of comments: 0
    The Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours on Tuesday will be waiving its normal $7 fee with a food donation (at least four cans) for the Capital Region Food Program.
    The event will be held at the Grappone Conference Center from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, [...]
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    Posted: December 05, 2009, 5:25pm EST
    by Tony

  • Learn about the elementary school consolidation plan Dec. 17

    Number of comments: 0
    As many of you have probably already read in the Concord Monitor or OurConcord.com, the Concord School District will soon be making a decision on its elementary school consolidation plan.
    The plan involves consolidating eight elementary schools to four, at a price tag of about $67 million (plus interest, [...]
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    Posted: December 05, 2009, 7:33am EST
    by Tony

  • Upcoming bond hearings

    Number of comments: 0
    FYI: These dates have been corrected
    The Concord School District will be holding a number of meetings about the bonding of its $67 million consolidation scheme. Here are some dates where members of the public can attend and express their concerns or feelings about the project and its costs:

    [...]
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    Posted: December 04, 2009, 7:23am EST
    by Tony

  • School project clarifications

    Number of comments: 2
    I have received a whole slew of documentation from the school district about its elementary school consolidation project. There are some surprising and shocking things in all of the figures, which have gone from $57 million to $67 millions in just a few weeks. With interest, the project will come [...]
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    Posted: December 03, 2009, 11:19pm EST
    by Tony

  • Great piece in the Monitor this morning ...

    Number of comments: 6
    Before I get back to work, I wanted to point out to readers that Chuck Douglas has a great column in the Monitor today about what came out of the Legislative commission studying the charter commission: ["One step closer to bringing our school charter home"]. [...]
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    Posted: November 27, 2009, 1:39pm EST
    by Tony

  • Tree lighting postponed until Saturday

    Number of comments: 0
    According to a post on his facebook site, City Councilor Dick Patten is telling people that he downtown tree lighting event has been postponed until Saturday at 4 p.m. due to all the rain. Hope to see you all there! [...]
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    Posted: November 27, 2009, 1:23pm EST
    by Tony

  • School architects release schematic designs

    Number of comments: 4
    On Tuesday, Nov. 24, the architects that have been hired to work on the Concord School District's elementary school consolidation plan unveiled their latest schematics to the public.
    The meeting lasted about 2.5 hours, with an initial discussion about the schematics and some of the highlights, a collection of breakout' [...]
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    Posted: November 26, 2009, 9:30am EST
    by Tony

  • PTO emails used to influence legislation charter commission process

    Number of comments: 2
    Members of the Kimball Walker PTO and supporters of the elementary school consolidation plan used PTO email contacts just before the final meeting of the Legislative committee studying the school board charter in an attempt to influence the outcome of the vote.
    On the morning of Nov. 18, about 36 [...]
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    Posted: November 23, 2009, 12:13am EST
    by Tony

  • Wilbur to retire from Merrimack County Savings Bank

    Number of comments: 0
    Ronald A. Wilbur, CEO and chairman of the Board of Merrimack County Savings Bank, has announced plans to retire, according to the bank's Web site. He will step in September 2010. According to a press release, the bank's board of directors is currently taking steps to start looking for a [...]
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    Posted: November 21, 2009, 9:57am EST
    by Tony

  • Storyteller Rule at Gibson's Sunday

    Number of comments: 0
    I have interviewed both Edie and Rebecca in the past. Both are great storytellers. Rebecca is totally hilarious. Don't miss this reading if you can make it.

    From the inbox:
    Edie Clark and Rebecca Rule
    Sunday, November 22, at 2 PM
    Two quintessential New England storytellers join us' [...]
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    Posted: November 21, 2009, 8:23am EST
    by Tony

  • Oh, it's even worse than I thought ...

    Number of comments: 1
    I took a quick skim over the Concord Monitor article about the meeting last night: ["Charter panel: Elect residents"].
    I have to look at the complete proposal but I would question the decision to allow the entire populations of Ward 1 and 2 - some of whom don't send' [...]
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    Posted: November 20, 2009, 9:06am EST
    by Tony

  • Community Outreach Meeting Nov. 24

    Number of comments: 0
    The Community Outreach Meeting for the Elementary Schools Consolidation Project is coming up on Tuesday, November 24. It will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the gymnasium at Conant School at 152 South St.
    HMFH Architects will describe the consolidation process to date and show and compare alternatives for [...]
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    Posted: November 20, 2009, 7:56am EST
    by Tony

  • Well folks, the fix was in ...

    Number of comments: 0
    According to sources, the Legislative commission studying what to do with the school board charter recommended removing control of the school board charter from the Legislature's hands and the creation of a charter commission to study what to do with the charter by an 8 to 5 vote tonight.
    The [...]
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    Posted: November 19, 2009, 10:56pm EST
    by Tony

  • Community bridges hosts its first annual craft fair

    Number of comments: 0
    Community Bridges is hosting its first annual craft fair on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 70 Pembroke Road in Concord, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    Items such as jewelry, customized embroidered bags while you wait, crotchet gifts, hand blown glass, and other fine crafts are available just in time [...]
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    Posted: November 19, 2009, 10:45pm EST
    by Tony

  • Rock out with George Belli

    Number of comments: 0
    George Belli and the Retroactitivists will be playing at the Green Martini on Saturday. Go check 'em out and rock on!
    George also has a new video channel on YouTube: GeorgeBelli.' [...]
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    Posted: November 19, 2009, 7:53pm EST
    by Tony

  • Sound off about the school board charter

    Number of comments: 1
    As many of you may already know, the Legislature’s commission that has been studying what to do about the school board charter will hear recommendations, hold a vote, and render its decision to the Legislature on Thursday, Nov. 19, at the school administration office at 16 Rumford St.

    The [...]
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    Posted: November 16, 2009, 7:36am EST
    by Tony

  • Charter commission testimony

    Number of comments: 0
    On Thursday night, I testified before the Legislature's commission analyzing what to do about Concord's school board charter. In the past, there has only been a few people at the meetings but about 20 people were there Thursday. I never speak straight from the script, I usually wing it. But [...]
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    Posted: November 15, 2009, 9:43pm EST
    by Tony

  • NHPR looking to learn from listeners

    Number of comments: 0
    Earlier this week, I received an email from NHPR looking for listeners to sit in on an advisory board two nights next week [Nov. 17 and 18].
    Station staff will be giving tours of the new facility and will ask listeners what they like and dislike about programming, for about [...]
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    Posted: November 14, 2009, 6:36am EST
    by Tony

  • Local station wins awards

    Number of comments: 0
    At the NHAB Awards on Thursday night, WKXL won four news awards including one first place award and three merit awards in the Documentary, Feature Story, and Local Special Program/Event categories.
    The station won both Documentary prizes for a story about the child killer who moved to Chichester and its [...]
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    Posted: November 13, 2009, 9:35pm EST
    by Tony

  • Blankenbeker wins recount

    Number of comments: 0
    Ben Venator, a former state rep. candidate in District 11 and all around good guy, just posted a note saying that the Blankenbeker-MacKay recount did not change the outcome of the race. So Concord now has a Republican rep. at the State House again. [...]
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    Posted: November 13, 2009, 4:36pm EST
    by Tony

  • Recount ...

    Number of comments: 1
    The recount for the District 11 seat will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday. Republican Lynne Blankenbeker beat former state Rep., former Republican-turned-Democrat and former Concord Mayor Jim MacKay by 20 votes. There are 42 ballots that weren't counted on Election night and are presumed to be blanks or' [...]
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    Posted: November 12, 2009, 7:04am EST
    by Tony

  • Charter Commission final meeting Thursday

    Number of comments: 0
    The Legislative Charter Commission, analyzing what to do with the school board charter, will hold its last public hearing on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 6 p.m., at the city council chamber on Green Street.
    Over a period of months, the group has been studying the issues around the school board [...]
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    Posted: November 09, 2009, 6:01am EST
    by Tony

  • A launching at the Audi

    Number of comments: 0
    If the business news gets you down, think of the story coming from the Concord City Auditorium. The Audi’s Friends have broken through the prevailing gloom to send off a cloud of butterflies, launching the theatre’s last major renovation effort – the Flyspace Project. They have contracted with the Sapsis [...]
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    Posted: November 08, 2009, 8:56pm EST
    by Tony

  • Recount likely

    Number of comments: 0
    The Concord Monitor is reporting that Jim MacKay may seek a recount. According to the city's Web site, which has the unofficial election results, there are 42 blank or uncounted votes in Wards 4, 8, 9, and 10. So, depending on what is on those paper ballots, the results could' [...]
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    Posted: November 03, 2009, 11:39pm EST
    by Tony

  • Unofficial results: It's DelloIacono and Nyhan

    Number of comments: 0
    The unofficial results are up online: Mike DelloIacono squeaked out a win against Jim Baer, 1,153 to 1,042. Rick Cibotti received 792 votes.
    In Ward 7, Keith Nyhan easily bested Steve Sawyer, 383 to 95.
    The turnout was dismal, as I was predicting: 10.9 percent or 3,356 votes cast. Wow.
    [...]
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    Posted: November 03, 2009, 9:15pm EST
    by Tony

  • St. Hilaire, Glahn winners ...

    Number of comments: 0
    According to rumors going around the city, incumbent at-large city councilor Dan St. Hilaire has easily won reelection, with more than 2,400 votes.
    One-year school board candidate Bill Glahn, a former board member, was also elected over Tom Croteau, by a few hundred votes.
    Republican Lynne Blackenbeker won a slim [...]
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    Posted: November 03, 2009, 8:26pm EST
    by Tony

  • Vote Baer, Cibotti, and Glahn on Tuesday

    Number of comments: 3
    On Saturday, the Concord Monitor published my endorsement letter of Jim Baer and Rick Cibotti for at-large city council and my shout out to school board candidate Bill Glahn. This post expands on some of the reasons why I came to a certain perspective about the candidates.
    In some ways, [...]
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    Posted: November 01, 2009, 10:31am EST
    by Tony

  • Media coverage of the city council, school board forum

    Number of comments: 0
    The Concord Monitor, WKXL, and Concord TV were all present for Wednesday's city council and school board forum.
    Here is the Monitor coverage:["Candidates tout fiscal restraint"].
    WKXL has audio on its Web site.
    Concord TV will be playing its coverage but I'm told it won't be posted' [...]
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    Posted: October 30, 2009, 11:22pm EDT
    by Tony

  • City Council/School Board forum Wednesday, Oct. 28

    Number of comments: 0
    The Concord Taxpayers Association will be having another municipal election forum from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28, on the other side of town, at the Beaver Meadow Golf Course Club House, 1 Beaver Meadow Drive.

    From 7 to 7:45 p.m., the four candidates vying for two [...]
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    Posted: October 22, 2009, 11:22pm EDT
    by Tony

  • Council debate on for Wednesday

    Number of comments: 0
    Just a quick reminder that the Concord Taxpayers Association [CTA] will be holding a city council candidate debate on Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
    The four at-large city council candidates and two Ward 7 candidates will debate at the West Street Ward House, located at 41 [...]
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    Posted: October 19, 2009, 7:24am EDT
    by Tony

  • County Dems meet Tuesday

    Number of comments: 0
    The Merrimack County Democrats will be meeting to elect new leaders on Tuesday night in the wake of the resignations of Alex Lee and Brenda MacLellan after fundraising and loyalty oath spats, for lack of better terms, between the leaders and other committee members. The meeting will be held at [...]
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    Posted: October 18, 2009, 8:50am EDT
    by Tony

  • Community outreach on elementary school consolidation

    Number of comments: 6
    The architects hired to come up with different schemes for the elementary school consolidation projects will be meeting with the public on Monday, Oct. 19, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., to discuss their latest mock schematics.
    According to an email from Matt Cashman, director of Facilities and Planning for the [...]
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    Posted: October 17, 2009, 9:06am EDT
    by Tony

  • Charter Commission seeks citizen input

    Number of comments: 0
    By Rep. Rick Watrous

    Tuesday night, Oct. 20, at 6 p.m., there will be a public hearing concerning the Concord school district charter. Concord citizens are invited to the City Council Chambers at 37 Green St. to provide input to the school district charter study commission.

    Our duties, [...]
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    Posted: October 16, 2009, 7:37am EDT
    by Tony

  • School board candidate forum scheduled

    Number of comments: 0
    According to an email I received over the weekend, the Kimball-Walker PTO and League of Women Voters have organized a Concord school board candidate forum for Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Concord High School auditorium. [...]
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    Posted: October 14, 2009, 7:31am EDT
    by Tony

  • CTA to hold first of three 2009 municipal election forums

    Number of comments: 0
    The Concord Taxpayers Association [CTA] has booked the first of at least three municipal election forums for the 2009 campaign season.

    On Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the four at-large city council candidates and two Ward 7 candidates will debate at the West Street [...]
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    Posted: October 13, 2009, 7:29am EDT
    by Tony

  • Charter commission meets Thursday

    Number of comments: 0
    The Charter Commission analyzing the School Board's charter will be meeting again at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8, in the city council chamber. Secretary of State Bill Gardner will be testifying and should have some interesting things to say about the current situation.
    So far, the commission has had' [...]
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    Posted: October 07, 2009, 8:12am EDT
    by Tony

  • Page to Stage continues at the Audi

    Number of comments: 0
    From the inbox:

    “Page to Stage”, a theatre project fostering new works by New Hampshire playwrights, announces Goffstown resident Les Rosenthal will be the featured author at the
    opening of the series’ second season on Sunday, October 4, from 3-5pm in the Concord City Auditorium reception lobby. The [...]
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    Posted: October 03, 2009, 10:26am EDT
    by Tony

  • State Reps. to hold food drive

    Number of comments: 0
    From the inbox:

    The New Hampshire House of Representatives will sponsor a food drive on its next session day, Wednesday, Oct. 28.
    The session known as Veto Day, the time when the House takes up the bills which have been vetoed by Gov. John Lynch, will begin at [...]
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    Posted: October 01, 2009, 12:03pm EDT
    by Tony

  • It's Blankenbeker vs. MacKay

    Number of comments: 1
    Thanks to Ben for giving me the heads-up on the Legislative primary today.
    Lynne Ferrari Blankenbeker beat John J. Weeden in the GOP primary, 261 to 53. Eight people wrote-in other candidates.
    In the Democratic primary, former Republican Rep. Jim MacKay received 217 votes against write-in candidate Gloria [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: September 29, 2009, 11:16pm EDT
    by Tony

  • Primary in some city Wards Tuesday

    Number of comments: 2
    Just a reminder to folks who live in Ward 4, 8, 9, or 10, there is a special primary for one of the legislative seats tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
    Two Republicans, Lynne Blankenbeker and John Weeden, are facing off. Former Republican now Democrat Jim McKay, who was [...]
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    Posted: September 28, 2009, 8:37am EDT
    by Tony

  • Finance Director Howard to step down

    Number of comments: 0
    Concord's Finance Director Jim Howard has issued his resignation, effective April 2010, according to sources.
    Howard plans on retiring at that time but is giving the city enough notice to find a suitable replacement, with ample time for the replacement to be brought up to speed on city finances.' [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: September 25, 2009, 1:26pm EDT
    by Tony

  • More changes in the Concord media landscape

    Number of comments: 1
    There are more changes coming to the Concord media landscape. In the latest case, it's radio stations being sold.
    According to a press release posted on the Nassau Broadcasting Web site earlier this week, the company has sold two of its FM stations to Jeff Shapiro's Great Eastern Radio LLC. [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: September 24, 2009, 2:21pm EDT
    by Tony

  • The Retroactivists ...

    Number of comments: 0
    George Belli and the Retroactivists play at the Green Martini Friday night at 8 p.m. [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: September 21, 2009, 11:54pm EDT
    by Tony

  • Health care forum on Wednesday

    Number of comments: 0
    From the inbox:
    HEALTH CARE REFORM
    What does it mean for you?
    WHEN: Wednesday September 23rd, 2009 from 6-7pm
    WHERE: Reagan Network, 134 North Main Street, Concord, NH
    WHAT & WHO: Discussion panel, featuring State Representative Joseph Hagan (physician from Rockingham) & Jennifer Horn (newspaper columnist and radio talk [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: September 21, 2009, 10:54pm EDT
    by Tony

  • Councilor Keach's interesting column

    Number of comments: 1
    City Councilor Fred Keach has an interesting My Turn column in the Monitor this morning: ["These days, we're all public figures"].
    He raises some interesting points especially when considering that news has become a 24-hour cycle. Most folks are not given the chance to even digest the previous news' [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: September 18, 2009, 9:19am EDT
    by Tony

  • Alex Lee steps down from County chairmanship

    Number of comments: 0
    Developing ...
    Alexander Lee, the chairman of the Merrimack County Democrats, has resigned from his position according to an email he sent out to supporters and other Democrats.
    The details are sketchy at this point why Lee resigned but according to his email, he is "a witness to a complaint" [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: September 16, 2009, 4:05pm EDT
    by Tony

  • Bouley, most incumbents escape challenges

    Number of comments: 3
    The deadline for filing to run for mayor, city council, and school board ended about an hour ago and the big story is that most incumbents will remain in office, including Mayor Jim Bouley. No one filed to run against Bouley or eight of the 10 Ward councilors in November.
    [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: September 14, 2009, 6:14pm EDT
    by Tony

  • Last chance to run for school board and city council ...

    Number of comments: 0
    The filing period for city council, school board, and mayoral candidates ends today at 5 p.m.
    On the council side, there are 10 district seats for each ward of the city and two at-large [citywide] candidates. The ward councilors serve for two years; the at-large candidates have four-year terms. [...]
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    Posted: September 14, 2009, 12:05am EDT
    by Tony

  • There's no slander on OurConcord.com

    Number of comments: 7
    I won't go into this in any detail, but the spouse of an elected official in Concord has requested that I "stop slandering" certain elected officials "in the paper or your blog."
    Just so we are all clear here, since this spouse is probably not alone, I have not published' [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: September 13, 2009, 8:58am EDT
    by Tony

  • Uptick in activity ...

    Number of comments: 1
    It's amazing what council and school board race time does to the Web traffic at the site. I have seen a boost of about 400 to 500 percent over the last month. Thanks everyone for reading! [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: September 12, 2009, 10:04am EDT
    by Tony

  • The case for ward representation on the school board?

    Number of comments: 0
    Last year, Rep. Steve Shurtleff, who is also a city councilor, sponsored a bill in the Legislature to change the way school board members are elected from at-large to city wards, based on the state rep. districts.
    Shurtleff, who doesn't live in the Concord School District, sponsored the bill at' [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: September 11, 2009, 11:11pm EDT
    by Tony

  • Talking consolidation Monday

    Number of comments: 0
    From the inbox:
    The Concord School Board and Administrators sent home an invite to hear a presentation on the Elementary Schools Consolidation Plan for Monday, Sept. 14 2009 @ 6:30 PM at Conant.
    The Board will outline the history of events leading up to consolidation, and the current value [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: September 11, 2009, 9:08pm EDT
    by Tony

  • McClure gets a challenger in Ward 3

    Number of comments: 0
    The city clerk has sent out the latest of candidate filings and it looks like Ward 3 Councilor Jan McClure will have competition this November.
    The challenge comes from Juston Kay of North State Street, who took out papers to run for the Ward seat today. Kay seems to be [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: September 10, 2009, 4:47pm EDT
    by Tony

  • Cogswell is in ...

    Number of comments: 0
    Incumbent school board member Clint Cogswell confirmed tonight that he would be running for re-election in November. Cogswell stated that he had not had a chance to file or respond to media inquiries about his intentions but would be running. He will join Kass Ardinger and Christopher Casko on the [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: September 09, 2009, 11:25pm EDT
    by Tony

  • Did you know ...

    Number of comments: 0
    That the Draft downtown has free wireless? Neither did I! I'm having a quick sit-down before the school district charter commission tonight at 7 p.m.' [...]
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    Posted: September 09, 2009, 5:10pm EDT
    by Tony

  • Rep. informs about commission

    Number of comments: 2
    Rep. Rick Watrous has submitted the following letter to the Concord Monitor and also passed it along to OurConcord.com:

    I thank the Concord Monitor for drawing attention (“Let the fireworks begin!” Sept. 6) to the commission to study the Concord Union school district charter. Although it is my sincere [...]
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    Posted: September 08, 2009, 11:59pm EDT
    by Tony

  • Two more incumbents take out papers

    Number of comments: 0
    According to the city clerk, more incumbents have taken out papers to run for city councilor.
    Ward 3 Councilor Jan McClure has taken out papers to run. Ward 10 Councilor Fred Keach has also decided to run for another term. [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: September 08, 2009, 5:14pm EDT
    by Tony

  • Anonymous commenting ...

    Number of comments: 2
    Note to readers: I allow anonymous commenting on OurConcord.com but I will not allow postings that I know are factually wrong or insinuate something that I can't prove.
    Recently, a reader posted some comments about the spouse of an elected official that insinuated inappropriate professional behavior that I can't prove. [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: September 08, 2009, 5:08pm EDT
    by Tony

  • Fireworks or something else?

    Number of comments: 0
    Shira Schoenberg of the Monitor talks a bit about the School District Charter Commission here: ["Let the fireworks begin!"].
    I don't know if there will be many fireworks. There might be. Who knows? But it seems with clear slant towards the school system [see my analysis here: "Controversial'" [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: September 06, 2009, 8:48am EDT
    by Tony

  • Audi 150th season

    Number of comments: 0
    From the inbox:

    THE 105TH SEASON AT CONCORD CITY AUDITORIUM OPENS WITH A GALA CELEBRATION SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

    The Concord City Auditorium opens its 105th year as the heART of the capital area with a GALA celebration on Sept. 13, previewing over 105 public events planned for [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: September 06, 2009, 12:14am EDT
    by Tony

  • New candidates emerge ...

    Number of comments: 0
    According to the city clerk's office, at least two new candidates have emerged to run for seats this year.
    Washington Street resident Jim Baer, a retiree and a member of the Concord Taxpayer Association, has pulled papers to run at-large.
    Another newcomer who pulled papers today was Amanda Grady of' [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: September 04, 2009, 5:14pm EDT
    by Tony

  • Dr. Black changes his mind

    Number of comments: 0
    City Councilor Dr. Douglas Black has decided not to run for reelection after all.
    In email to the council members earlier today, Black said a recent death in his family had "given me pause to look at my priorities."
    "I need to spend more time with my family, my day" [...]
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    Posted: September 02, 2009, 11:45pm EDT
    by Tony

  • Most incumbents running again

    Number of comments: 0
    As the start of the filing period approaches for municipal and school board candidates, a quick survey of the political landscape reveals that most incumbents will be running for reelection.

    Mayor Jim Bouley has confirmed that he will be running for reelection in November.

    At-Large incumbent and long-time [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: September 01, 2009, 10:57pm EDT
    by Tony

  • Lemieux's out

    Number of comments: 0
    Ward 4 City Councilor Dick Lemieux has decided not to seek re-election, according to an email he sent to the city clerk and his colleagues.
    "Being a city councilor has been a rewarding and enriching experience," he wrote. "I have enjoyed my relationship with all of you and the City" [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: September 01, 2009, 12:21pm EDT
    by Tony

  • DeVorsey to step down

    Number of comments: 0
    The Concord Monitor is reporting this morning that school board member Megan DeVorsey will be stepping down from the board on Dec. 31. DeVorsey's resignation opens up a 1-year seat race to be determined Nov. 3.
    Rumors were flying all over town during the last two weeks that DeVorsey was' [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: September 01, 2009, 9:22am EDT
    by Tony

  • Meet the architect Wednesday

    Number of comments: 0
    From an email forwarded to me:

    Meet the Architects

    The Concord School Board cordially invites all members of the elementary school PTOs to attend a Meet the Architects night at Concord High School

    Wednesday, Sept. 2

    Examples of buildings designed by HMFH Architects will be [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: September 01, 2009, 8:46am EDT
    by Tony

  • Potential city council and school board candidates ...

    Number of comments: 1
    Dates have been corrected in this post
    START YOUR ENGINES! Vroom, vroom ...
    On Friday, Sept. 4, the filing period starts for city council, school board, and mayoral candidates.
    The filing period runs through Monday, Sept. 14 at 5 p.m.
    On the council side, there are 10 district seats for [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: August 31, 2009, 6:07am EDT
    by Tony

  • Beware of funky school district building numbers ...

    Number of comments: 1
    In Sunday's Concord Monitor, there is a piece about the city's school district figuring out how to pay for its grand elementary school consolidation scheme: ["For Concord schools, a consolidation unknown: How to pay?"].
    Overall, it's not that bad piece of work, with the exception of the very one-sided' [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: August 30, 2009, 12:05pm EDT
    by Tony

  • Charter commission date: Sept. 9

    Number of comments: 0
    I've been informed that the School District Charter Commission's first hearing will be Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
    According to the Legislature's Web site, all but one of the members has been chosen. It will be interesting to see how things go.
    [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: August 29, 2009, 9:53pm EDT
    by Tony

  • Charter Commission meeting date to be reset

    Number of comments: 0
    I'm hearing that due to scheduling conflicts, the first meeting of the Concord School District Charter Commission will not be held on Sept. 9. When I hear about a new meeting date, I'll let everyone know.
    [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: August 25, 2009, 6:44am EDT
    by Tony

  • 'Save America'

    Number of comments: 0
    Crossposted at Politizine.com
    A lone man was standing at the intersection of Main and Centre streets in Concord at 9:45 p.m. tonight holding a sign: "Save America" ... I would have stopped to talk to the guy, to find out what he was all about, but I was busy racing [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: August 24, 2009, 10:37pm EDT
    by Tony

  • R.I.P. Justin Pellerin

    Number of comments: 0
    So young, so very, very sad: ["Concord Soldier Killed In Iraq"]. [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: August 21, 2009, 4:58pm EDT
    by Tony

  • Standing in rain ...

    Number of comments: 0
    If you're not outside, standing in the rain, cooling off, you're missing out! It's beautiful outside. [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: August 21, 2009, 4:50pm EDT
    by Tony

  • Charter Commission update

    Number of comments: 0
    Concord School Superintendent Christine Rath responded to a 91-A request today stating that the wife of one of the Commission members "is not employed by the Concord School District."
    Due to this clarification, I'm rescinding my previous comments stating that this person should not be allowed to serve on the' [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: August 21, 2009, 4:21pm EDT
    by Tony

  • A conflict or not?

    Number of comments: 0
    OK, now I'm getting conflicting reports on whether Anthony "Skip" Tenczar's wife works for the Concord School District or not.
    According to an email I received earlier today, Skip's wife used to work for the school district but no longer does. If that is the case, then Tenczar is more' [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: August 19, 2009, 12:57pm EDT
    by Tony

  • More charter commission updates

    Number of comments: 0
    Editor's Note: The date of the meeting and other information have been corrected or taken out of the original post.
    The Legislative commission created to analyze potential changes to the Concord School District charter will hold its first meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m. in the City Hall' [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: August 19, 2009, 8:47am EDT
    by Tony

  • Bonding for architecture fees?

    Number of comments: 4
    Yup, that's what the school board is proposing to do, borrow money to pay for the architects that will plan the elementary school consolidation scheme.
    While interest rates are pretty low these days, this seems like a waste of money, especially when the board has millions set aside in reserve' [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: August 18, 2009, 8:48am EDT
    by Tony

  • More charter commission members named

    Number of comments: 0
    More members have been named to the Legislative charter commission created to look at the Concord School Board charter.
    Rep. Rick Watrous, D-Concord, along with Rep. Bev Ferrante, R-Derry, have both been named as the Legislature's representation on the commission. Watrous just missed being elected to the school board back [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: August 17, 2009, 11:59am EDT
    by Tony

  • Two newspaper notes ...

    Number of comments: 2
    First, I don't know if it was a snafu or if they wanted to bang the point home, but the Concord Monitor ran the same Weare sexual assault story on the front page of the Friday and Saturday editions of the newspaper. I would bet that it was a mistake' [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Posted: August 17, 2009, 8:51am EDT
    by Tony
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