By Michael Kitch

LACONIA -- Responding to the challenge issued last week by retired district court judge Bud Martin, the Belknap County Commission will host a public forum on its proposal to reduce and eliminate funding for so-called outside agencies from the 2009 county budget on Thursday, November 20, beginning at 5 p.m. at the county complex.

Last week Martin threw down the gauntlet, challenging the commissioners to defend their recommendation before a public meeting at the Belknap Mill, which he booked at his own expense, on the same day and at the same time. In an open letter to the commission, county delegation and citizens, he said that he asked to meet with the commissioners "to better understand the reason for this action," but was "advised that they did not have time or inclination to meet with me." So he took matters into his own hands. "I couldn't live with myself if I didn't stir the pot!" he said.   ….continue reading

Former District Court Judge "Bud" Martin

By Kinney O'Rourke

LACONIA -- Round 1 of what is certain to be a more and more contentious discussion of the extent to which Belknap County should continue fund a variety of so-called "outside agencies" ended on a polite note last night.

Despite the cordiality, however, the differences between the County Commissioners and the five-member executive committee of the County Convention were clear.

The County Commissioners strongly believe the county should return to meeting its traditional governmental responsibilities and, in the process, provide property taxpayers with needed relief. To do that, the commissioners have cut or trimmed funding in their 2009 budget for the "outside agencies."

County Commissioner Christopher Boothby

The five state representatives making up the County Convention's executive committee, who - along with their 13 other colleagues - have the oversight responsibility for the county budget have a different view. They see the move by the commissioners as either outright downshifting of the costs of the "outside agencies" to the city and towns of the county or a move to cut county expenses without thought for the impact on the budgets of the agencies and municipalities or both.    ….continue reading

By Amy Goodnough

GILMANTON, N.H. - This town's new library has thousands of books, a handsome circulation desk and plenty of chairs for quiet lounging. Now it needs a final, crucial component: a budget so it can open.

A dogged group of volunteers raised enough money over a decade to build and furnish the library, an 18th-century barn that they took down, moved across the state in pieces and reassembled. But so far, they have avoided asking for a local tax increase to cover the library's annual operating budget. This is New Hampshire, after all, where taxes are reviled and frugality is prized.

A view of the Gilmanton Library interior during its construction phase which transformed the barn into a modern facility.

Instead, the group is scouring New England, even placing advertisements in the alumni magazines of Harvard and other Ivy League universities, looking for someone who will provide at least $1 million for a private endowment. That is enough, they say, to pay a part-time librarian and other basic costs for years to come. But, so far, there have been no takers.    ….continue reading

By Lauren R. Dorgan

CONCORD - Former governor John Sununu harshly criticized Gov. John Lynch on Friday, reportedly calling the popular incumbent "the worst governor the state of New Hampshire has ever had."

According to Foster's, Sununu also told the Seacoast Federated Republican Women in a speech that Lynch has "no backbone," that he leads with "platitudes and smiles," and that he may not be "smart enough" to solve the state's educational funding and budget woes. Sununu joked that he was being a "little subtle."

As the criticism ricocheted across the state, some Republicans said they were glad to see someone criticizing Lynch, 70 percent approval rating or not. Others shied away from commenting on Sununu's remarks.

Months ago, the women's group president, Leann Moccia, invited Sununu to come speak and analyze the forthcoming election results. The elections turned out to be a Democratic rout in which Lynch easily claimed re-election and Sununu's son, Sen. John Sununu, lost his seat to Jeanne Shaheen.    ….continue reading

By Lori Montgomery and Paul Kane

WASHINGTON - Senate Democrats yesterday unveiled a plan to speed $25 billion in emergency loans to the imperiled automobile industry, but they acknowledged that its chances of passage are slim without a breakthrough in talks with the Bush administration.

The apparent impasse leaves automakers facing the grim possibility that a government lifeline may not appear until late January, when President-elect Barack Obama takes office. With buyers staying away from auto showrooms, Detroit's Big Three are hemorrhaging cash, and analysts fear General Motors, the weakest of the group, could run out of money by Christmas.   ….continue reading

By Nikita Stewart and Michael E. Ruane

WASHINGTON - District and federal officials are preparing for as many as 4 million people for the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama, a crowd that would be three or four times larger than previous big events on the Mall.

Only a fraction of those people will be close enough to get a good look at the action. But officials are planning extra JumboTrons at the Mall and along the inaugural parade route so that spectators can feel a part of the historic day.

"The Mall actually may be the best seat in the house. . . . It'll kind of be like the world's biggest stage and auditorium on January 20th," said Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D), adding that the crowd projections have emerged in briefings conducted by federal and local officials.   ….continue reading

President-elect Barack Obama at an appearance in Dover, N.H.