Category: LTE

After attending the on-line Zoom Grafton County Commissioners’ Meetings every Tuesday morning for the last year and a half, I have come to learn much about County goings-on. In turn, I feel I must alert Grafton County residents and taxpayers of important up-coming monetary decisions. And you thought Paul Revere died in Boston on May 10, 1818? His spirit lives on!

Let me start with the proposed 2027 Grafton County Budget. I congratulate Grafton County Commissioners Martha McLeod (Chairwoman), District 2, Commissioner Wendy Piper, District 1, and Commissioner Katie Hedberg, District 3, and County Administrator, Julie Libby, for “cracking the whip” thereby cutting next year’s County Budget from 16.78% to 8.78% by requesting Department Heads (Nursing Home, Department of Corrections, County Farm, Administration, County Maintenance, etc.) to only present their respective annual department financial requests based upon “bare needs,” thus discarding “unnecessary wants.”

Based upon those parameters, the 2027 Grafton County Budget dropped to $60,538,968.00 with $33,164,292.00 to be raised by taxes! Grant-funding is down!

The Grafton County Delegation Executive Committee, made up of certain Grafton County Representatives, will be meeting on Monday, May 11, 2026 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am, and a complete DELEGATION MEETING (all Grafton County Representatives) will be held that same day from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm “to set elected official salaries”!

I urge all Grafton County residents & taxpayers to ZOOM-IN by clicking on the County website (grafton-county.com), clicking on the 3 lines in the upper, right corner, and then clicking on “Meeting Schedule.” Scroll down to May 11, 2026 “Executive Committee Meeting,” open and type your name when directed. You’ll be able to “hear” and see the meeting.

The Courthouse is still under discussion with architect & Commissioner revisions. Presently, they are presenting us a proposed $48,319,843.00, up from $46,018,898.00 and down-sizing the building by 697 sq. ft. Taking out a 25-30-year loan (bond) may raise the cost of building another courthouse in No. Haverhill to the upper 90-million dollars range! AND, we’re still paying on the jail bond to the tune of another $12 – $16 million. Stay tuned.

by Nick De Mayo, M. Ed., Sugar Hill, NH • (603) 823-9816

The Northern Grafton County Republican Committee hosted guest speaker Cindy Lou Young at its March 3, 2026 monthly meeting. Ms. Young is author of the book entitled Unbowed, which captures the conservative truth, perspective and essence of what really occurred on January 6, 2021 in Washington, D.C. Ms. Young presented to the NGCRC membership and audience how her rights and dignity as an American citizen were violated.

Leaving her home in Bristol, NH and traveling for ten hours aboard a coach bus bound for Washington, D.C. in order to participate in a peaceful protest and to let her voice be heard, she arrived where others as herself were attacked by Antifa and several Federal organizations and confidential human sources who were intentionally placed to create a misconception of the event.

Ms. Young’s recollection include observing piles of bricks placed ready to be thrown at the appointed moment, metro and capitol police shooting gas and rubber bullets into crowds, and Ms. Young being misdirected by capitol police as she attempted to leave the Capitol Building.

It appears that there were those in opposition to the peaceful protest who arrived and planned to incite a riot and to later blame it on conservatives. A staged and orchestrated event by anti-conservative leftists Ms. Young was arrested on four convictions and sentenced to prison in Philadelphia.

An honest and truthful read, Unbowed uncovers the corruption and Swamp Waters at work in the government which has one goal, that is to tear down the United States of America, piece by piece, inch by inch, and person by person. Be on your guard American Citizens and Patriots, they may next be coming for you.

– Janice A. Novak Publicity/NGCRC Easton, NH

“As a family nurse practitioner, I have a background encompassing health and development of children; and have administrative experience and committee experience that make for an excellent choice for a school board position.

My qualifications include doctorally prepared family nurse practitioner, former LCDR US Navy; prior work experiences include Chief of Health Services for City and County of Honolulu, and past secretary of the Hawaii Association of Professional Nurses.

I respectfully request your vote for the position on the Littleton school board.”

– Lauren Rodier

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Florida’s  “Gold Standard” Immigration Enforcement Model Policy on Ricochet, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, or use the podcast’s RSS Feed. Washington, D.C. (February 5, 2027) – The Center’s latest podcast episode features Florida Governor Ron DeSantis discussing how Florida has become the gold standard on immigration enforcement. Gov. DeSantis explains why Florida has avoided the unrest seen in Los Angeles and Minneapolis, pointing to strong state laws and cooperation with federal authorities. Key highlights: Mandatory Cooperation with ICE: During a special legislative session following President Trump’s election, Florida enacted a law requiring all state and local officials to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Officials who refuse can be suspended from office. Sanctuary policies are banned statewide. 287(g) Agreements: All 67 Florida county sheriffs participate in 287(g) agreements, along with the majority of police agencies. Florida is the first state to require state agencies to enter such agreements, enabling full task-force, street-level cooperation with ICE. More than 20,000 apprehensions have resulted from state and local cooperation. State-Run Detention Capacity: Florida operates a state-owned detention and processing facility, nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz,” to address federal detention shortages. An immigration judge adjudicates cases onsite, and DHS conducts removals directly from the facility’s airstrip. A second “Deportation Depot” in northern Florida supports removals. DHS provides full federal reimbursement. Provides an update on legal challenges. Interior Enforcement Measures: Mandatory E-Verify for public employers and private employers with 25+ workers. No driver’s licenses or local photo IDs (by government agencies or NGOs) for illegal immigrants. English-only commercial driver’s license testing. State election crimes unit to prosecute illegal voting.  Maritime Enforcement: Through Operation Vigilant Sentry, Florida interdicts migrants at sea and hands them over to the Coast Guard for return to their home countries. In his closing commentary, Mark Krikorian, executive director and podcast host, highlights a new Center report finding that 53% of immigrant-headed households, legal and illegal together, use at least one welfare program. He points out that most immigrants work, but because they have low levels of education, they earn low wages and thus rely on taxpayer-funded support. Reducing future dependence requires selecting legal immigrants based on skills and enforcing laws against illegal immigration.

I, Rudy Gelsi, an active and concerned citizen of Littleton for many years, am announcing my candidacy for the position of Littleton Selectman.  I am running for this position for the betterment of the lives of the citizens of the town I really care about very much. 

My constant attendance at Littleton Select Board Meetings and Littleton Budget Meetings have prompted my outspoken words of financial wisdom which have been heard by you, the Littleton voters, for many years.  You know me, you know I care about you, and you know I love Littleton.  I want to make living in Littleton affordable again like when I first moved here over twenty years ago.

Some of the reasons that persuaded me to run for this position are economic and some are philosophical.  

Under the present make-up of the Littleton Select Board, we have individuals who like to spend our money like there’s no tomorrow.  Their “tax and spend” policies are sinful and unsustainable!  If continued, we’re going to end up like Gavin Newsome’s bankrupt state of California rather than the flourishing state of Florida under Governor Ron De Santis.  

Rather than lowering costs and cutting taxes, the present Selectmen’s Socialist-Democrat giveaways in the form of 3% raises and 3.5 % Cost of Living raises (aka, COLAs) do not benefit those on fixed incomes in Littleton.  This has got to STOP! 

Together, with your vote at the polls on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, we can “Make Littleton Great Again”!  Together, we can change things for the better.  Elections have consequences, and that is why I am asking for your vote and support.  Thank you.

Sincerely,

Rudy Gelsi of Littleton, NH
(603) 444-0212

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS! We will be conducting a graveside service for Lynn Sorensen, longtime NGCRC Member (2011 – 2020), who also served as NGCRC Vice Chairwoman until her sudden passing in 2020.

Bill Clewes, a former NGCRC Member, is organizing this remembrance, and wants our NGCRC membership to be notified.

Please spread the word to others who may have known Lynn. She was active in the American Legion as well as other local organizations.

Service to be held: FRIDAY, MAY 16TH, 11:00 AM, GLENWOOD CEMETERY, LITTLETON, NH (ACROSS FROM LITTLETON FIRE DEPT).

Thanks for your help in spreading the word and for your attendance,

Nick De Mayo

The Northern Grafton County Republican Committee (NGCRC) is hosting: Jimmy MacEachern and Keith Hanson, both running for NHGOP Chairman and Hollie Noveletsky, who is running for NHGOP Vice Chairwoman on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 6:00 pm at the Littleton Senior Center, 77 Riverglen Lane, Littleton, NH. Exit 41 off I-93 (N).

Contact: Nick De Mayo, Chairman (603) 823-9816 with any questions.

Biden has made a pact with China this past week to start shutting down fossil fuel production.  The US and China will implement green energy deployment at an accelerated pace. Needless to say, there was backlash regarding the impact it will have on US citizens. Also, China (and India) produce the most carbon emissions on the planet. China has a history of human rights violations as well as not holding up to their end of agreements.  Is anyone naive enough to think that China would even consider adhering to this one?

The U.S. extended a sanctions waiver that is allowing Iran to access 10 billion dollars in frozen funds as long as they use it for humanitarian aid. I doubt very much that Iran will actually obey this agreement. Iran has forever been chanting “death to America, death to Israel”. This will only end up funding Iran’s proxies attack on our own military forces in the Middle East. Representative Mike Waltz stated that “it is absolutely outrageous the Biden Administration continues to find ways to send Iran money — especially from Iraq, where the same Iranian-backed militias who are targeting American forces increasingly run the show and are helping keep Iraq addicted to Iranian energy.”   (Remember Obama also sent Iran (his buddies) 800 million in cash).     

Biden also sent 100 million in aid to Gaza and the West Bank and warned Hamas against utilizing it for themselves instead. (Wow, I’m really sure he meant it.)

Biden also gave 235 million to Palestine in 2021, overturning Trump’s policy of cutting off all funding. (Why would he do this one must ask). Well look at what Palestine used it for. What a surprise.  

Recently Biden and Xi Jin Ping agreed to limit AI use in the systems that control and deploy nuclear weapons as well as the technology’s use in autonomous weapon systems such as drones. Again, how many people believe that China will hold up to their part of this agreement? Meanwhile, our top generals just said that the US military needs AI vehicles and weapon systems to be a superior global force. 

Biden will also release $3.5 billion of Afghanistan’s central bank reserves that were frozen in the United States after the Taliban took over last year.  The United States has set up the Afghan Fund at the Bank for International Settlements “to kick-start the economy before the winter exacerbates alarming levels of hunger and poverty”. The U.S. Treasury said the money will help pay Afghanistan’s debts and bills, keeping the economy afloat. What? The 88 million in military equipment we left behind there after the disastrous pull out wasn’t enough?  And we’re worried about their economy and their bills before winter exacerbates levels of hunger and poverty?? How about our own economy, hunger and poverty? We have people starving and struggling here yet Biden and his ilk are more worried about our enemies. 

We have given Ukraine almost 90 billion in aid, weapons, etc. Remember, Biden was actually worried about their ability to heat their homes and fund their pensions! Even when our government was on the verge of shutting down, there would STILL BE MONEY for Ukraine!! But what exactly is this money being used for? Money laundering and kickbacks most likely. Remember, Hunter Biden sat on the Burisma board and made millions. Also the Ukrainian government is infamous for its corruption. Some of the weapons we sent there ended up in the middle east and Mexico. The pentagon at one point couldn’t even account for some of the millions sent there. It literally disappeared. Yet let’s keep sending them money. Nothing suspicious about that, right?

Now, how about the poor people in Hawaii who had everything destroyed? They got a whopping $700.00 each. Just think about that for a second and put it into perspective.  Biden is hell-bent about ENSURING OUR ENEMIES have millions and billions of dollars yet our own citizens who were virtually wiped out got just 700.00 measly dollars. It makes no sense at all. Meanwhile we have inflation, high crime, rampant homelessness, a wide open border, stifled energy production, indoctrination in our schools, demonized underfunded police, concerned parents who are labeled terrorists by our own government and a depleted military.  That tells you everything about this filthy administration and their priorities. 

Needless to say that Biden and his handlers have a whole other agenda. It has nothing to do with the welfare of American citizens. This is all about crippling our country and making our enemies stronger. Biden may talk a good game about standing up to our enemies, but his actions truly prove otherwise. 

Just as they did years ago when they answered the call to serve our country in the various branches of our US military, local northern Grafton County veterans answered the call again, but this time, by accepting an invitation, and attending an event by the students and school staff as recipients of a “Thank You Tribute to our Veterans.”

The vets were honored as part of the schools “We Salute Our Veterans” in the school auditorium.

In-coming Principal, Amy Kopp, along with SAU 35 Superintendent, Kate Segal, welcomed all for this first-of-a-kind event at Lafayette, held on Monday, November 13, 2023. I know I’ve never witnessed this event at this school in the 20 years I’ve lived here.

Many thanks are being extended to the classroom teachers, classroom paras and subs, the multi-talented librarian, the gracious music teacher, the “Coast Guard vet” custodian, the school secretary and office staff, and the cafeteria chef who is also a vet! It seems from the outcome of this marvelous display of gratitude and patriotism by the students and staff… all involved devoted much time and effort in making this tribute such a warm, wonderful, and meaningful event, not only for the vets, but more importantly, for the impressionable, young students.

It was refreshing to see the entire student body stand, place their hands over the hearts, and recite The Pledge of Allegiance to our American Flag. Great job, kids!!

One could tell that the music teacher spent considerable time leading the Lafayette School Chorus in singing a Thank You Tribute entitled “The Brave” written by John Riggio. Another wonderful expression of Thank You to the vets was played by the Lafayette School Band, and led by the same music teacher. The selections which were played included “When the Saints Go Marching In” and “Ode to Joy/Conquest,” which went off without a hitch! Who knows…someday, these same students may be playing in the US Army Band, or the US Navy Band, or the US Air Force Band? And, to think, it may have all started here in little Franconia Elementary.

“Thank You” letters, written by the students themselves, and read to the assembled audience via a microphone, promoted some self-confidence in these students! Maybe, a Presidential candidate will someday spawn from that courageous reading!?

The final “Thank You” by the kids to the vets was a memorable march around the auditorium with the kids waving and shouting “Thank You” to the vets.

All in all, this “Thank You Salute” by the students and staff of Lafayette Elementary School left this vet with the view that there is still hope for the kind of America envisioned by our Founding Fathers centuries ago.

The students’ display of patriotism should be a model for other New Hampshire school boards and town boards to emulate.

Nick De Mayo, M. Ed., QM-3, USS John F. Kennedy (CVA-67), Navigation, Plank Owner Sugar Hill, NH (603) 823-9816

On Saturday morning, October 28th, standing on Littleton’s grassy knoll and holding up a Bible Verse Sign, my eyes caught the advertising poster at
the Opera House for La Cage aux Folles across the way. That Irony put a
smile on my face at first; I’m standing here proclaiming some of the
foundational moral standards of this Town and this once Great Nation, and more significantly proclaiming the pathway to a saving knowledge of the Creator.

Then across the street, they are advertising a play, which some try to call “art”, about nothing more than various homosexual behaviors. As that
irony sunk in deeper, the smile left my face.

For those not in-the-know, La Cage aux Folles is a 1973 French Play about two homosexual men who own a south-of-France coastal nightclub Drag Show performance venue. This stage performance became a big “hit” in America and subsequently spawned the 1996 movie called The Birdcage with Robin Williams.

The French Play and the Movie The Birdcage were viewed as playful mockeries of various homosexual proclivities. The intentions of 42nd street and Hollywood were to cash-in on the downward spiral of Western Christian Society and more importantly to normalize what are euphemistically called “alternative lifestyles”. As a Born-Again Christian, I’m ashamed to admit that I too at one time committed the lamentable sin of laughing at seeing homosexual men mocked and satirized.

Face it: La Cage aux Folles is as much “art” as a Stormy Daniels hardcore pornographic film is an Oscar winner.

Caveat Emptor is the principle that the buyer alone is responsible for checking the quality and suitability of goods before a purchase. Anyone who purchases a ticket to this performance or who appears in this performance must consider their responsibility to their family (especially their children), their community, and their Creator, of what they are purchasing and thereby endorsing.

We know what was on the minds of some of those who brought this performance to Littleton. The Culture War is raging in this little town and
those (many of whom are just outsider rabble rousers) who seek to change its values are fighting harder and dirtier than those of us who are being attacked. I don’t think we can win this war. We are in a battle where the enemy has no moral compass and would never abide by the normative standards of any war, which in this case are simply open and honest discussions.

Ken Leavitt, Sugar Hill, NH