Report #5
March 20, 2009

REPORT TO THE PEOPLE OF DISTRICT ONE
BY EXECUTIVE COUNCILOR RAY BURTON

As I start my 31st and 32nd years of service to this large Northern Council District, I am hopeful and excited for new opportunities for rural America. With a new administration in Washington, new economic programs are in the future. Our role at the state, county and local level is to have justified Applications that will be used to stimulate job retention and creation. County and regional economic development councils coupled with community action agencies will be putting these new initiatives to work.

The New Hampshire Congressional Delegation-Senator Judd Gregg, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Congressman Paul Hodes and Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter, join other Northeastern states of Maine, Vermont, New York and the other New England Congressmen can cause new resources to become available. I urge that we, at the state, county and local levels of government, step up with our concerns and let them know our needs.

2009 will start another year of the 10-year NH Highway Transportation Planning process, working through the Regional Planning Commissions. Transportation Enhancement and Congestion Mitigation Air quality grants are back in play. Contact William Watson at NH DOT for details at 271-3344 or bwatson@dot.state.nh.us.

The 2009 session of the NH House and Senate will be a trying time with proposed cutbacks and how to still provide and meet constitutional and statutory needs. Be watchful of proposed legislation passing costs to county and local levels of government. Stay close to your local state senator and house members.

The Governor and Council are always looking for volunteers to serve on the dozens of boards and commissions. If you are interested please send your resume to Governor John Lynch, State House, 107 North State Street, Concord, NH 03301, Attention Jennifer Kuzma, Director of Appointments/Liaison at (603) 271-2121. A complete list is available at the NH Secretary of State website www.sos.nh.gov/redbook/index.htm

My office has available informational items: NH Constitutions, tourist maps, consumer handbooks, etc. I send, via email, a Monday morning schedule. Send me your email address to be added to the list if you’d like at rburton@nh.gov.

Please contact my office any time I can be of assistance to you.

Represents all the towns and cities in Coos and Grafton counties as well as the cities and towns of Albany, Alton, Bartlett, Belmont, Center Harbor, Charlestown, Chatham, Claremont, Conway, Cornish, Croydon, Eaton, Effingham, Freedom, Gilford, Grantham, Hale's Location(unincorporated place), Hart's Location, Jackson, Laconia, Madison, Meredith, Moultonborough, New Hampton, Newport, Ossipee, Plainfield, Sanbornton, Sandwich, Springfield, Sunapee, Tamworth, Tilton, Tuftonboro, Wakefield, and Wolfeboro.

For additional information on the cities and towns in this district, go to www.nh.gov/municipal/.

Councilor Burton may be contacted at two locations: his State House Office at 603-271-3632, rburton@nh.gov;and at his home office at 747-3662, ray.burton@myfairpoint.net.