Report #6
May 5, 2009

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL REPORT
By Raymond S. Burton

May 3-9 2009 is National and State County Government Week as proclaimed by NH Governor John Lynch.  The Governor and Executive Council will celebrate one of the oldest forms of public elected government. Former Sullivan County Commissioner, Don Fontaine, was among the founders of NH County Government Week that is now celebrated nationally.

Now in my 20th year as a Grafton County Commissioner, I know the local attachment citizens, provider groups, and local law enforcement have to county government.

I'll always remember what former Colebrook businessman, Coos County Executive Director, State Legislator and Senator, Fred King, said to me in my first term as County Commissioner, "Ray, you are getting involved with a  unique group of people".

Over the years, I have seen many state obligations passed down to local county government - rural law enforcement could not professionally serve small towns without the back-up of county sheriff departments and dispatch centers for 911 calls, and the 11 County Nursing Homes provide that professional  care for loved ones in their senior years.

UNH Cooperative Extension is mandated by federal law to respond with technical and professional assistance in caring for agricultural and forest interests. County jails are the first stop for citizens who need protection and safe keeping sometimes for overnight or longer periods of incarceration imposed by the court system.

I salute and celebrate county government in NH: among the many county officials in Council District One who continue to serve the people;
Coos County - Sue Collins, Administrator for many years
Belknap County- Christopher Boothby, Commissioner and former Chair of the NH Association of Counties
Carroll County- Marge Webster, Former Commissioner and now Wolfeboro Selectman
Sullivan County- Mike Prozzo, Sheriff with many years of service
Grafton County- Glenn Libby, Corrections Superintendent and progressive program administrator

These are but a few of the hundreds of professional county employees across NH--- all indeed a very unique group of public servants!

Plan to visit your local county government this week or any week- it is your county government and it does work for 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.