Rotary Log for October 20, 2016

Rotary Log for Thursday October 20, 2016

By Dick Seery

Photos by Tube Loch

Guest Speaker: U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)

Rotarian John Lyons welcomed his friend, Republican Kelly Ayotte, as a “natural native and career politician…Her experience as a prosecutor and service as New Hampshire’s Attorney General reflects her deep commitment representing residents of New Hampshire.”

During the two terms she served in the U. S. Senate, Ayotte worked on numerous committees. They include Armed Services, Homeland Security and Commerce. She has gained significant foreign policy experience in her years on the Hill. She voted to balance our $23Billion deficit and protect Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare.

Senator Ayotte spoke from her heart about disillusionment and disintegration in Washington. Bi-partisanship efforts have to begin with a “common ground,” she remarked. The focus must be on “solving problems.” Her record of strength and leadership projects serving a collective constituency. Issues Senator Ayotte addressed included Public Health. The State’s Comprehensive Recovery Act became law after taking the best ideas and garnering local police and firemen support for treating the heroin and opioid epidemic.

Small Business assistance in the state requires Tax Reform to bring home Federal money for economic growth. Federal regulations limit state flexibility and hurts growth. The costs and benefits do not match up. Expenses like recent DOL salary/hourly caps being doubled, forcing the Non-Profit sector into a budget crisis. Close to home, the N.H. Fishermen need a friendlier regulatory environment to sustain their industry.

Education enhancements should stress partnering with business to open jobs for more qualified and skilled career technical graduates coming along.

Health Care should serve those in need with proposed changes keeping the system affordable.

Senator Ayotte has worked in a bipartisan way with Senator Jeanne Shaheen on the Armed Services Committee. They obtained recognition for Portsmouth Naval Ship Yard employees for “being under budget and ahead of schedule.” Success followed their combined efforts. Pease Air Force Base and the New Hampshire Air National Guard were awarded the sole location for the new KC-46A refueling tanker aircraft.

The November 9^th elections will be the final battleground for all candidates. While there are never any perfect candidates, Senator Ayotte’s experience and powerful roles in Washington are strengths to be considered.

Guests / Hosting Rotarians – a real line up!

Joshua Parison / Paul Lucy

Karen Kindel / Stella Scamman

George Daran / Leonard Seagren

Moriah Magan / Justin Finn

Louise Richardson / Basil

Lori Waltz-Gagnon / Leo Gagnon

Mike Ripley / Julie Cosgrove

Joan Rice / John Rice

Dianne Durkin / Julie Cosgrove

Ed Dupont / His wife

Visiting Rotarians