SENTINEL EDITORIAL: Our picks for the Executive Council (partial)

Published: Friday, October 31, 2008

The importance of the New Hampshire Executive Council far surpasses the small amount of recognition its members get from the press and the public. The five-member council was designed by the Founders to serve as a check on executive power, making it an important safeguard against cronyism, extravagance and graft. Its members vote up or down on all significant state contracts, all state judicial nominations and appointments of people to head all state agencies. It also sets priorities for all state highway projects.

Executive councilors are powerful people who get their phone calls returned. And, in addition to their other duties, that makes them informal ombudsmen for their constituents. They are often called upon to mediate disputes among individuals, communities and government agencies — another function that can place limits on government excess. So it makes a difference who serves on this key body.

NEWS RELEASE FOR DISTRICT FIVE, January 30, 2007

FROM DEBORA B. PIGNATELLI, Executive Councilor

January 30, 2007 Concord, NH - Listed below are some of the items that were approved at the Governor and Council Meeting, January 24, 2007, that might be of interest to District Five constituents.

OFFICE OF THE ADJUTANT GENERAL

Authorized John J. Coughlin, Mont Vernon, NH, to be confirmed to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, NH Army National Guard.

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

Authorized to enter into a retroactive contract with the Rowley Insurance Agency for the purpose of providing Commercial Property, General Liability, and Umbrella insurance coverage for three district courts (Derry, Franklin and Jaffrey-Peterborough), in the amount of $8,862 and covers a one-year period. Effective January 14, 2007 and will expire on January 13, 2008. 100% Transfer Funds.

DEPARTMENT OF RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Authorized Division of Travel and Tourism to award grants to Joint Promotional Advertising in the amount of $97,671 for their 2007 out-of-state marketing projects. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2007. 100% General Funds. The town of Peterborough is receiving a grant of $12,105.

NEWS RELEASE FOR DISTRICT FIVE, September 13, 2006

FROM DEBORA B. PIGNATELLI, Executive Councilor

September 13, 2006 Concord, NH - Listed below are some of the items that were approved at the Governor and Council Meeting, September 13, 2006, that might be of interest to District Five constituents.

OFFICE OF THE ADJUTANT GENERAL

Authorized to enter into a contract with Petroleum Place Energy Solutions LP, San Antonio, TX, to perform Aerial Imagery & Contour Mapping 2006 to provide data on the NH Army National Guard sites in Concord, Hillsborough, Keene, and Somersworth for updating information on existing sites and environmental assessment of proposed construction and training activities in the amount of $21,828. Effective upon G&C approval through October 27, 2006. 100% Federal Funds.

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

Authorized the Bureau of Public Works Design and Construction to enter into a contract with D. L. King & Associates, Nashua, NH, for Low Bid replacement of Heating System with Office Renovations, Hooksett Turnpike Maintenance #825, Hooksett, NH, for a total amount not to exceed $357,900. Effective upon G&C approval through December 15, 2006. (2) Further Authorized the amount of $15,000 be approved for payment to the Department of Administrative Services, Bureau of Public Works Design and Construction for engineering services provided.

DEBORA PIGNATELLI — EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Dear Friend:

I need help.

In the last election, I defeated a right wing ideologue by a mere 6%. It took a lot of work to wrest this important seat from my entrenched predecessor. I’d like to hold onto it for all the people who share the same views about government that I do.

Unfortunately, my opponent is clobbering me in the fundraising department. He has out-raised me 3 to 1. He has $38,000 in the bank compared to my $12,000, and his money is just starting to roll in from supporters with the most conservative political viewpoints in New Hampshire.

In my first term on the Executive Council, I have voted steadfastly against expensive no-bid contracts. I have helped Governor Lynch confirm excellent appointments of a Supreme Court justice, a Commissioner of Education, an Attorney General, a Commissioner of the Resources and Economic Development, several district court judges, and many more key people in state government. These appointments are in marked contrast to those my opponent would support, I can tell you that.

NEWS RELEASE FOR DISTRICT FIVE - June 7, 2006
FROM DEBORA B. PIGNATELLI, Executive Councilor

June 7, 2006 Concord, NH - Listed below are some of the items that were approved at the Governor and Council Meeting, June 7, 2006, that might be of interest to District Five constituents.

I want to comment briefly about a matter the Council dealt with at the meeting this past Wednesday. There was an item on the agenda to pay for the continuation of a contract for the Community Technical College System. It was an $850,000 contract to fix the financial aid mess at the College System. The contract was to be funded with 58% tuition money and 42% general funding. I objected to this funding and made a motion to exclude tuition from the funding of this contract. My thinking was that the student's tuition money should not be used to fix a mismanagement problem that has been going on for years and reached a crisis duing the last year. The motion passed with the support of three other Councilors. I will be keeping an eye on this financial aid mismanagement and hope that our legislators look into it. The Attorney General has an ongoing investigation as well.

PIGNATELLI ANNOUNCES RE-ELECTION BID FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Debora Pignatelli, of Nashua, has announced that she will seek re-election to the District 5 seat on the Executive Council. The district includes the two cities of Nashua and Keene and 25 towns.

Pignatelli seeks her 10th successful election to state office. First elected as a State Representative

in 1986 and then to 5 terms in the State Senate, she unseated a Republican incumbent on the Executive Council in 2004.

In her first term on the Executive Council, Pignatelli has pressed for competitive bidding on state contracts and has opposed the practice of no-bid contracts. She has traveled extensively through the communities in her district. She has fought unsuccessfully so far for toll relief in Merrimack. She has scrutinized key state appointments for the Supreme Court, Commissioner of Education and the Department of Corrections and many other key appointments.

Commenting on her experience as a Councilor, Pignatelli said, “I have loved the job and if I get re-elected, I’ll continue to work hard for the towns and people of my district. I plan to give it my best in the campaign to hold on to this important seat on the Council.

News Release for District 5 - May 17, 2006

FROM DEBORA B. PIGNATELLI, Executive Councilor

May 17, 2006 Concord, NH - Listed below are some of the items that were approved at the Governor and Council Meeting, May 17, 2006, that might be of interest to District Five constituents.

Adjutant General Kenneth Clark addressed the Executive Council this morning.

A total of 650 NH National Guard members were deployed to assist in the flooding emergency.

FEMA representatives will be in the state on Friday, May 19, 2006 to assess the flood damage caused by the recent rains. Individuals should report damage by calling the following number: 1-800-458-2407

Nashua, NH — "My goals are to continue to make sure a moderate progressive voice is heard on all issues that come before the Council," says Executive Councilor Deb Pignatelli of Nashua, "I believe we need to break the logjam created by very conservative officeholders in New Hampshire and the United States, at the state and federal levels. I can do my part by winning re-election to this important position in New Hampshire state government." Democracy for New Hampshire is pleased to announce the endorsement of Deb's race in the upcoming November election. Her district includes the communities of Amherst, Brookline, Dunbarton, Fitzwilliam, Goffstown, Greenville, Hinsdale, Hollis, Jaffrey, Keene, Lyndeborough, Mason, Merrimack, Milford, Mont Vernon, Nashua, New Boston, New Ipswich, Peterborough, Richmond, Rindge, Sharon, Swanzey, Temple, Troy, Wilton, and Winchester.

Debora embodies the ideals of DFNH's mission: supporting socially progressive, fiscally responsible candidates who speak honestly about policy choices and promoting grassroots political activism in the Granite State.