Urban Hippie: And now for something completely different…
read more…: Urban Hippie: And now for something completely different…I always thought I was younger when I first heard about Monty Python’s Flying Circus.
Point of View
Local voices chime in on a variety of topics.
The Soapbox: FY 27 budget debate – elections have consequences
read more…: The Soapbox: FY 27 budget debate – elections have consequencesThe debate over the fiscal year 2027 budget in Manchester drags on, with no apparent end in sight. At the last Aldermanic meeting the regular crew of anti-Manchester residents came out. It was the usual suspects who spoke, those who believe Manchester should not spend one more red cent on anything. They are not interested in fixing our roads, fully funding contracts for police or fire or keeping the West Side library open. Additionally, their disdain for public education is quite evident, not wanting the Manchester School District to be adequately funded. In essence it’s okay with them if Manchester reverts back to 1985.
Democracy thrives in my ride
read more…: Democracy thrives in my rideFor the first week, I kept hoping that my songs, and my songs only—Neil Young, Deer Tick, the Dead, Ike Reilly, etc—would play because I’m selfish.
But then a strange phenomena started to occur.
The Soapbox: When public comment becomes public harm
read more…: The Soapbox: When public comment becomes public harmWhile I’ve felt nervous and had sweaty palms before using my three minutes at a BMA meeting, I never felt like I was in danger of violence or even witnessing violence while in the chambers at City Hall.
The Soapbox: The real war on local control in New Hampshire
read more…: The Soapbox: The real war on local control in New HampshireFor years, New Hampshire conservatives and libertarians have wrapped themselves in the language of “local control.” They warn against government overreach, defend the authority of local communities, and condemn top-down mandates from Washington.
The Soapbox: The unequal distribution of grace in public spaces
read more…: The Soapbox: The unequal distribution of grace in public spacesIf we are capable of recognizing trauma in one context, we should be careful not to become selective in how we extend empathy, restraint, or understanding in another.
‘I’ on sports: Spotlight on Raymond ‘Ray’ Valliere Sr.
read more…: ‘I’ on sports: Spotlight on Raymond ‘Ray’ Valliere Sr.Those of you who have been his closest friends are probably aware of some of the experiences he’s had in life, but I don’t think you know his whole story.
My Thoughts Exactly: Stereotypes of the Jesus follower
read more…: My Thoughts Exactly: Stereotypes of the Jesus followerThose who have read my latest articles may have noticed that I insert a bit more Scripture or talk about God and Jesus than in the past. Nothing has changed with me, I am still the same Brian who has been following Jesus for over 25 years. The difference is that, now more than ever, I am realizing that Jesus is King of every aspect of life.
The Soapbox: New Hampshire needs to have an adult conversation about taxes
read more…: The Soapbox: New Hampshire needs to have an adult conversation about taxesIf we continue at the same pace we are at, right now, the state will run out of money and our property taxes will only increase. That is a given. We are here because of years and years of fiscal mismanagement from extremists in Concord who have long ruled under the belief that all taxation is theft.
The Urban Hippie: ‘Not flesh of my flesh’
read more…: The Urban Hippie: ‘Not flesh of my flesh’I have loved The Adoption Creed, as the poem above is often called, ever since I first read it. I remember making some sort of poster out of it for friends who had adopted a beautiful baby girl. It’s just one of those lovely sayings that stays with you. I never applied it to me personally until I met and fell in love with the two kids who would become my beloved stepchildren.
An Existential Pug befriends Sweet Lou
read more…: An Existential Pug befriends Sweet Louhe Gray-Haired Man is busy. His specious excuse for not writing his own column this week is that he is busy grading essays, but it is more likely that he is busy drinking beers and watching baseball at Chelbys.
The Soapbox: Manchester’s budget disaster is a crisis of our own making
read more…: The Soapbox: Manchester’s budget disaster is a crisis of our own makingFor the past two years, under the leadership of Mayor Ruais and the previous Board of Aldermen, our annual city budgets came farther under the tax cap than any budget before them. Those moves were celebrated at the time. Unfortunately, the chickens have come home to roost.
Not So Profound: Breaking up with Cable
read more…: Not So Profound: Breaking up with CableWe had a good run together. When all was said and done, we spent more than four decades with each other. I would say that there were more good times than bad, but all good times must come to an end.
The Soapbox: Tell your State Rep to oppose Senate Bill 439
read more…: The Soapbox: Tell your State Rep to oppose Senate Bill 439I am encouraging all Granite Staters to contact their representatives in the State House to oppose Senate Bill 439. The bill which just cleared the Municipal & County Government Committee, would prevent towns from enacting regulations for data centers.
The Soapbox: HB 1831 is about fairness for Manchester’s most vulnerable students
read more…: The Soapbox: HB 1831 is about fairness for Manchester’s most vulnerable studentsI encourage Manchester legislators to recognize the complex interplay of funding inequalities, student needs, the future needs and economic challenges in the Manchester School District. Support for HB1831 is essential to ensure that all students, especially those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, receive the education they need.
The Urban Hippie: ‘Dave’s not here, man.’
read more…: The Urban Hippie: ‘Dave’s not here, man.’I enjoyed the exploration of this new green world and felt I had found the strains that worked for me when an opportunity to work in the industry presented itself. After I started working at a dispensary I learned so much more about cannabis all of its compounds and various delivery methods. I was so impressed with the training that we received and our on-site pharmacist was very knowledgeable not only of cannabis but other medications as she came from the retail pharmacy industry.
The Soapbox: Before summer arrives, Downtown Manchester needs a little love
read more…: The Soapbox: Before summer arrives, Downtown Manchester needs a little loveThere’s a stretch of time every year in New Hampshire that quietly falls between seasons. Winter is over; summer hasn’t fully arrived; school is winding down; graduation parties are starting.
The Soapbox: The state failed us once. It cannot fail YDC survivors again
read more…: The Soapbox: The state failed us once. It cannot fail YDC survivors againI was a child in the custody of the state of New Hampshire when the abuse began. The people who were paid to protect me did the opposite, and for decades the state looked the other way. I carried that alone for years. No acknowledgement, no accountability, and no voice.
The Soapbox: Balancing Concord’s budget on Manchester’s back
read more…: The Soapbox: Balancing Concord’s budget on Manchester’s backTwo recent disclosures—one from the New Hampshire Office of the Legislative Budget Assistant and another from the office of Kelly A. Ayotte—give us an answer that should concern every taxpayer in this city.
The Soapbox: Dangerous rhetoric against bicyclists on the House floor – a call for apology and review
read more…: The Soapbox: Dangerous rhetoric against bicyclists on the House floor – a call for apology and reviewI am astounded that an elected official would publicly joke about the misfortunes of their constituents. Even more shocking is that this official, Rep. Thomas Walsh of Hooksett, is chairman of the House Transportation Committee. That committee is tasked with considering matters of safety in land transportation.