Shenanigans in Somersworth

Considering that Senator Maggie found it in herself to make a recent endorsement in the “nonpartisan” Manch mayoral primary that has three Dems in it (she picked Kevin Cavanaugh surprise, surprise), it raises a thought: How about she adds her 2 cents on the goings-on in another NH city?

We’re talking about Somersworth, where things have been simmering to a boil.

It’s been an interesting situation over in the Hilltop City involving the assistant school superintendent — one Dana Hilliard who also has a second job, as the city’s mayor.

Yes, the same person holds those very two jobs. No, it’s not Chicago.

For those just tuning in, DH and the former super, Lori Lane, were forced to go on paid leave earlier this year after an investigation sparked by district employees who raised a ruckus over how the super duo were being verbally abusive and demeaning toward them.

LL eventually decided to step down, but DH is still hanging on. At least for now.

That’s because a “large majority” (94%) of Somersworth teachers union members recently OKd a statement that reads:

“I do not have confidence in Dana Hilliard’s ability to be an effective leader in the Somersworth School District. I do not want Dana Hilliard to return to work in the Somersworth School District because his history of behavior shows that he makes it more difficult for educators to achieve the District’s mission, which is ‘to inspire all students to excel, to develop a thirst for knowledge, and to teach the essential skills necessary to be caring, contributing, and responsible individuals in an everchanging world.”

Not anything you’d want on your resume. Nevertheless, when last heard from, DH was saying nothing and still cashing in his paycheck. Although, he was a no-show when he was supposed to be back on the job on 8/29.

That’s the assistant super job we’re talking about. As for the other gig, he’s still mayoring, but he has announced he won’t be going for what would have been his sixth term.

“I have a message. If you are a police officer and you are going to abide by unconstitutional bullsh*t. I want you to do me a favor right now and go hang yourself cuz you’re a piece of sh*t. Go f*** yourself.”

— Dylan Quattrucci, New Hampshire Deputy State Director for Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, in a video he shot while partaking in the 1/6/21 festivities at Capitol Hill. The beauty part: He posted the video on his mother’s Facebook account.

Dear F&J Readers,

To the disappointment of many and the satisfaction of others, this is the last edition of Flotsam & Jetsam to be read on the pages of NHBR. Yes folks, after 38 years at this location as your faithful irreverent arbiter of reality that is NH politics and etc., the powersthatbe have decided that it’s no mas for F&J. So here’s hoping some smiles, perhaps a chuckle or two, emerged while engaging a nano part of your day with us.

See you on the other side. P.S. Any fan mail, hate mail or direct mail can be sent to flotsies@yahoo.com.

P.P.S. Stay honest and don’t let the bastards get ya down.

“When we are in charge, we’re going to treat the drug cartels like the foreign terrorists they are and authorize the use of deadly force if they’re bringing fentanyl into our country. I’ve seen where they cut through walls and come across the border with packs of fentanyl on their backs. If they try that when I’m president, we’re going to shoot them stone-cold dead.”

— Fla. guv Ron DeSantis, during a stop in Newport.

Corky’s conundrum

Well, the NH prez primary sure is showing how it still has some juice. But it’s not necessarily because the good voters of NH will be voting for their faves in the Jan.-Feb. 2024 time frame (voting day is TBD, as you likely know). No, this time it’s because the guy who ran for US Senate as a GOPer back in ’20 is raising a question about the suitability of one former oft-indicted prez of the US, to be on the ballot as a prez candidate.

To refresh your memory, Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the bars anyone who has previously taken the oath to support and defend the Constitution from holding a political office if they’ve “engaged in insurrection” or “given aid or comfort” to enemies of the U.S.

That’s where Corky Messner the ex-Senate candidate comes in.

CM — who ran with the full-throated endorsement of one Donald J Trump back in ’20 — is asking SOS Dave Scanlan to consider whether DJT is ineligible to run for prez and therefore have his name excluded from the 2024 ballot in NH.

Messner: Just making sure

“I think we need to make sure that he is in fact qualified,” said an innocent-sounding CM.

Of course, the ask was a big one, and put the SOS, as well as AG John Formella, in the crosshairs of MAGA conspiracy theorists who reason — with some legitimacy — that it’s a bid by the Wile E. Coyote-like Never Trumpers to finally get rid of their Road Runner.

Then again, the 14th Amendment question is a good one in need of an answer. But to think that the NH SOS and AG are the ones to provide it … well it’s pretty obvious that it’s a task that’s way above their pay grades.

MAKING THE ROUNDS

• That’s quite a mess the Karmic Kasino Kouple have found themselves in. Talk about coming up with a coupla snake eyes.

• Could it be that it won’t just be Joe Biden leaving others to run in NH, but that SC senator Tim Scott may be too? That’s the theory of GOP guru Pat Griffin, who sees TS as going all in in Iowa and heading straight to his home state without competing in NH. Hey … it worked for George W. Bush, didn’t it?

• You may have noticed that the Insurance Dept. is mulling legislation to address the “real problems” it sees with health-sharing ministries. Ironically, shortly after Roger Sevigny, the ex-insurance commish, stepped down from his job he landed on the board of a now-bankrupt company that was involved in healthcare sharing.

• Ed Commish Frank Edelblut musta figured he’d have to get outta the way for the Kelly Ayotte Express that’s rumbling down the track toward the GOP guv nod.