In voting for Betty Ann, I'm voting for my town, not party

To The Daily Sun,

You probably have seen those signs: Betty Ann Abbott for N.H. state representative. They’re all over the place because she is working very hard to be able to represent us in the 5th district in N.H.’s House of Representatives. I’ve gotten to know her recently and believe that she’s the best person for those of us in Alton and Gilmanton. The reason I believe this is because she understands how the laws and regulations that happens at the state level affect us at the town level. She has worked for the town of Gilmanton for several years. She was a member of the Board of Selectmen in Gilmanton and also was the deputy town clerk/tax collector in Gilmanton. She knows and understands small town concerns. She has also worked on the town’s Budget Committee, Planning Board and the Historical District Commission.

Representative Peter Varney is a nice enough guy, I suppose, but 1. He voted to allow some of our tax money to be diverted from public school expenses and be directed into vouchers to go to parents who want to send their kids to prep schools or to home school them; 2. Gay conversion therapy is a creepy attempt to somehow turn gay people into straight people. The Statehouse voted to ban it, but Varney voted against this ban; 3. Varney also voted against re-authorizing Medicaid expansion and protecting health care coverage for up 52,000 lower-income Granite Staters.

Abbott has experience in business, finance, communications and management. She is also a former EMT and on a personal level, she understands very well the agonies of watching a family member struggle daily with a drug problem. She lives in Gilmanton Iron Works, and together with her husband, runs Abbott Business Networks.

Democrat or Republican? I don’t care who is what. As we all know, our parties are a bit messed up right now. But I’m voting for my town, not for a party. Betty Ann is the best candidate for our towns. She has the experience, drive and the passion. I hope you vote for her.

Leslie Smith

Gilmanton Iron Works