Patricia and Douglas Woods

To the editor:We strongly support Mike Cauble's bid for the executive council. Mike will provide Governor Lynch with responsible, balanced and fair-minded assistance in dealing with the problems that New Hampshire faces in the 21st century. In the mid 1980s the executive council was given the responsibility for developing a 10-year transportation plan, but during the last 20 or so years, little was done to correct our failing and under-funded infrastructure. Today 47 percent of our state-maintained highways and 32 percent of our bridges are in substandard condition, while many of our state highways have become even more hazardous in the winter months. Mike's opponent, Ray Burton, has been on the executive council since 1981, yet has not shown the leadership to address the problem. Indeed, the council has failed to provide any solution to the problems we face concerning deteriorating infrastructure and some health care issues for the developmentally challenged. The mantra of the Republican party of New Hampshire in this election cycle has been to restore the leadership in the House, Senate and executive council to pre-2006 conditions. Two years ago, the Democratic majority made a difference. Things did change and with it some real progress in health care was implemented. Ten thousand more children have been covered by health insurance, the minimum wage has increased, and kindergarten was mandated. Mike's quiet yet determined approach to leadership is exemplified in the many initiatives he has shown as community organizer, founder and chairman of the Democratic Committee in Effingham, and as editor of The Caldera Democrat, a community paper that dealt with local, state, national and other important issues of the day like energy and conservation policies. For the last few years Mike has been the chairman of the Democratic Committee of Carroll County. In that capacity he has coordinated speaking engagements for candidates, coordinated election activities and supported Democratic candidates to represent our district in state, town and national elections. Both Mike and his wife, Kate, are veterans who served as medics in Vietnam. They are active in their church and have spent time in New Orleans working to restore some semblance of normality to the storm tom area. We are proud to support the candidacy of Michael Cauble for executive councilor for District I.