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Republican Executive Council Candidates file together on Agenda for Change
Candidates to run on platform of fiscal responsibility, better representation with local governments and a sharp focus on roads and bridges.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONCORD, NH
All five Republican candidates for Executive Council filed their declaration of candidacy papers together today in an effort to illustrate the need for change on the 5-member New Hampshire Executive Council.
District 1 - Raymond S. Burton, Bath, incumbent Executive Councilor and Grafton County Commissioner.
District 2 - Daniel St. Hilaire, Concord, Candidate and current Merrimack County Attorney.
District 3 - Russell Prescott, Exeter, Candidate and former State Senator.
District 4 - Raymond Wieczorek, Manchester, incumbent Executive Councilor and former Mayor of Manchester.
District 5 - Stephen Stepanek, Amherst, Candidate and current State Representative.
With government spending out-of-control and a huge state budget deficit, every community is feeling squeezed. It is critical to bring fiscal sanity to state government and develop an even closer working relationship with city and town officials during this difficulty economy, stated candidate Stephen Stepanek.
St. Hilaire agreed on the need for fiscal restraint and added, I am running to give a voice back to the people of District 2 so that they have input on important decisions facing the state.
St. Hilaire's district runs from the Vermont border, through Concord, and over to the Maine border.
Candidate Russell Prescott stated, As a small business owner, I know what it takes to adjust revenue and expenses in tough times and that's what state government needs to do. The runaway spending has to stop and I will be a steward of the taxpayer's money.
April 8, 2008
Stepanek seeks council seat
Amherst lawmaker aims at Pignatelliıs District 2 spot
Casey Farrar
Sentinel Staff
Promising fiscal responsibility and vowing to look to more local businesses
for state contracts, N.H. Rep. Stephen B. Stepanek, R-Amherst, announced his
candidacy for the District 5 seat to the N.H. Executive Council Monday.
Speaking to a handful of supporters and interested passersby on the steps of
Keene City Hall, Stepanek said many of the stateıs contracts go to
businesses in other states, which can harm local small businesses.
³When I was in business I would look into the local community first when I
needed goods and services, then expand to a state level, then to a national
level if I had to,² Stepanek said. ³I plan to make sure weıre doing that at
a state level.²
The role of the five-member Executive Council is to make final decisions on
state contracts of $5,000 and over, and reject or accept the governorıs
nominees for judgeships, boards and department heads.
Stepanek pointed to Gov. John H. Lynchıs announcement of a $47 million state
deficit last month as proof the council needs to scrutinize spending more
closely.
³The New Hampshire governmentıs spending is spiraling out of control with
17.5 percent budget increases,² Stepanek said.
Stepanek said that, if elected, he would fight against higher tolls for
roadways and ³Band-aid fixes for bridges.²
The District 5 councilor represents 27 communities including Fitzwilliam,
Hinsdale, Jaffrey, Keene, Peterborough, Richmond, Rindge, Swanzey, Troy and
Winchester.
Debora B. Pignatelli, D-Nashua, has held the seat since 2004.
Stepanekıs visit to Keene was the last stop on a five-town campaign tour
that started last week in his hometown of Amherst.
A three-term representative in the House, Stepanek, 56, co-founded the
Hampshire Paper Co. in Nashua after graduating from Villanova University in
1973 with a degree in finance and economics.
Stepanek was president of the company < which moved to Milford in 1980 < for
25 years, before retiring to serve in the state Legislature.
In the House, Stepanek served two terms on the House Commerce Committee,
including on term as vice-chairman, and is on the finance committee.
Stepanek also spent five years as a non-lawyer member of the N.H. Supreme
Court Professional Conduct Committee, a 12-member panel that reviews
complaints and disciplinary actions against lawyers in the state.
NEW HAMPSHIRE'S GOVERNMENT RANKS LAST!
Disturbing news was released from a national survey this week, ³New Hampshire¹s state government rated as worst in the country², reads the Concord Monitor. New Hampshire ranks DEAD LAST! And that¹s because the bureaucrats and special interests have a stranglehold on government! The respected Pew Center on the States says that New Hampshire fails on the management of budgets and purchasing systems, planning for improvements to roads and bridges, and the use of information and technology. These areas are critical to the job of an Executive Councilor.
Stepanek formally declares candidacy
By Brian Lawson
GOFFSTOWN - Standing inside a small diner, State Rep. Steve Stepanek (R-Amherst) formally announced his decision to run for the Executive Council District Five seat.
The stop was part of a series of announcements that Stepanek hopes will introduce his candidacy to voters.
"New Hampshire values of less government and lower taxes is evaporating before our eyes," Stepanek told a crowd a supporters and family. "It's critical that we protect the New Hampshire way of life."
"It will take leadership to help return New Hampshire to its correct course. I know I have the ability and fiscal experience to make the tough decisions that need to be made" Stepanek continued.
Stepanek also presented himself as a change agent.
"This Executive Council District deserves a leader who will not stand for the status quo in Concord," he said. "When elected to the Executive Council we may not always agree on every issue, but I promise you this: I will be your leader for change."
After speaking, Stepanek participated in a roundtable discussion with Goffstown supporters and talked about issues ranging from land ownership to economic development.
Stepanek will be competing against current Executive Councilor Deb Pignatelli.
http://www.politickernh.com/brianlawson/952/stepanek-formally-announces-candidacy
Contact: Nancy C. Kyle, President
Retail Merchants Association of New Hampshire
35A South Main Street, Concord, NH 03301
603-225-9748, rmanh@rmanh.com
Governor John Lynch awards RMANH's 2008 Legislator of the Year Award to Representative Stephen B. Stepanek. Barbara Stepanek, wife of Representative Stepanek, and Tom Zapf, Macy's East and Chairperson of the RMANH Board of Directors look on.
February 21, 2008 ( Concord, NH) Representative Stephen B. Stepanek, Amherst/Milford, has been named the 2008 Legislator of the Year by the Retail Merchants Association of New Hampshire. Governor John Lynch presented Representative Stepanek with his award at RMANH's 42nd Annual Member and Legislative Reception held Wednesday, Februrary 20, 2008 at the Holiday Inn in Concord, NH.
The Retail Merchants Association's Legislator of the Year award goes to a person that stood out in the previous legislative session with initiatives that will assist New Hampshire retailers in conducting their businesses and who has a track record of considering the retail industries sometimes unique perspective on issues.
Nancy Kyle, President of the Retail Merchants Association of New Hampshire, commented "One of the key concerns of retailers, both large and small, is the rapidly rising cost of health insurance. Representative Stepanek has taken on this issue and for two sessions has actively promoted his health insurance purchasing alliance bill to address this problem."
Beyond the issue of rising health insurance premiums, Representative Stepanek has demonstrated on numerous occasions that he takes into account the view and experience of retailers, particularly New Hampshire based retailers, when considering legislation. When legislative proposals sound good but would have an impact on the retail industry and it's importance to New Hampshire's economy, Representative Stepanek has taken those points of view into consideration when casting a vote or writing amendments.
Nancy C. Kyle, President/CEO
Retail Merchants Association of New Hampshire
"The Voice of Retailing in New Hampshire since 1966"
35A South Main Street, Concord, NH 03301
603-225-9748, fax 603-229-0060, rmanh@rmanh.com, www.rmanh.org
The Retail Merchants Association of New Hampshire (RMANH) is a statewide, nonprofit trade association representing over 800 businesses in the state, from large chains to small independent retailers. Formed in 1966, RMANH serves as the voice of retailing in New Hampshire and concentrates on preserving the state's strong retail climate. For more information on RMANH, check the web site at www.rmanh@rmanh.org or call the RMANH offices at 603-225-9748.
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