Wednesday, March 13, 2013
wednesday
Alton says ‘no’ to $18.7M school building project
ALTON —Voters yesterday resoundingly refused to spend $18.7-million renovating and expanding Alton Central School. Article 2 to raise and appropriate $17.7-million and withdraw the balance from capital reserve funds, which required a super-majority of three-fifths for passage, failed to garner a majority, falling by a vote of 685 in favor and 731 against. Incumbent Krista Argiropolis topped the poll in the three-way race for the two seats on the School Board with 672 votes, edging Carlos Martinez, who claimed the other seat with 660 votes. Mary Doherty, a write-in candidate, finished third. Robert Daniels led the four candidates seeking two seats on the Board of Selectmen with 690 votes and Loring Carr, the vice-chairman of the board, was re-elected with 600 votes. Steve Miller, who recently achieved notoriety as a member of the School Board, finished third with 480 votes, trailed by Lawrence Tilly with 468 votes. — Michael Kitch
VOL. 13 nO. 196
LacOnIa, n.h.
527-9299
Free
Lawyer advises Belknap Convention to elect officers again By Michael Kitch THE LACONIA DAILY SUN
LACONIA — The Belknap County Convention has scheduled a meeting on Tuesday, March 19 when, for the third time, it will vote to elect a chairperson, vice-chairperson, clerk and executive committee
in an effort to parry a lawsuit brought by Tom Tardif and Dave Gammon alleging that the original election, which was conducted by secret paper ballot back in early December, violated the Right-to-Know law. Rep. Colette Worsman (R-Meredith), who chaired the
convention throughout the budget process, said yesterday that the meeting was convened on “the advice of counsel.” However, she declined to identify the attorney who proffered the advice. “I’m not sure I can answer that,” she said when asked.
Worsman’s refusal apparently reflects her sensitivity to the dispute between the convention and the Belknap County Commission over the authority to retain legal counsel to represent the convention in the litigation. Two attorneys, see COnVenTIOn page 14
Mark Billings campaigns for a seat on the Inter-Lakes School Board in Meredith on Tuesday. He was sharing the cover of a tent with Kate Miller, who was working for his opponent, Chris Mega. (Laconia Daily Sun photo/Adam Drapcho)
Strong showing in Meredith leads Billings to narrow I-L board win MEREDITH — Mark Billings defeated Chris Mega by a very slim margin in yesterday’s voting, earning the privilege of representing Meredith for a three year term on the Inter-Lakes School Board. Billings attracted 617 votes, 50.8 percent of the total, while Mega had 596. The two candidates were running to succeed Jack Carty, who is retiring after
three consecutive terms on the board. Sally Whalen, the Center Harbor representative, was re-elected without opposition to a three-year term. Of the three towns in the school district, Billings only carried Meredith in yesterday’s voting, winning in that town by the margin of 439 (61 percent) to 283. Center Harbor voters preferred Mega
“Follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook.” laconiadailysun.com
BUY ONE GET ONE
FREE
EYEGLASSES AND SUNGLASSES
Evening and Saturday Eye exams available
by the rate of 95 to 78. Mega was also the hands-down favorite in Sandwich, where he won 218 (69 percent) of the 318 votes cast. Candidates for the dedicated Meredith seat had to be residents of that township but voters in all three towns were able to participate in the voting. — Adam Drapcho
527-1100 Belknap Mall
3.59 99**
Fuel Oil OIL & PROPANE CO., INC. 10 day cash price* Laconia 524-1421 subject to change