Belknap County Democrats

Belknap County Democrats Annual Picnic

On Sunday, July 18, Belknap County Democrats will hold our annual Summer Picnic, beginning at 3:30 p.m., at Leavitt Park in Laconia. In case of rain, we will be inside the Leavitt Park clubhouse. Admission is $5 ($5.00 for 1-4 kids).

This is a family-friendly event, with a menu including hot dogs, burgers (including veggie burgers), salads, sides, drinks, and dessert. We'll provide a piñata for the kids.  Burger-maestro Jim Carroll will once again do the honors at the grill, and Flora Kerr will be there with her famous hotdog cart. Potluck salads and desserts are happily accepted. Please bring a lawn chair.

Our picnic is one of the county’s major Democratic gatherings each year, featuring neighbors, friends, good talk, and good food . It’s also a great chance to meet and speak with candidates for the N.H. House and Senate, County offices, and candidates and/or campaign representatives for the U.S. Senate and Congress.  You might take home buttons, bumper stickers, yard signs.

Come and enjoy a fun and informative Summer get-together. For more information, call BCDC Chair Ed Allard at 366-2575.

Representative and U.S. Senate Candidate Paul Hodes: Strafford County Democratic Committee booth at New Hampshire Democratic Party Convention, May 22, 2010

 

Barnstead's Democratic Committee Officers

A full compliment of officers heads the Barnstead Democratic Committee. Left to right: Barnstead Treasurer Diane St. Germaine, Secretary Flora Kerr, Belknap County Democratic Committee Chair Chair Lynn Chong, Barnstead Chair David Kerr, Laconia Treasurer Ed Allard, Caucuser Vinnie Miller. Not pictured: Barnstead Vice-Chair Kenny Bourbeau.

The Economist: Obituary

Doris "Granny D" Haddock, campaigner for election reform, died on March 9th, aged 100

THE most trying part came in the Mojave desert of California. The royal blue sky glared down on the grey brittlebush, and the heat was searing. Great trucks thundered past, showering her with grit, and a fierce wind got up that made her stagger. The worst of it was that her hat (the straw garden hat that had belonged to her dear friend Elizabeth) was whipped off and trundled through the cacti, where it splintered and broke. [ Continued ]

Doris "Granny D" Haddock passes away

Doris "Granny D" Haddock died peacefully today in her Dublin, New Hampshire family home at 7:18 p.m. Tuesday, March 9, 2010. She was 100 years old. Born in 1910 in Laconia, New Hampshire, she attended Emerson College and lived through two world wars and the Great Depression. She was an activist for her community and for her country, remaining active until the return of chronic respiratory problems four days ago.

She walked across the United States at the age of 90 in the year 2000, in a successful effort to promote the passage of the McCain-Feingold Campaign Finance Reform Act. In 2004, Granny D decided to challenge incumbent Senator Judd Gregg for his US Senate seat. She hoped to demonstrate that ordinary people can run for office and win with the support of small donations from individuals. Despite a shortened, grassroots campaign without the benefit of any advertising dollars, Granny D garnered an impressive 34% of the vote. During the past year five years, Granny D has traveled the country speaking about campaign finance reform and working on behalf of legislation for publicly-funded elections in New Hampshire.

In the 1960s, she and her husband, James Haddock, Sr., were instrumental in halting planned nuclear tests that would have destroyed a native fishing village and region in Alaska.

She raised two children, including the late Elizabeth Lawrenz of Washington D.C., and a son, Jim Haddock, who survives her and, with his wife, Libby, was at her side during many of her great adventures, including the final one today. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

A public memorial service will be held this summer.

Dennis Burke
March 9, 2010
Cobb Meadow Road
Dublin, NH 03444
USA

Doris "Granny D" Haddock Celebrates Her Birthday

Four days after turning 100, Doris "Granny D" Haddock celebrated at the New Hampshire Statehouse with Governor John Lynch and a host of friends and officials. [ More Photographs ]

Doris 'Granny D' Haddock honored at NH State House (NECN: Lauren Collins, Concord, NH) - A decade ago Doris "Granny D" Haddock walked across the country to raise awareness for campaign finance reform.

"I walked as a pilgrim walking until given shelter, fasting until given food and I never went without either."

One of her proudest moments came in 2002 when the McCain-Feingold act was signed into law, "and Granny D was hailed in the senate at the time of passage," notes New Hampshire Governor John Lynch.

But just days before her hundredth birthday, all of her efforts seemed to come undone as the U.S. Supreme Court last week removed restraints on the influence both for and non profit companies can wield over political campaigns. [ More ]

Belknap County Dems Begin Town Officer Elections

Belknap County town Democrats will be holding town meetings to elect officers to each town's Democratic Committee. Every two years, an election is held to name Democratic Committee officers for the 11 Belknap County towns.

"Starting with the local level, we stand our best chance to have the workforce and energy to elect and re-elect Democrats at every level, so we count these meetings as important. If a Democrat stays home other times of the year, this is one time to please come out and engage with your party," says Lynn Chong, Belknap County Democratic Committee Chair.

All Democrats are urged to participate in their local caucus. Meetings are still to be scheduled for Alton, Barnstead, Gilford, Laconia, New Hampton, and Tilton.

Belknap County Democrats' Summit on November 15, 2009

The Belknap County Democrats' County Summit was held at the Gilford Public Library on November 15. Gilford resident Mary Frost received the 2008 Belknap County Grassroots Activist Award from District 4 State Senator Kathleen Sgambati. Belknap County Chair, Lynn Chong, and N.H. Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley look on.

Democrats set sights on another victory

By GAIL OBER
November 16, 2009

State Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley and Sen. Maggie Hassan were among the party notables who addressed Belknap County Democrats at the Gilford Public Library on Sunday. [ More from The Citizen ]

3rd Annual Doris "Granny D" Haddock Evening

The Belknap County Democratic Committee held their third annual Doris "Granny D" Haddock Evening on September 3, 2009 at the Steele Hill Resort in Sanbornton, New Hampshire.

150+ Democrats gathered to celebrate Granny D in her 100th year of active life.
[ Photo Gallery ]