Debora and supporters

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How Can You Be Against Sustainable Energy?

November 21, 2011

With fortunes of American wealth being transferred to unfriendly oil-producing nations, we need alternatives. With Climate Change caused by excessive use of fossil fuels, we need new ideas. With a stalled economy, we need new technology and the jobs they bring. "I am a strong advocate for sustainable energy initiatives." said Debora Pignatelli.

But her opponent on the Executive Council, David Wheeler, has a different view. He recently voted down 4 important initiatives in New Hampshire involving renewable energy in Greenville (in his own District!), Bennington, Somersworth and Rochester.

Wheeler joined with two other Executive Councilors to defeat funding of the 4 Contracts under a program that passed the State Senate in a bipartisan vote of 24-0.

"This situation causes great harm not only to the developing renewable energy sector in the State but also to contractors seeking to do business in the state", said the New Hampshire sustainable Energy Association.

Pignatelli said she would have cast the deciding vote for these projects. "Wheeler's ideology once again shows its destructive force", she said.

If I had been re-elected to the Council, we would not be losing this valuable Public Servant.

A Good Public Servant, Fired!

November 18, 2011

Thanks to Executive Councilor David Wheeler, the vigorous work of New Hampshire Consumer Advocate Meredith Hatfield, is coming to an end. Wheeler cast the deciding vote to block her re-nomination.

Debora Pignatelli says, "I have known Meredith in my years on the Executive Council as a strong advocate for the public in her important role – speaking up for New Hampshire citizens on public utility matters.

"Blocked by Wheeler and 2 other Councilors silences a strong Public Advocate for the bogus argument she was too 'liberal'. In other words, advocating too well for consumers.

"If I had been re-elected to the Council, we would not be losing this valuable Public Servant."

An Unnecessary Controversy

October 20, 2011

New Hampshire has long been in the corner of women when it comes to their health and welfare. But some Executive Councilors are on a crusade to change that.

Councilor David Wheeler and two others used their clout to shut down Planned Parenthood health programs in New Hampshire serving over 16,000 women. Their rigid ideology against reproductive rights cost women their breast exams, cervical cancer screenings, contraception, family planning, heath education and more.

Wheeler’s votes against the interests of women went even further. He voted NO on funding for Domestic Violence Programs and training workers in the prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, taking us backward, not forward.

Is this the direction New Hampshire wants to take? Debora Pignatelli says, "NO". "If I had been on the Council,I would have been a strong advocate for these important and cost-effective Programs."

Why isn’t Councilor Wheeler part of this important effort?

October 20, 2011

From Tom Fahey's column in the New Hampshire Union Leader, October 16, 2011:

Senate President Peter Bragdon is leading a group that will press presidential candidates on the issue of rotting bridges and potholed roads.

The Building America’s Future coalition includes members of both parties from the House, the Senate, the Executive Council and others. They include Sens. John Gallus, Gary Lambert, Chuck Morse, Bob Odell and Jim Rausch, Rep. Candace Bouchard, Councilors Ray Burton and Dan St. Hilaire, former state Sen. Bob Letourneau, Rockingham County Commissioner Maureen Barrows, Manchester Alderman Garth Corriveau, businessmen William Beauregard and Tony Giunta and Cornerstone Policy Research Executive Director Kevin Smith.

In New Hampshire, the annual TRIP survey ranked the state’s rural roads ninth worst in the nation and its rural bridges 11th worst.

Where is Councilor Wheeler – doesn’t he care about roads and bridges in New Hampshire?

Watchdog for the Taxpayer

October 20, 2011

From The Keene Sentinel, October 22, 2009:

In her six years on the Executive Council, Debora Pignatelli worked hard to save taxpayer money. Always one to look for efficiencies in delivering of state services, "I have scrutinized state contracts closely. I have voted against hundreds of NO-BID contracts because I believe competitive bidding is one of the best ways to get the most for our taxpayer dollar."