Race for Executive Council, District 2: Volinsky vs. Beard

By GLYNIS HART
[email protected]
CLAREMONT – The Executive Council is a body of government unique to New Hampshire among the 50 states. It has its roots in pre-Revolutionary War days, as a nine-man council created to represent the Province of New Hampshire under King Charles II (1679). Newly separated (by royal decree) from Massachusetts, New Hampshire’s first task was to form a government, organized by the members of the council. 

The governor convenes the Executive Council, now a five-member body which acts as a check upon the governor. Although the council cannot initiate legislation, it can negate the governor’s actions. The council also confirms the governor’s nominations for judgeships, commissioners, notaries public and it hears pardon requests. It is tasked with overseeing the financial management of the state. 

The five members of the council each represent one-fifth of the state’s population; they must live in the district they represent. James Beard lives in Lempster; Andru Volinsky lives in Concord. Currently, there are three Republicans on the council – David Wheeler, Joseph Kenney and Russell Prescott – and two Democrats – Volinsky and Christopher Pappas. 

 

Andru Volinsky 

(D)

Hometown: Concord

 

Eagle Times:  What particular skills or experience do you have that make you the best candidate for Executive Council from District 2?

Andru Volinsky: I know our state in a deep and intimate way. We are successful in many areas, but my experience as the lead lawyer in the Claremont School Funding suit, and recently, with our Ed Funding 101 Forums, convinces me that we are leaving many families behind. Many of our hardworking families suffer from punishingly high property taxes that make it hard to save and then must deal with our state’s lowest in the nation support for our  colleges and universities that results in very high tuition rates causing young people to take on massive levels of debt or leave our state. The problem is getting worse and we need the courage to address it.  

ET: Is there a particular issue or problem you are focused on for the upcoming term? 

AV: In addition to stopping the downshifting of state education funding responsibilities to local communities that result in increased property taxes, I believe we must work hard to establish strong treatment networks to combat the opioid crisis and we must invest in our roads and bridges.

ET: What achievements have you made in the past that are relevant to what you want to achieve on Executive Council? 

AV: I represented the secretary of state and won the return of more than $100 million to property taxpayers who live in communities across the state who were overcharged insurance premiums by the state’s insurance risk pools that provide health insurance to our cities, towns and school districts. 

I represented poor school districts, taxpayers and school children in the Claremont Education Funding case.  

I was elected the strategic planning board chair of the Manchester Community Health Center which is one of the larger providers of healthcare to Medicaid recipients in New Hampshire. I served on the board for six years, only resigning when I took office in 2017.

I have been recognized in the legal field as a leader in representing workers in employment matters and businesses in commercial disputes.

ET:  What challenges are facing the Executive Council in the upcoming term? 

AV: The workload is very high and it is difficult to stay on top of important issues. The council meets every other week and takes up about 100 contracts and confirmations of judges and department heads. My background as a lawyer is helpful to doing this job. My commitment to mastering the details of the items that come before the council has also been helpful. It is difficult to do this job well without training, experience, time, and energy. I believe I have shown that I am capable of doing this job and would appreciate the votes of those who go to the polls on Nov. 6.  

 

James Beard 

(R )

Hometown: Lempster

 

 

Eagle Times: What particular skills or experience do you have that make you the best candidate for Executive Council from District #2?

James Beard: I am chair of the Sullivan County GOP, and for the last two years worked to expand  the membership. We have succeeded in bringing in younger people to participate and we have held two community barbecues on the Newport Common, and a gala event at Mount Sunapee. I have been an active participant  with NHGOP and have a good working relationship with other county chairs.

 ET: Is there a particular issue or problem you are focused on for the upcoming term? 

JB: On the Executive Council we review and approve contracts coming before State agencies. We ensure the agency has budgeted monies to cover contract costs. High on the list for the coming budget will be education funding, the 10-year transportation plan dealing with infrastructure, drug rehabilitation centers and a variety of other issues.

 ET: What achievements have you made in the past that are relevant to what you want to achieve on Executive Council? 

JB: My professional career involved aviation. I am a professional pilot and used this skill to be involved with sales and marketing of aircraft to the airlines. I worked for three different aircraft manufactures and was posted in Europe twice, London and Paris with responsibility in Paris for Europe, Middle East and Africa for Embraer Aircraft of Brazil. Sales also involved negotiating purchase agreements and contract negotiation. My business experience will be an asset for the Executive Counsel.

ET: What challenges are facing the Executive Council in the upcoming term? 

JB:  Challenges for the Executive Council in the coming term will be to assist Gov. Sununu continue to grow the economy and support his agenda for continued lowering of taxes while growing the general fund.