In Sullivan District 6: 2 incumbents and 2 challengers

By GLYNIS HART
[email protected]
UNITY and NEWPORT – Voters will chose two out of four candidates for State House of Representatives District 6. Two incumbents, Biddy Irwin (D) and Skip Rollins (R ), face two challengers, John Callum (R) and Larry Flint (D). Attempts to reach Rollins and Callum by phone, email and through GOP party headquarters did not elicit any responses. 

 

Virginia “Biddy” Irwin

 (D)

Hometown: Newport

 

Eagle Times: What particular skills or experience do you have that make you the best candidate for the House of Representatives for Sullivan County, District 6? 

Virginia Irwin: I have served three consecutive terms in the NH House and one term in the early 80s. I have experience with the process and know how to work with fellow legislators and advocates to get legislation crafted and sometimes passed. I have leadership and policy experience from my various careers which help when working on committees. And I listen to my constituents. Since we work for all NH residents, I have to balance the greater good over the singular focus of some. I am always reminding my colleagues about Sullivan County which is often overlooked by the larger delegations.

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

VI: Education, education funding, education equity. Infra structure improvements. Health care funding especially for mental health services and paid family leave. 

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

VI: Finding solutions to problems has been one of my greatest accomplishments.  Working in a variety of fields gives me broad understanding of the concerns of many in our state. Raising a family, balancing a budget, raising social awareness of inequity and being a team player are all traits/achievements that serve me well in my role as a Representative.

 

ET: What challenges are facing the legislature in the upcoming term? 

 

VI: Education funding, re-districting, health care funding, tax cuts to encourage business growth without losing important revenue for the state, and finding ways to encourage our youth to stay in NH to become the workforce of tomorrow.

 

Larry Flint (D)

 

Eagle Times: What particular skills or experience do you have that make you the best candidate for the House of Representatives for Sullivan County, District 6? 

 

Larry Flint: I have lived in Newport for 37 years. My background as a Recreation and Park Professional for 20-plus years in Newport Sunapee and Durham has given the leadership and administration duties to understand budgets, local and state policies to environmental issues and programming for community events with communication with the public. Leadership roles as President of New Hampshire Recreation and Park Association, Chair of Newport Revitalization for four years. Sullivan County representative to State Council of Aging, Newport Senior Center Board of Directors, Chair Granite State Senior Games with 31 years on Board of Directors. My involvement with these organizations and additional groups has developed listening skills and decision making abilities to able make finding solutions best for the community. 

 

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

LF: It is time to change the conservation of aging. My priority is to support all initiatives for healthy aging for our communities from newborns to our seniors. We need to educate, change policies and services to all our citizens regardless of age. New Hampshire has become the second oldest state by median age and we need to start discussion of why and resolve the problem. The second area is school public funding for education K-12 and community colleges. The legislature has to change direction to assisting communities in funding. We need to find workable solutions. 

 

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

LF: My best achievement was getting the softball complex and track complex constructed. Fund raising and get bond articles passed. Memorandum of Agreements with other agencies, grant writing resulted in a healthy Newport community. My volunteer service in many local and state non-profits and my 

professional work with the state and federal government resulted in my being recognized with many 

awards for the hard work. 

 

ET: What challenges are facing the legislature? 

LF: First, adequate school funding for education for local communities. The opiate crisis which is related to mental health problems — the two issues cannot be separated. Working across the aisles to solve these problems which are not necessary political but people issues. Public Transportation in Sullivan county. I have been a caregiver for the last three years: family leave issue is important to me.