By Chris Frost
Eagle Times News Editor
CLAREMONT, NH — Councilor James Contois called Assistant Mayor Deb Matteau’s statements in a Tuesday, Oct. 31, Eagle Times article untrue and full of misinformation. The article detailed her departure from the Democratic Party and highlighted claims about Claremont CARES, a self-defined nonpartisan group, attacking her politically.
In her interview with The Eagle Times, she alleges that Contois was involved directly with that group and was to blame for the banter.
Contois said Matteau’s statement indicated she served as president of the Claremont Democrats, but he believes that to be questionable.
“We’re not sure about that,” he said. “The people on the Claremont Democrats are mature, my age or older. I believe she talked about things being non-partisan; everything is political today.”
He went further, saying she’s not a Democrat, she’s a dino. Matteau indicated her departure from the party on Oct. 31.
“She’s a Democrat in name only,” Contois said. “She said I lied to the council, and I have no idea what she’s talking about. What lie? They removed me because I called the chief of police [Brent Wilmont] to tell him that I did not want a no-trespass order at the Ford facility because the police were erroneous in saying I was on private property. I was on the shoulder of the road. I did not lie to the council.”
He wanted to clarify that the council did not let him “return.”
“I sued the city and took my seat back,” Contois said. “Two attorneys told the council not to do that, and the council pushed on forward anyway. There are a bunch of people whose ideas do not align with mine. They are Trump Republicans.”
Councilor Jonathan Stone doesn’t make any bones about being Trump Republican, Contois said.
“On his website, his background has Trump all over it,” he said. “Bill Limoges is another one of the Trump Republicans. Koloski and Matteau, they’re dinos.”
Councilor Nicholas Koloski said Contois is entitled to his opinion.
“I personally feel that party politics, as defined in the city charter, has no place in school board and city council elections,” said Koloski.
Limoges echoed Koloski’s sentiments.
“I firmly believe the city council and school board are non-partisan bodies,” Limoges said. “I vote for who I think is the right candidate, and I think Contois struggles with the truth.”
Contois said he simply believes in democracy.
“We need to have a free exchange of ideas, and we need to have new candidates and new blood,” he said. “The council is mainly made up of long-term residents. Perhaps that’s the reason why I have never been on the inside, even with people who pretend to be Democrats.
Ultimately, Contois said Matteau is upset because someone’s running against her.
“She has to understand that her behavior has consequences,” Contois said. “We need to move on from Deb. She’s a DINO, she’s not a Democrat, she toxic.”
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.