I'm sorry things didn't go better up there, but I'm sure that John will keep up the good fight and shine the hard light of reason on your local scene.

But for me, tonight -

just for one night,

the sweet, nostalgic taste of Kool-aid, and the sensation that a great weight has been lifted

and, just perhaps, the faintest movement in the air, that may be a new wind beginning to blow.

I hope so anyway, but I know that tonight - tonight - the taste is sweet.

Chris

This is quite an upset on the Portsmouth town election--to put it lightly.
The good news of the night is Obama--yahoo!

This is quite an upset on the Portsmouth town election--to put it lightly.
The good news of the night is Obama--yahoo!

I do have to say that I was shocked to see the results of the Council election this morning. It certainly was a coup for the Portsmouth Republican Party, although I'm not clear on its basis. Was there a single issue that I missed?

The question going forward is who is going to be driving the agenda and creating policy that will help form the future of Portsmouth? Can a moderate Canario rise to the occasion? My observation has been that sitting Republican councilors have mainly just sat in opposition, choosing to vote (mostly against) rather than offering up some other alternative. Will Jeff Plumb, Hamilton and Robicheau be the answer?

Sewers are a big issue, but not the only issue. Have we heard exactly what pro-business policies are going to be generated? Have any of them articulated any kind of view on the Town Center or West Side Plan? Change is good only if there are positive ideas on the other side.

And for the schools, let's hope that Republican's Mike Buddemeyer and Jeff Plumb continue advocate in their own interest as well as ours for strong schools. It will be interesting how the leadership in School Committee and Town Council shift. Is it already time for a new School Budget?

I wonder with only Canario left from the Dem. old guard (otherwise know as the conspiracists), who will Karen Gleason argue with now?

Portsmouth Sailor

What just happened?
I expected a reasonable fight in town council but a complete obliteration of the democratic slate seems so overwhelming.
Did we miss some groundswell of momentum for the reubilicans against the democrats?
I must be completely out to lunch on the make up of this town and what "we" think is important.

What is going to happen to our schools in the next 2 - 4 - 10 years?

John,

I always enjoy reading your blog, while we don't always agree politically speaking I find you provide great insights on the local scene. I too would like to extend congradulations to all Portsmouth's winners and all those who chose to enter the fray know as politics. It truly can be a nasty game and I apreaciate the sacrifices made by all those who care enough to step forward and serve.
When I read this post, I did feel a bit like baseball's Bob Uecker. I have had the honor and privilege of representing a significant portion of Portsmouth for the past four years. In fact, Portsmouth makes up almost 40% of district 71. I have worked hard on issues of importance Portsmouth cares about such as the inclusion of the open space bond, fought against unfunded state mandates on our schools and strongly opposed the Governor on cuts to aid to Portsmouth in this years supplemental budget.
I would like to remind your readers that I too am a proud member of the Portsmouth legislative delegation. In the words of Oscar Wilde, "There's only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that's not being talked about."

Regards,

John

State Representative John J. Loughlin II
Little Compton, Portsmouth, Tiverton
PO Box 244
Adamsville, RI 02801
H (401) 625-9889
O (401) 523-9700
rep-john@cox.net