NH State Representative Steven Smith

The 2013 Sullivan County Conservation District Plant Sale is underway.  SCCD’s biggest fundraiser, money raised from the Plant Sale supports the District’s conservation activities throughout the year, including educational workshops, environmental outreach to schools and communities, tours and programs. A variety of healthy and hardy plants are available at good prices, including fruits (apples, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and peaches), perennial vegetables, (rhubarb, asparagus, horseradish and ostrich ferns – for grow-your-own “fiddleheads!”), hardwood and softwood trees (white oak, paper birch, balsam and fraser firs), and wildlife plants (alternate-leaved dogwood, northern bayberry, and a special wildlife pack of 5 different species). New this year are special and hard-to-find ornamentals, including 6 named varieties of lilacs (early, mid and late blooming), an azalea, and 2 kinds of magnolia trees.

Orders are being taken until March 29^th, and plant pick up will be at Log Cabin Nursery in Claremont on May 4^th.

The catalog for the Plant Sale and the order form are both available online on the SCCD website www.sullivancountynh.gov, click on “Conservation District”.  Paper copies of the catalog and order form are also available.

For more information, please contact Lionel Chute, SCCD District Manager at 603.863-4297 or via e-mail:  conservationdistrict@sullivancountynh.gov

I was planning on going to meet the local candidates in Washington this evening and learn about the local issues.  I will be unable to attend.  My wife’s mother has been fighting a valiant battle against MS for decade.  Sadly, that fight is coming to an end.  Her condition has deteriorated recently and is now at a critical point.  I will be with Carol and my family as this courageous lady comes to the end of her struggle.

Steve

Yesterday the NH House unanimously passed one of my bills, HB 200.  This bill arose from a case in Charlestown.  Currently, if you are fired for misconduct, you can appeal that decision if you feel that the employer was wrong.  Unfortunately, you’re guilty until proven innocent.  Employers are not required to prove that you did anything wrong, and they don’t even have to show up.  My bill requires the employers to furnish some proof of the misconduct.  It’s not a lot to ask.  Remember, this doesn’t mean that you get your job back.  It just means that you get the benefits that you’re entitled to.  The bill was debated before the Labor, Industrial, and Rehabilitative Services Committee, which I served on last term.  The committee suggested that in addition to my requirement for proof, that the employer or their authorized representative also be required to attend the hearing.  I agreed, we amended the bill, and it passed.  If you agree that this bill is just common sense and should become law, please contact your Senators.  The bill still has to pass there, before being sent to the Governor.

Steve