• HELPING STATE FOREST NURSERY FILL ORDERS

    Master Gardeners, Natural Resource Stewards pitch in to fill seedling orders at the State Forest Nursery in Boscawen.
    Learn more
  • Preparation tips for summer storm season

    SUMMER ACCESSORIES

    Were your dreams interrupted by cracks and booms in the wee small hours of Wednesday morning? Thunderstorm season has arrived. Here are some tips for preparedness.
    Get tips
  • Strafford County NH 4-H members spring fashion revue 2013

    FASHIONISTAS

    Strafford County 4-H members model their togs at the recent Fashion Revue event. Next stop Fashion Week.
  • Adult emerald ash borer

    BE BEETLE-AWARE

    Governor Hassan has declared this week Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week. She is urging citizens to get involved in preventing the spread of this invasive insect.
    Learn more
  • Winter Greens Field Day Hosted by UNH Cooperative Extension

    GREEN$ IN WINTER?

    Greenhouse operators typically have lots of unused space during the winter months. But maybe not for long.
    Find out why

Voices

Are we Disengaging from Civic Life in New Hampshire?

Over a century ago, Gifford Pinchot, the first chief of the U.S. Forest Service, observed that the strength of our nation lies in the public’s ability to guide policy decisions and action, whether at the local or national level. It should come as no surprise that New Hampshire towns have followed this strong tradition of public participation in local governance for over three centuries. In fact, New Hampshire is one of only a handful of states that still has in place the town meeting form of government, whereby town residents come together to legislate local policy at an annual town meeting. During this meeting, residents debate—and ultimately decide upon—town budgets, local laws and ordinances, and other matters of local import.

But this strong tradition of public participation in local governance has hit its fair share of bumps in the road, as many New Hampshire towns have adopted a ballot-vote form of government known as Senate Bill 2 (SB 2), which is replacing the town meeting form of government. Instead of debating local policy, budgets, and other matters, they come to a vote in SB 2 towns.

Featured Events

Stay Connected