Guinta Announces Second Amendment Advisory Committee

Manchester - Frank Guinta announced today the formation of his Second Amendment Advisory Committee. The former mayor and current congressional candidate, a long time supporter of citizens’ rights to bear arms, was honored to earn the support of such distinguished leaders. Guinta went on to comment, “I believe that our Country needs to return to the common sense ideas laid out by the Founding Fathers and clearly encapsulated within the Bill of Rights. I will be a strong supporter of the Second Amendment to the Constitution and promise to work to repeal and oppose any law that restricts the rights of citizens to own firearms.”

Team Guinta’s Second Amendment Advisory Committee is lead by former conservative congressional candidate Michael Hammond of Dunbarton. He is joined by Hon. Howard Crow Dickenson of Center Conway, Rep. Jenn Coffey of Andover, Rep. Laurie Boyce of Alton, Rep. Larry Gagne of Manchester, Rep. David Welch of Kingston, Richard Olson of Manchester, and Jim Phelan of Auburn. All have various past and present connections to groups that support gun owner rights. Hammond and Phelan have both served as officers of Gun Owners of New Hampshire. Olson is the Treasure of the New Hampshire Wildlife Foundation. Dickenson is a former State Representative and long time Second Amendment supporter.  Boyce, Coffey, Gagne and Welch all currently serve as State Representatives with Gagne and Welch serving on the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.



NHDP - Let's be Frank about Frank Guinta's Abysmal Record as Mayor of Manchester

As Mayor Guinta Begins His "Let's be Frank about" tour it's time for him to start answering questions about his record of increasing taxes, failing our schools, and leaving our streets less safe
 
Concord - Today, Frank Guinta will hold the first stop on his "Let's be Frank about..." tour, but voters can be sure that Frank Guinta won't be frank about his record as mayor of Manchester.
 
"Frank Guint made three promises when he ran for mayor:  lower Manchester's crime rate, reduce taxes and improve the quality of education in city schools.   As mayor of Manchester, Frank Guinta failed to deliver on a single one of those campaign promises," said Derek Richer, press secretary for the New Hampshire Democratic Party. "Frank Guinta should be frank with voters about his failures as Manchester's mayor, and voters should ask Frank how they can trust him to deliver on his new set of promises."
 
Before Frank Guinta became mayor, Manchester was a city on the move.  But under Guinta's tenure, taxes went up, Manchester's entire school district was classified as a district in need of improvement, and the crime rate increased.   According to the Manchester Police Department, since 2008, burglaries have gone up over 30% and violent crime is up almost 10%.  
 
Instead of providing resources to stem the rise in crime, Guinta slashed funding for law enforcement.  Guinta's proposed cuts drew criticism from the police department's deputy chief who told Manchester aldermen that his proposal would strip the department of 11 essential officers.  Guinta even failed to report an assault on a member of the board of aldermen at a local bar, choosing instead to flee the scene.
 
And despite his failure to adequately address rising crime and schools in disrepair, taxes increased under Guinta's watch from $16.58/$1000 to 17.85/$1000.
 
"Frank Guinta needs to explain why the voters should promote him after his complete failure as mayor of Manchester," added Richer.
 
Background:
 
Manchester schools calssified "in need of improvement" under Guinta's Watch:    In 2006, the year Guinta took office as mayor, the New Hampshire Department of Education reported that 10 schools in the Manchester school district that were designated as 'Schools in Need of Improvement' (SINI) because they failed to meet one or more Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) standards established under No Child Left Behind.  [New Hampshire Department of Education SINI Final AYP Status, 11/08/06]
 
In June 2009, the department's report on Manchester's schools indicated that there are now 21 schools 'in need of improvement.' [New Hampshire Department of Education SINI Final AYP Status, 6/10/09]
 
Crime has increased dramatically with Guinta serving in City Hall. In fact, since 2008, burglaries have gone up over 30% and violent crime is up almost 10%.  [Manchester Police Department, "Crime Data," accessed 1/21/10]
 
Guinta has slashed law enforcement funding that would strip the Manchester police of 11 officers. [New Hampshire Union Leader, 4/22/08]
 
Guinta even fled the scene of a bar fight which left a man with a broken leg in 6 places. [Manchester Express, 6/30/09 - 7/05/09 issue]
 
Taxes went up on Guinta's watch. The tax rate for 2006 was $16.58 per $1000.00 of assessed home value [NH Government Municipal Rates, 2006].  The tax rate today is 17.85 per $1000.00 of assessed home value [Manchester Assessors Department, 2008]. 

NHDP - Frank Guinta's Abysmal Tenure as Mayor of Manchester Finally Comes to an End

After 4 years of failed leadership, Manchester breathes a sigh of relief as Guinta leaves the mayor's office

 
Concord - Today is Frank Guinta's last day as mayor of Manchester, and as he leaves his post the city is breathing a long sigh of relief.
 
Before Frank Guinta took office Manchester was thriving.  But under his tenure, the city has spiraled downward in virtually every measurable way.  When Guinta first ran for mayor, he promised to cut taxes, improve education, and reduce crime.  Today, Manchester schools are in shambles, crime is through the roof, and taxes under Guinta have gone up, not down.
 
And Frank Guinta's lack of leadership and poor fiscal management have most recently led to the Verizon Wireless Arena's bonds being downgraded to junk status, a possibility that Guinta was warned about in 2008.
 
"Frank Guinta's tenure as mayor was a disaster for the people of Manchester," said Derek Richer, press secretary for the New Hampshire Democratic Party.  "Despite rising taxes, Manchester schools are worse than they have ever been and the streets are less safe."  
 
"The only thing the people of Manchester and Mayor Guinta can agree on is that it's time for him to go," continued Richer.  
 
Guinta is now trying to parlay his time as mayor of Manchester into a congressional seat, but the candidate has faced increasing pressure for a campaign that, like his time as mayor, has consistently failed to live up to expectations.  
 
Despite the hype surrounding Frank Guinta's candidacy for Congress, he has struggled to raise money, and his poor fundraising results have raised serious questions about the viability of his campaign for Congress.   This has led to a number of Republican challengers jumping into the Republican primary including Bob Bestani and Rich Ashooh, a Vice President of BAE Systems.
 
"After his abysmal tenure as mayor of Manchester it's astounding that Frank Guinta is asking for a promotion to Congress," added Richer.  "And between his poor fundraising performance and the increasingly crowded Republican primary, it's clear the people of New Hampshire don't think he deserves one either."



Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta's public schedule (January 2-5, 2010)

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

10:00 a.m. – Inauguration of Mayor-elect Theodore Gatsas and the incoming boards of Aldermen and School Committee; Palace Theatre; 80 Hanover St.; Manchester

(Immediately following the inauguration, organizational meetings for both boards to follow in the Aldermanic Chambers; One City Hall Plaza; Manchester. For information regarding organizational meetings, please contact the Office of the City Clerk at (603) 624-6455.)

 ***This is the final public schedule from the Office of Mayor Frank C. Guinta***

Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta's Public Schedule (December 26, 2009-January 3, 2010)

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

2:00 p.m. – Presentation of proceeds from Manchester City Marathon to Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester; Mayor’s Office; One City Hall Plaza; Manchester

Friday, January 1, 2010 – NEW YEAR’S DAY (CITY OFFICES CLOSED)

Please contact Mark Laliberte at (603) 624-6500 or mlaliberte@manchesternh.gov for more information about any of these events.