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• Jim Sullivan (Friday, March 24 23 09:14 am EDT)

  Will the real Jim Sullivan please stand up !!!!!

• Jim Sullivan (Friday, March 24 23 08:39 am EDT)

  I don't need to say this but the posts below are not me. If I was a tool I would be a wedge (it's the simplest human tool). For breakfast I eat half a dozen Little Debbie cinnamon mini donuts and wash it down with water straight from the Sugar River (I piss Claremont, literally). Ad update, my computer is still down so I broke into my neighbors house and am using their Commodore 64 to set the record straight that none of the posts below this one claiming to be me are actually me. I will post articles when my Apple IIe is up and running again.

• Jim Sullivan (Thursday, March 23 23 08:15 pm EDT)

  That last post is fake !
  I have 6 raw eggs for breakfast, a box of Ring Dings for lunch .
  For dinner I have boiled spinach and liver on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On the other days I fast.
  For desert I have prunes.

• Jim Sullivan (Thursday, March 23 23 07:58 pm EDT)

  Answer:
  
  Breakfast: Eggs with garlic and dry rye toast
  Lunch: Tuna or PB&J sandwich and lays chips and Diet Coke
  Dinner: Meat (salt only) and Potatoes (dry)

• Tony Boy (Thursday, March 23 23 06:10 pm EDT)

  Jim, what do you normally eat?

• Jim Sullivan (Thursday, March 23 23 03:39 pm EDT)

  Answers:
  
  1. I will post a photo but mostly I look handsome. I am working on a feature to post pictures. I am calling it the book of faces.
  2. I would be a Milwaukee tool or a Swiss Army knife.
  3. I spend an average of 30 hours per week working on exposing the local governments shenanigans.

• Bob (Thursday, March 23 23 02:02 pm EDT)

  Jim, what do you look like? You always post pictures in your articles of other people but you’ve never shown yourself.

• ToolsRus (Thursday, March 23 23 01:10 pm EDT)

  Jim, if you could be any type of tool what type of tool would you be and why?
  
  And as a follow up: Exactly how much free time do you have to harass the city employees that our tax payers fund? An average per week would be sufficient. Thanks!

• Jim Sullivan (Thursday, March 23 23 09:06 am EDT)

  My computer is still broken, I’m currently in the library.
  I will answer any and all your questions.
  The last post is fake, I’ll be in the library till noon finishing up this weeks articles which will be posted later this afternoon if anyone would like to stop by and say hello

• Jim Sullivan (Thursday, March 23 23 09:02 am EDT)

  My computer is now fixed and I did not write the last posting.

• Jim Sullivan (Wednesday, March 22 23 08:28 pm EDT)

  While I wait for my computer to be fixed I’d like to try something here. Ask me anything and I will answer it.

• Bruce (Tuesday, March 21 23 11:33 pm EDT)

  Nate, insignificant ? This page would only be insignificant to the illiterate, or those with an extremely low IQ.
  The Sullivan Report is the best source for what's really going on in Claremont.
  Sorry you have insignificant intelligence to know how valuable the Sullivan Report is to Claremont.

• Nate B. (Tuesday, March 21 23 08:35 am EDT)

  Probably because you are moron. Anything posted here under a real name is automatically fake and anything under a fake name is real. The fact you think Nicky Boy or Greg have time to even pay attention to this insignificant page is rich. They are neighbors and friends so quality try on your part.

• Patrick (Monday, March 20 23 07:20 pm EDT)

  “Thou without sin cast the first stone”- Jesus

• Huh (Monday, March 20 23 05:31 pm EDT)

  Not sure how having an affair on your teacher wife with a stripper and having a child equals being a gentleman.

• factchecker (Monday, March 20 23 02:50 pm EDT)

  Mr Smith is Nicky Boy. Jim Sullivan is also Nicky boy. That said, Nicky Boy isn't actually Nicky Boy.
  
  Pat is Patrick Adrian.
  
  This message was independently factchecked and was paid for by the Claremont Democrats. (TM)

• Johnny Mac (Monday, March 20 23 02:34 pm EDT)

  Did anyone else notice Jim has been absent and not doing his job writing articles?

• Mr. Smith (Monday, March 20 23 10:04 am EDT)

  Why do I get the strange feeling "Rod" and many other names on here is actually Nicky Boy?

• John J.O’Connor (Monday, March 20 23 09:07 am EDT)

  Rod,
  I seriously doubt you did anything like that. I can tell from your posts you are a coward.
  You only use a first name and then challenge people to find you.
  There is no shame to my game, I use my God given name because I can back up the checks I write but you talk shit and hide behind your keyboard.
  It seems you spend a lot of time drinking at the elks, maybe it’s time to get some help. It’s obvious, your drinking is clouding your judgement and causing you to embarrass yourself.
  Gets some help Rod, before it’s too late.

• Rod (Monday, March 20 23 08:49 am EDT)

  Jonny. I wrote the check. Greg knows this. Swing by the Elks next time and see how tough flappy mouth is. He is all mouth. Good day keyboard junkie.

• Rod (Sunday, March 19 23 09:40 pm EDT)

  Yeah they are both pretty tough.

• John J. O’Connor (Sunday, March 19 23 02:56 pm EDT)

  Rod,
  I’m not sure what your beef is with Greg and Mark other than jealousy.
  Don’t hate the players, hate the game.
  I’ve know both men for over 25 years, they have been complete gentleman. Greg has honorably served the communities of Newport and Claremont risking his life and safety and now along with Mark, provide quality housing during a time when quality housing is at a premium.
  These men have invested large sums of money in Claremont, they could have gone anywhere but they remained in their hometown after so many have fled.
  They stayed and continue to invest in Claremont even though they could do much better financially anywhere else in the state. Claremont’s tax situation is a deterrent to business.
  I’m a world of villains, these two men are not it. All they are trying to do is protect their investments.
  Rod, you act like a keyboard tough guy.
  Don’t write checks your ass can’t cash but if you’re feeling froggy, jump… I’m sure Greg won’t mind teaching you a lesson.

• Johnny Rotten (Sunday, March 19 23 01:19 pm EDT)

  Success is who has the most toys in their yard. I have what all of you want.

• Robert (Sunday, March 19 23 09:02 am EDT)

  Oh no Lisa. You can't buy cars locally. It is the first rule of being a volunteer on a board. Those bastards. You get em girl!

• Rod (Sunday, March 19 23 08:57 am EDT)

  Success is gauged in many forms. Is it the respect of the community friends and neighbors? Your own families love? The size of your credit line? How many tax loop holes you take advantage of. Surely those that build their own empire by taking advantage of others is what you call success. I happen to know it's all a sham and they stress over things. I do not and have a pretty fat purse on top of things. Bragging about your wealth is a sign of success by the way. Greg and Mark. I am a tough guy and you know that. Try me or offer to buy me another drink at the Elks. I don't need the keyboard. Use your real name.

• Harvey (Sunday, March 19 23 07:09 am EDT)

  Where’s the articles Jom? Taking the week off or sumthin?

• Roderick (Saturday, March 18 23 08:36 pm EDT)

  They took massive PPPbailouts.

• Lisa (Saturday, March 18 23 04:07 pm EDT)

  I would think Arrowhead Motors loves all these lower income people, keeps them in business. I wonder if they are giving kickbacks to the democrats in Claremont to keep bringing them in. Taxes go up, so does the price of a junk car they have to buy, they won't be shopping at Claremont Ford like some councilors.

• Tony (Saturday, March 18 23 03:03 pm EDT)

  G and M drive out the welfare. Donk brings them back in.

• Joe (Saturday, March 18 23 03:01 pm EDT)

  Unlike the welfare rats that flock to Claremont for all the free handouts. Some of us work for a living, and that includes working for someone else or being in business for yourself with the goal of making money. Welcome to the real world. Stop making Claremont a welfare destination.

• Pete (Saturday, March 18 23 11:25 am EDT)

  Leave the business people alone. They are good people doing good things for the community.

• Uncle Richard (Saturday, March 18 23 08:41 am EDT)

  Ok. Now you’re a tough guy on the internet. Who’s the most successful?

• Rod (Saturday, March 18 23 08:24 am EDT)

  My birth name is Roderick if you need clarity. I am certain you posted with your real name. I own my words like Oconnor and won't hide my identity like the rest of the cowards here. I am sure there are less than 10 Rodericks that resides within 20 miles. I am not concerned about being confronted by that mouth piece. It would not be the first time he has gotten yappy. He knows who I am. He was present at the Halloween party at the Elks tanked. I told him what I thought of him then. If he has any issue he can come see me. He won't as he is all talk and just runs his mouth. If you praise him you really have no idea of his temper, arrogance and demeanor. That would mean its Greg himself. Hi Greg. Use your real name and don't hide behind a keyboard.

• Tom Ron (Friday, March 17 23 06:01 pm EDT)

  Rod use your real name

• Rod (Friday, March 17 23 05:27 pm EDT)

  Besides Greg and Mark posting here to puff themselves up please provide ANY example. Picking up trash is the excuse for pushing snow onto someone else property? Cool. That is something Greg would say. Greg is and overweight pussy and couldn't make it as a cop. So many people have talked smack. What is he going to do threaten you with a lawyer? Oh no. My heavens. Sit down and shut up.

• Johnny Cakes (Friday, March 17 23 03:45 pm EDT)

  Not one of you has the backbone to say a word to Greg. He is a strong man of character who will not be pushed around.

• Tanker (Friday, March 17 23 02:48 pm EDT)

  Jessica, the City does not pay for tires you blowout when you hit a pothole. It is considered a roadside hazard. Check with the City's insurance company, but I doubt they will pay.

• franklin (Friday, March 17 23 11:00 am EDT)

  Kalen "Gobbling up apartment buildings to line your own pockets is very generous so please provide other examples of their non selfish nature." How is making money selfish? You must be another section 8 leech angry that people actually work for a living

• Jessica (Friday, March 17 23 09:52 am EDT)

  Can someone please advise if the city pays or how to get a tire replaced from my daughter hitting a pot hole this morning on way to school called the city offices they said they don't do but I heard a story years ago they had for my neighbor for one they hit by Bible hill

• Donky dunk pick up your trash (Friday, March 17 23 09:32 am EDT)

  I see them picking up trash on Washington street dunkin cups almost every morning when they get to work but don't know them but seems they do there part keeping stuff up

• Carla (Friday, March 17 23 09:27 am EDT)

  They do more for the community than anyone else. Period.
  
  You should run people through the mud who can’t defend themselves on here and they don’t know who you are. Why don’t you bring your complaints to their face and see the real truth instead of writing it on this website. Good people running good companies that give back to the community.

• Dunky (Friday, March 17 23 09:20 am EDT)

  I work at Dunkin. I like it when they push their snow from the car lot on to Dunkin property. Super cool. Our general manager has asked to stop. They don't care. Generous people giving like that.

• Kalen (Friday, March 17 23 09:04 am EDT)

  Please tell us the estimated number of jobs THEY provide. Gobbling up apartment buildings to line your own pockets is very generous so please provide other examples of their non selfish nature. Can't wait to hear it. Google Arrowhead Motors and Banking Commission. Stellar dudes. Only out for themselves. My heart is so full with all their goodness of pumping out heaps of junk cars with high interest rates to repo them and begin again out of the goodness of their precious little hearts.

• John J. O’Connor (Friday, March 17 23 06:04 am EDT)

  I can’t think of two people who care more or do more for the community than Greg and Mark. That is who Donk wants to become when he grows up.

• Tim Mulligan (Friday, March 17 23 03:55 am EDT)

  You should not comment on respected citizens like this. They provide so much for the city, more than any other person. Jobs, housing and other services.

• Mitt Nulligam (Thursday, March 16 23 05:35 pm EDT)

  Do you have any information on Jim’s connection to the owners of Arrowhead Motors? He deleted several posts about their business practices recently. And they are well known republican donors, which would connect to Jim’s weekly diatribe on the Claremont Democratic Party.

• Tim Mulligan (Thursday, March 16 23 12:04 pm EDT)

  I’m glad Jim can not delete my messages now. I have some information that I will be sharing while Jim’s computer is being fixed. stay tuned. This is regarding things that have been hidden and deleted.

• Uncle Randy (Thursday, March 16 23 05:57 am EDT)

  Jim, more excuses.

• Snidely Whiplash (Wednesday, March 15 23 08:37 pm EDT)

  John - You all didn;t learn from Croydon last year about showing up to vote. The weather was fine for NH in the winter.

• Jim Sullivan (Wednesday, March 15 23 04:40 pm EDT)

  Announcement!
  
  There will not be any articles published this weekend. The reason is my computer is not working properly and I will be delivering it to the repair shop tomorrow morning to be fixed. Until it is fixed I will not be able to research, write or publish any articles. The website will still be working but I will not be able to add any new content until my computer is repaired. This is only a temporary problem. Thank you in advance for your understanding and patience.

• Jim Sullivan (Wednesday, March 15 23 04:36 pm EDT)

  Claremont Voters approved the Claremont School Budget.
  
  Frank Sprague, Arlene Hawkins & Jennifer Gallagher were all elected to the Claremont School Board.

• Donk (Wednesday, March 15 23 02:44 pm EDT)

  @ Rog- Most of my tenants made life mistakes many years ago.I run a business.It's not my job to support the mistake makers.Perhaps local government can give a portion of their paychecks to support these people.I don't understand why many of these women have children and they don't have s pot to piss in.
  
  When the taxes for schools or local government go up so too does the rent.When insurance goes up same thing.I try not to paint to save a little.Claremont seems to like houses with character patina.

• Mike (Wednesday, March 15 23 10:17 am EDT)

  People can complain. But in 2021, 7% of Claremont voted in the school board election. In 2019, 11% voted. Here we are in 2023 and 13% voted with the budget passing 2-1. I think it’s fair to say that we should have postponed for optics sake. But the outcome wouldn’t have been any different and I’m not sure you could even claim that turnout would’ve increased by any substantial amount based on previous years’ elections. Also John, I read that only 70 towns in NH postponed, less than a third.

• John J. O’Connor (Wednesday, March 15 23 09:19 am EDT)

  I see from the results, less than 1,000 people voted.
  Can anyone explain to me why this election wasn’t postponed like it was in other towns statewide?
  Less than 1,000 people in a city of @15,000 people decided to pass the biggest budget ever presented.
  Less than 1,000 people have increased the taxes on everyone.
  How difficult would it have been to postpone it till a later date?
  This is shameful.
  Next year, let’s not burden the citizens with having to vote, just have the school board present it’s budget to the local Democrat party for their approval.
  They now run the city .

• Rog (Wednesday, March 15 23 08:28 am EDT)

  Just lower the rents Donk. What’s more important your greedy profit or people’s lives. You don’t care about babies and the elderly?

• Donk (Wednesday, March 15 23 07:49 am EDT)

  Now that this new school budget has passed that means even higher rents for Claremont.
  These people are hardly making it now.

• Mike (Tuesday, March 14 23 10:46 pm EDT)

  Passed easily

• Guy (Tuesday, March 14 23 09:34 pm EDT)

  Any news on the school budget ?

• Donk (Tuesday, March 14 23 08:32 pm EDT)

  Get rid of the fire codes. They only cost hard working people money.

• Snapdog (Tuesday, March 14 23 08:23 pm EDT)

  DPW and plowing. Jim why should the plow trucks be out anytime before 4 AM??? Unless there is an emergency, called in by police and/or fire Chiefs.
  
  Get the plows out at 4 AM, ahead of drivers headed to work, and ahead of school busses.
  
  We must consider driver fatigue, and OT pay$.
  
  Remember like a Firemen, they have strong Union contracts. Like Fireman, they can refuse to come in and work beyond 40 hours each week. Come March they get sick of plowing all night, and outside drivers are not allowed.
  
  I also have one more comment. Chief Chamberlain can disegnate one of his staff to oversea the airport IF the Union allows for it.....ya never know.

• BigDog (Tuesday, March 14 23 08:04 pm EDT)

  John you have it correct if the new Chief has met all of the requirements for the Job Description.
  
  He knows the Union contract for the fire staff, and he wrote the contract for the fire officers.
  He knows that he is the Fire Chief, the airport manager, and the head of the City's Emergency management when required.
  
  His family will advise him if neccessary.
  
  Challenges...will be recruiting staff, the airport, and what to do with Fire Code enforcement.

• John (Tuesday, March 14 23 07:37 pm EDT)

  Wrong

• John J. O’Connor (Tuesday, March 14 23 09:18 am EDT)

  Jim Chamberlain is a life long resident of Claremont and has spent his entire Fire fighting career dedicated to protecting the citizens of Claremont.
  Jim is not a carpetbagger, he comes from a family of firefighters, he deserves a chance to prove he is capable.
  Jim is a strong Union supporter with a wealth of knowledge in regards to what his fire fighters need to be safe and successful.
  Claremont has gone thru 3 fire Chiefs in the last 10 years, now with Jim, Claremont doesn’t have to worry about filling this position for a very long time.
  I suggest, before openly criticizing someone you don’t know, give the man a chance to prove to you what I’ve always known, Jim Chamberlain is a professional firefighter and Claremont is lucky to have him.

• What are we doing (Tuesday, March 14 23 06:59 am EDT)

  Chamberlain has never been a true leader of anything except washing a fire truck wow way to go claremont good pick look at the selection process WOW

• Tim Mulligan (Tuesday, March 14 23 06:23 am EDT)

  Is Chamberlain hire a result of union pressure? He did bring the Teamsters to Claremont. Was that the deal all along?

• Jill (Monday, March 13 23 08:15 pm EDT)

  After watching the CCTV interviews, I will be voting tomorrow for Frank Sprague, Mike Petrin and Nick Stone for school board. I’m conflicted on the budget. If you haven’t watch the interviews you should take the time to.

• Brad (Monday, March 13 23 05:50 pm EDT)

  Jim it takes a big man to admit in a public setting that he was wrong. Good on you. You did do the right thing and it shows your true character.

• NinersFan (Monday, March 13 23 05:45 pm EDT)

  Skippy has it wrong. I was told that some of the union guys hate Rapp. They promised some would leave rather than work for Rapp and Yoshi bought it!! Yoshi's weak on unions and is gonna let them run the department!! Our safety and taxes are at risk!!
  
  In all seriousness that's what I was told happened by a fire fighter.

• Jim Sullivan (Monday, March 13 23 05:10 pm EDT)

  Becky, read the article again. I state that Matt Mooshian's election campaign was financially supported by the Democrat Party not Nick Koloski.

• Jim Sullivan (Monday, March 13 23 04:44 pm EDT)

  New article published today on the News Flashes page of this website.
  
  I got it wrong!

• Jeff (Monday, March 13 23 01:22 pm EDT)

  Watch the actual meeting which i did after Jim falsely reported this. Kiloski suggests that the council look at the practice of having the fire chief oversee the airport. Where do you get Burr or any named individual in this Jim? From what I see you falsely state 3 different things about one councilor in one single "news" story. Really sloppy and I expect better from you. I have followed you for many years but this is way off the mark and you should apologize.

• Skippy (Monday, March 13 23 12:38 pm EDT)

  So Yoshi was promised that fire fighters would come back in for calls if Chamberlain was made chief? I don't know what's worse. A manager letting himself get dictated to by a union or an employee engaging in extortion for his own gain.
  
  Seems some shady things happening in city hall. Yoshi isn't going to cut it.

• John J. O’Connor (Monday, March 13 23 11:50 am EDT)

  Jim,
  I’m sure the 4am starting time has something to do with the Union contract in regards to night differential.
  It might have been a little difficult for those “midnight” travelers but in a financially strapped city, every penny counts and the city has to find savings where they can.
  In regards to Councilor Koloski, I ask myself what is his intent in making such a request of the City Manager in behalf of Chief Burr ?
  I’m willing to give Nick the benefit of the doubt and say his intent was honorable. I believe his recommendation of Chief Burr was done with the good intentions of the city in mind.
  Let it be a warning to the others on the Council as to what they are allowed and not allowed to do.
  This is a great teaching moment.

• Peter (Monday, March 13 23 08:37 am EDT)

  Grasping at straws huh Jimbo. Charter violation hahaha. Why don't you watch and quote the actual comment or question?

• Becky (Monday, March 13 23 08:28 am EDT)

  Jim you are absolutely incorrect. If you couldn't hear the meeting you shouldn't pretend to know what was said. Koloski did not say he was voting for Pope based on his experience. He listed the positives for both candidates. Why don't you quote his complete statement. I want to point out how your dislike for people clouds your thought process and has you intentionally smearing people. You go on to list Koloski as having his election campaign supported by Claremont Democrats. You are mistaken but you already know this. He would not accept the endorsement nor has he ever. How do I know this? I attend Sullivan County Democrats meetings when I am able. They did try. The last election we were not able to use the state mailer as we attempted to list Koloski. He would not allow it. He wrote a letter to the State party blocking the unauthorized endorsement stating political parties have no place in local elections. I remember this as several in the room were miffed over this. Begs this question are you intentionally avoiding the facts?

• Jim Sullivan (Monday, March 13 23 06:42 am EDT)

  Four new articles published today on the News Flashes page of this website.
  
  1) Claremont School Board Election–Budget – Warrant Articles votes to be cast on Tuesday, March 14, 2023.
  
  2) Claremont DPW Snowplowing Policy is putting the public at risk! The rest of the story!
  
  3) City Manager Manale's weekly report.
  
  4) March 8, 2023 Claremont City Council meeting synopsis.

• Carl (Monday, March 13 23 06:03 am EDT)

  This is getting to be a regular occurrence.

• Jim Sullivan (Sunday, March 12 23 06:20 pm EDT)

  The articles are taking longer for me to finish than anticipated so I will be publishing them tomorrow morning as I will be finishing writing them this evening.

• Uncle Randy (Sunday, March 12 23 05:41 pm EDT)

  Yes you do.

• Jim Sullivan (Sunday, March 12 23 10:03 am EDT)

  Insider, I have absolutely no idea what you are referring to regarding safety. If I missed something please enlighten us.

• Insider (Sunday, March 12 23 07:23 am EDT)

  Tell us, Jim. Is the true safety article being published today with all the facts? You don’t even know how close you got to a gold mine, but you see the result. Everyone is leaving the city.

• Uncle Randy (Saturday, March 11 23 03:10 pm EST)

  how many poorly prepared people are being promoted from within? Jim do your digging…something stinks with these new appointments

• Bill (Saturday, March 11 23 09:34 am EST)

  Claremont Democrats only support Black Lives Matter in the park on a sign, not on the city council.

• Uncle Randy (Saturday, March 11 23 08:45 am EST)

  Jim ignores the truth

• Jim Sullivan (Saturday, March 11 23 06:10 am EST)

  Donk, it's okay another reader sent me a copy of the mailer. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.

• Donk (Saturday, March 11 23 04:19 am EST)

  Sorry Jim, I threw it out before I even brought it in the house.
  3 names on the envelope. Frank Sprague
  Arlene Hawkins and Jennifer Gallagher

• Uncle Randy (Friday, March 10 23 06:31 pm EST)

  Jim ignores things

• Snappy (Friday, March 10 23 04:50 pm EST)

  Of course the IFFA made a quiet deal with Chamberlain and the City Manager.
  One thing about the new Chief is that he won't be leaving for the Upper Valley to make more money. He is and has been molded right here in Claremont. Just like Wilmont.
  
  Outside staff with new ideas need not apply. Women can't apply, and IF you are from the LGBTQ group, never apply!
  
  I am a bit disappoint in the new City Manager.

• Uncle Randy (Friday, March 10 23 03:28 pm EST)

  The republicans sent out a mailer but no one is running

• Jim Sullivan (Friday, March 10 23 03:05 pm EST)

  Donk, if you or anyone else has a copy of the Democrat mailer for Tuesday's School Vote please email me a copy at:
  
  jim_sullivan1@comcast.net
  
  Thank you.

• Donk? (Friday, March 10 23 10:12 am EST)

  Donk, where have you been? The dems have been doing mailers since mooshine and rocky and then the skillen and bonnie. I haven't seen one from them this year for school board. Frank is well liked and I the only people I know running are him and Nicholas Stone. I have not seen the other candidate even campaign. Those are my votes

• Paula (Friday, March 10 23 10:11 am EST)

  Jim why don't you 91a this and last weeks firefighter run ins with the law? A new hire at that. I see Chamberlain will be judged on criteria that fixes that shithole.

• Donk (Friday, March 10 23 09:33 am EST)

  Vote NO on Article 2 for the school vote on March 14 if you don't want your taxes exploding upward.
  The Democrats are actually doing mailers now in Claremont.
  Democrats cannot control the spending because you are the only way that they derive their wealth.They do nothing productive in our society and are just parasites.

• GRILLnTOAST (Thursday, March 09 23 10:54 pm EST)

  CRapp must not have offered as much union concessions as Chamberlain.

• Skippy (Thursday, March 09 23 07:47 pm EST)

  Yoshi made a deal with the fire union to put Chamberlain in place. 6 months won't be long enough.
  The iffa is already spending any goodwill by convincing Yoshi to not fire a domestic abuser firefighter. There are at least 3 firefighters that have been in trubble with cops. Iffa chief won't hold them accountable.
  
  Any word on the new building inspector?? Can the city find a new hr person?? We need answers!!

• Frank (Thursday, March 09 23 08:27 am EST)

  It is like everyone lives under high voltage power lines in here. Scott Pope walked out as Mayor over 15 years ago. He then went on to win election and serve as a councilor for full terms. He didn't run again and retired. Guess everyone just runs with what they remember and miss facts. Good job all.

• Robert (Thursday, March 09 23 03:23 am EST)

  Jim, who is the real Jim Chamberlain? You need to do an investigative report. We all deserve to know the truth.

• John J. O’Connor (Wednesday, March 08 23 08:31 pm EST)

  Congratulations to Claremont native Captain James Chamberlain. It’s so important in law enforcement and the Fire department to hire their Chiefs from within the ranks.
  It’s improved moral and the department’s get a leader with skin in the game .
  Again congratulations “Chief” Chamberlain on a well deserved promotion.
  Congratulations also to Scott Pope being selected to the City Council, best of luck .

• Go claremont (Wednesday, March 08 23 04:28 pm EST)

  Wait until these idiots try to put liberal Rapp or liberal chamberlain in the chief position neither have ever done anything in life but I'm sure with this leadership currently they will slide right in instead of trying to get a professional with. A real resume go claremont

• John J. O’Connor (Wednesday, March 08 23 04:01 pm EST)

  Steve, Franklin….
  You made valid points but it’s an appointment for a short period of time. I wasn’t happy when Scott quit, I didn’t agree with his position but I’ll defend his right in making the decision he did because it was based on principle and we need people of principle on the council.
  It’s nice that Mr.Tyson is interested in the seat and I strongly encourage him to run this November but for the short term, Scott Pope is the only common sense choice.

• Steve (Wednesday, March 08 23 03:38 pm EST)

  Scott Pope does not deserve the seat because he quit once before when he was Mayor. He just got up and walked out and quit because he could not stand the pressure of his elected seat. Why would anyone even consider someone like that for an elected position? Scott has many friends on today's city council so he will probably get the appointment but it wall be a huge step backward for Claremont. Mr. Tyson should get the appointment.

• Franklin (Wednesday, March 08 23 03:35 pm EST)

  O'Connor is a typical "good ol boy". Yeah lets appoint someone who has brought this city down. You talking about all of his service and that he has served this city for a long time. Are you happy where the city is? I am not and electing Pope to do the same piss poor job is not the answer. We know what we get with pope lets see what we get from the other guy

• John J. O’Connor (Wednesday, March 08 23 03:25 pm EST)

  Wow, what a lose/lose situation the City Council is in.
  If they select Scott Pope they are racists.
  If they select the other candidate strictly because of his race they are racists.
  I don’t see an upside here…
  I have a suggestion, select the person that is best qualified for the job, regardless of race or gender.
  Scott Pope has served honorable in the past and left because he is a man of principle and someone with principles is exactly what Claremont needs.
  This is a 9 month term, Claremont can not afford to appoint someone that is learning as they go. Scott Pope has the experience to come and and get up to speed immediately.
  In my humble opinion, they should select Scott Pope to represent Ward 2.

• Donkey (Wednesday, March 08 23 02:52 pm EST)

  Breaking news Sullivan County Republicans take to email campaign and Sullivan report to try and mind fuck their way to seat one of their own.

• Breaking News (Wednesday, March 08 23 09:29 am EST)

  Will the Democrats on the city council appoint the first African American Counselor or will they prove their implicit bias and stick with their political agenda and appoint Scott Pope, an individual who once got up and quit the city council during a meeting? Diversity is more than just LGBTQ+

• Ryan (Wednesday, March 08 23 06:48 am EST)

  Tonight the city council has an opportunity to make history by appointing the first African-American to their ranks. Will they?

• Tom (Tuesday, March 07 23 08:31 pm EST)

  Gary, what are you talking about? Dale Girard, Matt Mooshian and Spencer Batchelder aare all Democrats and they all refused to vote to remove Contois off of the city council. They did not police their own all all. They wanted to keep him on the city council no matter what crazy thing he did next.

• Gary (Tuesday, March 07 23 07:38 pm EST)

  I like how the Democrats at least police their own and kicked Contois off the council. That was really impressive.

• Roger Stone (Tuesday, March 07 23 05:45 pm EST)

  Yes well Jim blowing things up is really nothing new but we have city council memders who are active members of the Republican Party as well and Jim seems ready to ignore them.
  
  Seems strange to attack a party for doing what parties do. All politics are local.

• Bill (Tuesday, March 07 23 05:34 pm EST)

  They’re fundraising and advertising candidates that they support. Sometimes they even get out and knock on doors and talk to people. I get why people want the city stuff to stay nonpartisan but the democrats haven’t done anything out of pocket. I certainly haven’t seen any evidence that people who the democrats supported have been coerced to vote in a certain way, even though Jim likes to claim that every other week.

• Roger Stone (Tuesday, March 07 23 05:11 pm EST)

  So anyone who is a Democrat shouldn’t be allowed to run for office? I understand that you have to suspend thinking to be a Republican now but no such restriction on democrats right now.
  
  How is the party buying the school board? Are they paying people for their votes? Are they registering voters? Are they paying off poll workers?
  
  
  Really, you need to report them if they are doing something wrong.

• Gary (Monday, March 06 23 07:22 pm EST)

  Jim, let’s stop with the games please. The documents you have regarding the safety of multiple city facilities needs to be released and reported. Enough is enough. I told you about the city hall safety issues and you wrote half the story!
  
  It’s time for us to all understand. Who are you protecting? Most people are gone or are leaving. Is this like a game of Clue? Do we need to narrow down who your allegiances are to by who is left at the city? It’s becoming apparent that most employees with any conscience will be leaving.

• Donk (Monday, March 06 23 12:43 pm EST)

  @Mike - You're right, they did do a good job this time.Even though Gleeson came in not knowing his ass from a hole in the ground he has learned.
  Now that Mr. Gleeson actually is getting to know the job I suspect he'll be moving on to a richer community soon.

• Mike (Monday, March 06 23 12:06 pm EST)

  I think it should be said that the DPW did a great job with snow removal in the last storm. That was no small amount of snow and it appeared that within 24 hours all roads and major sidewalks were clear. That hasn’t been the case with every storm this year. And I have to assume they’re understaffed like everybody. Maybe there were a few hours in the middle of the night when things weren’t being cleared but if the trade off is good work during the day, I think Gleeson made a good decision and should be applauded.

• Jim Sullivan (Monday, March 06 23 05:31 am EST)

  Gary, sorry I have been meaning to get back to you but I have been extremely busy and I kept forgetting to do so. The reason why I said in my earlier response to you that I might have missed something is because it is entirely within the realm of possibility, I am not perfect and I may have overlooked something that I am unaware of. As far as why municipal staff is leaving, that is hard for me to document because it is a personnel issue and that is not subject to the Right to Know Law. I am not trying to cover-up a damn thing. If you know something that you think I should investigate then please tell me what that is.

• Jim Sullivan (Sunday, March 05 23 08:31 pm EST)

  Wow! I have been busy most of the day finishing the six new articles that I have just published on the News Flashes page of this website and I see that the pranksters are back at it again here on the Public Forum posting false comments under my name again. I must really be worrying someone or several someone's, which means I'm doing something right. Anyway, here are the titles to today's six new articles.
  
  1) Claremont Local Democrat Party Leaders are buying Claremont School Board Candidates again!
  
  2) City Manager Manale announces paving plan!
  
  3) Nancy Merrill & the CDA are at it again!
  
  4) City Manager Manale's weekly report.
  
  5) Arrowhead Update.
  
  6) The Claremont Democratic Committee is completely out of touch with reality!

• Jim Sullivan (Sunday, March 05 23 07:51 pm EST)

  Tomorrow is another day. I will be postponing my articles until next Sunday, there is too much to write. I’ve gotten some new information about the terrible situation unfolding with the staffing. It seems within weeks we will be below 50% staffing in the city. What will Yoshi do? We will find out but the emails received sounds like more of the same from this hollowed out shell of a city administration. Until next week folks.

• Jim Sullivan (Sunday, March 05 23 05:27 pm EST)

  I’m just having trouble balancing everything and this is my last priority. If it means you all have to wait then so be it. I’m not going to do this forever anyways, it gets old writing the same thing every week.

• Jake (Sunday, March 05 23 03:02 pm EST)

  Must be such a trouble having having people post as you or anonymously trying to tarnish your stellar reputation. Oh wait. You run this just like that.

• Jim Sullivan (Sunday, March 05 23 02:39 pm EST)

  Just got a call from a reader telling me about the latest bullshit post claiming it's me saying there's no articles this week. There will be as I am still working on the CDA article as it is taking me a little longer than I expected to finish it. I should have all of the articles up early this evening.

• Jim Sullivan (Sunday, March 05 23 02:14 pm EST)

  Sorry folks, something came up. No articles this week.

• Jim Sullivan (Sunday, March 05 23 11:41 am EST)

  Working on the last article now it will be a few hours before everything is done and published.

• Chronic the Cabbie (Sunday, March 05 23 08:14 am EST)

  Jim, how we doing on them articles today bud?

• Fire bros (Saturday, March 04 23 05:00 pm EST)

  Who cares? We are all gonna quit anyway

• Snappy (Friday, March 03 23 09:16 pm EST)

  Who is the new Fire Chief??
  One of the Captains or Deputy Chief Rapp.
  
  OR is Yoshie sand baggin' to save money.
  
  Has anyone seen a posting of the job, outside of the strong Union personnel??

• Donk (Friday, March 03 23 07:23 am EST)

  You could pay city employees better if you offer lesser health insurance.The $40k per year health insurance is insane.Even if you offered $20k health insurance that would be be $20k for the paycheck.
  
  It all comes apart Monday when this giant snow storm reveals whether they're worth their salt.

• BigDogondaporch (Thursday, March 02 23 10:12 pm EST)

  Gary you are correct about Directors leaving. Burr/HR/Richmond are 3, and Merrill within a year. Gleeson at DPW is sad director and should be gone. Yoshi within a year. Chief of PD, has his own issues.
  Roads are a mess, and City has big debt.
  Junior staff refuses to work overtime.
  Council is lost, and out of touch.

• Gary (Thursday, March 02 23 05:36 am EST)

  Jim, I’m shocked if you are telling the truth. What do you mean if you missed something??? Are we really playing this game? I think we both know what we are talking about and it’s far more serious than the twisted conclusions that you made from the incomplete set of documents you were given. You think it’s a coincidence that nearly every director and long term employee is leaving with rumors of two more directors and many many more employees to leave in the coming weeks? Something stinks here and I’m not sure you aren’t part of the fleece that’s covering up the eyes of the public.

• Jim Sullivan (Wednesday, March 01 23 07:08 pm EST)

  Gary, I did not hold back on the building safety article. I do not sweep anything under the rug. Never have and never will. Of course it is possible that I missed something. If so then please enlighten me so I can look into it.

• Gary (Wednesday, March 01 23 06:54 pm EST)

  Norm is NOT Bernie Folta. Folta is a legend and Norm is just plain rude…and wrong.
  
  Norm and James Contois are friends.
  
  Contois partner will run and win the council seat. The dems couldn’t keep Deb happy but they will dump massive funds into the Claremont campaign.
  
  Jim held back on the safety article. I’m told there were some very serious issues that have been swept under the rug for the benefit of the public. Jim won’t touch Yoshi, he knows better.

• Snakeeyes (Wednesday, March 01 23 03:48 pm EST)

  Mike your friend Norm Blouin is way off base, and is an embarrassment to himself. He tries to act - talk - behave like his late cousin Bernie Folta. Norm does not have a clue
  
  The real issue is a Council that shows very little leadership, does not have a clue as to how and make a City grow.
  We will see how a new fire chief gets hired. Does the HR staff and the City managerlook outside the ranks, or go with the status quo run by the Teamsters and IFFA.
  
  We will see how the new Finance Directors does, rumor has it that she is married to the City Manager up in Lebanon.
  
  What a mess Yosie has on his hands........Ugh

• Jamie (Wednesday, March 01 23 09:24 am EST)

  Great to see the City making the quarterback sneak to get the HR position salary up to a more reasonable level. Looks like a workable plan to circumvent the compensation rules and easily repeated for all of the Department heads. There's more than one way to get a pay raise!

• Mike (Tuesday, February 28 23 05:48 pm EST)

  Is Norm Blouin right? Is “lack of housing” a sorry excuse for why no new businesses are moving to Claremont? I’ve heard that we have a less than 1% vacancy rate. Seems to be a pretty serious issue and it makes me wonder why the city is so intent on tearing down buildings instead of fixing them up. Why do we let property owners (like the owner of the old community center) sit on prime real estate letting it rot? Raise their taxes unless they fix it or until they sell.

• BigdogondaPorch (Tuesday, February 28 23 05:40 pm EST)

  City Hall is about to announce the new Fire Chief, will come from within. City Manager does not want to upset the Union during its negotiations with the two fire unions.
  
  Strong rumor is that the HR director has interviewed 2 fire officers. Secret promotion and No outside advertisements for outside staff. Keep it local and under control.
  
  No new leadership, and women need not apply.

• Donk (Tuesday, February 28 23 12:27 pm EST)

  Predictions on when the roof caves in at the old community center? starting a pool a lot of these old places are going to start falling down

• Harry (Tuesday, February 28 23 08:43 am EST)

  Phil. I love that you spend all that time typing long winded posts on this anonymous forum read by a dozen people. You must think you are a big deal here.

• Matt mooshine (Tuesday, February 28 23 06:57 am EST)

  Mike tetu is fucking clown and his last ditch effort to keep his hands in the unaccounted for money pot at arrowhead is lame. He has no good reason for wanting what he wants other than he is grumpy old dipshit like the fucking loser that runs this site and does nothing but hide behind a keyboard.

• Tommy (Monday, February 27 23 05:10 pm EST)

  Property, not properties. Last I know you sold everything to your buddy chucky and he flipped them for profit

• Donk (Monday, February 27 23 04:32 pm EST)

  The community center has turned into a dirty dump.
  
  and you people complain about my properties

• 0 for 2 (Monday, February 27 23 01:01 pm EST)

  @ Phil, projects 0 for 2, Community Center and Pleasant Street. I’m waiting for CSB to ask to have their name taken off the center.

• Phil (Monday, February 27 23 11:11 am EST)

  Jim, I know you have a lot on your plate, and your investigations are mostly focused on the city finances, departments, the various boards, and taxpayer related themes. But someday, when you get time, you should do interviews of all the merchants in downtown who are still left, who were affected by the Pleasant St renovation and see what their reactions are a year later. Has it helped their businesses? How many businesses have set up shop since? How many have left? Are they still optimistic they will still be in business 5 years from now? I wonder if the city follows up on this stuff? After reading your plowing story and seeing the recent pictures of the downtown again this winter, I am more convinced within 5 years all that cement /brickwork will be torn up to revert back to 2 way traffic along with parking on both sides of the street again. Maybe someone is already researching this story.
  
  Just how did the city plan to convince businesses to move in when they can see plain as day parking is limited? I'd love to see their pitch. If you look at pictures from the past, when the cars back then were much larger beasts, downtown could still accommodate quite a few cars. At one time, just the middle of Tremont square alone could accommodate over 40 parked vehicles. Today the square can only park 10 vehicles due to aesthetics. The sidewalks were plenty wide enough. I remember the sidewalk sales they had downtown and bargain hunters had plenty of room. It sure looks as if the city got bamboozaled. I will grant this, the money spent to upgrade infrastructure was money well spent, it needed to be done. (if they did the job right) which is still questionable. Hopefully the city will not be revisiting the underground infrastructure again for a long time to come.
  
  IMHO, the other millions spent to do all the fancy sidewalk expansion work and features...would have been better spent upgrading the building facades to look more attractive. Maybe some of the money could have been used as a grant program in partnership with the building owners to upgrade their building interior infrastructure. Anything left over could have been spent on marketing the downtown's assets. Another idea would be to invest in the downtown rooftops for solar or communications applications, etc. Valuable space up there. I wonder if the downtown had been fully occupied, if this project would have ever seen the light of day?

• Inside the City (Monday, February 27 23 05:52 am EST)

  Have Jim’s sources resigned as well or just asleep at the job? Two more major resignations coming down the pike very soon leaving the city with little to know leadership.

• Jim Sullivan (Sunday, February 26 23 08:23 pm EST)

  Four new articles published today on the News Flashes page of this website.
  
  1) Moody Building wall collapse update.
  
  2) Claremont Opera House Executive Director resigns.
  
  3) February 22, 2023 Claremont City Council meeting synopsis.
  
  4) Claremont Citizens deserve better!

• Johnny (Sunday, February 26 23 03:08 pm EST)

  You could work on them at night? Have you revised that safety article yet?

• Jim Sullivan (Sunday, February 26 23 11:06 am EST)

  Still working on it. They should be published sometime late afternoon today. I write the articles during the weekend as that is the only time I have to do it.

• Charlie (Sunday, February 26 23 10:13 am EST)

  Jim? Any articles today bud?

• John J. O’Connor (Saturday, February 25 23 02:33 pm EST)

  Todd,
  I’m sure that was directed at me, hahaha.
  Unfortunately for me, I was just a casual observer in the Bronx.
  My time at the Statehouse was short but extremely educational. I learned it’s not as easy as people think . It can be very frustrating as well as rewarding and those that serve deserve your respect and admiration.
  It was an honor to serve, unfortunately due to illness I wasn’t able to adequately fulfill my duties.
  For that I apologize.

• adam (Saturday, February 25 23 11:43 am EST)

  How to get ahold of Mandred Borchuck I need reference for apartment

• Todd (Saturday, February 25 23 09:25 am EST)

  So another time you were in official capacity and failed. Not just as a NH lawmaker. That really must haunt you for sure.

• John J. O’Connor (Saturday, February 25 23 07:34 am EST)

  Tim,
  Thank you, much appreciated.

• Tim (Friday, February 24 23 03:44 pm EST)

  I’m sorry you had to witness that disaster. That must be haunting for you and the families involved. My best regards and apologies.

• John J. O’Connor (Friday, February 24 23 02:01 pm EST)

  Yes Timmy, I personally witnessed over 20 people that were victims of a fire in the Bronx NY ( Happyland Disco).
  At the trial it was determined that that establishment had never been inspected and the reason why those people died was because the owners had permanently chained locked the emergency access doors to prevent people from entering without paying.
  This tragedy could have been avoided with yearly fire inspections.

• Timmy (Friday, February 24 23 11:34 am EST)

  You’ve seen people die because of inadequate fire inspections?

• John J. O’Connor (Friday, February 24 23 07:54 am EST)

  Tim,
  What price do you put on saving lives ?
  It’s easy to ignore the situation when there hasn’t been a destructive fire in a long time but it only takes one time.
  Unfortunately, I’ve seen people killed because of inadequate fire inspections.
  Hopefully it doesn’t happen here.

• Tim Mulligan (Friday, February 24 23 06:18 am EST)

  John, that would be very bad for business and would require atleast 2 more full time inspectors.

• John J.O’Connor (Thursday, February 23 23 07:29 pm EST)

  Why aren’t all commercial buildings inspected ?
  I would assume yearly inspections would be a requirement for most if not all insurance companies.
  I still don’t see the problem with having proper yearly safety inspections .
  It could save lives…

• Charlie (Thursday, February 23 23 06:17 pm EST)

  It’s well established that Jim is a big government democrat and we all know that when he gets something in his mind he will burn down the world to prove his point. Not unlike Bert Spaulding except Bert actually goes to meetings and sits on boards. Jim is who he is, read it for entertainment or go away.

• Mike (Thursday, February 23 23 05:29 pm EST)

  Why should we need to pay for more improvements? Does anyone find it odd that we follow the same codes and regulations as Portsmouth and Hanover yet our properties are worth (and therefore our resources available are) 1/8th of theirs? I agree with the earlier commenter. I think we need smarter and more targeted regulations, not blanket just more. Even for municipal buildings. Why should we allow some far-away bureaucrat to dictate our codes?

• Gene (Thursday, February 23 23 02:48 pm EST)

  John, barely any of the buildings in the city are inspected. Not only that, but the inspectors are all bark and no bite. The reports are written and violations go on for years and years with no recourse. The management does not allocate the resources for follow through on these issues so year after year they are ignored and forgotten with the changing of the guard.

• John J. O’Connor (Thursday, February 23 23 02:23 pm EST)

  Jake,
  Are you saying fire inspections are not important?
  I will admit, I was ignorant.Using common sense ,I was under the impression that any building or business where the general public is allowed to enter and occupy is required to have yearly fire inspections.
  Jake, I’m having a problem trying to understand why you don’t want more fire inspections, wouldn’t that make buildings safer ?

• Jake (Thursday, February 23 23 12:49 pm EST)

  Oconnor so guess the blame is on you when you were a lawmaker and didn't propose legislation. I am 100% it would fail. You think if it was that important the NH department of safety would advocate for such. Guess not. Some anonymous forum of cowards will certain fix it just like everything else bitched about on here.

• John J. O’Connor (Thursday, February 23 23 12:40 pm EST)

  Common sense would tell you that any public or commercial buildings that allow the public access should be required to submit to yearly fire inspections.
  What’s the problem with that ?
  That would include all city buildings along with Walmart, Market Basket and every other business that has more than 1 employee.
  If it’s not the law, it should be.

• Paul (Thursday, February 23 23 10:02 am EST)

  Jim, that logic makes zero sense. Market Basket and Walmart see more public traffic in a day than the city buildings do in a year and you mean to tell me that you only want the city buildings inspected and up to code? Also, the lack of inspections does not mean a building is unsafe, as you would have your readers believe.

• Rhonda (Thursday, February 23 23 08:57 am EST)

  So be the only in place in the state to apply codes that don't apply and pay for all that in raised taxes. Sounds like a great plan. Were you wanting to be a firefighter at one point and didn't make it like your stint in local government? You lost me when you personally named a firefighter that was injured in the line of duty helping others escape. You go on to attack him. I live on the street where the fire occured and will nevere forget. Nor will my neighbors.

• Jim Sullivan (Thursday, February 23 23 07:56 am EST)

  The only thing I am recommending is that municipal buildings be required to have annual fire and building code inspections and that the violations be addressed. This would only affect municipal buildings. No impact to any other type of properties at all.

• Greg (Thursday, February 23 23 06:04 am EST)

  The business owners, landlords and realtors deeply oppose the content of the latest article entitled “Are Claremont’s Municipal Buildings Safe”. We oppose this because the author is calling for heavy increases in the building and fire codes and heavy increase in government oversight by way of increased inspection and enforcement. What we need in these times are less, more refined regulations not more regulations and bigger government.

• Wake up (Wednesday, February 22 23 07:59 pm EST)

  Well the govt should keep adopting rules cause there little bureaucrat waste comes to a meeting In there white shirt telling the mindless council to adopt more codes and then send little useless people to tell us to spend money on stupid shit constantly

• Tony (Wednesday, February 22 23 09:30 am EST)

  The logic is flawed. A building is not dangerous just because it is not inspected. This is a mindset of a person who believes the government must protect us from everything. Classic overreach of a big government person.
  
  Jim’s theory, everything that isn’t inspected and approved by the government is a danger. Buildings that don’t require a sprinkler like the Visitors Center are dangerous because they don’t have a sprinkler. Not required = not installed = not = less taxes

• Ryans Mom (Wednesday, February 22 23 08:36 am EST)

  Or someone who started following this page and google searched mutual aid associations and emailed to find out members and typical response. I manage a machine shop and make far more than a fireman. Thanks for assuming to attempt to discredit. You could always ask a source including a firefighter in Claremont or Springfield. That would be easy and would shut you right up.

• Tom (Wednesday, February 22 23 06:04 am EST)

  Congratulations Ryan for proving your theory about the firefighters of Claremont writing these comments to discredit Jim Sullivan’s articles about the fire department and discredit anyone who agrees with them. Only a local firefighter would have known that Springfield does not respond to Claremont fires. I must say it is pretty clever of them to create this campaign of lies trying to place doubt in Jim’s readers minds that his articles are unfinished, one-sided, misguided, etc. because the firefighters cannot face up to the facts written in all of the documents that Jim includes with his articles. Jim must really be applying a lot of pressure to make changes because they are trying to protect Nancy Merrill and everyone else in the city government saying people make mistakes. They are trying to play on people’s emotions and compassion so we will look away and ignore such things as dangerous buildings owned by the city and firefighters who refuse to answer fire calls relying on other communities to do their job and the gross mismanagement of public funds. Please don’t fall for this. Our city government is broken and it needs to be fixed for all the money we pay every year in taxes we deserve nothing less.

• Mike (Tuesday, February 21 23 11:36 pm EST)

  Jim needs an editor. Sometimes news is news and facts are facts. The local press aren’t doing much investigative journalism so we appreciate all the news we can get. It’s just the “blah blah it’s all the democrats and firefighters and Nancy Merrill’s fault” that gets a little old. Let the reader come to their own interpretation, not everything has to be so editorialized with bad guys and good guys. All of these people are complex individuals who sometimes do the right thing and sometimes make mistakes or act with bad motivations. And every now and then, there are bad people. But do we really think all the firefighters and half of our city leadership are bad people? Anytime someone is trying to tell you that, realize that they’re probably leaving out half of the story. According to these commenters before me (who are supposedly all corrupt city employees according to Jim and his sycophants), this story is unfinished and ill-conceived. I’d have to agree…

• Ryans Mom (Tuesday, February 21 23 08:01 pm EST)

  Fake bs. For 1 no one gives a shit about your long winded fake bs from McDicks. Secondly Springfield does not respond to Claremont mutual aid. Charge away. Know what you speak of when you are trying to bullshit.

• R@gmail.com (Tuesday, February 21 23 07:46 pm EST)

  Yeah, we won’t take any advice from someone that eats lunch at Ronnie’s steak shack. I’ve spoken with 23 people about the article and all my phone conversations say the same thing…what on earth is Jim talking about. All these forum posters are right. The article went off the rails. No truth and fake news.

• Ryan (Tuesday, February 21 23 07:30 pm EST)

  Had lunch at Springfield McDonald’s today with my coworkers. We talked about the fire department and the comments on the forum endeavoring to discredit Jim Sullivan’s articles about fire department personnel turning their backs on the safety of the public by not showing up to fires and spotty fire inspections of city buildings. Our theory they are written by the hose monkeys in the fire department. They all say about the same thing complaining about no interviews with fire personnel, blaming the wrong people, retract the article, rewrite the article, vague claims of errors with no particulates, blah, blah, blah. We think the fire personnel cannot argue the facts because the written proof Jim Sullivan has published in his articles on both topics are condemning so this desperate attempt to raise doubts is all they have. Pretty sad stuff. Other lunch goers joined in the conversation and we were surprised to learn how many people from Springfield read Jim Sullivan’s website. One gentleman said that he thinks Springfield should begin charging Claremont for doing their firefighting duties for them to lower their taxes. That got a round of applause. One little girl asked her mother what was going on and her mother explained to her that the firemen in Claremont were not going to fire calls and inspections of city buildings and found things wrong that might cause a fire or put people in harm’s way when not being fixed right away and people were still went into the building. The little girl asked her mother why are the firemen doing that and her mother answered because they are saying that they can. The little girl asked why are the firemen saying nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah when you and daddy don’t let me do that. Everybody started laughing as we all realized that the firefighters in Claremont are telling everyone nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah as their excuse. That young lady is wiser than her years.

• Francis (Tuesday, February 21 23 04:55 pm EST)

  I agree. Should have worked harder on this one.

• Tim Mulligan (Tuesday, February 21 23 02:13 pm EST)

  Jim, I’m sorry man but you might want to consider a re-work of that safety article. It’s so painfully obvious that there was an agenda while you wrote this thing which exposed many errors and omissions on your part. If I was your mentor I would respectfully ask you to apologize to your readers, rescind the article and get back to work on the research. You are better than this Jim. It’s ok though, we can’t hit a home run every single time. People make mistakes.

• Tim (Tuesday, February 21 23 08:31 am EST)

  Blah blah blah. Jim leave your house once in a while. The opera house is protected by sprinkler where required. Linda or whomever you really are. You missed that Koloski is the one that points out the railing for years and that is why it is being addressed with arpa funds. Jim did you call any city and ask about residency requirements or call backs while off duty. If you did you would look like more of a fool.

• Insider (Tuesday, February 21 23 08:28 am EST)

  I have to say Jim, I think the review of this safety article are spot on. You usually do a nice job but there are some real issues that have been brought up that you haven’t explained. Unfortunately, it looks like you jumped the gun on this one and your refusal to talk to the people involved really hindered your development of an unbiased and thorough article. It appears your previous report about the fire department has severely clouded your judgment here. I hope that you reevaluate this one, get back to the facts and discover the many missing pieces to this that you haven’t seen yet.

• Donk (Monday, February 20 23 02:38 pm EST)

  In all fairness, I’ve been written up a lot of times by the code guys and I just ignore it with no consequences. All bark no bite. No big deal.

• Crystal (Monday, February 20 23 02:36 pm EST)

  Now that we all know the truth steps should be taken to inspect all of the municipal buildings and fix up any deficiencies. That would be a positive first step. Many people in today's city government let us down and they should pay the price by losing their jobs. Knowing there was a problem with public safety with the city buildings and with firefighters not showing up for emergency calls and keeping it a secret is wrong and these people should never be forgiven.

• Linda (Monday, February 20 23 02:29 pm EST)

  The safety hazards with the atrium stairs was publicly aired years ago at a city council meeting and nothing was never done about it. Years and years went by and still nothing done about it. City Managers knew. City Councilors knew. Fire Code Enforcement Inspectors knew. Nobody did anything about it because nobody cared about the public safety or that a young child could get hurt because of those safety problems. It took a new City Manager by the name of Yoshi Manale to move to Claremont and take action. What does that say about our city leaders who say they care about us citizens but their actions say otherwise. We have a situation with the Claremont firefighters not showing up for emergency calls and Councilman Nick Koloski is a call firefighter so he knew all along and never said a word. Everyone at the Claremont fire house knew about this and never said a word and never tried to change things to make this stop. Nobody will make me believe that Mayor Girard did not know about this with his ambulance business and he never said or did anything. The City Councilors and the City Manager have not spoken about this at any of the Council meetings Mr. Sullivan expose this in January and nothing seems to be done about it. Mr. Sullivan has not been a Councilman for many years but he seems to be representing all of us better than all of the City Councilors combined by informing us of what is going on with his articles that shows the proof and he gives suggestions to solve the problems when he can. Do you see City Councilors doing that? I don't. People need to start talking up because we need better leadership because our leaders are not representing what is best for us.

• Rog (Monday, February 20 23 02:21 pm EST)

  Are they unsafe Stevey boy? You know that for a fact? Way more people go to Walmart than any city building. Should the building inspectors start inspecting every single building every year for violation? How about every single house? Those are all very dangerous. Shouldn’t we keep the youngsters safe and make sure there are no hazards in every Claremont building? No? Why do you hate children? Do you hate the elderly? Does Market Basket get inspected? Huh? Does it old boy? You guys have no idea how this stuff works. Jim says the word “culpable” well no one was hurt so maybe tone down the threatening rhetoric.

• Steve (Monday, February 20 23 02:07 pm EST)

  I think Jim struck a nerve with ole Roger. If there is a phased approach as you say Roger the city is not even starting the process so how is that keeping citizens safe? Cullen Downing has not worked for the fire department for years and the fire alarm failure at City Hall was a big deal and Chief Chase also signed that letter stripping away the place of assembly permit for City Hall. Was Chief Chase a bad guy too Roger ole boy? The way I see it Jim is just suggesting that the municipal buildings be inspected for both building and fire code violations and those violations be corrected to keep people safe. What you are suggesting is to do nothing like it's been done for decades. Roger you must work for the fire department because only one of the lazy shits in the fire department would suggest such a thing to keep the buildings unsafe.

• Roger (Monday, February 20 23 01:36 pm EST)

  Jim, you aren’t thinking clearly. How long did that building exist without a sprinkler? This issue didn’t just jump up over night. It always existed since the building was constructed. What changed? The code requirement. So, is it appropriate to close down a multi century old building because the new code inspector had the balls to write down the violations on paper? No! And there is a process to all these things. That is a damn expensive upgrade. Even the state fire marshal allows a phased approach. You don’t just shut down public buildings like you suggest, that would be asinine. Was anyone hurt? No. What you don’t know is that Cullen Downing was way way to strict to the point that he was driving business away from Claremont.

• Jim Sullivan (Monday, February 20 23 12:54 pm EST)

  Roger, or whatever your name is. You are correct that the various Fire Code Inspectors did report issues to the various City Managers and Finance Directors and in some instances that the administrative staff failed to act. However, when those administrators failed to act the Fire Code Inspectors also failed to act by not enforcing the violations by rescinding the Place of Assembly Permits to force those repairs as Chief Chase and Fire Code Inspector Downing did in 2008. That makes everyone involved culpable for allowing years’ worth of public access to a property with unsafe conditions, while intentionally keeping the public in the dark about the danger to the public. I respectfully disagree with you, I am not putting the blame on the wrong folks I am putting the blame on everyone who deserves it including the appropriate guilty parties within the Claremont Fire Department. In regards to whether or not a sprinkler system exists within the Claremont Opera House, I had the same question when reviewing those documents and earlier this morning I sent an inquiry to City Manager Yoshi Manale to find that out and I will publish that response once I receive it.

• Katherine (Monday, February 20 23 12:41 pm EST)

  The city owns these buildings and many people traverse the buildings and many city employees work inside these buildings every business day. You would think that morally responsible administrators would want to maintain these buildings for the safety of everyone. What Jim Sullivan has shown us is that over the past decade or so Claremont did not have morally responsible administrators that cared about public safety. Claremont also did not have morally responsible fire code inspectors for they indifferently issued assembly permits for the opera house every year while knowing full well that there were dangerous fire safety hazards within the building placing the patrons of the opera house and the city employees at risk. This part of the problem does rest on a solid foundation of law and those responsible do not deserve to be employed by the city of Claremont. Mr. Sullivan has written many articles about accountability and how it is noticeably absent from our city government. He is attempting to hold people accountable by pointing out who they are and what they did and he has proven that with the city's own documentation. The evidence is clear and changes do need to be made. I do agree with you Mr. O'Connor that inspecting the municipal buildings is not required where assembly permits are not required. I think Mr. Sullivan would agree with you too. He does suggest to the city council to increase the requirements on municipal buildings to annual inspections of all of the buildings and require addressing any violations of the fire code or the building code. That suggests to me that Mr. Sullivan understands that the law as it is today is not perfect and needs to be changed and can be changed in Claremont by the city council. I think Mr. Sullivan should be commended for looking out for the public's safety.

• Roger That (Monday, February 20 23 12:29 pm EST)

  The fire department did report the issues, to the city manager and finance director. The fire department did their job and then the administration failed to act. Jim places the blame on the wrong folks to further his agenda. And when was the massive expense and intrusive work completed to retrofit a sprinkler to the opera house? Am I the only one that missed that?

• John J. O’Connor (Monday, February 20 23 11:06 am EST)

  Emily,
  The law is the law and as long as you follow the law, you will what’s right.
  In this situation, no reports is considered an admission of guilt when all it means is no reports were performed because legally they aren’t required.
  I’m not sure how you can compare this to the abortion issue but as of now it is still legal in America.
  Is it right ? That can only be decided by the individual. It seems more of a morality concern than a legal one.
  Maybe this inspection issue more to do with morality than it does legality.

• Emily (Monday, February 20 23 10:48 am EST)

  Mr. O'Connor with respect your statement of if it's legal it is always the right thing to do is very naive and patently false.
  
  Look no far as the controversial abortion issue.

• Richard (Monday, February 20 23 10:43 am EST)

  Well said Jim. The fire inspectors did ignore fire code infractions and still allowed the Opera House to remain open to the public and they never told the public about the dangerous conditions of the space. How is that protecting the public? Combined with the issues about firemen not answering fire calls it paints an unsettling picture that the current roster of personnel at the city's fire department is rotten to the core. No amount of political spin or desperate attempts to discredit Jim Sullivan's exposés will change that.

• John J.O’Connor (Monday, February 20 23 10:40 am EST)

  Thank you Jim, I see what you’re trying to accomplish but you’re wrong about one thing.
  If it’s legal, it is always the right thing to do.
  I personally believe that all City owned buildings should have yearly inspections, whether the public is allowed to assemble or not but if it’s not the law, it will never be followed.

• Jim Sullivan (Monday, February 20 23 10:25 am EST)

  Peter, the fire alarm was obviously repaired back in 2008 as Claremont Fire Officials back then eventually reinstated the Place of Assembly Permits. My point showing that document was that Claremont Fire Officials back then did the right thing using their authority to force Claremont City Administration Officials to bring the fire alarm system back up to code to make the building safe. Whereas in present day Claremont regarding the limited inspections that take place at City Hall some fire code violations are allowed to slip through the cracks and go on unaddressed while Place of Assembly Permits are still granted and people are allowed to go into an unsafe building, many of them youngsters. Claremont Fire Officials in recent years are simply not doing their duty to keep the public safe either with the enforcement of the limited inspections that Claremont Fire Code Officers do perform or with off-duty Claremont Firefighters showing up to fight fires both in Claremont and in neighboring communities.
  
  In addition, something may be legal but it does not make it right and not requiring municipal buildings to be annually inspected for fire and building code violations is wrong as it could put the public who enters into these buildings and the municipal employees who work in these building in danger. Since fire code and building code inspections are not being performed on most of Claremont’s municipal buildings then how on earth does anyone know the true state of deterioration of any of these buildings or what actually needs to be fixed when Claremont’s professional staff, the inspectors are not inspecting these municipal buildings ever? The Claremont City Council has the authority to make local fire and building code regulations stricter. I believe that in the name of public safety the Council should change the local fire and building codes to require fire and building code inspections of all municipal buildings each year and require the City government to fix all violations found to maintain public safety in all of Claremont's municipal buildings. If my wanting to keep the public safe makes me a villain then so be it. John I believe this answers your questions as well.

• Mary (Monday, February 20 23 09:49 am EST)

  Jim it appears your readership had seen through this swing and a miss. Lots of hype on this one and not very well thought out.

• John J.O’Connor (Monday, February 20 23 08:13 am EST)

  Jim,
  Excellent article, I can see you spent a lot of time doing your research but you got a lot of nothing.
  Correct me if I’m wrong, what I surmised is it is not a legal requirement to inspect certain City buildings and now your complaining that there aren’t any Inspection reports for inspections that never occurred .
  Am I correct ?
  I would have to assume the City’s insurance carrier would invalidate any policy where all the legal requirements are not adhered to.
  Has the City’s insurance carrier cancel the City’s policy?
  If the City is in good standing with its insurance company, I fail to see the issue so please enlighten me.

• Peter (Monday, February 20 23 07:33 am EST)

  All that typing and all one had to do is ask in NH do only locations that are granted a place of assembly permit get inspected? The answer is yes. So you are trying so say the fire alarm in city hall has not been replaced since 2008? You know better but that would not make for such a dramatic posting. All that bothering people and man hours for this boring no meaning article that gets solved with 1 single question. Good job.

• Matt Mooshine (Monday, February 20 23 07:11 am EST)

  We need a school board that answers to the students and teachers, not the administrators or tax payer. The whole system is a joke and is only going to get worse without more funding for better teacher pay and more adequate services. The state and federal government owes more since they decided to make Claremont a dumping ground for lowest socioeconomic class of special needs children where scumbags like donk and the owner of the Claremont manner make their living at the expense of the taxpayers.

• Ben (Monday, February 20 23 07:07 am EST)

  Jim, I understand you’ve tried your best on this safety article but made some huge errors. Errors you may have avoided if you had just had spoken with someone. The allegations you’ve made here are serious but misleading and misinformation.

• Snappy the Turtle (Sunday, February 19 23 09:41 pm EST)

  Readers, Loss of good staff that work for our City continues to be an issue. We all know it and the loss of our HR leader is just another sad story for us.
  
  You will hear I am sure that her daily commute from the upper valley was the reason she is leaving. Well I think that may have been a concern, but the major fact is that she is significantly under paid. Why, well one reason is that the HR position is not on the Level of a Director. It is a pay grade or two below a Directors pay grade.
  
  The assistant position in Lebanon that she will be filling, might pay as much as $500.00 per week more, the pay increase of $20,000 to $25,00 is more than enough to incourage any young professional to move on up.
  
  If she becomes the director in Lebanon, her salary will push 6 figures in a very short time.
  
  To follow along with this, we can't seem to fill the Fire Chiefs slot. Get one in here to work with the current staff, prepare a budget and be in-place when Chief Burr leaves. Perhaps the City Manager is holding back to save some money, not really sure, or perhaps they are grooming the Deputy Chief Rapp for the job....an in-house promotion.
  
  HR is an unfortunate loss of a truly professional.
  
  Snappy

• Greg (Sunday, February 19 23 09:31 pm EST)

  I think that Ronnie and Harold are really Nick Koloski.

• Jim Sullivan (Sunday, February 19 23 08:28 pm EST)

  Ronnie and Harold your postings don't surprise me as I fully expected postings from local government supporters that would try to discredit the truth because it is an inconvenient truth for those in City Government.
  
  Ronnie, the Fire Department only inspected the Opera House and not the rest of the City Hall complex and except for one inspection regarding the Visitor Center neither that facility nor the Fiske Free Library nor the Claremont Fire Department were ever inspected at all. In regards to the Planning Office they may have inspected the few jobs that were permitted at City Hall but the building as a whole has never been inspected as no reports exist and no reports exist for any of the four other municipal buildings that I inquired about. There is plenty of substance here as routine inspections of these buildings for code enforcement violations is not being done and when violations are found regarding the few inspections that do occur they are sometimes not enforced. That is scandalous as it puts public safety at risk. Just because you do not want to recognize that as a problem other people will.
  
  Harold, I did not spin anything the documents speak for themselves and I gathered all the information that I could because inspection documents do not exist because the inspections never took place year after year. Harold, what I reported makes perfect sense if you take off the rose-colored glasses and look at this objectively. As far as who should be blamed there is plenty of blame to go around. Top administration officials from several administrations for sure as well as top Fire Department personnel and top Planning & Development Department personnel because in many instances inspections were not conducted to determine what code violations exist and then enforcing those code violations so that they are remedied to maintain public safety in these municipal buildings.Regarding the few inspections that did take place, Place of Assembly Permits were routinely granted when fire code violations were left unaddressed. You seem to want to protect the very people who are responsible for allowing these things to happen that placed an unsuspecting public in danger. I on the other hand want to see them all held accountable because their actions are putting public in danger.

• Harold (Sunday, February 19 23 07:59 pm EST)

  Jim, I trusted you to look into this and make a good report on the truth. Instead you spun some strange web of misinformation that makes zero sense. There is more to the story on this safety thing and you went way out to left field to make your own accusations that you thought would fit with your other fire department narrative. You didn’t find all the information and you went way out of your way to blame the wrong people. Try again, take a week off and look at this again with fresh eyes. Scrap 3/4 of this thing and get to the real issues.

• Ronnie (Sunday, February 19 23 07:54 pm EST)

  Jim, this article on safety is ridiculous. The fire department inspected, documented and reported all violations to the city administration for correction and you place all the blame on them? Maybe the taxpayers wouldn’t foot the bill for the expensive sprinkler system. The fact that you see completed permits means the inspectors did their job and looked at the work to pass the inspections. You should have done more homework on this Jim. This is all shock and awe and no real substance if you know what you are looking at. Big swing and a miss and clearly shows you don’t know what you’re talking about or looking at.

• Jim Sullivan (Sunday, February 19 23 06:39 pm EST)

  Seven new articles published today.
  
  1) Claremont School Board increases Default Budget by $600,000; depriving Claremont Taxpayers of a potential $.80 property tax rate reduction!
  
  2) More money for the Claremont School District?
  
  3) Claremont Human Resources Director Samantha Lauzon Resigns!
  
  4) Ward #2 Claremont City Council seat open!
  
  5) Portion of Moody Building wall collapses!
  
  6) City Manager Manale's weekly report.
  
  All of the articles stated above are published on the News Flashes page of this website.
  
  The seventh article published today entitled, Are Claremont's Municipal Buildings Safe is published on the Municipal Building Safety page of this website.

• Jim Sullivan (Sunday, February 19 23 06:29 pm EST)

  Before I forget, the 6:11 PM posting was not done by me, it was someone posing as me to try to discredit this website.

• Jim Sullivan (Sunday, February 19 23 06:27 pm EST)

  Wow! I have been so busy all day writing the 62 page long article about municipal building code enforcement that I haven't looked back at the Public Forum page since I posted this morning. Boy oh boy the manure has sure been spread about why today's article about code enforcement has just posted. Insider, I do not know who Is whispering in your ear but either they are lying to you or the people who are giving them this information is lying to them. I have been stating the truth right from the beginning about why this article has been delayed and now it is finally published. The misinformation you have been spreading has simply been a distraction or an attempt to discredit this website from people who do not like the truth being publicly aired. Hopefully you will see that now.

• Jim Sullivan (Sunday, February 19 23 06:11 pm EST)

  It turns out that I am missing some valuable information for my safety article on the City properties. This is the fault of the directors and chiefs, and you won’t see the article until I have everything I need for the shocking conclusion. This has been a scandalous one with many insiders trying to stop its publication but I will NOT back down. If it takes weeks or months I will prevail. One article published today under the news sections of this website:
  
  1. City delays Sullivan report article for an unknown period of time

• Nick (Sunday, February 19 23 05:29 pm EST)

  This site is dedicated to transparency but Jim isn’t transparent.

• Johnny (Sunday, February 19 23 05:06 pm EST)

  You’re right, this so called article is a farce and fake news. There is nothing about it that is true.

• Donk (Sunday, February 19 23 05:05 pm EST)

  No one cares about the real dirt inside city hall. Jim won’t touch it.

• Insider (Sunday, February 19 23 04:33 pm EST)

  4:31PM and no article. My guess is it will be postponed indefinitely pending some 91A request that the administration “hasn’t gotten to Jim”. I know personally that every request is dealt with in an expedient manner. We can officially ignore this one folks. Move along and let’s talk about the schools tax impact.

• Insider (Sunday, February 19 23 01:13 pm EST)

  There is no “article”. I’ve been informed that the 6 points Jim will make are all not true.

• Rick (Sunday, February 19 23 12:33 pm EST)

  You guys must really be worried about what Jim Sullivan is going to write about the safety of the municipal buildings to be trying to push him to do a rush job on the article so it is not up to Jim's normal standards. Trying to discredit the article before it is even published is a new low for all of you haters. If Jim only had six fans none of you trolls would be wasting time throwing shade on this forum.

• adam (Sunday, February 19 23 11:36 am EST)

  Are delaying tactics being used? Is Jim Sullivan posting to gain time to let the suspicion about 'safety' grow so even a weak story line will have impact? I he holding back to get approval from his Government masters? Is he just trying to have a weekend and not fulfilling his obligation to entertain his 6 fans?

• tony (Sunday, February 19 23 11:32 am EST)

  Come on people, it's not easy creating these stories. It takes a lot of effort to distort the truth and bring every action into suspicion. It takes time to be a good fiction writer.

• Jim Sullivan (Sunday, February 19 23 09:34 am EST)

  Still writing it, it is a long article with lots of documents. I hope to have it finished and published later today.

• Frank (Sunday, February 19 23 08:51 am EST)

  So, James, where’s the article?

• Insider (Saturday, February 18 23 06:58 pm EST)

  Well, not what I am told from my sources. I noticed you said “I hope I can get it done”…sound like setting the stage for another “delay”. They say that this whole “safety article” is a farce and will keep being dragged out and ignored. These people know the real truth but asked to remain anonymous. These people work in the city and interact with you regularly.

• Jim Sullivan (Saturday, February 18 23 05:48 pm EST)

  Insider you are so full of crap. No one has dared to even suggest to me that I back off on the safety of the municipal buildings article that I have been working on all day today. If someone had not called me to let me know of your posting I would not have seen it for awhile and I am now taking time away from writing that article to deal with your disinformation. I am not protecting anyone nor would I and what money? I pay for this website out of my own pocket and I do not earn a single penny for providing the public with these exposes that I research, write and publish all on my own in my limited free time. I still have quite a bit more to do to finish this article and I hope to have it done in time so I can publish it tomorrow. If not, I have Monday off and I will have it published by then at the latest. What everyone will see with there own eyes will shock all of you!

• Insider (Saturday, February 18 23 04:40 pm EST)

  My inside sources tell me Jim is planning to postpone the safety article yet again. They tell me someone has spoken with him that is very important and he has decided to back down on this one. They also say there is someone he is protecting, someone very important to Jim.a little insider trading inside job you might say. Jim says he cares but he doesn’t care about the actual safety of people only about the money. I will remind you this has been 2 years since I first told Jim to look into this and it wasn’t until he started getting hot for the Fire Dept that he decided to look into actual safety issues.

• Insider (Saturday, February 18 23 07:07 am EST)

  Sounds like the secretary is going to get the Chief job, a female.

• Jim Sullivan (Friday, February 17 23 09:05 pm EST)

  Snakeeyes, the Fire Chief position was never posted on the City of Claremont website because internal candidates are being interviewed first and then if one of them is not chosen the position will be advertised.

• Snakeeyes (Friday, February 17 23 08:45 pm EST)

  Did they select the new Fire Chief yet? I looked at the Human Resource job listing, and the posting is gone.
  
  They must have selected an internal candidate. Rapp or one of the Captains.
  
  I talked with a Union Firefighter, and he thought the Newport Chief would get the position, just like Wilmot did.

• Donk (Friday, February 17 23 12:44 pm EST)

  Time to downgrade the standards of my rentals, no more inspector to cry to. Cost me too much money in the last few years!

• BigdogondaPorch (Thursday, February 16 23 06:53 pm EST)

  Phil, let me add a comment here to think about.
  
  Yes teachers are trained in their respective college or universities. There is where the problem may actually lay.
  
  The philosophy of these higher institutions is that of Liberalism, and the young teachers come away with that philosophy and bring it into the classroom.
  
  In the years to come, you will see more and more of this line of thinking. The kick A-- take names later days are over. Brace yourself for everything these liberal ideas can bring.
  
  Note the uptick in the enrollment at private schools. More parents sending kids to Catholic schools, Jewish schools, Muslim schools, and Christian schools.

• Ai (Thursday, February 16 23 06:12 pm EST)

  The kids can use chat GPT and get great grades

• Phil (Thursday, February 16 23 05:49 pm EST)

  Bigdog,
  
  I totally agree with your points.....the kids today have many more challenges for their attention than we did back in the 60s and 70s. The teachers yes are babysitters for the most part and can't get their classes to pay attention like they used to be able to do. But still they went to college and are supposed to be trained to overcome those challenges. I don't know what it is, but adult authority is not as strong as it used to be. Again I think it comes back to appearance and a having a commanding presence. A lot of these teachers are trying too hard to be cool like the kids and it defeats the whole purpose. In my day we would never dare talk back to the teachers and the thought never crossed our minds to assault our teachers in the classroom.
  
  Our teachers had free rein to discipline us then and there if we got out of hand. And they were backed by the administration and guess what the parents too! The worst part was having Dad find out! We may not have liked some of our teachers, but to talk back or actually physically attack one...heh...you took your life in your hands if you did. It was just never even thought about. It does really come back to the parents setting the example and teaching the kids to respect adults. I almost hesitate to say this, but I will, in the more recent generations not all, but there are some adults and parents out there that aren't setting good examples themselves about expected behavior, and the kids can see this. So they emulate the behavior in school. Don't get me going on the internet or pot........;-(

• Tony (Thursday, February 16 23 05:19 pm EST)

  Donk you are not even in the ball park. Look it up the state provides the information for free. No teacher is paid 14.00 an hour.
  
  We ranked 27 from the bottom of over 110 school districts . Must be a trumpian if you believe your own lies.

• Donk (Thursday, February 16 23 04:38 pm EST)

  @tony- Claremont teacher pay is within the top 10% percentile for the whole country.
  We pay an average of $21 per hour in Claremont.We pay more than most of the schools within the surrounding area.In Grantham where a lot of our teachers and civil servants live and pay taxes the average teacher pay is $14 per hour.
  
  The stand out highest paid teachers within the state are those near the coast and the southern part of the state.Those communities are directly linked to the high pay of Boston and therefore have the resources to attract and pay teachers more than other parts of the state.So while those teachers enjoy higher pay than Claremont they also have a much higher cost of living within their districts.
  By comparison Claremont cost of living is much lower than southern and coastal communities.Claremont taxpayers income level is also much lower than these communities.
  So, if our teachers are having a problem with the level of pay that we offer I do notice that these top paying districts have many openings for teachers and support staff.The downside is that rents and housing prices are twice that of Claremont.So to teachers, I would think long and hard about relocating.With the all around cost of living increases you will experience you will probably wind up at a net loss from the job you leave in Claremont.
  I'm sorry to say that Claremont can't afford much in the way of raises but we do have a relatively safe and friendly city with a much lower cost of living to offer for those that stay.

• BigDogondaporch (Thursday, February 16 23 04:36 pm EST)

  Phil, I agree with most of your points. Somewhere back in the late '80s or early'90 the slide began. Keep in mind the kids that graduated then, may very well have kids in school today.
  
  Teachers would like to teach our kids, but often times they end up baby sitting, mentoring, unruly kidds. Kids that will tell them to go screw or to F--K, kids that come to school after smoking Moms or Dads weed, kids that carry NARCAN in their back packs, and yes kids with no place to stay or nothing to eat. YES we feed the kids, provide afternoon programs, and try not to LEAVE NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND.
  
  Taxes are high, because the state aid to education is inadequate, but don't forget the gosh darn federal gov't does not fully fund education that they require to receive federal aid.
  Cell phone pressure and tik-tok and twitter all contribute to kids struggling within their own minds, let alone school work or non-caring parents. Tons of social pressure on young girls.....8th thru 12th grade.
  
  In 1990 the school budget was about $16 million, now $37 million. Wish I had some answers

• Duh (Thursday, February 16 23 04:13 pm EST)

  Phil, the tech center is next to the JR high

• Jim Sullivan (Thursday, February 16 23 02:52 pm EST)

  Johnny nobody got to me because I do not back down from anyone. As I already stated the Municipal Building Safety Article will be published either Sunday or Monday as I am still working on the article. I have been for over a week in my spare time and I'm about to start working on it again once I post this comment.

• tony baker (Thursday, February 16 23 02:26 pm EST)

  Donk where do you get your top 10 % pay for Claremont teachers. We pay $10,000 less than the state average. We pay about the same under the national average.

• Johnny O’ (Thursday, February 16 23 10:42 am EST)

  Yeah, where is brave Jim when it comes to the city hall safety article. Makes me think some one got to him and put a stop to it.

• School insider (Thursday, February 16 23 10:41 am EST)

  Phil, it is the parents job to teach their children….especially if the school is failing them.

• Phil (Thursday, February 16 23 10:22 am EST)

  Two points....I fully support the investigation into the fire department response issues. Something is wrong there. Secondly, I agree parents can and should have a big role in their kids upbringing. But its not their job nor are they getting paid to teach educational courses to their children...that's what the schools and teachers were for, to make sure the kids were getting the same education and to free up the parents to work. Today, if the parents have the knowledge and patience to be stay at home educators, all the more power to them...do they get their 20K back for each child they keep out of the district classrooms to stay home and teach? Heh....in your dreams. I have looked at the courses offered at the high school level, and I think the kids almost have too many options to choose from. Plus I don't think they could possibly have enough teachers to teach all these courses. But the core courses surprisingly haven't changed much since I was in HS. I also found it interesting all the industrial arts programs have been moved either to the Vo-tech or Newport. What happened to the industrial arts school they built next to the Jr high? When I was in HS, all the industrial arts shops were in the basement and we had far more kids in the HS then.

• tony baker (Thursday, February 16 23 08:44 am EST)

  Phil, Poor school results have been claremont's lot since the 1990's. It amazes me that we have administrators who spent entire careers overseeing failing schools and are now comfortably retired. No accountability at the top, no results.

• Patrick (Thursday, February 16 23 08:41 am EST)

  His name is Patrick.

• John J. O’Connor (Thursday, February 16 23 07:43 am EST)

  But many people call Mahomes “Pat” without him getting all whiny, Pat.

• Partick (Wednesday, February 15 23 06:27 pm EST)

  Patrick’s are winners. Case in point, Chiefs.

• Donk (Wednesday, February 15 23 05:03 pm EST)

  At $20 Grand a year per student we ought to be graduating future Rhodes Scholars.
  We already pay among the top10% for teachers in the country.

• No Free Ride (Wednesday, February 15 23 04:42 pm EST)

  Phil, you make some valid points. But as for this BS about the giving the fire department a free ride is ridiculous! Both investigations have plenty of merit and should move forward. I believe the problem at the firehouse is big and real. The chief has stepped why over the line and should already be gone/fired. Teacher Insider is a union puppet.

• Buzz (Wednesday, February 15 23 02:37 pm EST)

  “You get what you pay for and you will keep getting what you’re getting till you stop getting it”.
  Chew on that .

• Donk (Wednesday, February 15 23 02:23 pm EST)

  The teacher pay is just fine where it is.If you don't like it then get another job.Claremont is a low income city and can't afford civil service blue bloods.
  All of these people screaming for raises but they already have received them through ever increasing health insurance premiums.

• Teacher Insider (Wednesday, February 15 23 01:11 pm EST)

  Phil, you are categorically wrong. The burden falls on the parents. 100%. If the school is in fact failing it is wholly incumbent upon the parents to make up the gap. Parents can and should teach their kids all these skills. The problem is we want to be LAZY and blame everyone else for the problems.

• Phil (Wednesday, February 15 23 10:22 am EST)

  Regarding the controversary over the school budget and the teachers raises potentially being denied because of the actions of a couple of the council members. I was curious to see what the quality of the teaching that is being done in the district is, considering Claremont spends almost 20K a year to educate one student. In my research on testing results, I was shocked to read the school district is a flaming disaster. With results like this, do these teachers deserve a raise? Check the link below. The only category Claremont schools lead is qualified students for a free lunch.
  
  WTH is going on? This is the real scandal, never mind the fire department shenanigans. They are pumping out kids who can't even read or do math according to their grade levels. Makes you wonder what else they are teaching that kids aren't getting good results at? And what is Language arts??? Additionally, the HS has a graduation rate of only 78%!!!...yikes. That superintendent and the majority of these teachers should be fired, something isn't right and getting done.
  
  I wasn't the greatest student in school, but I came out of the Claremont school system at least being able to read, write, do math proficiently, (but not algebra!) and a host of other things quite well. We had damn good teachers which made all the difference. I question the quality and dedication of the teachers in those schools today. There are probably still a few good ones who are dedicated and really try to help these kids get it. I also question if this obsession with core math is screwing up these kids. I don't blame the kids, they are getting screwed here by not being challenged and helped to learn. The district has more teachers per class then the state averages but they are still not getting through to them?
  
  The Claremont school district at one time was the standard for the state in education quality, now its a laughingstock. The link directs you to the results for the HS, at the bottom of the page, you can click on the other schools list for their results. This all costs you the taxpayers of Claremont $34 million a year....If that doesn't piss you off as a overburdened taxpayer, I don't know what to say. Oh and yesterday, the K9s did a search of all the bags in the high school....how sad is it this is necessary? Back in time, we carried our books, the only time we had a bag was if we had gym that day.
  https://www.publicschoolreview.com/stevens-high-school-profile

• Porch Dog (Tuesday, February 14 23 08:10 pm EST)

  Spanky settle down, you and several others must have skipped diversity and sensitivity classes??
  
  However, I am a bit confused by what a zee/zir is? Is that like a Budest priest?Pat/Patrick all the same to me, sounds gender neutral!
  
  Anyway, back to boy and girls bathrooms. Boys and men use Urinals, girl and women us the Ladies room or powder room. If you are not sure what U are, use the private restroom that allows for both. Often times they can be identified by a Unisex sign.
  
  What is the news on our Fire Chief, I heard he is in Colorado on a ski vacation. Has a new Chief been interviewed??

• Johnny Knocks (Tuesday, February 14 23 08:09 pm EST)

  What is up with all the UFO’s being shot down by the military? Maybe a UFO ran into the moody building today and that’s why the wall fall down.?

• Alfalfa (Tuesday, February 14 23 01:44 pm EST)

  I agree with Tim, completely uncalled for… even if it is true .

• Tim Mulligan (Tuesday, February 14 23 12:41 pm EST)

  What a disgusting comment.

• Spanky (Tuesday, February 14 23 08:09 am EST)

  Patrick,
  Maybe you should go by the nickname that everyone calls you behind your back .
  Everyone calls you … “Spot”

• Patrick (zee/zir) (Monday, February 13 23 06:41 pm EST)

  Pat was my woman name. Now I am a zee/zir and have Patrick as my name. If you dead name me you should be banned from this site.

• Patrick (Monday, February 13 23 03:49 pm EST)

  It is Patrick. Stop now John.

• John J O’Connor (Monday, February 13 23 02:41 pm EST)

  I want to send a big “Lets go Brandon” to Pat Adian for personally killing the proposed school budget and causing a mass exodus of teachers in Claremont
  Before Pat and his little buddy proposed that 1 million dollar increase it had an excellent chance of passing, giving teachers well deserved raises but because of Pat those teachers will not be getting a raise.
  How does it feel Pat to be the reason why Claremont can not retain quality educators.
  Shame on you Pat.

• Broken School System (Monday, February 13 23 09:13 am EST)

  Basing teachers salary on surrounding communities is not right! Cost of living in the particular community is the only fair way to go. Our teachers may deserve a raise but until the administration starts spending our money wisely the public will continue to push back. To many employees in upper and school levels. To many small class rooms requiring to many teachers. To many non required subjects. To many woke activities. Teach the children and stop programming them!!!

• Insider (Sunday, February 12 23 05:47 pm EST)

  Fiction takes longer to write than fact, that’s why.
  
  It is funny that Jim got virtually nothing the first time until I told him to ask again.
  
  Rookies, all of you.

• Fence (Sunday, February 12 23 05:46 pm EST)

  The one article Jim keeps pushing off and not writing. So many excuses. So much procrastination. What is Jim trying to sweep under the rug? What is he hiding? There are no safety issues at the city buildings or he would have been all over it by now.

• Donk the Rich (Sunday, February 12 23 04:34 pm EST)

  Lower your rents and save the poor.

• Donk (Sunday, February 12 23 02:07 pm EST)

  Katherine, with all due respect the teachers in other districts may receive more because their constituency make more.
  The tenants IO have in Claremont are barely hanging on, and in many cases this last year aren't hanging on.Should this big school side of the tax bill pass that means even higher rents.I don't believe local teachers are even close to the financial jeopardy that the working poor and retired seniors are now experiencing.
  If you destroy the lower working class of Claremont things will get a lot more difficult for everyone.

• Katherine (Sunday, February 12 23 01:34 pm EST)

  The school teachers in Claremont work very hard to teach our kids and they deserve a pay raise. The school board and the administrators did a fine job putting together a budget that will distribute those well deserved pay raises without a large increase for the local taxpayers. Everything was fine until two nitwits had to get involved to mess everything up. Patrick Adrian and Joshua Lambert made an amendment change that a small number of people approved that is adding $1 million to the budget and adding $1.34 to the property tax rate in Claremont if the voters decided to approve the budget as it now stands. I happen to agree with Mr. Sullivan that the teacher raises are in jeopardy because voters will have to agree to a $1.74 increase to the property tax rate to give the teachers their raises after the interference by Joshua Lambert and Patrick Adrian that may sabotage the chances of teachers receiving a pay raise at all. The voters in Claremont have another option of voting down the budget and receiving a $.94 property tax rate cut as their reward. Patrick Adrian and Joshua Lambert both served on the school board and Mr. Lambert is a schoolteacher in another district and they betrayed every schoolteacher in Claremont with their actions. If the school budget fails the teachers will have a year without pay raises and fall further behind their counterparts in other districts and many may leave to other districts where they are more appreciated. All because of Joshua Lambert and Patrick Adrian. If you happen to see them be sure to express your thoughts to them about what they have done to our community.

• Jim Sullivan (Sunday, February 12 23 12:00 pm EST)

  Carla, Councilors do not respond to citizens during Citizen's Forum because they intentionally choose not to. There is no policy or rule preventing Councilors from answering questions from their constituents. Just because this has been a past practice does not make it a good one. Councilors should be answerable to the public as they are supposed to be serving the public. In regards to who moved the Councilor removal vote to the end of the meeting it was Nick Koloski claiming it was from Roberts Rules of Order. I did not included it in the article because in my opinion it was not really relevant because the Council majority agreed by consensus to move the vote to the end of the meeting. Carla, if I included every miniscule detail of every meeting the articles would be a lot longer and incredibly boring to read. If you ever read a newspaper article you will see that not every little detail is reported only the broad strokes. I report more than that. However if you ever feel that I left out something important in one of my articles, then I invite you to please feel free to state that here on the Public Forum.

• Carla (Sunday, February 12 23 09:31 am EST)

  Be clear jimbo, Councilors don't respond to citizens at the podium. It is not a back and forth discussion time. Paint the clear picture not the misleading one. Who moved the councilor removal vote to the end of the meeting and why? I see what you are doing. Just like the previous meeting. You will note if certain Councilors do any action Jim doesn't mention them. If Stone or Limoge cough he strokes them. I see you Jim.

• Jim Sullivan (Sunday, February 12 23 06:59 am EST)

  Four new articles published today on the News Flashes page of this website.
  
  1) Are delaying tactics being employed?
  
  2) Proposed Fiscal Year 2024 Claremont School District Budget's cost to Taxpayers is not what it appears!
  
  3) February 8, 2023 Claremont City Council meeting synopsis.
  
  4) City Manager Manale's weekly report.

• RetiredTopGun (Saturday, February 11 23 02:42 pm EST)

  My last post may have sounded snarky and I do apologize. I do appreciate this site. Truly.

• Yosi (Saturday, February 11 23 09:11 am EST)

  Great idea Tim. Jim would be a great asset.
  Thanks for the suggestion!

• Tim Mulligan (Saturday, February 11 23 08:26 am EST)

  I’m just messing around, Jim. Lol

• Jim Sullivan (Saturday, February 11 23 07:56 am EST)

  Gee Tim that's news to me.

• Tim Mulligan (Saturday, February 11 23 07:28 am EST)

  Jim Sullivan had been approached as a consultant for multiple departments and will be replacing the many missing department directors.

• ChurchMouse (Friday, February 10 23 09:37 pm EST)

  Fact Checker, check your facts again, Merrill is not leaving. She has too much economic development to continue with.
  
  Burr, Richmond, DPW office manager, McCrory, Coombs, and 1 other at City Hall. police and DPW all short staffed. Those are the Facts.

• Bill (Friday, February 10 23 05:50 pm EST)

  Now that Jim Contois has been kicked off the council, can we get his sorry ass kicked out the city park?

• Bad Times Coming (Friday, February 10 23 04:32 pm EST)

  RetiredTopGun
  There is a slight problem in your thinking the people are the only way to ousts. The voters can control who our leaders are BUT. The public are so dumbed down they vote like little sheep. The democrats have a well oiled machine involving most of our social services and they walk the sheep right over the cliff. Prove me wrong. Tough days ahead for Claremont. Your spot on about the unions. They are destroying the City.

• Fact Checker (Friday, February 10 23 09:19 am EST)

  Everything said here is fact.
  #factchecked

• Guy (Friday, February 10 23 08:36 am EST)

  Rumor has it Jim Contois has contacted Rev. Al Sharpton and BLM and representatives from both will be here tonight demonstrating at Broad street park .

• James (Thursday, February 09 23 06:38 pm EST)

  Wonder if Yosh knows how leaky his administration is? Rumors are crazy in this town. Also heard Contois is planning his return and his partner is running as well.

• Insider (Thursday, February 09 23 06:31 pm EST)

  Merrill is leaving.

• Petey (Thursday, February 09 23 05:49 pm EST)

  Retired dbag. Learn to type and then grant us your wisdom.

• Hounder1968 (Thursday, February 09 23 03:53 pm EST)

  Rumor is another director left today. More money up or down the Valley

• RetiredTopGun (Thursday, February 09 23 01:42 pm EST)

  Let's all try to keep a level head here.
  My comments below are mine and only mine, as I have tried to sort this Cluster Mess out.
  
  Mr Contois was elected by the people who live in his ward and this City. Lets not take this petty stuff and make it into a Mountain, as we have just done. Other Councilors might not be so clean either.
  Kiloski and his Top Stone arrangement, Stone and his mettleing, The Mayor and his nice on-call ambulance service, a former Police officer who supports strong Unions. The Council as a whole mettling in every darn Board, Commission, and committee.
  Remember, the Council has one emploee, and one only, the City Manager. Their elected job is to set City Policy and pass operational/enterprise fund BUDGETs. They should not be on every committee out there. Not Planning, not the Zoning and NOT the Historic/Conservation committees.
  
  I think Contois should have had his hands slapped by the two Council leaders, and told to get in-line as it is best for the City. Removal is done by the People who Vote every 2 years. Remember years ago a Charter Commission change our Council election process, in the every Councilor is now up for election every 2 years. Why? So citizens could vote out of office those of the Stone/Contois agendas.
  
  Yoshi has his hands full, and we will be lucky to keep him for a bit. Remember our City Unions run most of the Budget costs with the working conditions, the pay rates, and the Insurance benefits.
  
  Just my opinion, and others will have theirs.
  
  Jim, thanks for a forum of Free Speech.

• Greg (Thursday, February 09 23 12:21 pm EST)

  Don’t forget to get rid of Mooshian, another loser who does nothing on the council.

• Beth (Thursday, February 09 23 12:07 pm EST)

  I agree, Contois and Stone are two sides of the same coin. This council could actually accomplish something with both of them in the rearview.

• No To Any Contois or Affiliates (Thursday, February 09 23 11:21 am EST)

  Lord almighty, imagine Reb McKenzie running? It would be like having Loony Liza on the council and that is not what this community needs at all. Got rid of Jim, now lets rid ourselves of Stone and actually try to get something done!

• Patrick (Thursday, February 09 23 11:19 am EST)

  Contois don’t go quietly, please. I bet you. This was an outrage. If you don’t get reinstated by the court then your partner should run.

• Concerned Tax Payer (Thursday, February 09 23 10:02 am EST)

  Given any other appropriate reasons Contois should have been removed for being a hostile witness.

• John J.O’Connor (Thursday, February 09 23 08:34 am EST)

  Thank you Pat, it takes a big man or whatever you are to admit you’re wrong.

• Patrick (Thursday, February 09 23 08:26 am EST)

  Sorry, John. You’re right.

• Donk (Thursday, February 09 23 08:24 am EST)

  Congratulations to our City Council!!!

• John J. O’Connor (Thursday, February 09 23 08:23 am EST)

  Pat,
  I didn’t name you. If you have a problem with your name I suggest you talk to your momma..
  In all my years, which are many, I’ve only known one person that was so anal retentive that he had a problem being called by his name and that was a “cub” reporter from the Eagle Times, is that you Pat ?
  Pat, you might not like your name but in this current “woke” driven world we now live in, your gender neutral name fits your perfectly.
  I hope you are able to recover, I know how sensitive you people can be… find your safe space and hopefully you won’t be scared for life by this conversation.

• Patrick (Thursday, February 09 23 07:40 am EST)

  It’s Patrick, bully.

• John J.O’Connor (Thursday, February 09 23 07:34 am EST)

  Pat,
  Why would you have the DNC investigate when a Council seat is supposed to be void of party affiliation ?
  Are you saying the DNC has been putting undo influence over certain members of the current City Council in a effort to politicize the non partisan position?
  Wouldn’t that be a violation of the City Charter ?
  Congrats to the Asst. Mayor for stepping up and doing the right thing.

• Patrick (Thursday, February 09 23 07:06 am EST)

  I’d like to see the DNC investigate this and request all emails to and from Deb M over the past week to see if there was a concerted effort to remove a duly elected democrat who was for the people and the environment.

• James (Thursday, February 09 23 06:42 am EST)

  Jim Sullivan must be in his glory right now.

• Laura (Wednesday, February 08 23 09:40 pm EST)

  Thank you Councilwoman Matteau for coming to your senses to remove Mr. Contois from the city council. Shame on you Mr. Mayor for wimping out again. Mr. Batchelder and Mr. Mooshian do not ever run for office again you are disgraces to your council positions.

• BigdogondaPorch (Wednesday, February 08 23 09:30 pm EST)

  well we can agree to disagree. The mayor and council could have and should have handled it differently.
  
  Again, a public censure would have been a solid first step.

• Concerned Tax Payer (Wednesday, February 08 23 08:54 pm EST)

  Glad Deb saw the light. It was clear that Contois was guilty. And when guilty he had to pay the price.Big win the city.

• John J.O’Connor (Wednesday, February 08 23 08:45 pm EST)

  Big dog,
  Rules are rules but that isn’t what cost Contois his seat, it was his arrogance.

• Jim Sullivan (Wednesday, February 08 23 08:35 pm EST)

  New article published on the News Flashes page of this website.
  
  James Contois ousted from Claremont City Council!

• BigdogondaPorch (Wednesday, February 08 23 08:16 pm EST)

  JJ O'C, in my opinion they overstepped and a censure would have been much more appropriate! I saw no reason to take this drastic step towards a dully elected official.
  Things like this gice our struggling City a black eye.
  
  John I have to disagree with you on this one.

• John J. O’Connor (Wednesday, February 08 23 07:32 pm EST)

  Bye, bye Jim Contois….don’t let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya !!!!!!!!
  Congratulations to the City Council for making a tough decision.
  Sometimes you don’t have to stand tall but you have to stand up and tonight the Council stood up and listened to the public’s outcry.

• PT109 (Wednesday, February 08 23 06:44 pm EST)

  Donk, you are not as Numm as I gave you credit for.
  
  Cut back on the full service idea, and get back to basics. Perhaps the new Fire Chief (he/her), will get rid of the small ladder truck and save us a $750,000 replacement cost.
  Some the good ole boys are still around and they can tell you we dont need two ladders.
  
  How about 1 dispatch center for Sullican Cty, by cost sharing with other Towns.
  
  Maybe cut back the PD staffing, and contract more with the the Sheriff and State Police.
  
  Donk, your thoughts.??

• Donk (Wednesday, February 08 23 04:26 pm EST)

  The incomes of Claremont taxpayers aren't even close to keeping pace with it's public employees.Just the health insurance provided to them has jumped by quite a large margin.
  It seems time for Claremont to think about downsizing it's services to meet it's income.

• Little Tink (Wednesday, February 08 23 03:43 pm EST)

  A rumor, so take it as such!! Free speech from the rumor mill.
  
  It seems the HR person is back from a long overdue vacation down in the Virgin Islands,
  
  Now that she is back, interviews have begun for the new Fire Chief. The City has decided that before they advertise the position, they will search the inside ranks. Brian Rapp is really next in line as he is the Assistant Chief. The firefighters and the teamsters don't care for his leadership. So a couple of teamster's Junior officer have turned in their qualifications, to give HR and Asst. Chief Rapp a scare!
  Typical organized labor tactic.
  
  Hope Yoshi and HR can attrack and pay for a well qualified seasoned Fire Chief, that can Kick-ass and tighten up the ranks. for those of you that want a women in a leadership role, it won't happen. Yoshi does not have the Nads to seek out a black - hispanic or woman for the Chiefs role. They can't be found!

• Snake-eyes (Wednesday, February 08 23 01:59 pm EST)

  Insider! What is it that you don't seem to understand?? What young person wants to settle here for low wages? Some settle here and work in the Upper Valley.
  
  Young public employees are way underpaid, maybe as much as 25% in some cases.
  
  Your big 3 departments, will have new contracts this summer. Let's hope the City and Unions can get the wages up to be competitve.
  
  Low wages are a breeding ground for discontent, and poor workmanship., call-backs etc.
  
  Attitudes by writers here, I liken to rabbits breeding rabbits.

• Insider (Wednesday, February 08 23 06:32 am EST)

  I don’t buy it. It’s gotta be the new manager driving out the good people.

• Bigdog (Tuesday, February 07 23 04:57 pm EST)

  Red it is a combination of things.
  
  Low wages, younger generation, Council that meddles in the affairs of the manager. Unions can be an issue as well.
  
  Who wants to enter police work, well no applicants, and nobody coming out of the Academy. Police or Fire academies that is. Women are not allowed in the fire department (no sleepover accomodation), and the good ole boy net work.
  Lots of the younger staff don't want overtime in any shape or form, for example long hours plowing snow, it can be tiresome.
  
  So a good start is to start recruiting with better wages, and begin to train new staff, to fit the needs of the City.
  
  Lots of hard work ahead, and the Council has way to many negative people on it. New elected official would be a start to take back our City

• Jolly (Tuesday, February 07 23 10:04 am EST)

  Jim is no longer reporting breaking news just old news.

• Red (Tuesday, February 07 23 06:28 am EST)

  Someone has to figure out why everyone is leaving the city. This is crazy. Is it management style?

• Tom (Tuesday, February 07 23 05:17 am EST)

  Mike McCrory, was the project manager for the planning department. His vacant position is advertised on the city website.

• Small dog (Tuesday, February 07 23 04:47 am EST)

  Big dog, enough with the rumors. McCoy just got hired back that would make no sense.

• Bigdog (Monday, February 06 23 09:19 pm EST)

  Frank, Fake and Jim. It is not Fake News, it is real. Coombs is gone, and McCroy as well.
  
  Merrill is trying to keep her Department going, by backfilling with part-time staffing.

• Johnny Cakes (Monday, February 06 23 08:02 pm EST)

  Sullivan’s insiders also quit. Haha

• Popcorn (Monday, February 06 23 07:00 pm EST)

  Sullivan's insiders are asleep.
  DPW and Planning loosing staff.
  
  It is not Fake News, just ask Yhoshi.

• Jim Sullivan (Monday, February 06 23 06:34 pm EST)

  Thank you Fake News. The rumors can’t be substantiated. I don’t like the rumors but I love free speech.

• Fake news (Monday, February 06 23 02:06 pm EST)

  McCrory isn’t leaving and neither is Coombs.

• Frank (Monday, February 06 23 07:20 am EST)

  Who says McRory and Cooms are leaving?

• Jim Sullivan (Sunday, February 05 23 08:57 pm EST)

  FYI, I am not procrastinating. I write the articles during the weekend when I have the spare time in between running errands, etc.

• Luv's the PopCorn (Sunday, February 05 23 08:20 pm EST)

  Jim Sullivan, I see that Nancy Merrill's "crack team" has lost its project manager Mike McCory, and chief building inspector Steve Coombs. Talk about short staffing.
  
  Police down 5 to 7 men, no call fire department(thank the Union for that), short staffing at Community Center (pool closed - NO life gaurds) and we now have to pay to Re-Cycle.
  
  Wonder how many Men have applied for the fire Chief's job??

• Jim Sullivan (Sunday, February 05 23 07:54 pm EST)

  You always procrastinate until I put up some fake titles.

• Jim Sullivan (Sunday, February 05 23 07:25 pm EST)

  I see that the prankster is back. Here are the real titles to the five new articles published today on the News Flashes page of this website.
  
  1) Letter sent to Superintendent & Claremont School Board regarding discrepancies with property tax rate changes for proposed and default school budgets for fiscal year 2024.
  
  2) Zero Accountability! Claremont City Council cannot summon up the courage to remove Councilor James Contois!
  
  3) January 25, 2023 Claremont City Council meeting synopsis.
  
  4) My suggestions to solve the Claremont Police Officer staffing crisis and the Arrowhead Property problem.
  
  5) City Manager Manale's weekly report.

• Jim Sullivan (Sunday, February 05 23 06:03 pm EST)

  Today’s 3 articles have been uploaded to the News Flash section of this webpage.
  
  1. Yoshi in panic over resignations
  2. Yankee Doodle Came to Town O’ riding on a…fire truck??
  3. Privatization Yoshi Style
  4. City Council meeting (deeply concerned with City Manager performance and staff retention
  5. Something Stinks in the Yoshi Report

• Carpie the Hammer (Sunday, February 05 23 11:38 am EST)

  Donk, quit showing that you are a NUMMY NUTS.

• Donk (Sunday, February 05 23 09:19 am EST)

  I’m surprised that you “intellectual leaders” haven’t yet figured out that I’m part of the city council. Now…who am I?

• Phil (Saturday, February 04 23 06:36 pm EST)

  Tomorrow's update by Mr. Sullivan should be very interesting. I can certainly understand any person who is a real estate investor. Its a hard business to be in and it can be a headache if you have terrible tenants. But that's the risk you take when you rent to those on government assistance. They don't care because they are not invested in the roof over their head and its not their money. I am not saying everyone who is on section 8 is like this, as there are still some good people who have hit hard times but don't have the income to qualify for a ultra nice apartments. Regardless, they still deserve a nicely maintained place as long as they respect the property. The fact remains, real estate still has been the way to massive wealth by many in this country. So don't knock it if you haven't tried it. I remember many years ago, taking a Dale Carnegie course, and there was this young man in our class who was probably my age around 23 or so who was telling me he was buying his first real estate investment a duplex. His goal was to get buy many more and get wealthy through real estate. People laughed at him, but I didn't, I was impressed and encouraged him to go for it. He owns a funeral home as well, and has invested in real estate for many years. He's done pretty well for himself.

• Donk (Saturday, February 04 23 05:20 pm EST)

  Carlie, you ever heard of an LLC?? Every place is owned by a different company. And who is going to sue me? For what? You know something? Poly 6 kids with 5 dads probably ain’t gonna bother lol

• Carpie (Saturday, February 04 23 04:41 pm EST)

  Donk, you are NUMMMM. 1 lawsuit will close your Boardding houses.....LOL

• Donk (Saturday, February 04 23 02:55 pm EST)

  Wrong. Everyone I talk to can’t make a profit when the codes are involved. They tried to get me a few times. Not happening. I’d sooner pay a fine than bow to the wannabe enforcement.

• Snoopdog (Saturday, February 04 23 02:14 pm EST)

  Jim, I am surprised that your inside sources have not confirmed the departure of Steve Coombs our building inspector, and Alex Gleason's top office administrator.
  
  Are your sources drying up? I think we are up to about 15 staff members short, which should mean a budget surplus in my eyes.
  
  Ever thought of going away from a full service CIty? seek both State Police assistance as well as, mutual aid

• Carpie the Hammer (Saturday, February 04 23 02:05 pm EST)

  Donk, like I said you are nummer than a pounded thumb. WE need code and building inspectors to keep us safe from the likes of You and your cronies.

• Inspector (Saturday, February 04 23 02:01 pm EST)

  1. There is no landlords of Claremont group and if there were they don't allow someone so low end retail rack like you in.
  
  2. Codes we can go by. Your bullshit we cannot.

• Donk (Saturday, February 04 23 08:43 am EST)

  No article on Merrill outsourcing and privatization of inspection for a savings to the taxpayer? Something the Landlords of Claremont group has been pushing for 20 years. Codes have no place in a poor town like Claremont.

• Donk (Saturday, February 04 23 05:12 am EST)

  @ Adam & Hammer Head- Perhaps you should learn to write English before replying.

• Carpiethe hammer (Friday, February 03 23 04:30 pm EST)

  Donk, you are the dullest pencil in the box, and nummer than a pounded thumb. DPW has positions open for a staff person like you to run the dumb end of a shovel....go for it.
  
  Now that the building inspectors are down another person, the plan review process will be done by outside consultants. CODES, Plans and SPec. will be enforced.

• Johnny Insider (Friday, February 03 23 03:55 pm EST)

  Has anyone asked for the fire reports and the fire inspections from the 181 South street fire yet?

• adam (Friday, February 03 23 03:33 pm EST)

  I will rent. from you if you pay. my move in fees and my mom and her boy.friend and . my sister you pay her if you have toxic. paint please remove it before

• Donk (Friday, February 03 23 03:19 pm EST)

  Hey Adam, I have a place now for rent as soon as it gets cleaned up.It even has a little side yard for kids with all kinds of broken toys and a couple of bikes without rims.They even left a weber grill.It doesn't have the legs anymore but it sits on a couple of cinder blocks.
  I'd paint the place but that would mean another grand in taxes so you'll love the patina.

• Yoshis Bandits (Friday, February 03 23 02:36 pm EST)

  City Hall will help you out… right out of town. Yoshi has their eye on you wait till you meet his team

• Donk (Friday, February 03 23 02:08 pm EST)

  I’m investing heavily in my properties and will have to raise rents. I will work with my tenants and try to keep them housed as much as I can. City Hall needs to help us landlords out.

• adam (Friday, February 03 23 12:17 pm EST)

  Anyone know how to get ahold of manfred borchuck? I need. a reference to rent. in claremont

• Donk (Friday, February 03 23 07:20 am EST)

  @ Bigdipshit- The assessments are pow because Claremont houses are lesser homes.They are older,smaller and lack the many amenities that Lebanon and Keene homes offer.You are comparing apples to oranges.The people in those places have much higher income and much nicer homes.You are robbing the people of Claremont plain and simple.
  
  Claremont is paying too much for our modest homes.

• Bigdog (Thursday, February 02 23 09:10 pm EST)

  Donk, you need to stop your foolish stupid comments. Claremont's taxes that we pay are about the middle of the overall state. Yes tax rate is High, but assessments are low.
  
  It seems that you might be a landlord or run a boarding house?? Well trying buying a home in Lebanon or Keene, and compare cost of ownership.
  Again, I am confident that you and a few others could not manage a coffee shop, let alone the City or School dept.
  On another point, the City's police department still continues with staffing issues, and it looks like Assistant Chief Rapp will be given the Chiefs job, come May 1st. Burr will be grooming him with Budget preparations.

• Donk (Thursday, February 02 23 11:05 am EST)

  Fix What?
  yeah the buildings are unattractive, but have you seen the people that live in them?
  
  Get the tax rate down to at least the middle of the pack and I may consider rehabbing some property.I keep telling you that the working poor in Claremont can't afford these properties as it is.

• Crunk (Thursday, February 02 23 10:13 am EST)

  What part of fix your buildings ya bum don’t you understand?

• Donk (Thursday, February 02 23 08:31 am EST)

  What part of we're not a high income city and therefore cannot afford top notch talent do you not understand?
  Claremont cannot compete with Lebanon or Portsmouth so stop trying and try to retain 2nd tier talent.
  I'm now having to evict the third tenant I've had in 1 apartment in last 6 mos.
  The upside is that the security deposits that I have retained pay a lot of the local taxes.
  These people want their security deposits back despite leaving the place a mess.I tell them take me to court.It just seems the working people around here cannot even afford the market price for apartments in Claremont.

• Little Tink (Wednesday, February 01 23 08:35 pm EST)

  Donk, of course she will not be sticking around. You need to get your head out of the sand. She is very smart and talented in her field. So despite her multiple talents, she is highly underpaid, and works without staff support.
  
  She may have other reasons to move as well!!
  
  Big loss if she goes.

• Donk (Wednesday, February 01 23 04:33 pm EST)

  The HR person is going to a 1 month seminar on feelings in sunny Barbados.

• Donk (Wednesday, February 01 23 04:18 pm EST)

  Is the HR person going to be sticking around? I’d be surprised.

• Bigdog (Wednesday, February 01 23 04:10 pm EST)

  On a more serious note, than the Donk's foolisness.
  
  I would challenge readers to take a moment and log into the City's Human Resource department. Read the Union contracts, and you will be very surprised just how sweet the Fire staff personel have it. Once the staff become Captains or above, the leave the firefighters Union and move into a very powerful Teamster's Union. Yes 2 Union for ONE station. You can see a lot of benefits they have. Free classes, seminars, workshop, etc. all at the TaxPayer expense. If they travel to a seminar, they are paid, if the seminar last longer thana normal day, they are paid to drive the City vehicle home at an Overtime rate.
  
  Same type of perc's. for the Police Department. DPW does not have it quite so nice.
  
  You should know that the manager and the HR staff person will be negotiating soon, as the current contract seem to be 1 year deals, that run out this summer.
  I think it takes both hands and them some to go thru all the open slots. All across the City.
  
  So if you are unemployed, send in your resume to the HR dept. and go to work

• Insider (Wednesday, February 01 23 03:20 pm EST)

  Donk may pay taxes but not as much as he should because his buildings aren’t maintained.

• Donk (Wednesday, February 01 23 03:15 pm EST)

  I'll take that as behind on the taxes thanks

• Paul (Wednesday, February 01 23 02:33 pm EST)

  Donk you can keep repeating your bullshit claims all day. No one gives a shit. We get it Koloski told you to f off when you were trying to get some street credit and you whine still. We have read it here over and over and I have heard about it from people present. Nobody gives a shit. Sullivan you talk out your can. I can cite each time he has pointed out any conflict and when he does you cry foul. When he stays you cry foul. You are so full of it. Did you ask him or any councilor if he brought forward any concern. I happen to know much more than you on this topic and realize you are just posting to stir the pot and never asked anyone or Koloski himself. Maybe ask your inside source Jon Stone or any councilor. Btw the charter allows for him to sit and weigh in. It is specifically allowed in the charter. By all means please show the financial conflict that would preclude him from weighing in so he chooses. You know nothing. You do realize call firefighters are not career and do not have the same rules. Now Koloski should fight fire and take attendance. Got ya you fool. There surely would be someone like you calling foul that he is interfering with a department head then calling for his removal. You can play this any direction you want. Donky you do realize he doesn't own the building and has a lease right? Sweetheart deal hahahha. Like all your shitholes. So all your tenants are responsible for your haphazard bullshit now? Sure buddy. You and Sullivan are zeros. I bet you will see zero on this as you are far off despite what the whiny bitch volunteer chief from a neighboring town cries to you about. Why don't you 91a all call firefighters attendance and whine about that. Try maybe 10 years.

• Donk (Tuesday, January 31 23 08:37 pm EST)

  Well, there's plenty of blame to go around, but that doesn't change the ongoing situation in Claremont concerning the fire department.
  We have 2 problems at hand,The first being that mutual aid isn't happening and that cannot continue.
  The second problem is this dozing for dollars 8 day schedule that in my opinion is Theft.We must as Claremont taxpayers ask the manager to act on this by hiring an attorney to revisit this union contract.I believe that the money spent on a labor lawyer is money well spent.These thieves are laughing all the way to the bank and it has absolutely have to be ended.
  
  In my eyes Koloski has betrayed us all.He has been a councilor for many years now, and he is also a call fireman.
  If he had 1 ounce of conscience or care for this city he should have acted in any way he could.You can collect bookbags and toys for poverty stricken children from now until doomsday but it will never absolve you of the treachery on this town with your silence.
  
  I can't help but wonder if Mr. Koloski's building is even paying prperty taxes despite the unbelievable sweetheart deal his benefactors were given.I have my doubts
  
  Please don't make any big spiel over Chief Burr's retirement.We're a better place without him.

• Snakeeyes (Tuesday, January 31 23 07:29 pm EST)

  Jim, I think you missed a small point or two with the 24 hr contract, Study its implications.
  
  But here is a few things:
  
  1. Fire fighters do not have to cover the station, or come in when called while off duty (nor does DPW). Responding is called an inconvenience, and also requires over time,
  2. You do not have to live in the City, near the City, or within 15 min. of the Station, you can't require that of 1st Responders (DPW workers are not 1st responders)
  3. They have one hell of a contract, and YES we pay for Uniform cleaning and startching like they Police priviledge.
  
  Consider this: 24 hrs on and 48 hrs off, 24 hrs on and 96 hours off (not bad?). Now I want my two+ weeks of vacation......so............see you when I get back, cuz I ain't coming in for a month, BUT I am getting paid.....haha
  
  3.

• Jim Sullivan (Tuesday, January 31 23 04:47 pm EST)

  Richard, with all due respect I am not talking out of both sides of my mouth. In regards to Councilor Nick Koloski, he is a Call Firefighter and the three Claremont Fire Department Incident Reports that listed all Firefighters present to fight those particular fires lists Koloski as present for all three fires. Incontrovertible proof that he was there so he would have known that most of the Off-Duty Claremont Firefighters did not respond to the emergency and it was left up to Fire Departments from other communities to pick up the Claremont Fire Department's slack due to an incredibly high absenteeism rate regarding Off-Duty Claremont Firefighters. Nick Koloski is a City Councilor and he had a duty to report this huge problem to the City Manager and to the City Council and he never did! It is my understanding that this problem has gone on since 2020 when the 24 hour shift agreement took effect. Presumably, Koloski knew since 2020 and kept silent all that time. Granted, Koloski also has a conflict of interest because he is a Call Fireman. So, he should have reported the problem to the City Manager and to the City Council, conveyed what information he could and then recused himself from any further discussion or decisions regarding this issue. That would have been the proper course of action, as it would have put the Citizens of Claremont first, the people who elected Koloski to the Council. Instead, Koloski decided to remain silent and protect his friends in the Fire Department and to hell with the Citizens of Claremont. There is no way in hell he can justify those actions! I haven't been a City Councilor for nearly 20 years, yet when I heard about it I immediately took action by submitting a Right to Know Request to get irrefutable documented proof that what I was told is true and then once I had it I published it on my website and exposed it to the public who should have known about this right from the start and did not because Councilor Koloski and others within the City Government all chose to remain silent and hide the truth from the public, whose safety is at risk because of what Claremont Firefighters are doing! Richard you can play shoot the messenger all you want, I don't give a crap about that! It just shows how angry you are about what I revealed to the public, almost as if it was a personal attack against you. However, what you can't sweep under the rug is the truth that I've exposed because I have published all the documented proof showing that what I reported is the truth! What the Claremont Firefighters have been doing in regards to not responding to emergencies when they are off duty that occur both here in Claremont and elsewhere in surrounding communities is reprehensible and unjustifiable!

• Home To Roost (Tuesday, January 31 23 09:45 am EST)

  Koloski, it’s my understanding he is dangerous at a fire. Always at risk of getting himself or others hurt. Fist one in front of the camera when the news shows up.
  No question as a councilor / firefighter he knew the department has been falling apart, after all he boasts knowing all about the fire department as a firefighter. All part of the scam.

• Richard (Tuesday, January 31 23 08:17 am EST)

  Sully you talk out both sides of your mouth and it says a ton when your only real support is a local code violating slumlord. Kiloski should have no say as it's a conflict of interest says Sully but should have a say. I note when he recuses himself you call foul. When he remains you call foul. You are laughable and it's clear the motive. Jim couldn't make it as a councilor and now realizes he will never be anything close to someone who rushed in to a burning building. Axe to grind. It is rich hearing from fake online cowards.

• Jim Sullivan (Monday, January 30 23 09:46 pm EST)

  Snakeeyes, depending who the key people are that may not necessarily be a bad thing. There is a lot of deadwood amongst several of the top positions in the City Administration. If this deadwood leaves it gives Yoshi the opportunity to put his own team of professionals in place to stabilize Claremont's municipal government, which would be a positive step forward.
  
  Regarding the sidebar agreement you are correct that it states 24 hours on 48 hours off then 24 hours on followed by 96 hours off, which adds up to eight days instead of seven days. I did not catch that until you mentioned it. Thank you for pointing that out.

• Snakeeyes (Monday, January 30 23 07:53 pm EST)

  Jim, the Rumor is that two more key positons are going to be VACANT. Not good with about every department head, or critical staff are leaving.
  
  Jim you have it correct about the fire departments 24 hour shifts. Former Chief Chase would never had agreed to the sidebar, that was slipped thru. Jim read the rest of the side-bar, and make us aware of the rest of the story....96 hrs. off.

• Mike (Monday, January 30 23 07:52 pm EST)

  There’s a funny pattern of subtle manipulation that’s occurring. “The city manager has done okay but if he doesn’t do (insert one specific thing that Jim or Donkey or someone else thinks absolutely must happen), then he’s a failure.” The truth is, he’s done an excellent job so far, no one is always going to be absolutely happy with every one of his decisions. What Claremont needs above all else is to just have a city manager for several years. And this one has shown intelligence and competency, which isn’t a given in that world. So make your case, try to make some change, but the city manager isn’t a one issue position.

• Donk (Monday, January 30 23 04:46 pm EST)

  Just remember these thieves at the next parade Claremont has.
  I would say when they come by turn your back on them as they are doing with mutual aid.
  I'm really blown away at the greed and irresponsibility by this gang of douchebags.

• I’m Watching (Monday, January 30 23 04:44 pm EST)

  The first thing to fix a problem is to admit you have a problem! Claremont has been denying problems that EXIST for years. Enough information is out on the fire department that it would take a fool to deny it. I’m watching are you.

• Supporting Donk (Monday, January 30 23 03:37 pm EST)

  @Donk
  Not sure I could have said it any better myself except that Koloski has been coning the city for years. If the manager doesn’t clean house in the fire department he should be the next one to go. I am currently holding faith in him for what he has done good so far.

• Tommy (Monday, January 30 23 12:21 pm EST)

  Sounds like an excuse to procrastinate.

• Donk (Monday, January 30 23 09:35 am EST)

  The blame for this token fire department Claremont now has can be squarely placed on the shoulders of Chief Burr,Nick Koloski,and Brian Rapp.
  These people knew exactly what was(is) going on and did not approach the manager or the city council of the theft of Claremont taxpayers by these fake firemen that are really just con men.
  Dissolve the fire department and create a volunteer department.The money saved can be used on much more important things than buying bass boats and deluxe pick up trucks for these con men.
  You would also have a far more dedicated and conscientious department than the the frauds we have now.

• Carol (Monday, January 30 23 08:09 am EST)

  Well Jim you certainly are the expert on people who should not be a councilor. All you had to do is look in the mirror though and not drag someone else down. Do so from the comfort of your home why the guy you trash wakes up at all hours for 7 bucks and hour to protect his community. Your attendance records show that but you can't help but twist your narrative to drag him down can you. I am a real insider and you should have asked him instead of assuming. Too late now as you tossed him under the bus like you complained Burr did. I am retired but know for a fact you are wrong. Reminder a councilor is one of nine.

• Mike (Monday, January 30 23 07:51 am EST)

  Jim, it’s an interesting revelation, besides the unnecessary drama and name calling you’ve soaked the article in. But how many times do we, your readers, need to tell you, you don’t have to write comments under fake names (Steve and Rick) telling yourself what a great article you’ve written. Let it stand on its own two feet. I think we need to make some changes, but I also don’t think we get there by accusing every Claremont firefighter of being greedy terrible people. Some may be, but some certainly aren’t.

• Rick (Monday, January 30 23 06:35 am EST)

  The quick fix is canceling the 24 hour shift agreement that is separate from the union contract and the firefighters will need to work five days per week if they want to keep their jobs. I agree with Mr. Sullivan's line of thinking that if the firefighters go back to a five-day work schedule they will respond to emergencies when they are off duty to earn overtime pay because their second jobs will be gone. I will never look at the Claremont firefighters in the same way again. I thought they were decent standup guys but they are greedy selfish people. Their job is to save lives and they could care less. It's all about the greenbacks for them.

• Steve (Monday, January 30 23 05:53 am EST)

  The Claremont Fire Department is a disgrace. The firefighters have one job and that is to fight fires and handle other emergencies. Jim Sullivan has proven that they are not doing that job and that responsibility is now laid upon the shoulders of other firefighting companies from other communities to protect Claremont. In an emergency seconds matter and the response time is so much greater because of the distance these other firefighting companies must cover to arrive on the scene. Jim is right every citizen here is at risk and our city leaders were complacent about this for what seems to be several years. The Fire Chief, the Assistant Fire Chief and all the staff are guilty of these actions and the cover-up to keep this secret from the public. Councilman Nick Koloski definitely knew the truth and said nothing. Nick Koloski did betray all of us and placed all of us in danger so his firefighter colleagues could work only two days a week for the city and work elsewhere to make more money. Nick Koloski kept the secret for years allowing response times to emergencies in Claremont to increase and allowing the incidence of the Claremont Fire Department refusing to assist other communities to grow endangering lives in Claremont and beyond. One word at a city council meeting would have put an end to this posthaste but Councilman Nick Koloski never spoke that word so the firefighters could bank more coin because they are where Nick Koloski’s true loyalties lie. I hope Mr. Manale does not promote anyone from inside the Claremont Fire Department to replace Chief Burr. If Brian Rapp does not take early retirement than Mr. Manale should fire him because Mr. Rapp has betrayed Claremont with his actions and his silence.

• Jim Sullivan (Sunday, January 29 23 09:24 pm EST)

  Tommy, just so you know the Claremont Fire Department & the Claremont Planning Office dragged their feet for several weeks until I finally received information regarding safety inspections to some City buildings. I received that information at the same time I received the documents for today's article regarding the Claremont Fire Department. As I stated in my Editor's Note, I only have so much spare time to research, write and publish articles. Next Sunday will be the January 25 Council meeting article and the following Sunday after that I will publish an article regarding the safety of City Hall and other municipal buildings in Claremont. This was never about me remaining silent on something it was about finally obtaining the information that I needed and then having the time to actually sift through the documents, analyze the material and then write the article for publication. Be patient you will see the article in two weeks. That is a promise.

• Fed up (Sunday, January 29 23 06:49 pm EST)

  You all realize that CFD will blow this off and use the old “because of our staffing and equipment your insurance rates go down.” Crock of shit…I pay more in house insurance here than I did in Unity with a giant house.

• Retired (Sunday, January 29 23 06:46 pm EST)

  So…our own call fire fighters aren’t good enough to drive apparatus yet when CFD calls for mutual aid to surrounding towns, they are all volunteers…hmmm

• Tommy (Sunday, January 29 23 06:43 pm EST)

  And Jim is still silent about the city hall safety m.

• Citizen K (Sunday, January 29 23 06:40 pm EST)

  So why do we need so many fire trucks? Specifically why do we need 2 ladder trucks?

• Not Surprised (Sunday, January 29 23 03:42 pm EST)

  If Burr is not relived of his duties tomorrow for falsifying information in a 91a request and for allowing incident documentation to deteriorate so the names of responders are not documented. NO present fire employees should be interim Chief. That department has gone to the dogs under the Chief and Rapp is a union insider.

• Jim Sullivan (Sunday, January 29 23 02:33 pm EST)

  Here are the real article titles for today.
  
  Three new articles published today on the News Flashes page of this website.
  
  1) What good are Firefighters who only show up to fight fires two days per week?
  
  2) Claremont Department of Public Works' poor snow removal efforts causes damage to newly installed infrastructure!
  
  3) Trouble at the Transfer Station!

• Jim Sullivan (Sunday, January 29 23 09:10 am EST)

  I started early today so you can read these as soon as possible. My word dictation software was on the fritz but I got through it. Three new articles uploaded to the news flash section of this webpage.
  
  1. Hot hot heat in the heart of the city
  2. Teflon Jim strikes again
  3. Big shakeup in little Claremont
  
  Bonus: Yoshi cleans house, mass exodus and astonishing resignations

• Bob (Friday, January 27 23 04:29 pm EST)

  Declare Bankruptcy and let the state and feds come fix it. They can’t do a worse job.

• Donk (Friday, January 27 23 03:22 pm EST)

  What crazy rumors? I like a juicy one as much as the next guy.

• Donny Max (Thursday, January 26 23 08:08 pm EST)

  Jim won’t touch the crazy rumors happening in City Hall right now. Probably wise.
  
  Also, heard there are some things happening in many departments. Huge huge exodus happening across the board. Someone has ruffled feathers and pushed out the good people.

• Snake-eyes (Thursday, January 26 23 06:53 pm EST)

  I don't think any of you writers or commentators could manage a small Town, let alone the small City of Claremont
  
  Each department is digging in its heals, as a result of constant harping about budget restraints. Let's not forget that we run our City budget's and to a great extent our schools on Grants. It is almost like receiving and then running your household with free money. The Superintendent and City Manager have their hands full. The City side has 5 distinct Unions, and the school about the same.
  
  The cost of goods and services has risen sharply, and for our managers thids is one tough job.
  
  John J, yes it would be a courtesy for the Firemen to step up, walk over and shovel the library steps and walkways. Maybe even help around City Hall. I don't see where Public Safety would be compromised in the least. Why not help out for gosh sakes. All pay checks come from the same tax payer wallets.

• Donk (Thursday, January 26 23 05:52 pm EST)

  Prickly is what is happening inside of the big decrepit brick building across the street. (City Hall) Like an MTV reality show.

• Phil (Thursday, January 26 23 12:52 pm EST)

  All those sentences and the immortal words "if it were my city to run" is what jumped out....LOL...oh well, just stray thoughts regarding a prickly subject....may the solution be with you....

• Donk (Thursday, January 26 23 09:14 am EST)

  Phil “if I ran the city”. now ive heard of all

• Phil (Thursday, January 26 23 08:07 am EST)

  Regarding the clearing of snow from the sidewalks at the library...isn't that something handled by DPW? It's a city building so would it not fall under their umbrella? Same for the fire department...wouldn't DPW clear their walks and station entrances? If it were my city to run, DPW would be responsible for all critical public infrastructure in addition to the roads. I realize they don't have the manpower to cover all that, and that additional responsibilities would most likely be privately contracted out to supplement the city snow removal team. City Fire, Police, City hall, schools and library certainly fall under first priority. Curious as to why this is suddenly a big controversary? I have seen some of these firemen, not all of them, but some, even in my local department...and I would not want them shoveling any walks....

• Charles (Wednesday, January 25 23 07:40 pm EST)

  There’s a fox in the hen house.

• BOB (Wednesday, January 25 23 06:30 pm EST)

  Little Tink: I don't know about you but I want the best qualified for the job, who cares what they are or color they are. Shove all that diversity BS where the sun don't shine. The best qualified should get the job.

• Jumbo (Wednesday, January 25 23 01:47 pm EST)

  Rumor mill is really cranking now.

• John J. O’Connor (Wednesday, January 25 23 07:58 am EST)

  Linda,
  Stop deflecting. The FD is wrong.
  It would have taken 5 minutes for them to shovel out the library in their down time and it would have brought them thanks and admiration.
  Instead it has brought them embarrassment and shame.
  This has absolutely nothing to do with a Union Contract, it’s about their moral compass or a lack of one.

• Donk (Wednesday, January 25 23 07:52 am EST)

  Hey Linda- Howz about ya go fuck yourself?

• Linda (Wednesday, January 25 23 05:44 am EST)

  Tony Donk do you shovel your neighbors walkway? Do you shovel your tenants walkway? Place their driveway? Fix their apartment? Best take a look at your own life before pointing out the flaws of others.

• Bigdog (Tuesday, January 24 23 09:13 pm EST)

  John, no common sense with the FireMen.............if the Chief or perhaps the library director asked them to help shovel the steps and walks next door, they would file a grievance....big time!
  
  They would want extra pay as well, for performance, or inconvenience of doing jobs outside of the Union contract.
  
  No common sense and NO common courtesy. Yes we pay those boys. 8 hrs work - 8 hrs personal - 8 hrs sleep, in the 24 hr shift.

• John J.O’Connor (Tuesday, January 24 23 08:12 am EST)

  Is there a “common curtesy “ clause in the FD contract ?
  It might not be there job to shovel the steps at yet library but it be good public relations, a concept that seems to be lost with todays municipal employees.

• Gary (Monday, January 23 23 04:30 pm EST)

  Donk- Not in their union contract to do snow removal.

• Donk (Monday, January 23 23 01:00 pm EST)

  I see that "Our Bravest" can't be bothered to walk next door to clear the snow off of the library steps.
  These guys are lazy sacks of shit.

• Little Tink (Sunday, January 22 23 05:35 pm EST)

  Jim in your effort to show the areas within our local gov't, that is short-handed with staff. Do not forget the police - fire and our Planning Department. All whom are short staffed.
  
  Money as in pay-scales is the crux of the concern. We are lagging at least 25% below most Upper Valley wages, and yes behind some of the "comparative" NH communities as well.
  
  I need not get into the poor lack of a diverse workforce. Women at DPW and the Fire Dept. Neither have adequate facilities to accept women into the workforce. Another hinderance to diversity in local workforce. The HR staff have their hands tied on recruitment when our mentality and facilities are a mess.
  
  Hope the City Manager addresses this in his recruitment efforts. Wow recruiting a black - hispanic - native american or a Woman fire chief may be what this City needs.
  
  
  
  communities

• Guy (Sunday, January 22 23 05:27 pm EST)

  There is a better chance of Jesus conducting a sermon in Broad Street park than you do of the Council removing “Teflon” Jim.
  That decision was made before any testimony was ever read or heard.
  It just proves no entity can investigate itself.

• Mason Fan (Sunday, January 22 23 03:22 pm EST)

  Jim. If the Council fails to remove Contois for breaking the Council rules and the Charter. You should contact Perry Mason and sue the city council for not enforcing both.

• Pete (Sunday, January 22 23 02:18 pm EST)

  Does Richard Seaman need to retire too? Using the wrong tax numbers to understate the tax impact for this new budget is deceptive. School leaders are just as untrustworthy as city leaders.

• Jim Sullivan (Sunday, January 22 23 02:07 pm EST)

  Tony, as I have stated before I only post under my own name. Nice try trying to discredit me though, a swing and a miss.

• Tony (Sunday, January 22 23 01:31 pm EST)

  It’s funny how Jim always posts some long detailed praise for his latest articles. Is so easy to see his writing style.

• Richard (Sunday, January 22 23 12:33 pm EST)

  Lisa Richmond cannot leave fast enough. The city's books looks like they are in a shambles and I just hope that Mr. Manale hires a top shelf finance person to figure it all out and reset the books so they accurately reflect the city's true finances. Mr. Sullivan has been harping on accountability for several years and he is correct about the years of neglect from city councilors and the city managers and the department managers when it comes to professional standards and job performance. I hope Mr. Manale will change that but we will have to wait and see on that. I do think it will not take too long to see if Mr. Manale will be a good fit for Claremont because the first thing he needs to do as city manager is solve the situation with the do-nothing firefighters who do not show up to emergency calls when they are off duty. Thank goodness Mr. Sullivan found out about it and publicly exposed what is going on as the safety of all of us is at risk. So far Mr. Manale has not seemed to have done a darn thing about this but I am still a little hopeful that he will step up and do his job. If Mr. Manale decides to ignore the problem then it is time for the city councilors to begin shopping for a new city manager.

• Jim Sullivan (Sunday, January 22 23 06:45 am EST)

  Seven new articles published today on the News Flashes page of this website.
  
  1) Councilor James Contois Hearing set for February 1.
  
  2) Claremont Savings Bank Community Center inquiry reveals something far worse!
  
  3) Large discrepancy within School Administration's budget financials!
  
  4) Mass Exodus at Claremont Public Works Department? Update!
  
  5) City Manager Manale's weekly report.
  
  6) Claremont Savings Bank President Resigns!
  
  7) Management change at Claremont Motorsports Park!

• Donk (Sunday, January 22 23 04:37 am EST)

  My mom.

• Mabel (Saturday, January 21 23 06:32 pm EST)

  Donk how did you get involved in Claremont?

• Mr. Spelling (Friday, January 20 23 09:13 am EST)

  And spelling for Donk.

• Donk (Friday, January 20 23 09:07 am EST)

  How about flags supporting Reading,Writing, and Arithmetic?

• Breaking News (Friday, January 20 23 06:38 am EST)

  Claremont will never thrive as long as the schools fail to give our children a basic education. But by all means hang all the flags you want for the future fast food low income producing citizens of the future.

• Julian (Friday, January 20 23 05:32 am EST)

  The school needs to affirm sexual activities for the students to feel welcome?? Come on.

• John (Thursday, January 19 23 10:04 pm EST)

  God forbid the school flies a rainbow flag. Kids might feel welcome. Back in my day we just bullied and beat each other. And look, we all turned out okay and Claremont’s thrived.

• Concerned Parent (Thursday, January 19 23 07:24 pm EST)

  Rainbow and other foreign flags have no place in public schools. Maybe the schools should be more focused on basic education instead of political agendas. Reading and math would be a great start!

• Francis (Thursday, January 19 23 05:27 pm EST)

  Big dog,
  Walk it like you talk it, don’t be a pussy, tells us what the rumor is?

• Former Councilor (Thursday, January 19 23 04:12 pm EST)

  Everyone always goes with the easiest angle of some kind of hateful phobia. Boring. It seems there are an awful lot of flags missing from that entry way, why did they fly some and not others?

• Bigdog (Thursday, January 19 23 04:11 pm EST)

  John J and Jim S. I think the issue that Little Tink is referring too, is that of a rumor floating around the City.
  
  The Chief and anyone for that matter is entitled their own personal lives. The rumor is that of a personal matter and needs not be discussed in any public forum.
  
  The Chief knows as a public figure and government employee, he is always under scrutiny in both his public and private life. If the Chief has an issue outside of work, that is his business, but if he has a compromising issue at work, rather it be a subordinate or another staff person, that is another issue for the Manager and the Commission to deal with. Being a Police Chief gives a lot of power to 1 Person.
  
  No more rumors!!

• Tom (Thursday, January 19 23 03:21 pm EST)

  Former Councilor why are you so worked up about foreign flags flying in the entryway of Stevens High School? If I recall correctly that is the building where those flags were flying. Are you xenophobic? I have no intention of speaking for Jim but I just do not see what the problem is there. Care to enlighten us?

• Former Councilor (Thursday, January 19 23 09:16 am EST)

  Yet you won’t touch the issue of why there are foreign flags flying in the entryway.

• Jim Sullivan (Thursday, January 19 23 06:43 am EST)

  Former Councilor, whomever you are, you are completely wrong about what I am doing and my motives for doing so. However, that's okay because I know I've made a lot of enemies over the years exposing so many dirty little secrets that local government officials wanted to keep deeply buried and hidden from the public. I can live with that. I focus on the schools mostly at budget time as I am doing right now. In fact I intended to do an article for this weekend but something unexpected come up during my research and I just sent an inquiry to the Superintendent of Schools and carbon copied the entire Claremont School Board. What I found will be the topic of Sunday's article and I will be doing a follow-up article later regarding the proposed Claremont School District & SAU budgets. There is plenty of time for me to publish articles on this topic before the public goes to the polls to vote.

• Former Councilor (Thursday, January 19 23 04:18 am EST)

  Just got off work but will answer your question. Jim has a long history of ignoring the school even though that is where the lions share of taxes goes. Make an impact there and you have bigger results than at the City level. The reason is that Jim got upset with his ouster from the city council, so he has held a grudge ever since. I worked along side Jim in those days.

• Chumbo (Wednesday, January 18 23 08:37 pm EST)

  Where are the stories on the school district? No bills are getting paid. The HR person left and ole Dick Seaman is filling in for HR and just not paying the bills. Board seems to be ignoring the chaos. New leadership needed.

• John J. O’Connor (Wednesday, January 18 23 09:06 am EST)

  Sully,
  Don’t take the bait, Chief Wilmot runs a clean department.
  The city of Claremont is very lucky to have someone like Chief Wilmont as it’s Chief of Police. Chief Wilmont has a lifetime of experience having been raised in a honorable law enforcement family. He has dedicated his adult life to law enforcement and we should consider ourselves extremely fortunate that he chose Claremont.
  Make no mistake, someone with Chief Wilmont’s experience and knowledge would have his pick of departments, so keep that in mind when you’re criticizing him.

• Cynthia (Wednesday, January 18 23 06:44 am EST)

  I have requested and received all communication between any city employee and Jim Sullivan for the past 10 years. I will be publishing the results very soon.

• Jim Sullivan (Wednesday, January 18 23 05:57 am EST)

  LittleTink, you stated in one of your postings that the City Council "need to direct the City Manager to deal with the internals of the Police Department. Some personnel issues at the Top, need to be addressed". You also referred to "ethics that are being abused".
  
  I would appreciate it if you would inform me as to what you are referring to. You do not have to do it on this Public Forum, you can send me an email at
  
  jim_sullivan1@comcast.net
  
  I will protect your identity as I do with all of my many other sources. I have been doing this for many years and I have never given up a source and I never will!

• LittleTink (Tuesday, January 17 23 07:34 pm EST)

  Stink, think again about 1 Chief and 1 asst. for each dept. it would save the City about $125,000...not Bad.
  
  Merrill does a great job, funding projects with Grant money.

• Mike (Tuesday, January 17 23 06:42 pm EST)

  What did Feleen do wrong during the rail trail debate? I don’t remember what the issue was.

• @ little sTink (Tuesday, January 17 23 04:54 pm EST)

  Little sTink
  Salaries in Claremont are quite sufficient for what we get out of them. Pay by ability not title like town around us. Give the new PD Chief some time before you cut him off at the knees.
  
  Visitors Center does help Claremont.
  
  There young kids in this town with those plastic fire helmets that could do a better job than what we have. That said a GOOD Fire Chief is worth paying good money. I did say GOOD.
  
  As for public safety. Keep the PD and Fire separate.
  
  As for Feleen, too biased. He trough many under the bus on the rails to trails debate.
  
  So far the Manager is doing good. His handling of the bill debacle at the fire house will tell it all.

• Joel (Tuesday, January 17 23 03:28 pm EST)

  Don’t be ignorant. You have no idea how much that staff and Merrill in particular have done for this city. Go down and talk to her.

• Staff visitors center (Tuesday, January 17 23 10:48 am EST)

  Street paving and directing the city manager to rid the visitor center staff that group pushes more business out than brings in

• LittleTink (Monday, January 16 23 08:55 pm EST)

  Our City Council needs to address Salary issues and street paving. They also need to direct the City Manager to deal with the internals of the Police Department. Some personnel issues at the Top, need to be addressed.
  
  Jim Sullivan can have his inside diggers fill him in on the ethics that are being abused.
  
  The Fire Chief should not be hard to find. A good search around the northeast should be sufficient. BUT do we need search.??
  
  I would encourage the new manager to seek out a new Public Safety model. One Public Safety Chief.........and two assistants.
  
  The finance director should not be a hard position to fill. A good municipal accountant should not be hard to find.
  
  Jim Feleen as the City Attorney? I am concerned how that will work. He may have a conflict with his Title Company, his being on a Rec Board. he may also have a conflict with his construction company........lots of concerns.

• Jim Sullivan (Monday, January 16 23 12:41 pm EST)

  Six new articles published today on the News Flashes page of this website.
  
  1) January 11, 2023 Claremont City Council Meeting Synopsis.
  
  2) Mass Exodus at Claremont Department of Public Works?
  
  3) NH State Representative / Claremont City Councilor Jonathan Stone's personnel records ordered to be released by Judge!
  
  4) Valley Regional Hospital Hires Interim President & Chief Executive Officer.
  
  5) City Manager Manale's weekly report.
  
  6) The Claremont Opera House Receive Couch Family Foundation Grant!

• Insider (Sunday, January 15 23 07:39 pm EST)

  Working on stacking the deck for the council elections. I’ve heard a couple of the school board members are going to make a push for the influential council seats with national money backing them.

• Insider (Sunday, January 15 23 06:45 pm EST)

  A certain councilor may have demanded todays articles be deleted. That’s all I will say.

• Jim Sullivan (Sunday, January 15 23 04:28 pm EST)

  Happy Sunday everyone. I see that the prankster is back writing fictitious article titles again. I must admit I do enjoy reading his or her imaginative, whimsical article titles. There will be five new articles published this week. I am still writing the Council article and I have quite a ways to go yet on that one so I will not be publishing those articles until tomorrow morning. Fortunately it's a three day weekend for me so I will have the time to do so. Please check back in tomorrow, thank you.

• Johnny Jack (Sunday, January 15 23 01:11 pm EST)

  Cry baby

• Cam (Sunday, January 15 23 01:08 pm EST)

  Can you the school district not put together a better list of local agencies that can use assistance for community service hours for students? It seems off to me that free child labor can be used to run a local small business as approved by the school. Are there not child labor laws. If they are injured volunteering their time in a private business who pays for that?

• Jim Sullivan (Sunday, January 15 23 07:19 am EST)

  I have to publish these early now because there are pranksters who like to impersonate me.
  
  3 new articles published to the News Flash section of this webpage.
  
  1. “Nothing to see here” See what CFD documents reveal
  2. “Scandal in the bushes” City council faces debate
  3. “Burr, it’s cold in here” tips lead to a shocking investigation.
  
  The Sullivan Report is asking for your cooperation and tips for new stories.

• Patrick (Saturday, January 14 23 08:22 pm EST)

  That’s a bunch of crap, you are no insider. Brian Rapp brought the Teamsters to Claremont.

• Insider (Saturday, January 14 23 01:40 pm EST)

  Patrick Adrian’s wife brought the Teamsters to Claremont along with Brian Rapp.
  
  Anyone know the history of the teamsters?

• BigPete (Saturday, January 14 23 10:21 am EST)

  Handy and all.............Burr retired because the Unions did not like him..PERIOD!! They don't like Rapp either. Time to get new blood and leadership into the Fire Chiefs position. Remember the firefighters have a Union, and the Officers have a Union run by the Teamsters. They don't like Burr, and Yoshi caved to the Union, and asked Burr to get out!!
  
  Jury is out on Wilmot and his Dad. The Chief (Wilmot, Jr), should have stayed in Newport. He has his own issues within City Hall.

• Insider (Saturday, January 14 23 06:09 am EST)

  Pay raise in the works for new fire chief.

• Retired (Friday, January 13 23 08:33 pm EST)

  I did not realize that the Wilmont's ran the Police Department. I thought Bill Sr. lived in Florida? Bill Jr. surprises me as Chief material? I thought he kind of loose.....party type guy. Oh well he is the Man.

• Donk (Friday, January 13 23 06:33 pm EST)

  You seem to forget Brent is a protege of Alex Scott and Mark Chase. All whom have been into my apartments to clean out my customers. It’s easy to get an eviction when every one I rent to does illegal activity. One tip and the place is clear.

• Alex (Friday, January 13 23 03:09 pm EST)

  Bill W. Has run that shop for 20 years behind the scenes.

• Jim (Friday, January 13 23 01:14 pm EST)

  Is Bill Wilmot still working for the PD? Thought he retired years ago? I thought it’s his son who is the new chief?

• Insider (Friday, January 13 23 01:11 pm EST)

  Waste is a guy that Alex Scott fired.

• Ronky (Friday, January 13 23 10:48 am EST)

  Yeah totally had nothing to do with 35 years of service and the end of a fiscal year when you announce in municipal government your plan to retire. Even Sullivan knows this.

• Waste (Friday, January 13 23 10:09 am EST)

  The police dept needs to abolish the accreditation we decided to get from Alex Scott as a resume builder and keep the money we pay the chiefs father bill Wilmot to manage it we were so better off with no red tape bullshit accreditation that is something for people like Alex claremont is not that we are working class people last I saw. kick it to the curb as all of Alex Scott policy's should be kicked to the curb he destroyed the police dept let's take it back and save some tax money instead of blowing it on Mr Wilmot Sr to update policy weekly I'm sure there are better things we could do with it

• Handy (Friday, January 13 23 05:21 am EST)

  Why did Burr resign right at this particular time? Seems that Jim is putting some heat on and things start getting serious.The timing is rather curious considering the recent articles.

• Bill (Thursday, January 12 23 10:22 pm EST)

  Who are the good old boys at the PD? I see police officers once in a while during the day and don’t know any of them with exception of Officer Simonds.
  
  I do think Mr. Girard is doing a great job as mayor, very big improvement on getting things done in the town.

• Rick (Thursday, January 12 23 09:08 pm EST)

  Yoshi and the Mayor are not cleaning house Jim Sullivan is.

• Thinker (Thursday, January 12 23 09:07 pm EST)

  I hope the new manager is thinking outside of the box....with respect to hiring and moving Claremont forward.
  
  Do a search for a new Chief at the Fire Station. Get a seasoned Executive officer, pay him well, and rebuild the pride of the fire dept.
  
  Same idea for the new Finance Director, get a seasoned professional who is competent in municipal finance. Pay them well to handle our multi-million dollar budgets.
  
  So here is to moving forward, something we failed to do at the PD.....we choose to follow the good ole boy mentality.

• Concerned T Payer (Thursday, January 12 23 12:30 pm EST)

  Big Ron
  Ronald, if you are correct and I believe you are not. Then Yoshi is not the leader I have considered him to be.

• Ronald (Thursday, January 12 23 11:54 am EST)

  Brian Rapp to be the new Chief.
  
  Yoshi taps director of public works for finance director.

• Concerned T Payer (Thursday, January 12 23 11:52 am EST)

  Open Suggestion to our city manager.
  Slow down on rehires. Contact some well known residents and small businesses in town. Check the pulse of city governing outside of city hall. Walk into popular businesses ask for the owner. Ask if they would privately speak to you. Taking suggestions from within has repeatedly proven weak. Better to struggle for awhile than to continue to select suggestions from the so called inside elite. This will be different and also could have faults. But status quo has proven a change in hiring is needed. Many former hiring commit members have pressured against top candidates and that has proven disastrous as well. Mid level observers opinion. And yes everyone has an opinion.

• Jim Sullivan (Thursday, January 12 23 05:36 am EST)

  Two new articles published today on the News Flashes page of this website.
  
  1) Claremont Fire Chief Bryan Burr Resigns!
  
  2) Claremont School Board Member Joshua Lambert Resigns!

• Breaking News (Wednesday, January 11 23 11:45 pm EST)

  Mayor Girard & Yoshi start the new year off by cleaning house.
  
  Who is next?

• J J Smith (Wednesday, January 11 23 09:38 pm EST)

  SO the City Manager has begun to to receive resignations, and can now build his own team!! It will be good to get some fresh faces, and provide new leadership.
  
  Who is next to leave for more money, or good ole boy/girl shenanegins.........

• John J. O’Connor (Wednesday, January 11 23 06:56 pm EST)

  Thinker and Pat ,
  You are both right, the number of representatives has to decrease, it’s ridiculous that there is no requirements to be a representative.
  I was told the reason why we don’t have State Referendums is because it was felt that with the large number of Representatives the people were more than well represented.
  So I’d rather see less less Reps. and more opportunities for the voters to vote on important issues.

• Thinker (Wednesday, January 11 23 05:40 pm EST)

  My feeling is that the darn NH House of Representatives is way to big to provide effective legislation. My suggestion would be to cut the NH House by 60 percent and do so by re-Districting the entire State.
  
  By the way, I asked a Firefighter if Chief Burr was leaving. He said yes late April.

• Patrick (Wednesday, January 11 23 05:32 pm EST)

  Hey John, it’s not Pat it’s Patrick. Also, we have a huge amount of representatives and a small poor population. The math doesn’t work out bud.

• John J.O’Connor (Wednesday, January 11 23 03:31 pm EST)

  Pat,
  If you paid the Representatives, as they are paid around the Country , you will get a more professional person to represent you.
  Remember, ultimately, you get what you pay for.

• Patrick (Wednesday, January 11 23 03:10 pm EST)

  Especially for those that don’t show up. I say leave it as is, it should be a privilege to represent us. I’m guessing the greedy voting public will revoke the $100 from Walt and send him the way of Jim Sullivan.

• John J. O’Connor (Wednesday, January 11 23 12:12 pm EST)

  Rep.Stapleton is right.. New Hampshire is one of only two states that do not pay their Representatives a salary.
  New York just raised the salary of their Representatives to $140k, $2,500 doesn’t seem too bad.
  Having first hand knowledge of the commitment necessary, what Rep. Stapleton is proposing is a bargain.

• Jim (Wednesday, January 11 23 08:19 am EST)

  Walt Stapleton wants a raise!
  
  His words "The pay of $100/year was ok back in 1898 when it was last adjusted, but by today's dollar value it is worth $3219. I've only proposed $2500 and that's still a sacrifice to volunteer time as that barely covers expenses to do this job beyond what the state is paying.
  To be done right, being a legislator is a full-time job. And the time we spend on serving the people detracts from personal time, upkeeps and chores, that we have to hire others for to close the gap."
  
  Thoughts?

• fran (Tuesday, January 10 23 03:30 pm EST)

  You have unions because the pay is not keeping up. City is unresponsive and staff gets a union to force the issue. If you don't pay, capable staff leave, and well, you make do with what you can afford.

• Jim Sullivan (Tuesday, January 10 23 03:16 pm EST)

  Hearing Aid, I announced Finance Director Lisa Richmond's resignation on January 6 once an official document existed. I broke the story to the public. Nothing about it has appeared in the local press as of yet.
  
  Regarding anything going on in the Claremont Fire Department, I will announce things regarding personnel only when they are documented and not before because until then as far as I am concerned they are nothing but rumor.

• Hearing Aid (Tuesday, January 10 23 01:17 pm EST)

  JJ and Insider, the Rumor around the Station is that Burr and Richmond are leaving.
  
  Rapp is in the succession plan to be the new Chief. Nobody in line for Richmond's position,
  
  Jim Sullivan has known this, but never announced it...?

• Donk (Tuesday, January 10 23 12:15 pm EST)

  Disconnect the cameras, waste of time and money

• Phil (Tuesday, January 10 23 10:45 am EST)

  Sigh......the saga of the city webcams continues....Broad Street Park camera appears to be frozen in time again.....
  
  In reference to the fire department work hours, 24 hour shifts are pretty standard in most larger departments. Much easier to schedule and cover. Yes lots of down time, but at least you know the day is covered and crews are ready to go upon receiving the call. The tricky part is having adequate on call staffing to come in when shift resources are exhausted. I did a lot of scheduling in my career, and its a hard sell to get people to come in on a day off or short notice even at OT rates. Mutual aid while a great concept, and works well, is not always plausible. I learned from reading the article, the calls for mutual aid are handled out of their own dispatch. At least the SW NH mutual aid is. Makes perfect sense. Turf wars are avoided. Looking at the list of towns in mutual aid, it looks like a lot of assets. But how many are actual full time departments? A bunch of them are volunteer and would take considerable time to staff up and send a truck. So I would imagine it would fall on the full time departments to provide the bulk of immediate mutual aid. Secondary mutual aid if needed would fall on the volunteer units. Anyways, this is a good conversation to be having...doesn't make us experts and I am far from one. But it is educational from all the input from former firefighters. Now if only the school systems were scrutinized this closely....Its a crime in my mind no matter where you reside, how much of the tax base goes to school systems. Especially with the results that come out. Anyways that's a whole 'nuther debate.

• J J Smith (Monday, January 09 23 09:53 pm EST)

  Jim Sullivan should know that we as a City do have at least 2 Mutual Aid agreements. One for NH and then one for VT maybe??
  
  Why do we now have Unions for the "middle management" at the Fire Station?? Well it is because the staff members never received pay raises....this is a Council issue.
  
  I think the Big Announcement is further changes in personnel, above and beyond the finance director. Maybe the fact that local attorney Jim Felleen has been hired part-time, for a cool $70,000. This needs an explanation! Feleen as City Attorney, is like Rapp being the next Chief.
  
  I have heard that the new manager is going to budget a long overdue upgrade to the Fire Station. Yes accomodations for women fire-fighters. This 2023, and it is about time.

• Insider (Monday, January 09 23 08:36 pm EST)

  Start asking…..

• Mike (Monday, January 09 23 08:26 pm EST)

  I pray that’s not true. I’ve been really impressed so far. If we can’t keep him here we need to ask some difficult questions.

• Insider (Monday, January 09 23 07:14 pm EST)

  Yoshi resignation coming, inside sources say.

• JJ Smith (Monday, January 09 23 01:58 pm EST)

  Jim what is the BIG Announcement???
  
  Jim and readers, the Union for the line firemen does not require that they come in...Correct? But, with 24 on and 48 off, THEN 24 on and 96 off.....who would want to come with 4 days off......and paid!
  What a deal these guys have.
  
  AND Jim, don't forget the Council agreed to it, and now the Fire Lts. and Captains have their own separate Union.
  
  Does this City have enough Unions? Do the Officers get the same shift BENEFIT.

• Luke (Monday, January 09 23 01:51 pm EST)

  BIG Announcement coming!

• Donk (Monday, January 09 23 11:57 am EST)

  Those cameras cost me money. One of the many reasons why I have to raise rent this month. Keep spending. My average 2 bedroom is now $1869 per month, and rising. No one can afford Claremont prices soon, driving up the homelessness. I will call Sue Carr, maybe she can give me some more of that government funding for my rent.

• Phil (Monday, January 09 23 09:39 am EST)

  Thanks Jim again for the follow up on the camera issue. I would be curious on the number of views those cameras actually get, but probably something that would require a lot more tech expertise. I am pretty certain the vast majority of residents aren't even aware of these webcams. But its free advertising which the city can use to promote itself. It's all a matter of marketing which I know the city is trying to do. Hopefully, Mr. Manale will look into expanding the network and promoting it. Even if you were to just add one, a perfect spot would be on the top of the Moody building looking down towards the square and downtown. That's an iconic view.

• Donk (Monday, January 09 23 08:11 am EST)

  I don’t own slums, I help the poor. Also, my family is proud of the figure skating accolades that we have. Also, I am not old but I am wise.

• Donk (Sunday, January 08 23 07:02 pm EST)

  Washed up slumlord? Firgureskater? That’s awful specific! Someone stalking me much? Obsessed with perfection.

• Real T (Sunday, January 08 23 03:18 pm EST)

  Let's put the final nail in. Write to Newport and Windsor and ask if they've ever had to refuse to send mutual aid!! I guarantee the answer will be no!! Let's see it in writing so we know the truth and show the the region that our firefighters are putting everyone in jeopardy!

• Jim Sullivan (Sunday, January 08 23 01:31 pm EST)

  Six new articles published today on the News Flashes page of this website.
  
  1) Claremont Fire Department Update.
  
  2) New Hampshire House State Representative Walter Stapleton wants a 2,400% pay raise!
  
  3) Is Mayor Girard overstepping his authority?
  
  4) Ongoing problems at Arrowhead!
  
  5) Citywide Property Assessment Revaluation Underway!
  
  6) Owners of Claremont Motorsports Park cancels plans to sell!

• Ronk (Sunday, January 08 23 08:23 am EST)

  I love that Tony "Donk" spends so much time regurgitating his thoughts in long winded typed out rants. It truly matters to many people what he thinks. Everyone wants to knows whats on the mind of a washed up slumlord who doesn't live here. Not all of us can be figure skater wannabes. Please tell us more old wise one.

• Timmy Mulligan (Sunday, January 08 23 08:13 am EST)

  Donk: expert on fire apparatus.

• Donk (Saturday, January 07 23 09:38 pm EST)

  The main pint that I have with the fire apparatus that we have is the fact that it's not being used for what it was designed for.
  
  I would say conservatively that 98% of the calls are fender bender accidents or ambulance calls for medical emergencies.Let's just forget about the pollution bullshit for now.We all know the real truth on carbon emissions.Europe and the United states off shored 90% of the manufacturing to China and India.They didn't do this for environmental reasons at home, they did it for cheap labor and lax environmental laws and regulations.China is looking at us as the biggest hypocrites the world has ever seen.If we were even remotely serious about going green the first place to start is the grotesque amount of wasteful consumption and gluttony on all levels.What other countries use as buckets we use for soda cups.Something wrong there I would say.
  Point being is that just because we've moved the pollution to other countries doesn't mean it doesn't exist on our spaceship that we call Earth.
  This same deception is happening here on a local level.The reason they lump all of the calls that the fire department receives into one basket is that if it was separated out into purpose of call columns it would expose just how irrelevant a full time fire department in Claremont really is.It's this misallocation funds, along with many others including huge waste within the schools that creates shortages of funds where the real investment should take place.The lack of a city hall roof, and real revitalization of the city hall throughout.
  Our City Hall is more than just a building, it's one of our most valuable historic treasures and it needs the attention that it deserves, including sprinklers.
  
  Claremont needs a leader to correct all the malinvestment and prioritize what it will take to attract business and talent to make our city thrive.Staying with the status quo old boys network will put us in a death spiral.
  
  @Chuck I do not drive a 90's BMW nor a Corvette and I suppose you probably drive some super duty F-250 that rarely gets any work at all,besides towing your Bass Boat, or is it pontoon?

• Chuck S (Saturday, January 07 23 07:30 pm EST)

  ***breaking news****
  
  Council approves arrowhead plan!!!
  
  
  Donk, driving your 90’s BMW from Hopkington to Claremont every day is worse pollution than any fire truck.

• Greg (Saturday, January 07 23 06:08 pm EST)

  Did you ever notice that when Jim Sullivan scores a direct hit on any branch of our local government with corruption or any type of improper behavior the minions immediately go to work to tell us there is nothing to see here and they try to focus the public's attention elsewhere.

• Tyler (Saturday, January 07 23 05:18 pm EST)

  @Donk, the fire apparatus are hardly “polluting” as you claim. For one thing, they aren’t out on the roads all the time. If you care about pollution, which I doubt, the school bus fleet, DPW fleet, police fleet, etc all are running their engines for far more hours than any of the fire fleet. Furthermore, half the fire fleet are modern enough to include diesel particulate filters which make the tailpipes clean enough to eat off, so to speak. Find something else to chase. If you’re serious about lowering taxes in this town, privatizing the landfill, going after the fire department, etc are a waste of time and tiny drop in the bucket compared to the massively bloated and financially out of control school district.

• Charles (Saturday, January 07 23 01:29 pm EST)

  Donk, name one positive impact you have had on Claremont. Also, name one suggestion you have had that was implemented and saved money in any arena. It’s hard to reach the caliber of the corvette guy, isn’t it? Probably the most successful.

• Donk (Saturday, January 07 23 01:01 pm EST)

  Lisa Richmond quitting is good news for Claremont.The mistakes time after time made it evidently clear that she was out of her depth.
  Market Basket is hiring Lisa.Sorry to say that they don't offer the $40,000 health coverage that you've grown used to.
  
  As far as the fire department, I would love to see a breakdown of actual fire calls, fender bender calls, and medical emergency calls in column form.I think that we will find that the fire apparatus that we posses is completely inappropriate for frequency and type of calls.
  I'm thing that a short bus equipped with narcan and defibrillators as well as a high capacity stretcher able to handle the weight of the morbidly obese for extraction.
  
  If we as country, or even as a city are trying to reduce our carbon output why not start with the low hanging fruit?
  These large diesel fire trucks are spewing out massive amounts of carbon when compared with the equipment the job really requires.
  Lumping in all of these calls into 1 giant basket is truly deceptive to the public, as well as our leaders that are entrusted to manage taxpayer money in a responsible way.
  You could probably count the number of actual fires per year on 1 hand.So why pay all of this money for purchase as well as maintenance for highly polluting equipment that is ill suited for the real needs of Claremont?
  The new world is going to have to be lean and mean.Every tax dollar has got to be devoted to the practical needs of Claremont.There is no longer excess money that we can keep these antiquated ways of thinking and running things that have very little reason for existing in the modern limited world.
  Who among us has the courage and leadership to transition from the old world to the new one? Change is painful but going along to get along can be catastrophic for a small community such as ours.

• Tom (Saturday, January 07 23 10:53 am EST)

  Insider, if this person is not from the finance department then who was chosen?

• Jim Sullivan (Saturday, January 07 23 10:50 am EST)

  Phil, that is great news. On December 16, 2022 I sent City Manager Yoshi Manale an email informing him about the webcam situation and I included your Public Forum comments with my email and I asked him if that could be fixed because it makes the city and it's municipal government look bad. I am very pleased that that was done and I am sending Yoshi an email thanking him for doing so. Phil thank you for bringing this to everyone's attention. I appreciate you and all of my other readers who keep me informed of issues throughout Claremont.

• Insider (Saturday, January 07 23 10:50 am EST)

  Not from the finance department.

• Phil (Saturday, January 07 23 09:25 am EST)

  Oh my goodness! the city webcams are up and running again! Hope they look into expanding them at some point down the road.

• Tom (Saturday, January 07 23 09:21 am EST)

  Insider of that's true then that person would presumably be the new city treasurer, whom nobody has seen yet or knows anything about. Who knows, maybe he is qualified and that would be a first in a long time. If that is the case then the city would now be in the market for a new treasurer.

• Insider (Saturday, January 07 23 08:59 am EST)

  No, this is being promoted from within. Already have a person selected and will be training under Richmond until April.

• Richard (Saturday, January 07 23 07:37 am EST)

  Jim Sullivan did another public service. Now Yoshi Manale can hire a professional, qualified person for the finance director position. Something long overdue.

• June (Saturday, January 07 23 07:17 am EST)

  Lisa quit because of this website.

• Jim Sullivan (Friday, January 06 23 09:33 pm EST)

  Special Report!
  
  Claremont Finance Director Lisa Richmond Resigns! Full details on the News Flashes page of this website.

• Jim Sullivan (Friday, January 06 23 09:31 pm EST)

  Luke, I intend to post a direct link to the current Claremont Firefighter Contract on Sunday with my follow-up article regarding the Claremont Fire Department. Citizen K already posted the link to the contract on this Public Forum on Thursday if you wish to see it sooner.

• Luke (Friday, January 06 23 05:55 pm EST)

  John O'Connor has it correct. You could get rid of the Police, and go to an all volunteer Fire Dept. This subject has been beat to death. For manager Santagate, looked at this subject in depth.
  IF we want a full service community that includes these two departments, you need to staff and fund them appropriately.
  
  Two ladder trucks seems excessive to me, I agree we could probably get by easily with one. Do we need two Ass't. Chiefs...........NO.
  
  Jim are you going to publish the Union contract? Now that should be interesting.

• Claremont Citizen (Friday, January 06 23 05:17 pm EST)

  Maybe if the city paid these fire fighters a livable wage they wouldn’t have to work a second job. Everywhere around here pays significantly better then the city of Claremont when it comes to first responders.
  
  Sometimes the shit you pull out of your ass is absolute ridiculousness. “Reporter” is a funny way to say “clown”

• Jimmy John (Friday, January 06 23 12:37 pm EST)

  Could we get the the bottom of how many hours have been wasted by Jim on information requests? I have it on good authority that the new manager is already sick of it and has the old resume out looking to move to a rural town like Enfield.
  
  Really, ask anyone at the city. Jim’s name means hours of lost time and revenue for the city.

• John J O’Connor (Friday, January 06 23 11:48 am EST)

  You could eliminate CPD and CFD turning over their duties to the State Police/ Sheriff Dept. and volunteers , saving a considerable amount of money but at what cost to your quality of life ?
  As a citizen, all you should expect from your local government is safety, safety comes with a price.
  I am a firm believer in the Democratic process so let the citizens vote on this cost savings measure.
  There is a cost, one way or the other .

• Donky (Friday, January 06 23 06:35 am EST)

  I say get rid of the fire department and police department. Make them both volunteer. Not like I utilize either of there services on a regular basis. I have never called 911 for a police or fire emergency, so why should my taxes go to that bullshit. Many just donks residents and Walmart using the cops and the senior citizens needing fire trucks to respond to old age ailments.

• Citizen K (Thursday, January 05 23 09:21 pm EST)

  Article 40 also has language about responding to the station.