by Chuck Douglas
Longtime selectman Harry Judd has decided to keep on running for selectman again after 18 years in office. It is time for a change. Americans overwhelmingly support term limits for elected officials for a good reason – no one should hold power for too long in a democracy. Bow voters have a great choice with candidate Bruce Marshall who is a lawyer and a licensed Professional Engineer.
Harry Judd was fond of saying that as a selectman the town got a free lawyer. Bruce Marshall will bring that same training to the table, but we will also get a “free” civil engineer when we need him most. For decades Bow and Concord have tussled over water for Bow Junction but the times they are a changing.
In fact, on March 24 the Selectmen have scheduled a public meeting to review a feasibility study and time-line for work proposed by the NH Department of Environmental Services (DES) at Bow Junction. What better time to have a lawyer and civil engineer at the table who for years handled environmental issues for the NH Department of Transportation working with DES. It has been told to me by many Concord officials that in years past the water issue went nowhere with the city because Harry’s arrogant and condescending attitude alienated city leaders from working with Bow. His my way or the highway approach was on full display recently at a Selectmen’s meeting when a fellow member disagreed with him Harry got up and stormed out of the meeting but not before telling the man to “go ___ himself.”
For years Harry controlled the power plant tax litigation and kept paying utility expert Skip Sansoucy huge sums of money when he lacked credibility with the trial judge hearing our case. To refresh your memory on Harry Judd’s involvement with Public Service Company go to www.thebowtimes.com and key up the April 2018 front page article “Harry Judd and PSNH… What is the Connection?” 18 years of service is appreciated but it is time for the voters to choose a person better suited for the multi-million dollar water project that may well be a milestone for Concord and Bow’s relationship.
I sincerely urge you to elect Bruce Marshall on Tuesday March 10 and change it up for the new challenges ahead for Bow.