Wihby:  Resigns school board seat

Wihby: Resigns school board seat

Manchester School Board Vice Chairman and Committeeman at-Large David Wihby has resigned his seat effective immediately.  He tendered his resignation yesterday afternoon to Board Chairman Mayor Ted Gatsas, who forwarded Wihby’s letter to the Board of School Committee through Superintendent Debra Livingston.  In an interview with Girard at Large last night, Gatsas said the Board of Mayor and Aldermen is responsible for nominating and electing a successor to fill the balance of Whiby’s term, which ends with the seating of a new board in January.

Gatsas:  Releases resignation

Gatsas: Forwards resignation

If traditions hold, it will be left to the aldermen at-Large to nominate a successor.  Gatsas said he will not be submitting any nominees.  As we all know by now, Wihby was caught soliciting a prostitute in a sting operation set up by the Nashua Police Department.  Immediately following his arrest last Friday, he resigned his position as State Director for Senator Kelly Ayotte.  Subsequent to that resignation, Wihby overdosed on prescription medication and was literally rescued by the life saving actions of Gatsas, who’d received a phone call from a mutual friend to check in on Wihby, who, according to police reports, simply told his wife he wasn’t feeling well and was going to bed after being released by Nashua P D.  In his weekly interview with Girard at Large yesterday, Gatsas said that Wihby was recovering well and was expected to leave the hospital and return home soon.

Martell:  Missing

Martell: Missing

The Pembroke Police Department is looking for the Public’s help in locating thirty year old Kalie Martell, who was reported missing on Monday April 6th by a family member who said she’d not been seen since Good Friday, April third.  Kalie is 5 foot 3, two hundred twenty pounds with brown hair and blue eyes.  Martell has a medical issue that requires medication and she is thought to be without it.  Anyone with information about her whereabouts is urged to call the Pembroke Police Department at 4 8 5 9 1 7 3 or 4 8 5 3 4 2 1.  Anonymous tips may be called into the Concord Regional Crimeline at 2 2 6 3 1  0  0.  We’ve posted a photo with this newscast as well.

News from our own backyard continues after this.

Mara:  Announces multi jurisdictional drug raids

Mara: Announces multi jurisdictional drug raids

The Manchester Police Department announced yesterday that it had pulled two dozen drug dealers off the street in a multi-jurisdictional raid named Operation Dragnet.  The cops spent months investigating an extensive drug dealing network within the city and executed search and arrest warrants along with several county, state and federal law enforcement agencies yesterday.  In addition to the two dozen arrests, a whole lot of stuff that doesn’t belong on the streets was seized as well.  We’ve posted the department’s release with all the details and mug shots at Girard at Large dot com and linked to it from this newscast.

Osborne:  Catches flack for GAL radio appearance

Osborne: Catches flack for GAL radio appearance

All indications are that the Town Council meeting in Derry on Tuesday night was one to watch.  According to those on site, a lot of the folks who’ve harangued the Town Council for its push to cut taxes by two dollars per thousand on the town side, where taxes have about doubled in ten years, were back.

In an attempt to distance himself from his earlier vote in favor of pursuing the cut, Councilor Josh Bourdon asked just where the goal of a two dollar cut came from in the first place.  Interesting.

Nastiness was aimed at the councilors who remain in favor of the cut with resident Mike Gendron suggesting it was nothing other than a stunt for people to build their political resumes.

A resident came forward to chastise the fire union for its fear mongering and question whether they didn’t come forward to oppose the closing of West Derry’s only fire station was because it was being sold to a firefighter’s family who wanted to turn it into a martini bar and restaurant.

More residents than in the past came forward to speak in favor of tax cuts and, notably, the union members present didn’t take to the microphones.  Said one source off the record, “it looks like the union is getting the picture that they can’t be bullies and be seen as ‘heroes’ at the same time.”  That said, those who spoke against the cuts were cheered and applauded by union personnel present.  You can imagine that those who spoke in favor of the cuts weren’t.  There’s much more to come on this one.  Stay tuned.

Guinta:  Hosting job fair for vets and active duty

Guinta: Hosting job fair for vets and active duty

First District Congressman Frank Guinta, Republican from Manchester, is hosting his first jobs fair for Granite State veterans and service members looking for employment.  Attendees will have the opportunity to attend workshops on resume writing and interviewing techniques, speak with representatives from various companies, apply for new positions and discuss concerns with Congressman Guinta and his staff.   Over 40 local businesses and five veterans organizations will be participating.  It will be held on Friday, April 10th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Great Bay Community College, 320 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  There is no cost to participate in the fair and parking is free.

That’s news from our own backyard, Girard at Large hour ___ is next!