Letter: The importance of being present

We are nearing November, when we elect our representatives for all levels of government. Embedded in the word “representative” is another word, a very important word – “present.”

We want our representatives to be present. We want them to be present and accessible in our communities. We want them to be present in the sessions of the state Legislature and in their committee meetings.In New Hampshire, representatives can only vote when they are present. They can only opine on, enhance and improve bills when they are present in committee meetings.

In District 31, we have an outstanding representative standing for reelection, Molly Howard. She has an impressive record of being present in District 31 communities and at the State House. However, there is another level of being present. For those of you in education, you know of students whose bodies are "present" in your classroom but their minds are engaged elsewhere. Being present means being engaged. Molly sits through entire general sessions actively listening so that she can understand and, at times, benefit from another party's point of view. She is passionate about working across the aisle, about finding bipartisan solutions to the critical problems that we face.

She believes strongly that our government can work on our behalf to improve our lives. She encourages each of us to reach out to her with our questions and concerns. On Election Day, vote for the person who will be present, who will be engaged. That person is Molly Howard.

Harriet DiCicco

Hancock