When citizen consent is limited to elections, institutions that look democratic can operate like disciplined clubs, which is why elite circulation and oligarchic drift need counterweights.
Two classic blueprints for political organization still shape local government. John Locke’s account of democracy treats office as a revocable trust grounded in majority consent and limited powers. Vladimir Lenin’s democratic centralism permits internal debate before a decision, then enforces unity afterward. Claremont’s School Board and City Council are not Bolshevik cells, yet when consent is expressed only at the ballot box, both bodies can tilt toward centralism in practice. The remedy is not theatrical outrage; it is better channels for consent and friction against agenda monopolies.
Last March, I ran for a seat on the Claremont School Board and lost. Nowadays, I’m thrilled that I did.
Besides the relief of not sitting on the business side of the table at school board meetings and facing a large crowd of upset and fearful people, I can now engage in a bit of “told ya so.”
The Michael and Judy Aron Memorial SCGOP Acworth Meeting Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Tuesday marked the Sullivan County GOP’s second traveling “road show” meeting. Chairman Jon took our monthly gathering to the far southern reaches of the county—the gloriously pleasant and quintessentially New England setting of the Acworth Town Meeting Hall.
Acworth Town Meeting Hall
The treasurer arrived late (again). His well-worn excuse of “genetic navigational defects” is starting to wear thin—though, to be fair, there is a lifetime of evidence to support his claim.
From 6:00 to around 8:00 PM, local Republicans briefly doubled the population of Acworth while we discussed several upcoming events, including:
🛥️ The Lake Sunapee Cruise
🎤 A September Listening Session at the Claremont Senior Center to kick off LSR season
🍔 A social BBQ or picnic event (Think pork—not pork barrel—mixed with politics. Fingers crossed for good weather!)
🍂 Our fall fundraiser: the Harvest Dinner
We also had a wide-ranging discussion on:
Governor Ayotte’s recent vetoes and signatures
New Hampshire Supreme Court decisions on education
“Citizens DOGE” as presented by Annette Menard
NH nonprofit legal structures
And various other topics pulled from Spilsbury’s notes
One of the 8 or 9 new faces at the meeting—a local resident and baker—tempted us with delicious baked goods, which I’m currently enjoying with my morning coffee. There are certainly worse ways to start the day after an evening of political camaraderie.
Keep her catering business in mind for future SCGOP events and personal gatherings!
Now, a scurrilous rumor has begun to circulate suggesting the real reason for meeting in Acworth was to celebrate the contributions of Sullivan County’s favorite political power couple: Michael and Judy Aron.
Let’s get the facts straight:
✔️ Both Michael and Judy are current NH House Representatives (one of only three married rep couples in the legislature)
✔️ Michael served as SCGOP Chair for many years
✔️ Judy has served several terms and currently chairs the House Environment and Agriculture Committee
✔️ Both have faithfully schlepped to our Moody Building office in Opera House Square for years to chair SCGOP meetings
SCGOP office in the Moody Building
BUT—none of this should be taken to imply that we held the Michael and Judy Aron Memorial SCGOP Meeting in their hometown, complete with pastries, as a tribute to their tireless service in the trenches of New Hampshire politics.
