The Most Honorable Senator Judd Gregg Pork Bridge

Upon wrapping up the December 4th Board of Mayor and Alderman meeting, Mayor Frank Guinta sought approval to name the newly reconstructed Granite Street Bridge in honor of Senator Judd Gregg for bringing home the bacon that paid for much of it. Raising his hand in lone dissent, Ward #3 Alderman Peter Sullivan stated what was lost on others:"It seems inappropriate to name the project for a sitting politician, in particularly when it presents a timely opportunity to give much needed recognition to the many NH men and women who have served and given their lives these last seven years in Iraq and Afghanistan."

The ensuing silence was deafening; at least until the responses bordering on outrage boomed forth from Alderman's Lopez, O'Neil, and Gatsas. They knew well that projects of this scale could have never been done with city & state money alone, and wanted to reward the state's senior senator for (finally) doing his job. They cited that he had spent his entire career fighting just this kind of pork, that it must have been hard for him, and that his courage needed to be recognized.

Projects bearing the name of the politician that squirreled the tax dollars are also known as pork monuments. So why insult this senator who has spent his entire career distinguishing himself as a pork-fighter - he went to DC to stop this type of thing! Fact is he didn't put his hand to that earmark for the simplicity of jobs and largess, but with great deliberation and cautious reluctance; persuaded ultimately by the epiphany that it was essential for the economic growth of the entire region. It had to be done.

Looking further into the motives of this leader requires understanding his fear of the threat of Sadam's WMD, his unwaivering belief in the military industrial complex, and unquestioned support of the Iraq war. Combine that with the guilt that I hope he feels daily for never having served a day in uniform himself before being so quick to send others into harms way, suggest that this is the perfect opportunity to honor him by naming that bridge after those who responded to his call.

Let's get this back into perspective: Our congressional delegation has been ineffective in advancing the interest of New Hampshire. At only $49 per citizen, NH is 24th in the nation in terms of the earmarks that bring our own tax dollars back into our own state for infrastructure and jobs. Its time to demand more from our delegation, and for them to work as a concerted team to stop paying for the projects of other states and demand that it is finally our turn to eat a slice of some much deserved pork pie.

So while I can't claim to know the motivations of ten-year Army National guard veteran Alderman Sullivan, I do think he was on to something. It is the brave young men and women who serve this country that need endless honoring; regardless of where you stand on their mission. And it is high time that our congressional delegation get busy and start bringing home the bacon for New Hampshire.

Joe Briggs is co-host of the 2joes Live! Show aired weekly on MCAM-TV23 in Manchester.