Maggie Hassan
State Senate
Blog
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Hutchinson Sealing Systems 'Rocks!'
Posted Aug 24 at 1 PM
Newfields plant wins innovation award
by Melanie Gray
August 24, 2010via Seacoast Online
NEWFIELDS — Longtime Newfields business Hutchinson Sealing Systems was named the "Innovation Rocks!" winner for August.
Gov. John Lynch presented the commendation on Thursday, Aug. 19 to a surprised plant manager Paul MacDonald before the governor went on a tour of the facility.
"It's very important that we're recognized," MacDonald said of the award. "It's nice that the governor took the time to recognize our situation and took the time to come here and give us this award."
The award, selected by the Business Resource Center, is given to a business that has designed and implemented a significant innovation that has had a positive impact on the state's economy.
"We want to recognize their company, that they are very innovative with their product. I think this company has been very good with innovation," Lynch said.
Hutchinson Sealing Systems was honored for its new thermoplastic seal for the automotive industry, which replaces traditional rubber and steel composite seals and stops water and dust from entering the car while sealing automobile glass. Additionally, the seal leads to a quieter car ride by helping to manage wind noise.
"It affirms that we're doing the right things in the state to maintain jobs, maintain good employment opportunities for workers of the state of New Hampshire," MacDonald said.
He said the award may allow the company to move its products into new markets, such as the aerospace and construction industries.
With an average tenure of 16 years for employees, MacDonald said an experienced workforce has helped to contribute to the company's longevity.
"We've been here for 50 years, competing, and we're still competing, because our labor workforce is very good," he said.
Hutchinson currently employs 215 to 220 workers.
Two years ago, Hutchinson implemented an on-the-job training program, which MacDonald said makes the business more competitive while reducing employee turnover.
"Jobs are the anchor of a state's economy," said state Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-Exeter. Hutchinson Sealing Systems "has really technological capacities. It's a company that can not only produce its current technology, but it can really compete. They're a long-term anchor in our communities."
During his time as governor, Lynch reinstated a job-training program in New Hampshire similar to the job training that takes place at Hutchinson. Through job training, more than 7,000 workers have been trained throughout the state, Lynch said.
"What it does is allow them to train up a new work force at no cost to them, especially when they're trying to bring in new technology," Hassan said. "The state will absorb the training cost, which otherwise a business might not feel they can take on that time."
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43rd Stratham Fair comes to a sweet end
Posted Aug 11 at 1 PM
Families flock to the town's 43rd annual fair
by Casey Sullivan
July 27, 2010STRATHAM — Gov. John Lynch, who attended the last day of a 43-year-old cherished tradition at Stratham Hill Park, said his favorite part about the Stratham Fair was getting to speak with families from all across New Hampshire.
"It's great seeing families here, all having fun together," Lynch said Sunday as he made final rounds at the fair.
Also attending, state Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-Exeter, attributed the success of the fair to the family-friendly spirit that has endured over the decades.
"The fair stays focused on family and the town's character and its history," Hassan said, adding that the event's setup hasn't changed much over the years. -
Grand opening for Boulders at RiverWoods
Posted Aug 11 at 1 PM
RiverWoods unveils its newest community
by Joshua Clark
July 16, 2010via Seacoast Online
EXETER — As a gentle breeze swept over the crowd gathered outside the newest addition to senior housing in Exeter champagne glasses were raised and a toast to opportunity and success.
On Tuesday afternoon, RiverWoods' third continuing care retirement community in Exeter was introduced to the public during a ribbon-cutting and grand opening ceremony for The Boulders at RiverWoods.
Composed of 76 independent-living units, 16 skilled-care units, 24 assisted-living units and 24 cottages, The Boulders project is ahead of industry standards for the number of units sold, its leadership claimed. Eighty percent of the units and cottages are fully sold.
According to industry standards, new continuing care retirement communities are generally full within two years of opening.
Justine Vogel, RiverWoods' president and chief executive officer, said although the project had to overcome the significant hurdle of obtaining financing during a historic economic downturn, it finished on time and under budget.
"I think the work we did during the financial crisis to make sure this project went forward was some of our best work," said Robert Lietz, chairman of the board of trustees. "We really dedicated ourselves to making sure we were doing the right thing for RiverWoods and in the end we realized the strength of this community and the commitment of fulfilling our mission and we felt that would persevere over the financial hardships that lay before us."
Seventy-two percent of the contractors involved in the project, construction of which started in 2008, were from New Hampshire, and there were approximately 250 contractors on the site each day during the construction phase.
Town Manager Russ Dean spoke to the significance for the town regarding The Boulders, citing the support RiverWoods residents have shown to local businesses and the influx of tax revenue.
With a value of $20 million, The Boulders facility will bring nearly $500,000 to the town annually in property taxes, Dean said.
"RiverWoods provides a stable employment base for the town that's made it one of our top five employers," he said. "It cannot be stressed enough, particularly in this day and age, how important it is to communities to have strong, stable employers, particularly those that can offer jobs to young people."
"In recent years, Exeter has made this kind of development a priority and the vision of those involved with RiverWoods have made this a reality," he said. "It is nothing short of a genuinely amazing accomplishment."
State Senate Majority Leader Maggie Hassan, D-Exeter, said she was grateful the board of trustees decided to go forward with the project precisely at this time.
"It speaks to the Granite State's ability to take on challenges, to think creatively and to come together to work on solving problems and have the vision of a better way to do things that can really improve the quality of life," she said.
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Sen. Hassan bill aims to help towns use stimulus cash
Posted Aug 11 at 1 PM
by Jennifer Feals
February 14, 2010via Seacoast Online
EXETER — State Sen. Maggie Hassan has filed legislation that would enable New Hampshire towns to take full advantage of any funding they receive through the federal economic stimulus bill.
Officials in towns like Exeter expressed concerns that they could be at a disadvantage with stimulus funding if it comes after their annual town meetings.
In New Hampshire, officials cannot expend state money without the approval of voters. Towns can request a special town meeting to deal with the expenditure, but that requires Superior Court authorization and the process can be costly and time-consuming.
Last week, Hassan, D-Exeter, received permission from the Senate Rules Committee to file a late bill that would streamline the special town meeting process to accept and spend the federal funds. She is working with the governor's economic stimulus office and the attorney general's office in coordinating the effort, and hopes to have a final bill drafted by the end of the week. -
Retail association names Hassan ‘Legislator of the Year’
Posted Aug 11 at 1 PM
February 5, 2010
via Seacoast Online
EXETER — The Retail Merchants Association of New Hampshire on Wednesday named Senate Majority Leader Maggie Hassan, D-Exeter, its 2010 Legislator of the Year.
Gov. John Lynch and New Hampshire's Attorney General Mike Delaney presented Hassan with the award at the association's 44th Annual Member and Legislative Reception in Concord. The annual award goes to a legislator who stands out with initiatives that will assist New Hampshire retailers in conducting their businesses.
"We don't expect to see eye to eye on all issues with any legislator, including our legislators of the year," said Nancy Kyle, president/CEO of the Retail Merchants Association of N.H. "However, in recognizing one individual, we demonstrate our appreciation for Sen. Hassan, who has shown a constant appreciation for how laws of many different types affect all aspects of the retail industry." -
Sen. Maggie Hassan aims to tackle fourth term
Posted Aug 11 at 1 PM
by Jennifer Feals
January 19, 2010via Seacoast Online
District 23 State Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-Exeter, is running for her fourth term saying the state faces many challenges and opportunities she wants to tackle.
Although the filing dates for state office isn't until June, Hassan said Sunday, Jan. 17, that she has every intention of running. Hassan has served in the Senate since first being elected in 2004.
"I think we have a lot of challenges and opportunities as a state, and I want to help move the conversation towards solutions," she said.
District 23 serves East Kingston, Exeter, Kensington, Kingston, Newfields, Newmarket, Newton, Seabrook, South Hampton and Stratham.
New Hampshire is in the midst of an economic recovery, Hassan said, which means residents and the state itself are rebuilding.
"The state is trying very hard to reduce its spending and live within current revenues, but at the same time, meeting growing requests from people who have never needed help from the government before," she said. "It's an ongoing challenge that takes fact-based problem solving. That's the big challenge."
Based on the impact of the national economic downturn, there is a need to help businesses and the state's economy surge forward, Hassan said.
"I think New Hampshire is suited to do that," she said, adding that the state is rated the seventh best place to do business in the country and has a highly engaged business community. "I think we are very well suited to take advantage of the economic recovery."
In particular, Hassan wants to focus on increasing job opportunities in the state and health care issues. There are opportunities to create "green" jobs and attract businesses to the state, she said.
There are also opportunities to make government more efficient and serve the state's residents better, she said. For example, re-examining departments that are costly to operate, such as the prison system.
As regards health care, the state is positioned well for creative and forward-thinking initiatives, Hassan said.
"As federal reform gets enacted, we still need to be focused at the state level on how best to maintain costs for individuals and health care companies," she said.
"I am focused on jobs, health care costs and on re-engineering the biggest cost drivers in government," the senator said. "Those things continue to challenge all of us, but represent good opportunities."
Hassan said she continues to be inspired by her constituents and enjoys the opportunity to serve them.
"I just love working for the people of District 23, and how engaged constituents are and how much they care about this state inspires me everyday," she said.
Hassan said she is constantly taking opportunities to talk with people in the state about what they want to see and what she thinks needs to happen.
"In New Hampshire, we have the real opportunity to have conversations when we have political campaigns, and I hope we can focus on the need to really talk with each other and listen to each other," she said. "In times of great uncertainty and anxiety, and this economic time really fits that mold, I think it's very easy to dismiss people who disagree with us or to stereotype people we don't know well or who we think don't have good ideas.
"I really hope we will continue New Hampshire's tradition of knowing what we want for our kids, what we want for our future and figuring out how those things can happen," she said.
