GOP executive councilor Ray Burton seems likely to secure a 15th term in Concord. That comes a year after the state's Republican Congressional delegation and Governor Lynch called for him to resign for employing a known child sex offender as a staffer. Burton has acknowledged that was a mistake, but says it's for the voters of district one to decide his future.
"Good morning to you Mr. Mailman. How are you?"
"Good Morning, fine"
Observe Ray Burton anyplace much north of Concord and you'll see a politician on who needs no introduction. When Burton and environmental services commissioner Michael Nolin decided on an impromptu drop-in at Littleton's Riverglen assisted living facility Burton was met with open arms.
"Everybody knows you."
"Well, it's very nice to see you today Fran --one of the fixtures here in Littleton for years. Her sister Mary, and Bruce Heald at the university, he used to ring the bell in the Church.:
"That's my cousin."
"Yes."
That's 99 year-old Fran Heald…….She says she's voting on November 7th, and says there's no doubt about her choice.
"You don't have to ask that. We all, just automatically - he keeps things right side up."
Given Burton's political resume - which includes 27 years as executive councilor, 13 years as Grafton county commissioner……Heald's response is perhaps to be expected……But at this time last year, Burton's political future looked in peril. After admitting he'd knowingly employed a child sex offender as a driver and campaign aide, the state's highest elected officials all called for his immediate resignation. Here's Governor Lynch 12 months ago.
"I stand with Senator Gregg and Senator Sununu and our Congressmen asking him to step aside. There's been a very serious brrech of the public trust about a very, very grave matter. And I don’t believe he can continue to serve as councilor in an effective manner given what's gone on."
And the rap sheet of the Mark Seidensticker, the man Burton employed for parts of a decade isn't pretty. When he was arrested last year in Concord for giving a 14 year old boy a beer and a cigarette police found lengths of rope, duct tape and KY jelly in the trunk of his car……Seidensticker's record also includes convictions for attempted sexual assault on a minor, indecent exposure, stalking and failure to register as a sex offender……..Councilor Burton admitted to knowing at least some of that past…..and said hiring Seidensticker was a mistake that wouldn't be repeated. Those assurances may not have mollified the state's top politicians, but they did seem to convince his many district one loyalists. And plenty of them say they are still angry at how Burton was treated.
"They went after the most loyal, dependable guy that would stick up for them through thick and thin. And to turn on him like that. We were aghast at that. That realy rubbed us wrong. I mean, anybody who had any sensibilities at all would see that as very untoward, very unprofessional, and very ungrateful."
That's Jere Eames. He's a business owner from a prominent Littleton family. Eames confessed ignorance that Burton even had a general election opponent -- he faces retired lawyer Mark Blotner --but said regardless of who was running, Burton would win."
"He's got to be the premier politician in the state. I mean, anybody who wants to run great, I give them credit, but they don't have a chance. Ray Burton -- he can't be beat, his constituent service in unparalleled. When the chips are down, you can count on him to stick up for you."
And if the Councilor's recent agenda is any indication, there is no problem too small.
"In the past week, I've dealt with all sorts of interesting questions, from head lice to roads to cutting of trees and geese are become a problem in the Connecticut valley-- there are too many of them."
And if you take Burton at his word, there is literally nothing he considers to unpleasant to tackle."
"We had the problem with the eels. The 4 foot eels would get through the hydro project at Lakeport, but the 6 and 8 foot would lose their heads, and then they would drift up on the lawns and cause a stink, and they call Ray Burton."
And after 28 years Burton says he's not tired of taking the calls….or making the rounds…….On this day, which was day one of a two day tour with state environmental services commissioner Micheal Nolin, Burton had a packed schedule…….He celebrated the Ammonoosuc river, inspected the construction of Littleton big box store, checked in with an insurance brokerage, and shared cake with volunteers from a local lake association -- all before lunch. At each location, he was quick to lend an ear, offer praise, trade contact info, and either solicit, or promise follow-up…….Asked how he sees his role……Burton says it's straightforward -- to advocate for the interests of the northern part of the state, to ensure his constituents gain seats on to government boards and commissions and see that the executive branch operates within state laws and regulations….But most basically, says Burton, it's to participate in the lives of his constituents.
"I'm always going to be there and available for people who are in their time of need. When someone calls and they have a problem, I want to be there in their dark hour I want to be their in their bright hour, when they ahve their celebrating hour too."
And at those times, and any other time he's on the go --such as this lunch stop at Grandma's Kitchen restaurant in Whitefield….Ray Burton is never shy about merging the interests of his constiuents with his own.
"Give me your vote, that's what it's all about right now.
"If I can't make it to vote my vote is for you anyway. It depends on how my stomach is."
"Well, you can vote absentee. Your stomach is going to be all right."
"Right now it's full of infection."
"Oh, are you getting some help? Where are your going? Littleton?"
"Well you look pretty good -- you're perking along. But get out and vote. I need your vote."
'Ok. You'll get it."
