Sen. Tom Sherman was critical in the passage of HB 571 to repeal the OHRV ban at the Hoit Road Marsh State Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Concord, Canterbury, and Loudon. He was the only legislator besides the bill’s sponsor to actually visit the WMA and hike around the shoreline. Sherman asked, “Where are all the houses?” As a member of the Senate Transportation Committee he drove past the four houses of the abutters who testified against the repeal. He also drove past the 11 houses of the abutters who testified in support of the repeal.
He sorted his way through the wild exaggerations, the outright lies, and the truth. He resisted the intense campaign by the registered State House lobbyist who had originally obtained the ban. Based on Sherman’s investigation and report, both his committee and the entire Senate voted unanimously to repeal the ban. Like the House democrats, Sherman could have followed the orders from his party’s bosses to vote against the repeal. Instead he voted his conscience. I might not agree with all of his policies, but I will always respect that Tom Sherman has personal integrity and will give all a fair hearing.
John Mesick
Loudon