Our citizen legislature in New Hampshire enables us to get up close and personal to our representatives because their respective constituencies are small. It has been my privilege, therefore, to know Rep. Donna Schlachman’s character as well as her politics, and to watch her over the years as she has been engaged in making Exeter a better community, and New Hampshire a better state.
Most recently, she has contributed to legislation that ensures New Hampshire’s Anti-Bully Protections in Public School Settings. As a former teacher, I became aware of growing incivility and bullying behaviors among students, and am indeed grateful for Donna’s effectiveness in getting this important law passed. Teachers tell me it is making a positive difference in their classrooms!
Donna consistently voted in the New Hampshire House to support changes in higher education and responsible and balanced budgets for our state. She supported bills to implement health care changes in order to lower costs and improve access to medical care, and educated the public about why this legislation was necessary. In fact, her readiness to talk to community groups about the issues is one of her trademarks: we all benefit from her explanations about what and why and how legislation works!
Recently, I have observed Donna acting with a representative from across the aisle. Her thoughtful, respectful and wise conversation with someone with whom she frequently disagrees on issues was a model of how lawmakers can and should interact when they are taking care of the business of the people.
I urge Exeter voters to re-elect Rep. Donna Schlachman; she will listen to you, she will continue to take seriously the work of serving the public and enacting policies and laws that enable individuals, communities and state government to play positive roles in keeping New Hampshire the best state in which to live, raise families, grow businesses, and, like me, retire in. She has earned my trust as a socially and fiscally responsible representative.
Patricia Yosha
Exeter
