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Stephen Copithorne - UNDER CONSTRUCTION

District 7 - Alton, Barnstead

Mr. Copithorne is a candidate for State Representative.

​                  Under Review

About the Candidate

Candidate

Questionnaire

In His Own Words . . .

Mr. Copithorne returned his 2026 Citizens for Belknap Questionnaire with these responses:

Questionnaire

1. How long have you lived in Belknap County?  If you moved to the county, why did you choose to do so? If you have always lived in Belknap County, why have you stayed? If you’ve been a resident for one year or less, what prompted you to run so soon?

I moved to Belknap County in 1987 to live closer to family. 


2.    Why are you running, and what is the most important legislative issue you hope to tackle the next legislative term? 

I’m running to keep Belknap County affordable by releasing the court ordered 40% of the cost of education that the other party refuses to honor


3.    What do you see are the biggest needs or issues in Belknap County, and what would you do to fill that need? 

 In inflationary times it is important to raise the minimum wage. Historically that has only happened when the Democrats take the majority. I also believe that it should be tied to the Cost of Living Adjustment instead of debating the issue every year. It would be easier for employers to adjust to. 


4.  What distinguishes you from the other candidates running in your district?

The three of the Democrats that are running for the three Representatives from Alton and Barnstead are focused on helping the citizens while the Republicans are trying to help the Billionaires. 


5.   A recent independent report found deficiencies in the current Belknap County jail.  Would you support construction of a building that meets modern standards? Or should the existing jail be renovated? 

I would support either option that has the best chance of passing and getting signed. 


6.   Do you agree that traditional public schools are essential to attracting business and retaining employees in Belknap county?  Should our students’ education be funded at ‘adequate education’ levels as defined by the NH Supreme Court’s in the ConVal decision? Why or why not? 
I agree that public funds are for public schools and I do not support the vouchers going to private schools and homeschooling. 
 
7.   The Belknap County Nursing Home continues to operate under capacity, yet it has a waiting list of Belknap clients.  What will you do as a member of the Delegation, to assist the County Commission to maximize our nursing care facility?
 

I would encourage the nursing home to increase staff and work on the waiting list reduction because there is a need that would bring in the funding and people are suffering in the process of waiting. 


8.  The county nursing home and the Belknap Mountain Recreation Area, including
Gunstock Mountain Resort, are revenue streams owned by Belknap County.  As a County Delegation member, do you support leasing out the property to a private company, or selling those operations?

The County is blessed to have sources of revenue and I want to nurture those and keep them under County assets. 


9.  Opioids and other drugs continue to be a problem in our communities.  What are your ideas to reduce the impact of these drugs in our community? What resources are you willing to commit?

I believe that the court cases that are being viewed as recovery court cases( if I’m using the right words) are proving to be more effective in helping people in recovery. 

10.  Belknap County’s delegation of state representatives has the poorest rate of attendance in the state at 78% for the 2024-25 legislative session.  It’s so bad that the 2nd lowest, Strafford County, is 89%.  Do you commit to attending at least 80% of committee meetings, and 90% or more of Session vote days?

I’m certainly going to try. One of the current Representatives has no discernative voting record and only about  a 30% attendance. 


11. The Belknap County Sheriff’s Department has entered into an agreement with U.S.  Immigration & Customs Enforcement  287(g) program agreement .  Do you support this, and why?
No. ICE has a terrible record of respecting citizens rights and shooting people down on the Streets. 

13.   Affordable housing continues to be a problem, causing challenges for our county economy, including limiting the worker pool, attracting business, and attracting younger families.  If elected, what will you do to increase the stock of affordable housing?

Affordable Housing is a critical need to attract workers and businesses. I would support both needs to keep young people in the workforce. 


14.  Without clean lakes and rivers, the Belknap County tourism economy would be in jeopardy.  Should the county financially support pollution control and water quality monitoring programs?  Why or why not?

We all love The Lakes Region of New Hampshire and need to protect the quality of the air and water to keep what we have here. 


15.  Do you agree that the tax reduction for State revenue streams (Business Enterprise Tax, Rooms & Meals, Income & Dividends Tax, et. al), resulted in downshifted costs to Belknap county and local schools, and increased local property taxes?  Why or why not?

 I do not support the downshifting of costs to the towns because it puts a strain on property taxes and rents. I would vote to restore the business taxes to their former levels. 


16. Would you favor reforming the Delegation’s meeting format? Should the Delegation conduct monthly meetings?  Would you increase public input opportunities? Continue with Roberts’ Rules?  

Yes I would support those meeting changes. 

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