Mike Whalley Memorial Bench planned
Laconia Daily Sun (P. 9)
Barnstead legislator raising funds to install a MikeWhalley memorial bench in Representatives Hall
ALTON — It was Rep. Mike Whalley’s encouragement that brought Janet Allen to the state’s House of Representatives six years ago. In honor of Whalley’s leadership, Allen thought it would be most appropriate for a memorial to the former Republican leader to be present in the House’s Chambers.
Whalley, who was the House Republican leader, was under treatment for brain cancer and died in March from complications from a fall, and Allen is beginning a campaign to raise funds for a bench to be placed in his memory in the House Chambers.
“Mike spent a great deal of time in Rep’s Hall, speaking at the [Speaker’s] Well, or sitting on the bench waiting for his turn to speak,” said Allen. She thought the best way for her to memorialize her friend and colleague would be to replace the aging bench where he spent so much time sitting and thinking about what he would say when his turn came.
Allen has been working with the House Historical Committee, which has given the concept its backing. That committee will also review the fi nal plan to ensure that the bench will be an aesthetic complement to the room.
Allen fi rst came to know Whalley when they were both members of Bishop Brady High School’s Class of 1971. They both attended UNH after graduation, but differing interests and their respective family lives cause them to drift apart, until Whalley, who had been a representative from Bow, moved to Alton.
His new address put him in House district number 5, which includes Barnstead, where Allen lives. When Allen learned of Whalley’s intention to run for one of the seats six years ago, she offered to be his campaign manager. Whalley had a better idea, and the two of them both ran, and acting as each other’s campaign manager, they both won. The same strategy produced the same results for the next two election cycles.
Allen and Whalley worked together on bills, and from 2004 to 2006, Allen was the Clerk of the Election Law Committee, which Whalley chaired.
“He was our leader, he was a natural born leader,” she said. “Mike was a great compromiser. He always felt that if two parties left the table and they were both a little unhappy, that was a good compromise.”
Barnstead legislator raising funds to install a MikeWhalley memorial bench in Representatives Hall
ALTON — It was Rep. Mike Whalley’s encouragement that brought Janet Allen to the state’s House of Representatives six years ago. In honor of Whalley’s leadership, Allen thought it would be most appropriate for a memorial to the former Republican leader to be present in the House’s Chambers.
Whalley, who was the House Republican leader, was under treatment for brain cancer and died in March from complications from a fall, and Allen is beginning a campaign to raise funds for a bench to be placed in his memory in the House Chambers.
“Mike spent a great deal of time in Rep’s Hall, speaking at the [Speaker’s] Well, or sitting on the bench waiting for his turn to speak,” said Allen. She thought the best way for her to memorialize her friend and colleague would be to replace the aging bench where he spent so much time sitting and thinking about what he would say when his turn came.
Allen has been working with the House Historical Committee, which has given the concept its backing. That committee will also review the fi nal plan to ensure that the bench will be an aesthetic complement to the room.
Allen fi rst came to know Whalley when they were both members of Bishop Brady High School’s Class of 1971. They both attended UNH after graduation, but differing interests and their respective family lives cause them to drift apart, until Whalley, who had been a representative from Bow, moved to Alton.
His new address put him in House district number 5, which includes Barnstead, where Allen lives. When Allen learned of Whalley’s intention to run for one of the seats six years ago, she offered to be his campaign manager. Whalley had a better idea, and the two of them both ran, and acting as each other’s campaign manager, they both won. The same strategy produced the same results for the next two election cycles.
Allen and Whalley worked together on bills, and from 2004 to 2006, Allen was the Clerk of the Election Law Committee, which Whalley chaired.
“He was our leader, he was a natural born leader,” she said. “Mike was a great compromiser. He always felt that if two parties left the table and they were both a little unhappy, that was a good compromise.”
