Smith Greets Family, Friends at Lions Club

Kevin Smith smiled with relief as he walked into the Londonderry Lions Club on Tuesday after a long day of scheduled campaign events in Newport and Claremont.

After all, Smith lived in town for much of his life, and still sits in the press box calling Londonderry Lancer football games on Friday nights in the fall.

"It's definitely good to be back (in Londonderry)" Smith said. "I was just saying I'll finally have a short commute home." Smith now lives in Litchfield with his family.

His parents are still in Londonderry, and were in attendance to watch their son speak about some of the pressing issues in the state from healthcare to rising retirement costs.

While he said that those currently retired or in the system deserve their promised pay, the model has to change for new hires.

"Going forward, we have to look at changing for new hires coming in," Smith said, "because it's simply not sustainable the way it's structured right now."

As has been asked many times of Smith while he has been on the stump, one resident wanted to know what sets him apart from his GOP opponent Ovide Lamontagne.

Smith explained that his economic plan is much more detailed and substantive than Lamontagne's, also saying that his proposed business profit tax reduction is much larger and will have more of an impact.

The reduction from Lamontagne, Smith said, will "hardly move the needle."

He said that he expects the primary race on Sept. 11 to be close, but he feels that he is gaining a lot of energy and momentum.

Smith was introduced to the intimate gathering by Gerry Gulezian, who said he has known the GOP gubernatorial candidate since he was nine years old. Gulezian was in attendance with his wife Dottie.