Missing (Dem) Candidate Gary Dodds Baffles Police

[katty]

more: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/print?id=1814181

Missing Candidate Baffles Police
Search Is Under Way for Congressional Candidate Gary Dodds
BY CHRIS FRANCESCANI
April 6, 2006 — - A massive search is underway for New Hampshire Congressional candidate Gary Dodds, who disappeared without a trace following a single-car accident last night, New Hampshire state police officials told ABC News.

Dodds' wife Cynthia remained today at the scene of the accident along the southbound side of New Hampshire's Spaulding Turnpike, where state and local police and area fire departments are searching with dogs, helicopters and marine patrol divers, senior campaign staffer Bonnie Winona said.

New Hampshire state police have issued a missing persons bulletin, a spokesman said.

The accident occurred near the Great Bay, a inland tidal estuary, Winona said.


Dodds, the Democratic challenger to U.S. Representative Jeb Bradley, had left a Democratic committee meeting in Somersworth, N.H., and was traveling to Portsmouth to meet with a campaign fiscal agent, with whom Dodds was to finish up some federal election commission filings, Winona said.

"He never showed up for the <8:30 p.m.> meeting'

[ixion]

1. can you say 'Silkwood'?

I knew you could. :evilfrown:

[ecoalex]

35. The Chenney/Kennedy defence for DUI

[Blaze Diem]

2. Disappeared huh?

How come only the Dems disappear?

Just a thought..I'm sure there's more to this story.

[katty]

4. yea, how come?

[Ecumenist]

22. My thoughts exactly, Blaze...

A bit too conicidental...:eyes:

[wtbymark]

3. dissappeared did he?

:tinfoilhat:

[TechBear_Seattle]

5. It isn't that he *has* disappeared so much as...

He *was* disappeared.

:tinfoilhat:

[Blaze Diem]

8. There you have it!

What kind of threat was he exactly?
Would his candicacy have interfered in some secret underhanded cronyistic dealings? If he *was* disappeared, there was a reason..other than simply a dem runng against a Go-Pee.
hmmmmmmmmm..
Hey now, just a theory ,o.k.

[Canuckistanian]

74. "cronyistic", good word!

Cronilicious, Cronyality, Cronience.

Sorry, it's late.

[longship]

6. Oi! "single-car accident"

I don't think that's ever good news.

[Sullivan4Congress]

7. Enough with the tinfoil, folks

Gary Dodds is a good man and a dedicated member of his community. As Gary and I have hit the campaign trail, we have come to know and like each other, and I hope that he will be found safe.

Rather than cooking up ludicrous conspiracy theories, I ask that you say a quiet prayer for Gary, his wife and his daughters.

[Blaze Diem]

10. I truely wish for a reasonable answer and a happy outcome.

truely.

[superconnected]

16. It's not always tin foil

http://edition.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/stories/1998/10/29/senator.killed/

This guy later got convicted of killing his opponent and is serving a life sentence.

Hopefully Dodds is alright.

[Dr Fate]

23. I remember people telling me that when I claimed the WMDs was a lie...

I also remember people saying "tin foil hat" when I claimed that Bush would use 9/11 as an excuse to spy on domestic political enemies.

You may be right, but the point is that not everything is a coincidence either.

[Sullivan4Congress]

24. Trust me on this one

I am running against Gary in the four-way primary up here.

There's no Republican conspiracy to systematically shuffle us off this mortal coil.

So please, do me a favor and don't use this situation as a way to bludgeon the Republicans. That certainly isn't what Gary, his family, or his supporters would want at this point.

[Dr Fate]

25. I guess he just got lost or something then. I hope he is okay.

It all seems a little bizzare to me.

[alarimer]

27. Maybe a head injury

that might make someone unaware of who they are or whatever.

[Der Blaue Engel]

43. With all due respect

How would you know?

People are merely speculating, and I can't see how you could be certain there was no foul play. Hopefully, there was none. But it's only natural in this climate that people are mistrustful.

We don't need to manufacture ways to bludgeon Republicans, anyway. They've provided plenty of material all on their own.

[jwirr]

45. What type of one-car accident was it? Could he have been

injured and wondered away? Or been thrown from the car? Often the "tin foil" comes out when we have reasonable questions.

[kevinbgoode]

50. I'm sorry, Mr. Sullivan. . .

I'm just a bit confused about what happened. Being in the Midwest, I haven't listened to much of the news coming out of New Hampshire. It says he left following a single-car accident. Is it possible he suffered an injury that might have disoriented him a little? Did he leave the scene with the car, or. . .just apparently abandoned it and walked?

I don't even know the terrain in that area, except the story description that this is near that big estuary. . .it isn't higher ground above the shoreline there, is it?

I know this is probably horribly upsetting to his family right now - they must be more than frantic. . .is there anything we can do to help in any way?

[Name removed]

70. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[katty]

26. exactly-since 2000 Election, I been hearing the same-'everything'

is coming to pass-NOW. Conspiracy or REALITY?

[CrazyForKucinich]

41. What if I don't believe in prayer? What should I do then?

Always wanted to know the answer to this.

Sad that he has gone missing though.

[Lochloosa]

42. I will take you at your word and wish the best for him and his family

let's us know what happens please.

[Warpy]

59. This isn't about him, it's about the nature of his opponents

and I'm afraid a lot of the crazier ones in New England have flocked to New Hampshire in an attempt to dodge income taxes. Like it or not, this is begging for conspiracy theorists. The guy was a good guy, a straight arrow who didn't drink or smoke, and he disappears after a one car accident.

The problem is that we know how utterly conscienceless the other side is, how full of psychopaths that party is, and how desperate they are to hang onto power.

I hope all this turns out that he banged his head, got disoriented, and will be found wandering around in the woods, or wandering out of them.

I just know what right wing nutcases are all about and I'm fearful for his safety.

[flyarm]

63. i agree..its more important for us to send this out to all our internet

groups so people can look for him..we need to all pray he is safe..and returns home asap..

this must be horrible for his family...

i have sent out to all my internet groups and asked them to pass on..so people can look out for him or get info that could help police get him home safely.

my regards to his family.

fly

[shance]

65. The most considerate thing we can to is try to find out what happened

please don't try to guilt us into not thinking what has occured to so many of our Democratic leaders, which is they have been killed by right winged political extremists.

The more we deny it, and fail to confront this issue honestly, the more it will continue to happen.

[leftstreet]

68. "ludicrous conspiracy theories"

:shrug:

That's tough talk for a newbie. Telling people what they should/shouldn't post on the DU isn't the best way to make an introduction. The rules here are pretty clear and volunteer moderators go to work if rules are misinterpreted or overlooked.

[hang a left]

69. I don't think anyone here is wishing ill on Dodds

Single car accident and no body. Something tells me that there was foul play.

[Catrina]

75. Hi Mr. Sullivan, welcome to DU ~ I am so happy that Mr. Dodd has been

found ~ I hope he will be alright ~

I just checked your website ~ it looks like NH has some pretty cool Dems running for office. I like the issues you stand for. Mr. Dodd also looks a great candidate ~

Thanks for stopping by ~ I'm glad this had a happy ending ~ and good luck in the election. :-)

[Breeze54]

9. TY! I just posted this in the MA forum..

Congressional candidate missing: Rye man hasn’t been seen since Wednesday traffic accident

http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/special/4_6special4.htm

By Elizabeth Dinan
[e-mail]

Police from five agencies are searching for a congressional candidate
who went missing following a traffic accident Wednesday evening.

State police say Gary Dodds, 41, of Rye, has been missing since
his 1997 Lincoln Continental was involved in a single-car accident
on the southbound side of the Spaulding Turnpike in Dover on
April 5 at 8:16 p.m.
When emergency personnel responded, said state police,
the car was empty and has not been seen since.

Dodds is the owner of Portsmouth’s Cutts Mansion and he
recently purchased The Pearl Church and converted it into a
function hall. He’s a part-time Rye firefighter, served on the
Rye School Committee, is a leader in the Rye Democratic Committee
and is currently making a second run for congress.

He and his wife, Cindy, have two daughters and publish Accent magazine.

A search by state troopers,
assisted by police from Dover, N.H. Fish & Game,
Marine Patrol and Newington was under way Thursday afternoon,
with assistance from police dogs and helicopters.

Anyone with information about the accident or Dodds’ whereabouts
is asked to call N.H. State Police at 679-3333.

He is described as 6 feet 1 inch tall, 180 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes.

[kevinbgoode]

54. This must be about the area he was lost. . .

This is a poorly-focused satellite map from google maps, but it's the best I could find very quickly....this is just south/southeast of the town of Dover, and you can see the road clearly marked, which appears to go to Portsmouth down the stretch a bit. . .

http://maps.google.com/?ll=43.145587,-70.841389&spn=0.029183,0.061798&t=h

[toopers]

11. I am sure the rethuglicans will charge him with . . .

leaving the scene of an accident, regardless of his current condition.

[bee]

12. the accident was 10 minutes from my house.

The spaulding is VERY busy. No way someone didnt see something.

[NYC]

15. Someone did see it.

... "Someone witnessed his car leaving Spaulding turnpike'' and called Dover police, who showed up soon afterward but have still been unable to locate the congressional candidate, she said. "The weather conditions were not the best. It was a little slippery.''

[bee]

20. So he simply went off the road & disappeared?!

No way it was the weather. At 8:15 last night it was snowing but there was nothing on the roadways. Even the back roads were clear.
But OK, say it was that the roads were slippery - it still doesnt explain why the man is missing. Its just doesnt make sense to me. Its all so, so strange.

[mikelewis]

29. Maybe he was drunk, crashed his car, panicked and than ran...

It's possible.

[bee]

32. that was my first thought too. honestly.

because the stretch of road on which it happened is pretty derned straight. And why else on earth (barring a head injury) would he have left his car? Was he kidnapped? Even if he was drunk shouldnt he have contacted his family (at least) by now? I cant stop thinking about it. Its such an odd thing to happen around here.

[progressivebydesign]

46. Don't think he was drinking.. he was on his way home from a meeting.

If the police are using divers, then there must be water nearby??

[NYC]

30. If it was a single car accident, that means

he had to have wandered off on his own (perhaps in a daze). That means he is within walking distance. Strange that they haven't found him.

[bee]

34. exactly. exactly. exactly.

If hes not at the hospitals (theres only two close to here) and not within walking distance of the car.. then someone must have picked him up right? what else could it be? ugh. maybe Im over-reacting a little. I watched a move about Matthew Shepard last night... and it reminded me of how insane some people are. :freak:

[henslee]

40. What were the road conditions? Either he's in a ditch with a sever head

injury or he's walking around with amnesia (highly improbable) or he was with a mistress (not probable, only driver's side of windshield cracked) and panicked or it was foul play. I'd really like to know the statistical probabilty of a single car accident. I think this is going to end up bad.

[Auntie Bush]

53. Maybe he hit a moose! That would be a single car accident and

then he could have staggered off and landed/fallen into the estuary.

[Occulus]

76. Amnesia?

It happened to a guy I worked with. A door came down, whacked him on the head, and he completely lost his memory. He wandered away from his house and was found a couple days later; I think he may have found his own way back.

As I understand it, his memory is returning, but slowly, and may never come back all the way, poor guy.

If this person hit his head right, he may not even know who he is.

[kevinbgoode]

57. That would make sense...after all, someone saw him go off the road

and you know, that could have been caused by...well, anything...a seizure...a..slight stroke...you know what I mean?

But I would think someone would have seen him get out and walk. . .or get picked up by someone else...on a busy turnpike. It was only like 8 or so in the evening, right?

[anotherdrew]

13. being called single-car because only one car was left sitting there

another car could surely have driven off. run off the road perhaps?

Everyone needs to start traveling in caravans of two or more vehicles.

[Auntie Bush]

55. Yeah, especially all Democratic politicians.

"Everyone needs to start traveling in caravans of two or more vehicles."

[kevinbgoode]

58. I thought someone had witnessed him going off the road and called police

which would make sense. Heck, I see abandoned cars on the highway all the time and never call, so I assumed the story said someone had seen him going off the road.

[wicket]

14. Please let him be ok

:scared:

[rodeodance]

17. could be he was dazed and wondered off. I wish him and his family well.

[phoebe]

18. same man who "withdrew" from a Democratic primary race in 2004 according

to the Portsmouth Herald, dated March 12, 2004

snip

PORTSMOUTH - Republican state Senate candidate Larry Gillis called Gary Dodds’ withdrawal from the state Senate campaign a result of "muscle by the so-called leadership" of the Democratic party.

Gillis, a retired lawyer and former state representative from Rye, said Dodds’ exit from the race ends the need for a Democratic primary, leaving Martha Fuller Clark as the party’s presumptive nominee.

"It is obvious that the Democratic hierarchy has intimidated Gary into withdrawing. This is really to be regretted because he is a forceful and articulate person who would have brought much to the Democratic primary," Gillis said Thursday in a prepared statement.

Clark, however, a former state representative, said Dodds’ decision to withdraw from the race was his own.

"Gary Dodds was not forced out of this race," said Clark. "I made it perfectly clear from the beginning I was running ... and met with him and said if he wanted to run it was his decision."

Something's up..

[Up2Late]

19. He's more links and info, not much new news yet.

<http://www.thebostonchannel.com/consumer/8514209/detail.html>

<http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/special/4_6special4.htm>

<http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060406/REPOSITORY/60406004/1030>

[davsand]

21. I hope he's ok.

I have no idea what the terrain is like in that area--is it wooded or rough terrain? I have to wonder if he was maybe stunned by the accident and wandered into some rough area then collapsed.

I'll carry Mr Dodds and his family in my thoughts. I can't even imagine what this must be like for them.


Laura

[mikelewis]

28. This is Gary Dodd

"My parents were separated when we moved to New Hampshire, and I watched my mom raise us kids on a small, weekly pay check from Dunkin' Donuts. I'm not ashamed to say that we got a helping hand from government programs like fuel assistance, food stamps and low-income housing assistance. I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth - I know the value of these programs and know, first hand, what they can mean to the average American family trying to make ends meet. That's why I get so angry when I watch politicians in Washington pass huge tax credits for wealthy investors while cutting funds to these vital services for middle-America."

Gary has turned his belief in helping others into community action. Since 1988, Gary has been a volunteer fire fighter and EMT with the Rye Fire Department. In 1994, he was elected to the Rye Planning Board, and in 1996 was elected to the Rye School Board on which he currently serves as Vice Chairman.

"My involvement with government at its core, the local level, provides me with the most basic insight into the issues we face as a State. Unlike the Congressman who has no idea what effect his or her decisions are having at the local level, I see the impact of their decisions on the average person in New Hampshire, people just like you and me."

Gary also works to pass his leadership experience onto the next generation by volunteering with the Center for Student Leadership. CSL is a non-profit agency that encourages leadership development in youth through interaction with other cultures and citizens in developing nations.

http://www.doddsforcongress.com/about.html

[lostnfound]

31. Too sad.

Hope he is okay.
His daughters look happy, well-cared for, natural.

[superconnected]

33. Man that guy looks like Nicholas Cage.

[Drum]

52. what a sweet picture! nt

[bee]

36. UPDATE: accident was 'minor'. no blood. windshield unscathed.

and THESE are the woods around the Spaulding. How far could you get in there at night?


Congressional candidate from Rye missing
(snip)

Police said no blood was found at the accident scene, in an area between Spur Road and the turnpike.

“Very strange” is how Cynthia Dodds described the circumstances surrounding her husband’s disappearance, citing his status as a part-time Rye firefighter and emergency medical technician.

“He knows not to leave the scene of an accident,” she said.

(snip)
Thursday’s police search expanded miles into the woods surrounding the Spaulding pike, where assistance was offered by police from Dover and Newington, as well as state Fish and Game and Marine Patrol. Cynthia Dodds was also on scene.

more: http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/special/4_6special4.htm

edit: sp

[CornField]

38. Odd -- gets even more odd the more I read

He had his wallet and cell phone? Why wouldn't he phone someone?

If he is a firefighter and EMT, he would sort-of know what to do if it was a sudden illness. (Like pull of the road before crashing into something and call for help.)

My prayers to the family. This must be maddening.

[President Kerry]

37. It must be close to the UNH campus at Dover.

Nice peaceful student town. It's an eerie story. Hope he's alright - he looks like a charismatic guy..

[caligirl]

39. Any chance repugs could have anything to do with this?

[Judi Lynn]

44. Here's his website. He seems really decent.

About Gary Dodds
Born: Rantoul, Illinois

Education: B.A., Mount Ida College; MPA, University of New Hampshire

Occupation: Chief Financial Officer, Accent Magazine

Family: Gary and his wife of 15 years, Cynthia, live in Rye with their two daughters, Alissa and Lauren

Biography: Gary Dodds has lived in New Hampshire since 1974 when his mother moved her three children to Atlantic Heights in Portsmouth in that year.

"My parents were separated when we moved to New Hampshire, and I watched my mom raise us kids on a small, weekly pay check from Dunkin' Donuts. I'm not ashamed to say that we got a helping hand from government programs like fuel assistance, food stamps and low-income housing assistance. I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth - I know the value of these programs and know, first hand, what they can mean to the average American family trying to make ends meet. That's why I get so angry when I watch politicians in Washington pass huge tax credits for wealthy investors while cutting funds to these vital services for middle-America."

Gary has turned his belief in helping others into community action. Since 1988, Gary has been a volunteer fire fighter and EMT with the Rye Fire Department. In 1994, he was elected to the Rye Planning Board, and in 1996 was elected to the Rye School Board on which he currently serves as Vice Chairman.

"My involvement with government at its core, the local level, provides me with the most basic insight into the issues we face as a State. Unlike the Congressman who has no idea what effect his or her decisions are having at the local level, I see the impact of their decisions on the average person in New Hampshire, people just like you and me."

Gary also works to pass his leadership experience onto the next generation by volunteering with the Center for Student Leadership. CSL is a non-profit agency that encourages leadership development in youth through interaction with other cultures and citizens in developing nations.

http://www.doddsforcongress.com/about.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I really hope he turns up ALIVE. He sounds like a wonderful candidate.

[chill_wind]

47. Any updates?

kicking

[Judi Lynn]

49. Here's a later story, but no important news on the guy.......

Where Dodds went after his accident and where he was coming from both remain unknownSubmitted by admin on April 6, 2006 - 8:02pm. By JAMES W. PINDELL
PoliticsNH.com
DOVER – As First District Congressional Candidate Gary Dodds (D-Rye) remains missing after apparently crashing his car off the Spaulding Turnpike an odd twist in already an odd story is beginning to be understood.

Dodds, 41, was the subject of a missing person search Thursday involving the state police, the F.B.I., and local authorities who searched by air via a helicopter, land, and in the nearby sea. Authorities responded to a single car accident around 8:16 p.m. Wednesday night. When they arrived they found the wrecked car owned by Dodds, but they didn't find him.

The State Police said he had yet to contact friends or family by 6 p.m. the next day. Calls to his cell phone all day immediately went to voicemail followed by an operator message saying that “system could not process” the call.

According to Dodds campaign manager Bonnie Winona, Dodds was driving from Somersworth where he had a meeting with local Democrats onto Portsmouth to meet with his fiscal agent as his 1997 Lincoln Continental jumped the guard rail.
(snip/...)

http://www.politicsnh.com/?q=node/184

[chill_wind]

60. Thanx. This is both so ominous feeling-- and sad..

I too fervently hope he turns up alive. My heart goes out to the family.

[kestrel91316]

48. My theory: he was ok after the accident, just shook up. Misplaced

or lost his cell phone in the accident/aftermath. Flagged down another car to get help. They were maybe not so "helpful".......

[LA lady]

51. new story

There is a newer story that says his meeting had been cancelled and he knew it. Curiouser and curiouser

http://www.politicsnh.com/?q=node/184

Somersworth Democratic Chair Connie Margowski said Dodds was supposed to come to her house at 7 p.m. to meet with her and receive the same campaign advice she gives candidate for Congress. But when something came up on her schedule, she called Dodds around 2:30pm Wednesday afternoon and they agreed to reschedule the meeting to the next day.
Margowski said she was unaware of any other Democratic events in town. State Rep. Roger Berube (D-Somersworth) is recognized within the party as someone who is active in Democratic politics in the area and he said he didn’t know of any events where Dodds could have attended either.

[phoebe]

56. and the attorney Meanor is not returning calls? Would say that's rather

obstructionist. Turns out he's an estate planner to boot..as you say curioser and curioser.

Mr. Dodds was a wealthy man - "self-made millionaire" according to the local paper..

[phoebe]

66. apologies for taking the "tin foil hat route" but we live in strange times

n/t

[Catrina]

64. Is it possible he wasn't driving his car? It could have been stolen and

then abandoned. Can't they track cellphones? I saw a show once where there had been robberies in a neighborhood. When the thieves stole someone's cellphone, the guy who owned it managed to track it somehow, and was led to the house where the thieves were. Just wondering.

Or, he might have been picked up by somone after the accident. That doesn't make sense though. He was a fireman, he had a cellphone with him, he could easily have called an ambulance rather than hitch a ride with a stranger ~

Maybe they should fingerprint the car ~ I hope he is found. He seems like a great guy and has a lovely family ~ they must be really upset

Another possibility though. I remember a story exactly like this I saw on TV years ago. The husband went out to pick up pizza and didn't come back. His car was found off the highway with the pizza on the seat ~ but they never found him ~ his wife and children were devasted, I think he had two sons.

It was really a mystery because they never found any trace of him. After a while his wife managed to get a job and she went on with her life, but always haunted by his disappearance.

Several years ago I saw an update on the story. They had found him, years later ~ he had a new ID and had established himself in another community ~ apparently he just left that night ~ at least the mystery was solved ~ but still very puzzling.

[liberalla]

61. Gary Dodds has been FOUND!

Authorities find man missing after accident

"DOVER, N.H. (AP) _ New Hampshire State Police say they have found Gary Dodds, a congressional candidate from Rye, alive in the woods.

Police at the search site say Dodds is moving in and out of consciousness, and needs medical attention. His wife Cynthia, who was helping with the search, was on her way to meet him.

Dodds, who is 41, had been missing since a single-car accident on the Spaulding Turnpike in Dover last night. When emergency workers arrived, the car was empty.

A search involving State Police and dog teams followed."

http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=4739603&nav=4QcS

Some good news.

[kevinbgoode]

62. OMG...!!!....I'm relieved....

My gosh...the poor man!!!

[bee]

67. holy shit!

I hope we find out what happened. In the meantime, Im glad he's ok. It was so cold here last night. wow. I still dont understand this whole thing.

[mikelewis]

73. No shit, that makes no sense at all...

A very bizarre story. I was sort of expecting to read that he committed suicide by slitting his wrists and throat in the car, dragging himself over a mile through a field, climbing over a barbed wire fence and then shooting himself in the back of the head. It's hardly original (Terrence Yeakey), but I imagined some variation of that motif. I tell you, the quality of bizarre we get nowadays is severly lacking.

[troubleinwinter]

71. Wonderful good news. Hoping for his well being.

[Trevelyan]

72. I'm so relieved that he was found. It is a strange story and the fact

that authorities say he needed medical attention and was in and out of consciousness shows we still need updates on this story.

[Occulus]

78. It's sounding like amnesia to me on first blush

As I noted upthred.

Poor guy, if true. He'll be a long time recovering.

[Judi Lynn]

77. Authorities find man missing after accident

Authorities find man missing after accident
April 7, 2006

DOVER, N.H. --A volunteer searcher and her dog found a missing congressional hopeful alive in the woods Thursday night, more than 24 hours after he disappeared after a car accident.

Gary Dodds, 41, of Rye, was found around 10 p.m., about a mile from the accident site near the Dover tolls. He was taken to a hospital to be treated for hypothermia.

Fish and Game Lt. John Wimsatt said Dodds had crossed the Bellamy River and was slipping in and out of consciousness when found.

"I don't have an explanation on how he would end up over there. It is odd," he said.

The searcher who found Dodds said he was about 100 yards from some houses and had covered himself with leaves to stay warm. He called out to her as she approached.

Dodds' wife Cynthia had been helping with the search and was brought to meet him.
(snip/...)

http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_hampshire/articles/2006/04/07/authorities_find_man_missing_after_accident/

[Moderator]

79. Locking

Please see this thread for updated information. Thank you.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2213406