July 2009 Archives
www.laconiadailysun.com Tuesday July 28, 2009
To the editor,
This is a thank you note to the people of Meredith and the surrounding area. On June 19th, 2009, my wife Kay died. She was very special to me and in the days following her death you showed me and her children how special she was to you also. Thank you. Kay’s interests at the end of her life were the lake, the loons and her neighbors. She got Round and Fish Coves treated for milfoil. She told me what to do and how to do it by directing me through the window. After this was done she made arrangements for the milfoil meeting on August 5th from 7 – 9 p.m. at the Community Center. This meeting is also a Milfoil Crisis Committee meeting. One of the last things that she did was the mailing of the letter about this meeting. (She insisted, “I can do it!”). She knew that the milfoil treatment was a temporary thing and that we had to keep working on this. So please come to this meeting on August 5th and show your concern also.
Thank you for all of you care, concern and condolences.
Bob Kennelly
Meredith
Editor, The Citizen:
The Right to Know law is as vast as it is sometimes confusing. The NH Bar Assoc. states the "purpose of New Hampshire's Right to Know Law (RSA 91-A) is to make state and local government accountable to the people by requiring that meetings and records be open to the public as much as possible." Article 8 of the New Hampshire Constitution is the impetus for this oft misunderstood and sometimes pesky law. It states that "All power residing originally in, and being derived from, the people, all magistrates and officers of government are their substitutes and agents, and AT ALL TIMES accountable to them. Government, therefore, should be open, accessible, accountable and responsive. To that end, the public's right of access to governmental proceedings and records shall not be unreasonably restricted".
With this fairly simple but comprehensive language those who would be the "people" and those who would be their "substitutes and agents," from time to time, find themselves at opposite ends of the table. What constitutes a public meeting … what notes or records need to be kept and made available … what is fair notification of meetings ... and what about emails, letters, and telephone conference calls?
All these topics will be the subject for a Right to Know Seminar coming your way on August 10th (7 PM) at the Moultonborough Public Library. Sponsored by the Moultonborough Citizens Alliance, both the public and members of the various boards of area towns are invited. Ed Naile of the Coalition of NH Taxpayers, Tom Tardif, former mayor of Laconia, and Doug Lambert of GraniteGrok.com, all knowledgeable RTK experts, will be there to explain the "ins" and "outs" of this ubiquitous statute and field a Q & A session.
Bravo and kudos to the MCA for reaching out to both the public and their "substitutes and agents" to for a great opportunity to end up on the same page. The good folks who serve on the boards and the volunteers for committees who have to deal with this law on a daily basis should embrace this effort as a learning event to make their job a bit easier. What a great opportunity for all sides to learn, discuss and educate … all at the same time. I would encourage all to attend.
Now I know that at least some of you will consult the Web to see what Article 8 of the NH Constitution says and check this humble scribe's accuracy. While you are there, jump down a couple articles and take a look at my personal favorite… Article 10. You won't find that in any other state constitution!!
Rick Heath
Moultonborough
Now, we are not out to point fingers here, but only to highlight that there is a general lack of understanding of New Hampshire statutes. The recent “issues” with the formation of the Heritage Commission and the Capital Improvement Program Committee are two examples. The exclusion of the school district from the proposed “ordinance” for the CIPC is another.
The right to know laws are another area where we believe more education is essential. That is why the MCA hosting a Right to Know Seminar as a useful and helpful event for all citizens, whether in the private sector or in public office.
‘I urge every citizen, every school child, and every student of government to study the Right to Know Law’ Kelly Ayotte NH Attorney General.
Please come and find out for yourself! Mark your calendars: Monday August 10, 2009 at 7pm at the Moultonboro Library. There will be guest speakers: Ed Naile, from the Coalition of NH Taxpayers; Doug Lambert of Gilfordgrok; and Tom Tardif, former Mayor of Laconia.
This is not a political event, nor is it a partisan event. This is an educational opportunity open to everyone.
All are welcome!
The Right to Know. The right to know what? Why should I care about this? How does this affect me? Why is anyone bothering me with this? Isn’t this one of those political things that makes no sense to anyone that is not a lawyer or a politician? Who cares? They’re gonna do what they want anyway. So, why should I even bother? It’s dry garbage. It makes no difference to me. No one cares what I think. Besides, I don’t feel like being the one to put my name out there as someone who disagrees with the powers that be, because I work for a business that does work for the town. What would happen if I spoke out against something that they are doing? Would I lose my job? Or be blackballed? Or would my boss try to get rid of me?
Does any of this sound familiar? Are you or someone you know thinking like this? You are not alone. So many people feel this way. They do not want their names out in the public, be in it newspapers, letters to the editor or at public meeting, for everyone else to see.
That’s just not fair, or acceptable to the MCA. We want everyone to voice their opinions and their objections or support to anything that is happening in our town. Speak out to us. We will voice your concerns.
The Right to Know Law is important for all citizens of NH to understand. Our Attorney General has encouraged every citizen of this state to read and understand the Right to Know Law. It is so important, that any failure to adhere to the law, will take precedence over anything else in Superior Court.
Please come to A Right to Know Seminar on Monday August 10th, 7pm at the Moultonboro Library. There will be guest speakers that are experienced with the Right to Know Laws. Ed Naile from the Coalition of NH Taxpayers; Doug Lambert from Gilfordgrok; and Tom Tardif, former Mayor of Laconia will be speaking. There will be a question and answer period to follow. We encourage everyone to attend, whether or not one is involved in politics or not. This is information for everyone, whether Democrat, Republican or anything else. We welcome everyone.
Any questions? Please email us at: www.moultonborocitizensalliance.org
Here’s something to question. At the July 2nd Board of Selectmen meeting, the board decided to agree with a member of the audience, and the new Heritage Commission, to not proceed with writing an ordinance, that once written, would be a legally binding document. They decided to table the issue. However, when the discussion turned to the Capital Improvement Program Committee, #7 on the agenda, the decision was made to discuss both the Heritage Commission and CIPC ordinances at a public hearing on July 30th. Which is it?
And why does our Town Administrator insist on bringing this issue back to the table to discuss? The Board already voted and made a decision. For once, we agree with their decision and feel that these committees need to go forth and prosper without interference! Let’s let them meet, unite and begin their journey as a committee.
These video are presented as a public service by the Moultonboro Citizens Alliance at no cost to its citizens. The views expressed in this recording do not necessarily reflect those of the videographer, the Moultonboro Citizens Alliance or the Town of
Moultonboro Selectmen July16, 2009 from Moulton Boro on Vimeo.
Moultonboro Selectmen Meeting 7/16/2009 P2 from Moulton Boro on Vimeo.
Ernest Davis Meeting Room
The rangeway focus group led by Betsey Patten and scheduled for Thursday July 9 2009 at 10am has been cancelled. No new meeting date has been posted.
The BoS are also on "summer" schedule, so there is no selectmen meeting this week.
Note: There is a brief few minutes at the end of the July 2nd Selectmen meeting that was inadvertently cut when the video was uploaded. Here it is:
Moultonboro Selectmen July 2, 2009 P2 from Moulton Boro on Vimeo.
