Tag: Laconia

Fake News

It’s nothing new;

I will add, that the man who never looks into a newspaper is better informed than he who reads them; inasmuch as he who knows nothing is nearer to truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods & errors.

The Laconia Daily Sun reported on the county budget meeting.  If one takes the time to read the source documents they will find that the Sun seriously lacks credibility, their spin on the facts could provide material for The Onion.

Here are the real details:

Representative Sylvia’s proposed budget appropriates approximately $400,000 for spending in 2018 over the actual spending of 2017.  The reader should observe that the year end spending spree, approaching $150,000, reduced funds available to be returned to surplus.  Much of that spending paid for items included in the commissioners’ 2018 budget.

Sylvia’s budget trims $23,211 from the corrections department from their 2017 spending level.

The bloated nursing home budget was reduced by $399,817 from the 2017 spending level.

The sheriff’s department has an increase over 2017 spending by $55,374.

The county attorney receives and increase of $31,854.

The Sun rounded up the cut to county maintenance from $38,954 to $40,000, but who can blame them, we all like round numbers.

Speaking of round numbers, not reported by the Sun, Sylvia rounded up UNH Cooperative Extension to $153,000, B.C. Conservation District to $62,000 and Community Action Program to $48,000.

More fun to come next Monday Jan. 29 at the county complex in Laconia.

Dangerous Delay

The Belknap County delegation met on Monday Jan. 22 to work on the county budget for 2018.  The county operates on a calendar year, so beginning on January 1, the county has no appropriations.  While the county has long practiced a policy of continuing spending until a budget is finally set (generally in March), there is no authority in the statues which allow such a practice.  In fact, the statutes are very clear, with no appropriation the county commissioners can spend no funds from the county treasury.

At the meeting a vote was taken which unanimously rejected the commissioners’ $29 million budget proposal.  Another budget proposal, which would have set the budget level with 2017 spending, was also scrapped.

Rep. Sylvia had prepared a budget proposal to offer as a reasonable compromise.  His budget kept the property tax increase down to 11%, and allowed for a 1.5% increase in spending for county operations.

Rather than taking a serious look at a well formed budget, Rep. Hout of Laconia, preferred to deploy a stalling tactic, and moved to adjourn the meeting.  This irresponsible motion passed, and the delegation departed with no consideration of the lack of appropriations necessary to fund county operations.

This stalling adds another unnecessary meeting for which the taxpayers will shell out $600.  Further, the taxpayers face a serious possibility of being forced to pay the legal costs of defending the county commissioners for misappropriating county funds.

33 Percent Tax Increase

The Belknap County board of commissioners have proposed a budget for 2018 which will have a whopping 33% increase on your property taxes payable to the county.  Fortunately, the commissioners don’t have the power to make the appropriation.  The county delegation has that authority, and they will meet on Monday January 22, 2018 to discuss and possibly vote on the appropriation.

You can find your delegation member/s (your state representatives) at the delegation page on the county web site.  You can call or email to let them know how much more you would like to pay in your property tax bill.  If you rent, you still pay property tax through your landlord, so feel free to voice your opinion.

Belknap County

I’m sure the delegation would be happy to see you watching over them as they decide how much to raise your taxes.  The meeting is held at the county complex (next to the nursing home) at 34 County Drive, Laconia.  The meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. so get there early to get a seat before the county employees fill the room.

January Jury Pool

NH Constitution from Jury Information flyer.
NH Constitution from Jury Information flyer.

Belknap County Superior Court will assemble a new jury pool on January 8, 2018.  We’ll be there to distribute some helpful information on the juror’s rights.  We’ll be handing out flyers starting at 8:30.

We’ve been out regularly, every other week for each pool, for longer than I can recall.  If you’d like to contribute to the effort we’ll be happy to accept a small donation. Bitcoin let’s you send funds with a minor transaction fee. Well that was the idea of Bitcoin. Now SegWit bitcoin cost $20-30 in fees, screw that.

bitcoin_cash-logo-643756With Bitcoin Cash your transaction fee is less than a dime!

Bitcoincash-jury1CMr2FWzj7fTUt8QNTVVZbcwQHEiTg9Lep
bitcoincash:1CMr2FWzj7fTUt8QNTVVZbcwQHEiTg9Lep?label=JuryFlyer&message=JuryOutreach

Thank you for your support!

Jury Information Flyers

NH Constitution from Jury Information flyer.
NH Constitution from Jury Information flyer.

Belknap County Superior Court will assemble a new jury pool on October 30, 2017.  We’ll be there to distribute some helpful information on the juror’s rights.  We’ll be handing out flyers starting at 8:30.

We’ve been out regularly, every other week for each pool, for longer than I can recall. We need to restock on flyers. If you’d like to contribute to the effort we’ll be happy to accept a small donation. Bitcoin let’s you send funds with a minor transaction fee. Well that was the idea of Bitcoin. Now SegWit bitcoin cost $2-3 in fees, screw that.

bitcoin_cash-logo-643756With Bitcoin Cash your transaction fee is less than a dime!

Bitcoincash-jury1CMr2FWzj7fTUt8QNTVVZbcwQHEiTg9Lep
bitcoincash:1CMr2FWzj7fTUt8QNTVVZbcwQHEiTg9Lep?label=JuryFlyer&message=JuryOutreach

Thank you for your support!

Constitution Day at LRCC

Professor Scott Cracraft has graciously invite the public to attend the Lakes Region Community College in their celebration of Constitution Day.  On Wednesday, September 20th at noon in the College Academic Commons they will present “The Constitution and the Presidency.”  They will celebrate the 230th anniversary with refreshments and a birthday cake.

ConstitutionDayLRCC2017

Busy July

Litter pick-up – July 9, 8:00 a.m.
Jury outreach – July 10, 8:30 a.m.
County meeting – July 11, 7:00 p.m.
Monthly meeting – July 15, 12:00 noon
LRP Beach Day – July 22, 12:00 noon

With the Independence Day celebrations behind us, it will be time to tidy up after the parties. We’ll start with a breakfast at Shooter’s Tavern at 8:00 then hit the road. We had a great turn-out for our last clean up and the job was done quickly. A couple of the regulars will be away so please make an extra effort to come out and give us a hand. We are usually done within a couple of hours. We will also be making a pass through the Lake Winnisquam Scenic Trail.

A new jury pool will be starting their service on July 10. We continue the year with Rights Brigade in a juror information blitz.

We will greet jurors at the Belknap Superior Court in Laconia at 8:30 with a nice pamphlet loaded with information that the court will not provide to them.

“If the jury feels that the law under which the defendant is accused is unjust … or for any reason which appeals to their logic or passion, the jury has the power to acquit, and the courts must abide by that decision.”

The jury pool is scheduled to return on Monday July 24 at 9:00, and Monday August 7 at 9:00. We will start a half hour before the jurors are scheduled to arrive. At times the jury is dismissed from the secondary dates in the event that trials are postponed. Call the court (1-855-212-1234) to check on the status prior to coming out on July 24 and August 7.

Jury duty dates and times.

The Belknap County Delegation will meet to appoint a County Attorney to replace Melissa Gulbrandsen as she has resigned to take a judgeship with the court system.

our meeting placeOur monthly meeting continues; same time, same place! The Lakes Region Porcupines meet on the third Saturday of each month. We meet at noon at the New Hong Kong Buffet in Belmont, NH. We usually meet in the room behind the entrance. We often have a dozen folks come for the meeting and discuss a variety of liberty issues. This is an informal and casual get together.

LRP Beach Day is coming up on Saturday July 22 at Ahern State Park.BeachDay2017

The 3rd Annual LRP Beach Day BBQ and fundraiser goes to the dogs! Super Doge Activist Lola the Wonder Dog has taken over this event and is ensuring that our four legged friends have a beautiful day in the sun and surf.

As such, this year our proceeds benefit Lakes Region Humane Society and all dogs are welcome at Ahern State Park!

Please note, dogs are welcome to bring their humans along for burgers and potato salad!

All we ask is a small donation of $10 per eating adult. Kids eat for half price. If you feel that you can’t afford to eat with us, we still ask that you come along and if you feel up to it, drop a few bucks in the hat. Save up now, as you’ll regret not sampling some of Glen Aldrich’s World Famous Potato Salad!

Let us know that you are coming through Eventbrite, so we’ll have plenty of food. We’re looking forward to seeing you!

May Activities

Jury outreach – May 15, 8:30 a.m.
Monthly meeting – May 20, 12:00 noon
Litter pick-up – May 21, 8:00 a.m.
County meeting – May 22, 7:00 p.m.

A new jury pool will be starting their service on May 15. We continue the year with Rights Brigade in a juror information blitz.

JuryNoticeMayJune2017We will greet jurors at the Belknap Superior Court in Laconia at 8:30 with a nice pamphlet loaded with information that the court will not provide to them.

“If the jury feels that the law under which the defendant is accused is unjust … or for any reason which appeals to their logic or passion, the jury has the power to acquit, and the courts must abide by that decision.”

The jury pool is scheduled to return on Tuesday May 30 at 9:00, and Monday June 12 at 9:00. We will start a half hour before the jurors are scheduled to arrive. At times the jury is dismissed from the secondary dated in the event that trials are postponed. Call the court (1-855-212-1234) to check on the status prior to coming out on May 30 and June 12.

Jury duty dates and times.

our meeting placeOur monthly meeting continues; same time, same place! The Lakes Region Porcupines meet on the third Saturday of each month. We meet at noon at the New Hong Kong Buffet in Belmont, NH. We usually meet in the room behind the entrance. We often have a dozen folks come for the meeting and discuss a variety of liberty issues. This is an informal and casual get together.

WinnisquamTrailIt’s time for our spring cleaning. We’ll start with a breakfast at Shooter’s Tavern at 8:00 then hit the road. We are usually done within a couple of hours. We be making a pass through the Lake Winnisquam Scenic Trail.

The Belknap County commission continues to claim they do not have enough money to run the county and are asking for a supplemental appropriation. If your taxes are not high enough, stay home. If you think you’re already paying enough, come out and show your support for the representatives that are taking the heat for actually trying to limit government.