The state attorney general is reportedly investigating Concord School District Attorney John Teague and whether he broke the law while not identifying himself as a lobbyist during testimony before the Legislature and other potential conflicts regarding the charter commission process, OurConcord.com has learned.
The investigation arose due to late 2008 and 2009 testimony concerning a number of bills in the Legislature which would change the school district's charter. Since the Legislature controls Concord's school district charter, the only way residents or officials can change the charter is to propose bills, get them approved by both houses, and signed by the governor.
Frustrated by the lack of accountability with the current school board, especially regarding the multimillion elementary school consolidation process and plan, a number of residents proposed bills in 2008. One bill included a proposal to force any district bonding more than $5 million to go before Concord voters for approval. Another proposed changing the way school board members were elected.
During those hearings, Teague testified against bills but never identified himself as a lobbyist, something that the law required at the time. Before the law was recently changed, lobbyists were required to wear an orange ID badge, so that both legislators and citizens knew that they were lobbying for a paid interest. Teague never wore the badge and never identified himself as a lobbyist (I know, I was there, and wrote previously about the issue here: ["Five alternative reasons why people don't attend school board budget hearings"]). Teague even argued that there was nothing wrong with the current system and that the Legislature had been doing a fine job of oversight of Concord's school board charter, much to the chagrin and giggles of everyone with a brain at the hearing.
But it potentially goes further, because Teague didn't stop there.
There was a move afoot by the House to wash their hands of all of this and give the charter back to the citizens of Concord. The bill was approved easily and then was sent to the Senate.
But in the Senate, something strange happened: At Teague's urging, state senators (who don't live in Concord, BTW) rewrote the bill and instead of giving us all the ability to change our charter, created a study commission to look at the issue.
The study commission spent months analyzing the issue with Teague repeatedly testifying and offering up more delays to the process. Instead of returning the charter to the citizens, he argued for an elected charter commission. The commission, he proposed, would be elected in November 2010 and would study the issues during the year and then return a proposal to the voters in November 2011. Shockingly, or not so, since the study commission was stacked with school supporters (["Well folks, the fix was in ..."]), by a 7-6 vote, this is what the commission agreed to do.
This delayed the process of gaining our rights back - rights that nearly everyone in the Granite State and virtually everyone in the nation has - even longer. It also put in limbo legislative initiatives forwarded by residents who were playing by the rules.
According to a source, the AG Office's has been talking to everyone involved in the charter commission study committee process as well as elected officials in Concord. Some have lawyered up, potentially worrying about whatever influence Teague may have wielded over the process.
This story is potentially huge ... it shows you everything that is wrong with some of our current elected officials, whether on the state or local level. It shows you exactly what is wrong with Concord, where a handful of connected people and one attorney can keep people from getting their rights back. And this is all breaking right on the eve of the election of the charter commission that could potentially vote to keep things as they are, with the Legislature controlling our school district's charter. If this happens, it means we have gotten nowhere ... for years. All because some attorney was able to weasel his way into the hearts and minds of people who should know better, while breaking the law.
More later ...
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
School board candidates escape challenge
Only three candidates have come forward to run for school board, meaning that none will be challenged in November and they will win by default. Incumbents Jennifer Patterson and Bill Glahn will return to the school board. Former state Rep. and City Councilor Tara Reardon is also running.
As someone noted to me today, isn't it interesting that 27 people (!) have come forward to run for nine seats on the Charter Commission, which could potential change improve the charter and empower parents and taxpayers in Concord, and no one is running for the school board.
It just goes to show us all that people in Concord want to be on the board that will actually create change and make things better - and not on the board filled with many people who don't seem to have a care in the world about what other people think.
As someone noted to me today, isn't it interesting that 27 people (!) have come forward to run for nine seats on the Charter Commission, which could potential change improve the charter and empower parents and taxpayers in Concord, and no one is running for the school board.
It just goes to show us all that people in Concord want to be on the board that will actually create change and make things better - and not on the board filled with many people who don't seem to have a care in the world about what other people think.
Correction: 27 people run for 9 seats on Charter Commission
Correction ... 27 people are running ... my source missed one. Here is the final list of candidates running for the Charter Commission. I can't believe that 27 different people filed to run. This is just amazing:
City-wide/At-Large (3 seats): John Andrews, current school board member Laura Bonk, former school board member Barbara Brown, current school board member Clint Cogswell, Phil Donovan, a member of the Concord Heritage Commission, former Mayor Mike Donovan, former school board member Betty Hoadley, attorney Charlie Russell, and former school board member Rod Teney.
Ward 1, 2, 3, 4 (2 seats): Former at-Large City Council candidate Jim Baer, preservation activist Kathy Conners, Peter Ellinwood, owner of GreenPoma.com, Robert Gile, husband of state Rep. Mary Stuart Gile, Connie Boyles Lane, an attorney with Orr & Reno, Matt Newland, a former candidate for an at-large Concord City Council seat, and local commentator and frequent city board meeting attendee Roy Schweiker.
Ward 5, 6, 7 (2 seats): Current Ward 6 City Councilor Allen Bennett, former state Rep. Jessie Osborne, James Leon, former school board member and critic John Stohrer, William Ardinger, husband of School Board President Kass Ardinger, and Ken Wiswell, a principal in the Gilford school system.
Wards 8, 9, 10 (2 seats): Former judge and U.S. Rep. Chuck Douglas, former school board member Gerald Eaton, former school board member Martin Honigberg, Robert Munson, and Rob Norton.
City-wide/At-Large (3 seats): John Andrews, current school board member Laura Bonk, former school board member Barbara Brown, current school board member Clint Cogswell, Phil Donovan, a member of the Concord Heritage Commission, former Mayor Mike Donovan, former school board member Betty Hoadley, attorney Charlie Russell, and former school board member Rod Teney.
Ward 1, 2, 3, 4 (2 seats): Former at-Large City Council candidate Jim Baer, preservation activist Kathy Conners, Peter Ellinwood, owner of GreenPoma.com, Robert Gile, husband of state Rep. Mary Stuart Gile, Connie Boyles Lane, an attorney with Orr & Reno, Matt Newland, a former candidate for an at-large Concord City Council seat, and local commentator and frequent city board meeting attendee Roy Schweiker.
Ward 5, 6, 7 (2 seats): Current Ward 6 City Councilor Allen Bennett, former state Rep. Jessie Osborne, James Leon, former school board member and critic John Stohrer, William Ardinger, husband of School Board President Kass Ardinger, and Ken Wiswell, a principal in the Gilford school system.
Wards 8, 9, 10 (2 seats): Former judge and U.S. Rep. Chuck Douglas, former school board member Gerald Eaton, former school board member Martin Honigberg, Robert Munson, and Rob Norton.
Patterson to run for re-election
Current School Board member Jennifer Patterson, first elected in 2007, has opted to run for another term.
She, along with incumbent Bill Glahn and former state Rep. Tara Reardon have taken out papers to run for school board in Concord.
There are three seats with three-year terms up in November. The deadline to sign-up to run is today.
She, along with incumbent Bill Glahn and former state Rep. Tara Reardon have taken out papers to run for school board in Concord.
There are three seats with three-year terms up in November. The deadline to sign-up to run is today.
More charter commission candidates come forward ...
As of 2:30 p.m. this afternoon, here's the latest candidates running for charter commission:
City-wide (3 seats): John Andrews, former school board member Barbara Brown, current school board member Clint Cogswell, Phil Donovan, former Mayor Mike Donovan, attorney Charlie Russell, and former school board member Rod Teney.
Ward 1, 2, 3, 4 (2 seats): Former at-Large City Council candidate Jim Baer, local commentator and frequent city board meeting attendee Roy Schweiker, Matt Newland, a former candidate for an at-large Concord City Council seat, and Robert Gile, husband of state Rep. Mary Stuart Gile.
Ward 5, 6, 7 (2 seats): Current Ward 6 City Councilor Allen Bennett, former state Rep. Jessie Osborne, James Leon, former school board member and critic John Stohrer, William Ardinger, husband of School Board President Kass Ardinger, and Ken Wiswell, a principal in the Gilford school system.
Wards 8, 9, 10 (2 seats): Former school board member Gerald Eaton, former school board member Martin Honigberg, Robert Munson, and Rob Norton.
This, however, is not a final list yet. When the final list is put together, I'll post some thoughts on the matter.
City-wide (3 seats): John Andrews, former school board member Barbara Brown, current school board member Clint Cogswell, Phil Donovan, former Mayor Mike Donovan, attorney Charlie Russell, and former school board member Rod Teney.
Ward 1, 2, 3, 4 (2 seats): Former at-Large City Council candidate Jim Baer, local commentator and frequent city board meeting attendee Roy Schweiker, Matt Newland, a former candidate for an at-large Concord City Council seat, and Robert Gile, husband of state Rep. Mary Stuart Gile.
Ward 5, 6, 7 (2 seats): Current Ward 6 City Councilor Allen Bennett, former state Rep. Jessie Osborne, James Leon, former school board member and critic John Stohrer, William Ardinger, husband of School Board President Kass Ardinger, and Ken Wiswell, a principal in the Gilford school system.
Wards 8, 9, 10 (2 seats): Former school board member Gerald Eaton, former school board member Martin Honigberg, Robert Munson, and Rob Norton.
This, however, is not a final list yet. When the final list is put together, I'll post some thoughts on the matter.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Two in for school board
Editor's Note: This post has been corrected. Eric Williams is up for re-election next year.
Current School Board member Bill Glahn and former state Rep. Tara Reardon have taken out papers to run for school board in Concord.
There are three seats with three-year terms up in November.
So far, incumbents Laura Bonk and Jennifer Patterson have not taken out papers to run.
If you are interested in running, stop by Roger Phillip's Office, at 104 Pleasant St. during business hours. The deadline to sign up to run is Monday, Sept. 20.
Current School Board member Bill Glahn and former state Rep. Tara Reardon have taken out papers to run for school board in Concord.
There are three seats with three-year terms up in November.
So far, incumbents Laura Bonk and Jennifer Patterson have not taken out papers to run.
If you are interested in running, stop by Roger Phillip's Office, at 104 Pleasant St. during business hours. The deadline to sign up to run is Monday, Sept. 20.
Updated school charter commission list
Here's the latest candidates running:
City-wide (3 seats): Former Mayor Mike Donovan, former school board member Barbara Brown, former school board member Rod Teney, John Andrews, and current school board member Clint Cogswell.
Ward 1, 2, 3, 4 (2 seats): Local commentator and frequent city board meeting attendee Roy Schweiker, Matt Newland, a former candidate for an at-large Concord City Council seat, and Robert Gile, husband of state Rep. Mary Stuart Gile.
Ward 5, 6, 7 (2 seats): Current Ward 6 City Councilor Allen Bennett, former state Rep. Jessie Osborne, James Leon, John Stohrer, William Ardinger, husband of School Board President Kass Ardinger, and Ken Wiswell, a principal in the Gilford school system.
Wards 8, 9, 10 (2 seats): Former school board member Gerald Eaton and former school board member Martin Honigberg.
If you are interested in running, stop by Roger Phillip's Office, at 104 Pleasant St. during business hours. The deadline to sign up to run is Monday, Sept. 20.
City-wide (3 seats): Former Mayor Mike Donovan, former school board member Barbara Brown, former school board member Rod Teney, John Andrews, and current school board member Clint Cogswell.
Ward 1, 2, 3, 4 (2 seats): Local commentator and frequent city board meeting attendee Roy Schweiker, Matt Newland, a former candidate for an at-large Concord City Council seat, and Robert Gile, husband of state Rep. Mary Stuart Gile.
Ward 5, 6, 7 (2 seats): Current Ward 6 City Councilor Allen Bennett, former state Rep. Jessie Osborne, James Leon, John Stohrer, William Ardinger, husband of School Board President Kass Ardinger, and Ken Wiswell, a principal in the Gilford school system.
Wards 8, 9, 10 (2 seats): Former school board member Gerald Eaton and former school board member Martin Honigberg.
If you are interested in running, stop by Roger Phillip's Office, at 104 Pleasant St. during business hours. The deadline to sign up to run is Monday, Sept. 20.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Charter Commission candidates emerge
I just received a copy of the latest list of candidates running to have a seat on the Charter Commission that will analyze whether or not Concord's public school system charter should be taken away from the state Legislature and what, if any changes, should be made.
Most of my regular readers already know what I think should be done (And, no, I'm not running and I don't plan on running).
However, here are the candidates who are running:
City-wide (3 seats): Former Mayor Mike Donovan, former school board member Barbara Brown, former school board member Rod Teney, John Andrews, and current school board member Clint Cogswell.
Ward 1, 2, 3, 4 (2 seats): Local commentator and frequent city board meeting attendee Roy Schweiker, Matt Newland, a former candidate for an at-large Concord City Council seat, and Robert Gile, husband of state Rep. Mary Stuart Gile.
Ward 5, 6, 7 (2 seats): Current Ward 6 City Councilor Allen Bennett, former state Rep. Jessie Osborne, James Leon, John Stohrer, William Ardinger, husband of School Board President Kass Ardinger, and Ken Wiswell, a principal in the Gilford school system.
Wards 8, 9, 10 (2 seats): Former school board member Gerald Eaton and former school board member Martin Honigberg.
There were rumors in the Concord Monitor that current school board members Laura Bonk and Bill Glahn might be running instead of running for school board again but they obviously have not signed up to run.
If you are interested in running, stop by Roger Phillip's Office, at 104 Pleasant St. during business hours. The deadline to sign up to run is Monday, Sept. 20.
Most of my regular readers already know what I think should be done (And, no, I'm not running and I don't plan on running).
However, here are the candidates who are running:
City-wide (3 seats): Former Mayor Mike Donovan, former school board member Barbara Brown, former school board member Rod Teney, John Andrews, and current school board member Clint Cogswell.
Ward 1, 2, 3, 4 (2 seats): Local commentator and frequent city board meeting attendee Roy Schweiker, Matt Newland, a former candidate for an at-large Concord City Council seat, and Robert Gile, husband of state Rep. Mary Stuart Gile.
Ward 5, 6, 7 (2 seats): Current Ward 6 City Councilor Allen Bennett, former state Rep. Jessie Osborne, James Leon, John Stohrer, William Ardinger, husband of School Board President Kass Ardinger, and Ken Wiswell, a principal in the Gilford school system.
Wards 8, 9, 10 (2 seats): Former school board member Gerald Eaton and former school board member Martin Honigberg.
There were rumors in the Concord Monitor that current school board members Laura Bonk and Bill Glahn might be running instead of running for school board again but they obviously have not signed up to run.
If you are interested in running, stop by Roger Phillip's Office, at 104 Pleasant St. during business hours. The deadline to sign up to run is Monday, Sept. 20.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Get ready for International Observe the Moon Night
The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center will be celebrating International Observe the Moon Night on Saturday, September 18 from 6-10 PM.
Throughout history people have looked up and wondered about the Moon. The goal of International Observe the Moon Night, promoted by NASA and celebrated at institutions around the world, is to engage public audiences and amateur astronomer communities and raise awareness of lunar research and exploration.
Visitors are invited to join Discovery Center educators for a night of telescope viewing and having questions answered by lunar experts. Dr. Harlan Spence, lunar specialist and director of UNH’s Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space will discuss NASA’s latest mission to the Moon. Lunar activities will be provided by special guest Tom Estill of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. The night will include hands-on artwork, lunar scavenger hunts, lunar crater making, “Walk on the Moon,” lunar golf, and a special presentation of Tonight’s Sky planetarium show highlighting the Moon.
$9 Adult, $6 Child (3-12), $8 Student/Senior. Free for Members.
The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center features 21st century interactive exhibits on aviation, astronomy, Earth and space sciences, a state-of-the-art planetarium and a variety of science, technology, engineering and math programs. The engaging, robust educational programs are geared towards families, teens, seniors, students, community groups, and lifelong learners. For more information, visit www.starhop.com.
Throughout history people have looked up and wondered about the Moon. The goal of International Observe the Moon Night, promoted by NASA and celebrated at institutions around the world, is to engage public audiences and amateur astronomer communities and raise awareness of lunar research and exploration.
Visitors are invited to join Discovery Center educators for a night of telescope viewing and having questions answered by lunar experts. Dr. Harlan Spence, lunar specialist and director of UNH’s Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space will discuss NASA’s latest mission to the Moon. Lunar activities will be provided by special guest Tom Estill of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. The night will include hands-on artwork, lunar scavenger hunts, lunar crater making, “Walk on the Moon,” lunar golf, and a special presentation of Tonight’s Sky planetarium show highlighting the Moon.
$9 Adult, $6 Child (3-12), $8 Student/Senior. Free for Members.
The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center features 21st century interactive exhibits on aviation, astronomy, Earth and space sciences, a state-of-the-art planetarium and a variety of science, technology, engineering and math programs. The engaging, robust educational programs are geared towards families, teens, seniors, students, community groups, and lifelong learners. For more information, visit www.starhop.com.
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