VLog: Calling for the instant replay...
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In a letter to the editor of today's Laconia Daily Sun, the entire Gilford School Board (GSB) takes issue with the reporting of the events surrounding the recent private meeting held by two members with the chairman of an official board visiting from Moultonboro. Of course, you can scroll down to view Skip's reporting on the events as they have transpired. More specifically, the GSB has taken aim at Cutter Mitchell's Citizen original July 26th article about the matter.
"We wish to set the facts straight and to convey in no uncertain terms that the Gilford School Board has in the past and continues to fully comply with the public's right-to-know and, furthermore, contests any assertion that it has conducted a "closed door meeting" contrary to the state's Right-to-Know law."
Nobody ever asserted that it was they that broke the law. We know that they're much too clever for that. There are other, legal ways to do that. What was said was that they refused to join the meeting due to video cameras and instead, with the chair Jerry Hopkins of Moultonboro, came up with a plan by which the Moultonboro committee-- unlike the GSB, subject to the RTK law-- could work around the law... or at least its spirit.
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Additionally, the GSB asserts in its letter, signed by all 5 members, that they did not refuse to join the kitchen meeting because of the public, or videotapes rolling, as reported both by Skip here on the 'Grok and by Cutter in his Citizen piece. Oh no. What they are claiming is that
Sue Allen and Derek Tomlinson arrived at the Gillford Town Hall kitchen as previously agreed, and when finding a full room and what appeared to be a meeting with some members of the Gilford budget committee, they waited in an open conference room upstairs for any representative of the Moultonboro study committee. When Jerry Hopkins entered, they met with him with the doors open. No other people chose to attend.
Funny, when you watch the "GilfordGrok Instant Replay" video below, you'll hear Mr. Hopkins outlining a plan whereby NOBODY gets to join him, in order to avoid a quorum. (The Citizen has stayed on the story as well, writing a followup from the Moultonboro angle.) In the video, you'll also watch the entire scene unfold as the events refered to by the school board in their letter are taking place. Any thinking person can see and hear what is being said about the presence of video cameras. Nowhere is anyone invited to go join them in the other, "open-doored" room, as the board implies. Do they think the 'Grok crew would have "chosen" NOT to attend? That was why we were there... to hear our elected officials speak about the Gilford Budcom.
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To play the video, simply click the "play" arrow in the media player and it should start. (If not, try clicking here.)
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If the video doesn't do it for you, stay tuned, as we now have the official unapproved minutes of the Moultonboro committee involved. They pretty much contain the whole truth, including these two statements:
"When we finished with the Selectmen, we went downstairs to meet with the School Board members. Since we had 2 people set up to record the meeting, the members of the Gilford School Board would not meet with us."
And this:
"We had arranged to meet at 6 p.m. with Gilford School Board Members Sue Allen and Derek Tomlinson (hereinafter: host) in the kitchen downstairs in the same building [town hall Gilford]. Six people followed us downstairs, two from Moultonboro, two from Gilford and two reporters. Our hosts arrived but refused to enter the room with the Gilford Budget Committee Members, two cameras and the press. They indicated that they would speak with our group, but did not wish to speak in the presence of the cameras and others present. If our group left with them to find another location, we could not deny the inclusion of the Moultonboro contingent. So it was suggested that the group divide with less than a quorum speaking with our host and the remaining majority with the other people."
Which is what you saw in the above video...
Comments
It amazes me that Sue A.and Derek T. would continue to dig this hole deeper. The citizens of both of these towns owe Gilford Grok and Cutter Mitchel a huge THANK YOU! These kinds of things have been going on for many years. The days of elected officials intimidating citizens that question their actions are finally over! Now the citizens can finally see for them selves the truth. Of course it will be considered "negative tone" when these officials are confronted with such evidence! Nice job and keep up the good work.
Posted by: Terry Stewart | August 3, 2007 10:56 AM
To the School Board:
Even if there were no such thing as a Right to Know Law, why would you conceivably want privacy for such a discussion?
Posted by: Dick Campbell | August 4, 2007 09:16 AM
You are exactly right Mr. Campbell. It never looks good when an elected official hide and sue should know better we all know she is allowed to have an opinion and it would help the people make a decision based on all opinions. I think a person who has been on so many boards in this town would realize she doesn't need to hide. All you do when you hide is make people think that you have something to hide. I am a very concerned citizen especially when it involves the school board.
Posted by: pricilla | August 4, 2007 03:33 PM