UNH Riot Police Test Weaponized Toys on Students

April 30, 2013 by Free Concord · 9 Comments
Filed under: Copblock, Copwatch, Free Concord, Free Press, Govt. Schools, Issues, National, New Hampshire, News, Occupy NH, Photos, Seacoast, Thuggery, Victimless Crimes, Video

The fourth Occupy New England regional convergence was held this past weekend at the University of New Hampshire’s main campus in Durham. The gathering brought together dedicated activists from around the Northeast to spend time workshopping, networking, and strategizing. In a twist of fate, riot police would descend upon the surrounding area as outdoor presentations on street medic effectiveness and bullhorn mastery occurred on the campus green.

Presidential candidate Vermin Supreme was about midway through a session on de-escalating tense situations when chants of ‘UNH, UNH’ were audible from down the street directly across from the audience. Moments later, riot police appeared to be blocking the road off as students poured out of the area, many bearing cell phones in a manner suggesting that they were video recording. I wandered down for a closer look, and was surprised to see multiple officers carrying paintball guns, and others holding large canisters of pepper spray, most wearing helmets with face shields, gloves, and other protective gear (short of physical riot shields). Students were compliant with requests to stay out of the area, but were clearly agitated by what had previously occurred, several students reporting to have been hit and bruised by rubber bullets (likely pepperballs). From across the road, Vermin’s voice amplified through his bullhorn, reminding everyone to stay calm, that this was only a test, and to ignore the man with the megaphone. The mood lightened lightly as the police froze momentarily and onlookers responded with laughter and applause. Read more

Keene School Board Election Results

March 12, 2013 by Darryl W. Perry · 14 Comments
Filed under: Govt. Schools, Politics

The polls have closed, and 1625 votes have been tabulated (1 person showed up to Ward 4/5 as the polls were closing, so that ballot will be a hand-count and is not included in these results that were posted at the precinct – and it appears there were 2 “spoiled ballots”). Those voters, which represent approximately 10% of registered voters in Keene, have spoken and overwhelmingly approved all 7 Warrant Articles, and elected Chris Coates, Susan Fratus & Kris Roberts to 3-year terms on the school board. Read more

Keene School Board Voter Guide

March 11, 2013 by Darryl W. Perry · 4 Comments
Filed under: Govt. Schools, Issues, Politics

Tomorrow is (town & school) election day in New Hampshire. In Keene, the voters have the option of supporting a bigger budget or an even bigger budget. If voters reject the proposed $62.3 million budget (an increase of 1.2%) for the 2013-2014 school year, the budget will be just shy of $63.5 million (a nearly 3% increase).
How’s that for choice? The school portion of the property tax rate will increase by either 5% or 10% depending on the will of the voters who show up and cast a ballot. Read more

School Board Candidates forum 2013

March 6, 2013 by conan · 3 Comments
Filed under: Govt. Schools, Shire TV

The local Keene PTA hosted a “Candidates Meet and Greet” on March 4th at Jonathan Daniels elementary school. All eight school board hopefuls showed up to argue their case to an audience of about 50. Eleven of those were pro-liberty activists. Despite climbing tuition costs and a declining student population, many of the would-be board members promised they would bring more of the same if elected. Three of those candidates, Ian Freeman, Conan Salada, and Darryl Perry, brought an altogether different message to the table.

Keene School Board questionnaire 2013

March 2, 2013 by conan · 3 Comments
Filed under: Govt. Schools

The Keene Sentinel has posted the following candidate questionnaires for:

Chris Coates

There are 8 candidates running for 3 available positions.

Darryl W. Perry on Talkback

February 26, 2013 by Darryl W. Perry · 1 Comment
Filed under: Free Press, Govt. Schools, Issues, New Hampshire, News, Politics

On Saturday February 23, Keene School Board candidate Darryl W. Perry was on Talkback with Cynthia Georgina.

Education: It’s for the Children!

February 26, 2013 by Darryl W. Perry · 1 Comment
Filed under: Free State Project, Govt. Schools, Personal Freedom, Politics

In a recent Letter to the Editor in the Keene Sentinel, Varrin Swearingen wrote, “I’m confused. Do Democrats care about education or not?

If so, Keene’s voters have been duped by the empty rhetoric of those currently serving in office. On Wednesday, Reps. Burridge, Chase, Johnsen, Phillips, Robertson, and Weed voted to shut down education scholarships for New Hampshire families.”

The only representative from Keene to oppose the elimination of the scholarships & tax credits? School Board member Kris Roberts, who in 2 weeks (March 12) hopes voters will re-elect him to the School Board.

While I applaud Representative Roberts on voting correctly on this bill, I have to wonder if he voted the correct way because of principles or because he hopes it will help him get re-elected?

Conan for School Board 2013 on TalkBack

February 23, 2013 by conan · 3 Comments
Filed under: Govt. Schools

While everyone is off having fun at Liberty forum, I’m stuck at home working and doing interviews. Oh well. Here’s my 15min on TalkBack. Conan Salada for School Board 2013. Enjoy!

It’s time to think outside the box

February 16, 2013 by conan · 7 Comments
Filed under: Govt. Schools

After my moderate 10% budget reduction was proposed and soundly defeated, Ian Freeman voiced an alternative solution for fixing our broken school system. One with which I am entirely in agreement with. Earlier in the evening someone had mentioned “in order to fix the problem one must think outside the box.” And that’s exactly what Ian brought to the table. The school bureaucrats and bootlickers in attendance were not amused.

Small win. Big lesson learned.

February 16, 2013 by conan · 2 Comments
Filed under: Free State Project, Govt. Schools

This past Monday I attended the annual school budget and warrant meeting here in Keene, NH. (My first) In this meeting the various articles up for vote, including the budget, were available for discussion, debate and possible amendment by the attendees. Most of the evening was spent on Article 1: the proposed 2013/14 budget and most of the proposed amendments were focused on increasing the new year’s budget, but there were a few dissidents within the crowd who voiced some opposition. I, myself, proposed a 10% reduction in next year’s school budget. After all, the private sector has been forced to make radical changes in these lean years. Why not government as well?

My proposal was soundly defeated but I walked away with some valuable insight on how the machine functions . With another dozen liberty loving individuals in attendance, we probably could have proposed an amendment to reduce the budget to equal last year’s spending. With 40 or more, we could have reduced the budget by 2-5%. With 80, we could have reduced the budget by 10% (or 6.3 million dollars.) If you have any doubts, look to the current success story in Grafton, NH.

Please note that every motion to increase the budget was also defeated. If it were not for the small handful of free staters in attendance, the budget would have most likely increased by another $170,000.