Budget Testimony Performance Art Teased in Monitor

by | May 14, 2013 | 9 comments

wtfperformanceartLast Thursday, I spent a good portion of the day at the New Hampshire state house, waiting to film a dramatic performance by two artists identifying themselves as Adam Sutler and Edgar Friendly. It was a harrowing experience, as the budget analysis is among the most drawn out public hearings in the state each year. Bureaucrats and their supporters from around the state gathered to plead for their slice of the pie.

Adam’s testimony went over the heads of most as it was the first one called following the dinner break. Edgar was called hours later, and his presentation drew the suspicions of the senate panel chair, who questioned its relevance to the budget and called for an end to the performance after two minutes.

The record of these performances is scheduled to appear on the internet shortly, but in the meantime, the Concord Monitor’s Ben Leubsdorf and satirical blogger Susan the Bruce have published their own analysis of the theatrics. From the Monitor:

The Senate Finance Committee got punk’d Thursday night.

The committee’s public hearing on the state budget was already past the four-hour mark (en route to a final running time of six hours) when a man who had put his name down as Edgar Friendly was called to testify. (more…)

WBZ-TV’s Report on Robin Hood Lawsuit

by | May 14, 2013 | 1 comment

WBZTVLogo[1]WBZ’s Michael Rosenfield was first to contact me today, and also first to post their report. I have one major critique of this package:

They show Alan, the meter maid, complaining that my friends and I watched him and his family at the park on Sunday and tried to make it sound intimidating. They did not show my rebuttal to his claim. Here’s what really happened:

Every week, activists gather for Social Sunday. This last Sunday we went to Robin Hood park (yes, really – it’s called that). While there, I walked from our picnic area to the bathroom, hundreds of feet away from our gathering. On my return walk I saw someone I thought to be Alan at the playground. When I returned, I asked the Robin Hooders who have more street time and familiarity with Alan if that was Alan, so people were looking over there to confirm or deny it was him. That’s all! He acts like we stalked him at the park, when I’m pretty sure we were there before him!

Anyway, here’s WBZ-TV’s piece from Boston, and the text: (more…)

Robin Hood Goes National – Washington Times Covers Lawsuit

by | May 14, 2013 | 8 comments

The-Washington-Times[1]Thanks to Seth McLaughlin of the Washington Times for his report on the people calling themselves the “City of Keene” suing the heroic Robin Hooders:

The city of Keene, N.H., is suing “Robin Hood and his Merry Men” – a group that has made a name for itself by paying people’s parking meters before they can get slapped with a ticket from local parking enforcement officers.
The Union Leader reported Tuesday that six “Robin Hooders” troll the streets of the city’s quaint downtown in search of cars parked at expired meters. (more…)

Union Leader Reports on Robin Hooders Being Sued by “City of Keene”

by | May 14, 2013 | 13 comments

robinThe Union Leader’s Megan Pierce covers the news about Robin Hooders being sued by the people calling themselves the “City of Keene”. Naturally, the commenters support the Robin Hooders.

KEENE – The city has filed a lawsuit against six citizens, part of a group dubbed Robin Hood of Keene that patrols downtown armed with video cameras and pockets full of change to fill expired parking meters.

Also known as Robin Hooders, the six are associated with the Free Keene group.

“They say video recording or talking to them is harassing them, but I don’t agree with that,” “Robin Hooder” James Cleaveland said of parking enforcement officers. “So they want to establish a safety zone of fifty feet.”

Members of the group place cards under windshield wipers that read, “Your meter expired; however, we saved you from the king’s tariffs, Robin Hood and his Merry Men. Please consider paying it forward,” and includes an address where donations can be sent.

The group says the suit was filed because the city is losing revenue from parking tickets. The city says the activists are harassing its employees. (more…)