Today I dropped off a proposal to the city clerk’s office that the council repeal the paraphernalia ordinance. Unlike state statutes prohibiting drugs, the prohibition on paraphernalia is a city ordinance and the city council has full control over ordinances. Will they actually do something? The first step is for the full council to hear the letter and possibly assign it to a committee. The proposal is to be heard at the next meeting on Thursday 9/5 at 7pm at City Hall. Here’s the proposal:
Ladies and gentlemen of the Keene city council,
There has been recent and previous discussion on the council regarding cannabis decriminalization and legalization. It is certainly true that the Keene city council cannot repeal state statutes, however you can send a resolution to the state legislature encouraging them to do the right thing and legalize cannabis in New Hampshire. In addition, you as a councilor can move to order the police chief to issue a directive to Keene police officers to not enforce cannabis laws in Keene.
Also, there is one other thing that the council can do that I am proposing with this letter, and that is to repeal the drug paraphernalia ordinances. This would send a message that Keene is serious about ending the insane war on drugs, which is really a war on our friends, family, and neighbors.
Specifically, the entirety of Keene ordinance Chapter 66, Article II should be repealed and replaced with nothing.
Drug abuse is a personal tragedy, but the drug war only makes it worse for the abuser. (more…)
Local liberty activist David Crawford recently submitted to the city council in Keene a proposal to have the council send a resolution to the legislators encouraging them to decriminalize cannabis. The city council assigned the issue to the Planning, Licensing, and Development committee and it was given a public hearing this week. Several at the hearing spoke in favor of the measure, and none against, including Ken Meola, who did speak, but only to answer a question about legality. Of course, he wasn’t completely telling the truth when he said this is a “legislative issue”. He knows he has discretion and can choose not to enforce laws at will, as I point out later in my comments.
We also learned that it appears the city people may have dropped the ball on sending a letter to the legislature in 2009, when a similar request was brought forth by, of all people, Fred Parsells! No one could seem to remember all the details so city boss John Maclean promised to research the issue and come back with a more accurate version of past events at the next PLD meeting in two weeks. The issue was given “more time” and will be raised again on Wed, September 11th at 7pm at city hall.
“You guys aren’t what this city needs” – Anti-Robin Hood/Free Keene Protestor Jon Cole
This past Saturday, midday, a group with signs opposing Robin Hooding and Free Keene gathered on Central Square. Most of them were from the Facebook group, “Free Keene from Free Staters“. Of the group, Rob Way was the most approachable and was willing to have a conversation. You’ll see that conversation later on in the series of raw videos from the encounter. When I arrived on the scene, as you will see, Kay points her umbrella towards my camera and despite speaking to me, hides behind it and her sign for most of the scene. It’s all very silly. It also seems contradictory. If you are putting yourself out there on Central Square and holding a sign, you clearly want to get a message out, so why would you refuse to be videoed by someone holding a camera?
Here is the series of uncut, raw videos as shot by me, Garret, and James Cleaveland:
Premiering in this week’s AKPF #1 timeslot is Aqua Kourt Pillage Feud #01, the first installment of Robin Hood of Keene‘s edited trial highlights from the raw full hearing. The next such occasion is scheduled for September 30 and October 1, unless a motion to dismiss filed by attorney Jon Meyer is granted prior. Last week featured Pete’s testimony chopped down to a format easily consumable by a televisual audience. This week’s video consists primarily of parking enforcer Linda’s testimony, and drudges on indefinitely until details begin to emerge.
The audience of the Keene district court on Wednesday had the unique privilege of seeing Prince John exposed for secretly bestowing undue royal authority upon city employees. The Prince acknowledged on the stand to granting an unconstitutional “no-trespass order” authority on police officers in response to complaints in Keene’s Central Square. The ability to dole out punishments is specifically a utility afforded the judicial branch, and only following a finding of guilt given due process of law. Prince John decided via royal decree to invite KPD employees (under which the AKPF is a subdivision) to play legislative, executive, and judicial functions by implementing this policy. While Graham, through his volunteering attorney Jon Meyer, is the first to challenge this unlawful ban, it is unknown how many other members of the community were given no-trespassing orders from the town square for such innocuous acts as bicycling and skateboarding. Knight Jason Short testifies that he obediently observed the decree in accordance with royal commandment. In Keene, artwork often suggests enforcement of the ordinance provisions are carried out by the infamous Aqua Keene Parking Force. See the video below of his majesty’s court being turned against him. (more…)
Today I dropped off a proposal to the city clerk’s office that the council repeal the paraphernalia ordinance. Unlike state statutes prohibiting drugs, the prohibition on paraphernalia is a city ordinance and the city council has full control over ordinances. Will they actually do something? The first step is for the full council to hear the letter and possibly assign it to a committee. The proposal is to be heard at the next meeting on Thursday 9/5 at 7pm at City Hall. Here’s the proposal:
