New York Times FRONT PAGE Story on Free Keene, Robin Hood, FSP!

by | May 4, 2014 | 64 comments

the-new-york-times[1]Thanks to columnist Dan Barry for taking an interest in the goings-on here in Keene and also thanks to the editors for making it a FRONT PAGE story! His piece was published today in the New York Times and focuses on Robin Hooding, the Free State Project and the haters. Here’s the story:

KEENE, N.H. — In most places, the parking enforcement officer reflects the municipal compact. Armed only with a gadget that can spit out a ticket at the forgotten drop of a dime, the officer quietly serves civic and commercial life by ensuring that meters are fed.

In most places, yes. But not here in charming Keene, where parking officers figure in a philosophical tug of war between a small band of activists who live by the motto “Free Keene,” and the great majority of residents who were unaware that their city was in bondage. (more…)

Vocal Free Keene Critic Publicly Threatens Garret Ean

by | May 1, 2014 | 11 comments

Seamus O’Connor and his wife, Carolyn Hanks have lived in the Monadnock region of New Hampshire for a few years now. Both have claimed participation in the Free State Project, but have also been long time critics of Free Keene bloggers, both belonging to a large “STOP FREE KEENE!!!” group on facebook. On April carolynhanks_seamusoconnor23 of 2014, Seamus uploaded a video titled, “Garret”, which consisted of several repeated explicit threats of violence directed at Garret Ean. Beginning the monologue with, “Garret, I’m gonna kick your ass, you mutherfucker…”, the narrator goes on to repeat the “kick your ass” line, interspersed with references to a rough childhood, and expectations of a non-response to such violence by local authorities. (more…)

Manchester On Verge of Increased Parking Rates, Hours

by | May 1, 2014 | 0 comments

RobinHood_sheriffLooks like Keene isn’t the only place where the bureaucrats are getting greedy.  The Union Leader reports that Manchester’s aldermen will next week vote on proposed rate increases and longer hours for Manch’s parking meters.

As in Keene, Manch business owners and downtown patrons are upset.  However, it appears Manch’s political process has come down to the final vote on the proposal, while Keene’s is already facing major opposition and its process has only just begun.  The proposed ordinances have yet to be read to the council or even to the appropriate committee.  Stay tuned here to Free Keene for the latest.

Owner of Syd’s Speaks Out Against Parking Enforcement

by | Apr 27, 2014 | 0 comments

RobinHood_sheriffIf the people calling themselves the “City of Keene” actually cared about business owners, they’d eliminate the parking department that is driving customers OUT of the downtown.  Another letter to the Sentinel was published this Friday from a local business owner, this time by John Croteau of Syd’s Carpet and Snooze Room. Croteau explains he’s lost countless frustrated customers over the years since parking meters were installed in Keene:

Do parking meter cost increases, doubling parking fines and increasing the hours for plugging the meters from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. make Keene a friendlier, more inviting place to shop?

If Nathaniel Stout (“Parking increases are the only fair way,” April 16) thinks so, he is wrong.

I have been in business on St. James Street for well over 45 years and I can tell you there is no bigger drawback to shopping in Downtown Keene than the parking meters and parking fines. It would be very unusual for our customers to choose new flooring, bedding or furniture in less than 30 minutes. So when they lose track of time and find a ticket on their windshields upon exiting our store, they get extremely upset. I have heard many customers make the comment (even after I pay their tickets) that they will never shop Downtown Keene again. (more…)