Here’s the story from the Sentinel’s Kyle Jarvis where Kohl’s would like to open a store in the old Sears building – creating jobs for Keene inhabitants. Meanwhile, the city screws up some of its own bureaucratic process and has to delay its own hearing where Kohl’s is to beg for a waiver. The Sentinel reports that city code prohibits uplighting. Gosh, we wouldn’t want you to be able to use lights to design things to make your business more attractive! And don’t you DARE paint your building anything bright and fun – this is New England – everything here must be drab, dull, and made of brick!
This is one among many provisions called “zoning” or “regulations” where a group of people calling themselves government – or “the Keene planning board” deem to tell you what you can and can’t do with something you paid for – or else they will send men with guns after you. I’d like to be able to say, “No thanks” as I’d rather not use their planning services. Yet I am the “radical” for wanting peace. Kohl’s should be able to open their store without having to ask permission – and so should you.
Tune in to Channel 8 in Keene, Swanzey, or Marlborough this Sunday at Midnight Eastern or Monday at 10pm to catch the Director’s Cut of DJVCS on TV! (Don’t have Time Warner cable or don’t live in the area? You can watch the broadcast premiere via CTV’s Ustream channel here.)
During the trial of the Trespassive Three who were charged with the dastardly crime of Criminal Trespass for refusing to end a protest at the appointed hour, the State and it’s minions made some pretty ludicrous statements. Many of them were so over the top that they require no rebuttal, simply to be pointed out and laughed at. For instance; if the jury finds these three not guilty, anarchy will reign supreme, the parks will turn into campgrounds and the grass and trees in the parks will die. There were however a few statements that I believe warrant a closer examination.
The intent of the Peace Ticket is to give them warning that if they continue aggressing against me, a peaceful Shire Society member, they should expect a trial which will probably cost them more than they would get if I paid the ticket (which I also won’t do), as well as publicity for the matter. It gives them the chance to do the right thing and withdraw their complaint, settling the issue.
Eventually, if enough people start taking traffic tickets to trial that are also Shire Society members, perhaps the police will learn know better than to pull over people with visible Shire seals on their cars (get your free sticker here). One can dream!
Newly elected sheriff Eli Rivera has done the right thing and withdrawn all the no trespass orders that were issued by his predecessor, Dick Foote. As you may recall, the orders were recently ruled unconstitutional by Keene district court judge Ed Burke.
After Burke’s ruling, on behalf of all those issued the letters, I wrote to Eli requesting he officially rescind the unconstitutional orders and issue an apology to the activists whose rights have been trampled by these illegal orders. I also asked him to issue a proclamation that his agents will respect the rights of those who wish to access the courts and that media will no longer be threatened for recording in the court lobby.
As you know if you’ve been reading here for a while, I’ve been facing “disorderly conduct” charges in Palmer, MA for recording video in a town hall. Back in December, they dropped the misdemeanor charge and offered a deal on the remaining town ordinance violation. The ACLU of MA has come on board to assist and now they are changing the charge from a criminal to civil. That means the potential penalty drops from several hundred dollars to something like $25.
ACLU attorney Shawn Allyn will be filing a motion to dismiss on 1st amendment grounds and a hearing will happen regarding the motion on 5/22 at 2pm at Palmer district court. You are welcome to come watch!
Here’s the story from the Sentinel’s Kyle Jarvis where Kohl’s would like to open a store in the old Sears building – creating jobs for Keene inhabitants. Meanwhile, the city screws up some of its own bureaucratic process and has to delay its own hearing where Kohl’s is to beg for a waiver. The Sentinel reports that city code prohibits uplighting. Gosh, we wouldn’t want you to be able to use lights to design things to make your business more attractive! And don’t you DARE paint your building anything bright and fun – this is New England – everything here must be drab, dull, and made of brick!![shorttailleft[1]](https://i0.wp.com/freekeene.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/shorttailleft1-256x300.jpg?resize=256%2C300)
Newly elected sheriff Eli Rivera has done the right thing and withdrawn all the no trespass orders that were issued by his predecessor, Dick Foote. As you may recall, 
