NEWINGTON SELECTMEN SAY THEY WILL CONSIDER FURTHER ACTION IN THEIR CONTINUING BATTLE AGAINST THE STATEWIDE PROPERTY TAX.
BUT IT DOESN'T LOOK AS THOUGH TOWN OFFICIALS ARE GOING TO CALL FOR OPEN REVOLUTION.
AS CORRESPONDENT ROGER WOOD REPORTS.
Nearly 200 residents packed Newington Town Hall to express their views on an as-yet undefined act of revolution against the state government. Widespread anger against the unpopular statewide property tax had provided the impetus for a citizens petition drive to invoke article 10 of the state constitution, the rights of citizens to rebel,. But Tuesday night, there was little support for outright secession, with the first speaker, resident Fred Smith setting a negative tone.
(SOT Fred Smith) :17 OC: If you don't care to live by that oath, resign.
But the public forum also drew some outright advocates of revolt, such as
Ralph Estes
(SOT Estes) :18 OC: better way to send a message to the state.
Others faulted the leadership of Governor Jeanne Shaheen and the
legislature for continuing to collect the statewide property tax, which exacts
some $2 million dollars from Newington. Lulu Pickering is a direct descendent
of a New Hampshire hero of the Revolutionary war, John Pickering, who
participated in the raid on Fort William and Mary in New Castle. She said
that while she favors revolution for a just cause, she is not in favor of a
try at secession.
(SOT Pickering) :07 OC: I don't think it's going to be productive
After hearing mixed reviews on secession, and a variety of opinions on
actions to take against the statewide property tax, selectman Jack O'Reilly
backed away from the possibility of secession.
(SOT O'Reilly) :08 OC: I hope that's something we can avoid
Any protest action against the statewide property tax would have to be approved by
a town meeting, and the three selectmen said that they will consider
what move, if any, to bring against the state, probably by fall.
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