LiveFreeAndComply.org

Conservation Commission Chairman Ned Beecher, one to comply with minute and silly rules whenever possible apparently, presented the Selectmen with a detailed written request for a Raffle Permit at tonight’s Selectmen’s meeting. Turns out that the state of New Hampshire desires to preserve its government monopoly on gambling, and leaves it to local town governments to enforce its silly yet onerous rules on selling raffle tickets through Raffle Permits. (New Hampshire Lotto Motto: “Gambling is a vice and a sin, and we’re here to save you from your wicked and foolish ways…unless it generates money for the government”).

This being the first Raffle Permit ever sought from the Board of Selectmen, they did sign off on Ned’s permit and stated they would sort out their policy on Raffle Permits in the future. It also came to light at the meeting that the Chocorua Public Library is currently holding a raffle without the appropriate governmental blessings via a Raffle Permit.

In an effort to persuade the Board of Selectmen into not participating in assisting the state government in preserving their gambling monopoly, and to support the un-permitted raffle being put on by the Chocorua Public Library, LiveFreeAndComply.org is announcing its own Illegal Liberty Raffle:

Up for grabs is an original 1844 American Letter Mail Company stamp in excellent condition. In the spirit of government monopolies such as the NH Lotto, the American Letter Mail Company was founded by an interesting character named Lysander Spooner in an effort to challenge the US Postal Service’s unethical monopoly on mail delivery. As with most of those who choose not to comply with government rules, he and his business were rather vigorously put to rest with the enforcement of the Private Express Statutes, which make it unlawful to compete with the US Postal Service; but ’tis an inspiring story of a cheeky fellow and a good example of the typical response of government.

Lottery tickets are on sale for $10 per ticket, though only $5 if you’re under 16 in an effort not to comply with RSA 287-A:4. Raffle tickets will be printed on plain raffle tickets, in conflict with RSA 287-A:3. So as not to comply with RSA 287-A:1 II. (b), the proceeds from this raffle will be solely utilized to provide lavish and luxurious niceties for the editors of LiveFreeAndComply.org, and for no charitable reasons whatsoever. Please contact info@livefreeandcomply.org to arrange to buy tickets.

Should you desire to support another good cause, voluntary donations through a raffle are a great way to fund the Chocorua Public Library, and much preferable to library funding acquired through involuntary taxation. Hopefully this gives the Selectmen two positive reasons to not participate with the state in hassling local charities with another layer of bureaucracy to deal with.

Update: [Selectmen Go Crazy Regulating Local Charities] – The Tamworth Selectmen, professionals at sitting indefinitely on positive actions they could take, swiftly move at their 11/9/09 meeting to start helping the state enforce their gambling monopoly and cause more paperwork problems for local non-profits.

The Board of Selectmen decided to halve the frequency of the meetings they hold, and administrator Cassandra Pearce will be absent from the office for the next 6 weeks, thus halving the labor resources available to conduct the town government’s business.

Recently, an attractive young woman came before the Selectmen to ask for their help in solving some paperwork issues that her bank requested of the town. Whether or not the Selectmen ought to have a role in her private matter is a valid discussion to be had, however, the newsworthiness of her dramatic monologue more pertains to her having stated she had no prior experience with town politics and the Selectmen; we would surmise no more than an hour spent on the phone with town secretary Cassandra Pearce and ten minutes spent in front of the Selectmen inspired the following observations on her part, which is what a lot of folks have felt like imparting to them over the years, no doubt:

“I’d like to say, that as a resident of Tamworth, that I’m pretty disappointed.”

“And her [referring to Cassandra Pearce]: incredibly rude of you to laugh at somebody while they’re standing up here. I don’t know how your mother raised you, but it’s polite to treat people the way you want to be treated. Very, very rude.”

“I think that you guys are supposed to reflect the residents of this town and you don’t. The residents of this town have been amazing since I’ve been here. You three [Farnum, Roberts, Pearce], on the other hand, have not. They are helpful, they are kind, they are polite, they are understanding – and they span every generation, young couples that bought their homes the same time I did, and older people who live next door to me: unbelievable people. You three, on the other hand, do not do a good job of representing the people of this town.” – Well, on the other hand, when most of the constituents the Selectmen see are those that are avidly involved in local government, various town committee’s, and such, rather than those folks who are busy with 9-5 jobs, family, and other more productive endeavors: they probably really do think their views and actions represent a lot of Tamworth residents.

“…and then your secretary, which, by the way [to Cassandra Pearce], you are just a secretary – you don’t run this town – decided to laugh…that’s not the way you treat residents, and that’s not the way you treat people. Your parents should have raised you better.” – This is at least the second time in recent history that Cassandra has shown an odd sense of bemusement towards a family’s problems.

Willie Farnum: “Well, some you win, some you don’t.” John Roberts: “I guess we didn’t win that one.”

The problem lays not with Farnum, Roberts, and Pearce in particular, but in a system that gives people you may think are rude and obnoxious (or even people you may think are wonderful) control through the force of government over your actions, money, and property.

In remarkable recognition of our esteemed Selectman Willie Farnum’s proposal to raze unused portions of one’s home to save on property taxes, the Obama administration announced plans to expand Willie’s bulldozing idea to the underutilized portions of upwards of 50 cities across the country!

Dozens of US cities may have entire neighborhoods bulldozed as part of drastic ’shrink to survive’ proposals being considered by the Obama administration to tackle economic decline. The government is looking at expanding a pioneering scheme…which involves razing entire districts and returning the land to nature.

Farnum ought to be proud: a “pioneering scheme”! Perhaps Willie is a behind-the-scenes advisor to the president, or the Obama administration is perusing this site in detail; either way, ’tis a big day for Tamworth, NH!

One day, the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in Tamworth.  He said,

“Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me.  Build another Ark and save two of every living thing along with a few good humans.”

He gave Noah the blueprints, saying, “You have 6 months to build the Ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights.”

Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard – but there was no Ark.
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Should the swine flu come lurking for residents of Tamworth: never fear, your local leaders are already preparing! With local rescue squad member Dana Littlefield and selectman Tom Abugelis leading the charge, future flu-stricken Tamworth residents can sleep a little easier knowing that plans are being put into place to provide an emergency phone hotline and face masks to citizens, along with suggestions to wash one’s hand and not cough on other people.

Just as a warm summer’s breeze could turn into a hurricane, one never knows what an impact the swine flu could have in rural New Hampshire. And your elected leaders are there for you.