New Belknap County Sheriff appointed in violation of NH law!
NH's Right-to Know Law, better known as RSA 91A, defines a "public proceeding" as
the transaction of any functions affecting any or all citizens of the state by any of the following:
(a) The general court including executive sessions of committees; and including any advisory committee established by the general court;
(b) The governor's council and the governor with the governor's council; including any advisory committee established by the governor by executive order or by the governor's council;
(c) Any board or commission of any state agency or authority, including the board of trustees of the university system of New Hampshire and including any advisory committee established by such entities;
(d) Any board, commission, agency or authority, OF ANY COUNTY, town, municipal corporation, school district, school administrative unit, charter school, or other political subdivision, or any committee, subcommittee or subordinate body thereof, or advisory committee thereto.
Tuesday's Citizen reported on the Belknap County delegation's appointment of Craig Wiggin to fill the remainder of the term of office left vacant by the resignation of Sheriff Daniel Collis.
On Monday members of the Belknap County Delegation voted, 10-4, to appoint Craig Wiggin of Meredith to serve as county sheriff until the term expires in December 2008.
NH RSA91-A:2, II states the following:
II. All public proceedings shall be open to the public, and all persons shall be permitted to attend any meetings of those bodies or agencies. Except for town meetings, school district meetings and elections, no vote while in open session may be taken by secret ballot.
Again, from the same article about the appointment of our new Sheriff in the Citizen:
A secret-ballot vote resulted in Wiggin being selected over David Nielsen, the former chief of police in Belmont.
A "secret ballot vote"? Uh-oh!
The new Belknap County Sheriff has been ILLEGALLY appointed to his new job. I am calling on the County Delegation, a majority of whom are Republicans, to conduct a revote in a legal fashion.
I contend that the Sheriff is not legally able to conduct his duties. We must fix this egregious error as soon as possible, lest clever defense lawyers use it to their clients' advantage down the road.
What is wrong with these Republicans? Several members of the county delegation are people some might call the "leaders" within the Granite State GOP- including Mike Whalley and Fran Wendleboe. How could they allow such a blatant violation of the people's right to know occur? How can a person we elect to "represent" us (the people) cast a secret vote on our behalf?
****[UPDATE]**** Fran Wendleboe was NOT in attendance at this meeting.**
