First, Utter Stupidity (David & Debra Hershey) and Disobeying the Law (Belknap County Administrator Debra Shackett) in Electioneering?

by Skip

My GOSH, what is WITH these people?  First, let’s start with David Hershey (yes, THIS one) who with his wife,  decided to make HB1397 a campaign issue against sitting NH State Rep and Belknap County Republican Chair Norm Silber. In doing so, he shows almost a complete lack of situational awareness of even the basics of Belknap County politics.  He shows about as much of a grasp of such things as well as what a Hershey chocolate bar laid down on the hot asphalt of a street would have.

Now, for a brief background, HB1397 was meant to neuter and sever the Belknap County Delegation’s primary role in the overwatch of the Gunstock Area Commission and you can read about it here. As it is rather long, I’m not going to abstract much.  I’ll just add that it would have taken the Belknap County Commissioners out at the political knees as well. The monied people behind the Citizens for Gunstock/Belknap, aligned with that Democrat PAC, wanted to keep Gunstock as their own private playtoy. I certainly wrote about and  I will add, in an “I was against it before I was for it” moment, even Doug Lambert (of DGF Industrial) before becoming a GAC Commissioner wrote about that here (his actions since would probably mean he’d be all for it now, but that’s just my educated guess).

Back to Hershey; here’s the email he and his wife sent to Debra Shacket (former Gilford Finance Director and now the current Belknap County Administrator) trying to bludgeon Silber just like the Citizens for Belknap have.  Did he think that he was the Second Coming of Lambert and [Jade] Wood and replicate their roles of being the hitmen as they have done with respect to Peter Ness and Dr. David Strang?

Just remember the WHEN and OUTCOME of HB1397 as you read this. Emphasis mine as I start in on this Fisking:

From: David Hershey <dhershey@axeljohnson.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 6, 2022 2:58 PM
To: Debra A. Shackett <dshackett@belknapcounty.org>
Subject: FW: Gunstock Mountain Resort – For the Taxpayers

For Distribution to entire Belknap County Delegation

What, he couldn’t be bothered to do it himself?  Homework failure; hey Hershey, are you that lazy that you can’t bother to try to find it?  Like hereStrike One!

Dear Ms. Shackett:

I, along with the support of my spouse, most urgently seek your unbridled support and vote to PASS HB1397 amendment to transfer Gunstock Area Commissioner appointing authority from the Belknap County Delegation back to the true owners (by virtue of being residents and taxpayers), of Gunstock to the citizens of Belknap County.

Strike TWO!  WHY is he asking an appointed Government official to support and VOTE for HB1397?  She’s not a member of the NH House and certainly not a member of the NH Senate, either. Remember, HB1397 was an Act by NH State Rep Tim Lang and NH State Senator Bob Guida in support of the now official Democrat PAC Citizens for Belknap – both members of those respective chambers of the NH General Court (as our Legislature is formally known).

She has NO role and certainly, NO vote in this.  WHY, on what basis, does David Hershey believe she has such?

If you are not aware, the delegation has sadly violated and abused the 1959 enabling act by appointing political allies who have very little to no business or secondary educational experience to advance their personal and illogical agenda.

Strike Three! Where do I even begin?  The “enabling act” is here; go ahead and read it for “political allies. And for jollies, Dr Strang had a medical degree and runs an ER doctor consultancy.  Credit is due – Doug Lambert built his business, DGF Industrial, from starting with just a “bucket of tools” to a multi-million dollar business with several lines of products. Peter Ness has a legal/accounting consultancy and at least one other business.  He also has a college degree (or more).

The leadership of the delegation that warrants they are the controlling group influences in closed session, delegation members to appoint to the GAC political associates to gain control of the GAC.

Strike Four! He’s conflating the leadership of a Delegation vs the legal term “controlling group” when it comes to the lawsuit that the GAC launched against the Delegation – a subset of the Delegation that worked with the lawyers defending the entire Delegation.  A normal course of action when lawyers deal with larger groups – WHO in their right mind would want to deal with a group of yakkety politicians?

And no, GAC appointees are NOT done in non-public sessions – has he BEEN at a Delegation meeting when GAC appointees are…appointed?

The tactic of “closed session” meetings and caucusing behind closed doors exercised by the delegation leadership suggests something to hide from the taxpayer and should be stopped in its entirety thus, allowing the taxpayers to return to work so they can pay their taxes without worrying their elected officials are utilizing the support obtained under false pretenses to redirect taxpayer assets in a manor [sic] that is not supported by the overall voting base in the County.

Public bodies go into non-public sessions all the time but those reasons are specifically proscribed by RSA 91A and must be stated before going into non-public – so what’s he railing against?

As a taxpayer in Belknap County, I have a right to be a part of every closed session (baring conflicts of interest of course), as does every other County taxpayer, and know what is being discussed.

Strike Five!  No, you don’t. You have NO right whatsoever.  Again, see RSA 91A.

I do not support the collection of my taxes as a means of financing secret meetings for the operation of County taxpayer asset by individuals lacking the required business acumen appropriate for a $15MM enterprise.

And he just keeps going...Strike Six!  Dude, this is not how our representative system works – the voters elect the people they believe to be the best that represents THEM.  And as I pointed out, Hershey can’t even bother to do his homework as to the backgrounds of those he is trying to diminish professionally and politically.

Vice Chair SILBER has publicly and in written letters advocated taking private and leasing the Gunstock Mountain asset from its rightful owner, the resident taxpayers of Belknap County.

Seven! Norm Silber is not a Vice Chair of anything.  Mike Sylvia (now Harry Bean) was the Chair of the Delegation. Ray Howard was the Vice Chair. If you are talking about the Belknap County Republican Committee, Norm is the Chair.  However, the BCRC has NO role in Gunstock (just like Debra Shackett).

Such a maneuver will result in the increase of ticket prices as the sole means of financing the additional expense associated with the cost of privatization, lease expense and the required Return on Investment expected by the shareholders of publicly traded enterprise the most likely suitor for such an endeavor.

Appointment of the GAC Commissioners must be taken out of the hands of the delegation and given to the citizens, most of whom have the business and educational experience to support and advocate in favor of Gunstock, a family member of the Belknap tax paying community.

Eight!  Really, most Belknap citizens are degreed and own/manage businesses?  Cite your source, sir!  And do you even KNOW what Gunstock pays in taxes???

The county delegation against the peoples will, has gained control of the GAC by proxy. This is very dangerous and not the will of the people. Thank you for your support of HB1397 Amendment.

Nine!  I always say that I’m just an ordinary schlub from central New Hampshire, but last I looked, the voters of Belknap ELECTED all of these NH State Reps.  Who then do the appointing in accordance with “the enabling Act” that he referenced.  EVERY Belknap Delegation, by statute, has control of the GAC – it’s the Law!  And because those Reps are elected, it IS the “will of the people” in being their representatives.

Really, I can’t believe that I have to actually state this for a dude that is running to oust two of the most thoughtful Reps (Paul Terry of Alton and Barbara Comtois of Barnstead)!?!?!?!?!

In summary, Gunstock has been a successful institution of Belknap County in the form of being a good neighbor, taxpayer, gratuitous donor in the form of the revenue contribution of 1.75% of gross revenues %, employer and attraction for locals and tourists that in turn generate revenues for local supporting businesses thereby ensuring the continuation of the economic taxable cycle.  Do not let the misguided few take advantage of those who are too busy working.  Please support HB 1397.

David S. Hershey,
Debra C. Hershey
Alton, NH Resident

And back to my question of “WHEN and OUTCOME of HB1397” at the top of his Letter. This was killed back in May.

Strike 10!  Lack of homework and lack of political situational political awareness.

But this saga isn’t over – opinion is one thing even as error-ridden as this is.

The next part breaks Laws.

 

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