Citizens Sue Dover Over Removal of Tax Cap Language

Local residents request the City Council to postpone voting on Dover's tax cap until the Constitutionality of the existing tax cap provision can be determined.

Dover, NH - A group of Dover residents and voters today sued the City of Dover in Strafford County Superior Court. They are requesting injunctive relief to compel the City Attorney to restore language in the City Charter that was improperly taken out as well as a declaratory judgment saying that the City Attorney cannot amend language in the City Charter without a Court order or referendum vote.

The suit alleges that the City Attorney removed language from the City Charter that the voters previously adopted concerning a tax cap, and that this was illegal under Part I, Article 39 of the New Hampshire Constitution, because "only upon the approval of the voters' on a referendum" may the Charter be amended. Within the last week, the missing language was brought to the attention of the petitioners, Ed Bleiler, David Scott and Don Medbery. They, like other residents of Dover, received no notice that the language was amended, but had to find it for themselves on the City's website.

"Dover is ground zero for the tax cap fight," said Chris Buck, attorney for the Petitioners. "All New Hampshire taxpayers should be concerned about what happens here, because we're fighting to make sure that the taxpayers are allowed to implement a tax cap if they choose. The reality is that right now, it is still an open question as to whether the Supreme Court's decision in Cashin v. City of Manchester even applies to Dover or any other city."

The Cashin case involved a tax cap within the context of Manchester's Board of Aldermen form of government. Dover has a different form of government, namely a City Council. The Supreme Court also declined to address several questions presented at the lower court level and did not clearly rule that all tax caps in the State are preempted by the Legislature. The contention is that Cashin only invalidated the Manchester tax cap. This leaves open the possibility for the Petitioners that Dover's tax cap, as ratified in the City Charter by the voters in 2007, may be perfectly constitutional.

As for the method with which the provision of the City Charter was removed, Buck offered sharp criticism. "It's ridiculous that a City Attorney would remove language from a City Charter without giving any notice to the citizens. We don't allow secret government processes to change the most basic documents concerning our form of government. It is blatantly unconstitutional to do so, and it is always possible that one attorney's interpretation of a particular Supreme Court decision could be wrong. This is exactly why we have checks and balances in New Hampshire. In this case, the City Attorney was wrong in his interpretation, and he should have waited for a court order or a vote of the City Council to start tinkering with the Charter. He did neither."

As of Monday June 20, neither the New Hampshire Attorney General's office nor the New Hampshire Secretary of State had heard of any amendment proposed by the City of Dover. Secretary of State Bill Gardner was surprised that any language had been removed, altered or amended by the City without having heard about it first.

"If I were the City Attorney," said Buck, "I'd be pretty embarrassed."

The matter is pending in Strafford County Superior Court, and the City of Dover must provide an answer to the complaint or risk a default judgment in the Petitioner's favor. In light of the pending court case, Mr. Buck is asking the City Council to postpone voting on any new amendments to the Charter, because "It just doesn't make sense to vote on any amendments until we know for sure what the existing language of the Charter is."

New School Soul Sensation- Honeyboy Carencro: 4/27 - Dover Brickhouse - Dover, NH

Wednesday, 4/27 

9PM

Live @ The Dover Brick House - Dover, NH!

2 Orchard St.
Dover, NH 03820

Advance Tickets Available Here.  

New Orleans native, Honeyboy Carencro, is a new school soul sensation whose innovative blend of Soul, Blues and Ska has created a style reminiscent of the formative years of soul and rock-n-roll.  Honeyboy Carencro credits his mother for introducing him early on to the rich soul, blues, and jazz that continue to influence his sound. The multi-instrumentalist and vocalist counts Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, Bo Diddley, and Chuck Berry, along with New Orleans music pioneers like The Meters, Fats Domino, Snooks Eaglin and Dr. John, among his influences. His musical inspiration draws heavily from the sounds of Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, and the legendary productions that came out of the J&M, Chess, Motown and Stax Recording Studios.



Last Nights Dover Republic an Committee Lincoln -Reagan Dinner w/ keynote speaker Cong. Ron Paul (R, TX)

Speaking to a standing room only crowd at the Dover Republican Committee's inaugural event, Congressman Paul's speech resonated with New Hampshire's "Live Free or Die" ethos.  Interrupted often by applause, his biggest applause line of the night was "The measure of success for our politicians should not be how many laws and regulations they create; it should be how many they repeal."  He drew cheers with the quip, "the Constitution was written to prevent government from interfering with you taking care of yourselves."

The Chairman of the Dover Republican Committee, Chris Buck, recognized many attendees for their service and called attention to 2 special guests - the parents of a local man serving in the armed forces.  He relayed the story of an unexpected call from Korea from Christopher Gosselin, a Korean linguist, who called to tell Buck he regreted he could not attend and would send his parents in his stead. 

With nearly 300 including NH GOP party chairman Jack Kimball in attendence, the event was widely viewed as a successful kick-off both for the newly formed Dover GOP city committee and a budding presidential exploration.  The congressman mingled and took pictures with about 50 VIPs (paying $150 or more) and 252 party insiders (paying $60 per plate).   

Cong Paul was interviewed by New England Cable News and covered by The Dallas Morning News and AM 1270 WTSN. 

After the event, Chris Buck declared "we could not have dreamed of a better kick-off.  After the recent national restraining order placed on spending and government overeach (a.k.a. the 2010 elections), Congressman Paul was right out of central casting.  New Hampshire voters decisively reversed Democrat control, handing the GOP veto-proof majorities in both houses of the state legislature, checking a Democrat Governor with an all-Republican Executive Council, and sweeping all 3 federal races.  And, this is only the intermission.  President Obama struggles to reach a dismal 44% reelect in NH.  As is the national budget, we will be 'red' in 2012."

The event was Friday March 25th, 6:30-8:30PM at The Hellenic Center on Long Hill Road in Dover, NH.

Dover Republican Committee hosting Rep. Ron Paul (R, TX) Friday, March 25th @ The Hellenic Center, Dover NH‏

The Dover Republican Committee welcomes Congressman Ron Paul as their keynote speaker at their inaugural Lincoln-Reagan dinner on March 25th.

This will be Congressman Paul's first visit to New Hampshire of the 2011-2012 election cycle. The Texas Congressman is expected to contemplate another run for President and has a considerable base of support in New Hampshire remaining from 2008.  Recently, Rep. Paul was the second place finisher of the WMUR straw poll at the Republican Annual Meeting.  The advent of TEA Party Republicans and Independents since 2009 should make it an auspicious moment in presidential primary history. 

"We're thrilled the Congressman chose our Lincoln-Reagan dinner," said Chris Buck, Chairman of the Dover Republican Committee. "Congressman Paul has a history of debate about the proper role of government, and it has since become a hot topic nationwide."  NH GOP Chairman Jack Kimball will also speak and welcome the potential presidential candidate to New Hampshire.  The event is expected to draw attendees from across New Hampshire and Maine.

The event is this Friday, 6:30-8PM at The Hellenic Center on Long Hill Road in Dover, NH.  Bon Ami Catering will cater the dinner and tickets ($60) are available through Wednesday at www.DoverGOP.org.

Durham & Dover City Managers to Wash Newmarket Fire Truck as Census Challenge Concludes

DURHAM -  Town Administrator Todd Selig and Dover City Manager Michael Joyal will be rolling up their sleeves this Friday, June 4^th, at 1 p.m., to wash one of the Town of Newmarket’s fire trucks. This comes as a result of the March 2010 Census friendly challenge between the three communities.  The “event” will take place at the Newmarket Fire Station located at 4 Young Lane, Newmarket, N.H.

The challenge, established to kick off the 2010 Census in March of this year, was to see which of the communities could produce the largest mail-in response. 

The goal of the challenge was to encourage the residents of Durham, Dover and Newmarket to become more aware of the importance of mailing in their census forms.  A strong mail-in response ensures a more accurate count as well as lowering the overall cost of the census by reducing the number of census workers needed to go door-to-door to collect the information. 

According to Strafford Regional Planning Commission Executive Director  Cynthia Copeland, “You’re creating a legacy because for every person who fills out the Census (form), eleven hundred and fifty dollars ($1,150), on average, comes in every year to the state of New Hampshire and to our communities.  You’re creating a legacy for the University of New Hampshire and the communities in which you reside.”

At the launching of the challenge, Selig said, “It’s in both our fiscal and social interests as communities and as a nation to ensure a strong Census response from our residents”.

Newmarket won the contest with a 71-percent return while Dover (69%) and Durham (68%) finished second and third respectively.

So, with buckets and sponges in hand, Dover and Durham’s municipal leaders will be going to the Newmarket Fire Station on Friday to scrub and wash one of the town’s fire trucks. 

Town Administrator Todd Selig commented on the outcome saying, “The effort was a tremendous success in bringing communities together for a positive social outcome at no additional cost to local taxpayers.  Hats off to both Newmarket and Dover.”

About $85 million is saved for every one percent increase in mail participation.  Additionally, the Census Bureau saves $60-$70 per census form returned by mail.