Here are those who filed to run for the 2009 Bow town/school election:
SELECTMEN – Choose 2 for a 3-year term
Eric Anderson
Jack Crisp
Robert Louf
TOWN CLERK/TAX COLLECTOR – Choose 1 for a 3-year term.
Jill Hadaway
TREASURER – Choose 1 for a 3-year term.
Roland Gamelin
TRUSTEE OF THE TRUST FUNDS – Choose 1 for a 3-year term.
BUDGET COMMITTEE – Choose 2 for a 3-year term.
G. James Hoffman
Cindy Martin
Dee Treybig
LIBRARY TRUSTEE – Choose 1 for 5-year term.
Elizabeth Foy
SCHOOL BOARD- Choose 1 for a 3-year term.
Stephen Elgert
Thomas Keane
SCHOOL CLERK – Choose 1 for a 2-year term.
John Rich
It is good to see there is competition for most seats. I am looking for a little help from my friends @ BCC for a little help in choosing the right candidates.
bowsportsfan
Why not attend, listen, ask questions and decide for your self?
APOV, Am I missing something. Is there going to be a candidates night?
My apologies. Got confused with something else I am tracking. No, to the best of my knowledge, there isn’t a candidates night currently scheduled.
I have heard some rumors about Selectman Crisp not being able to manage his own personal finances and some problems that Berlin NH had with him in the past? Does anyone have any idea what this is all about?
Here is the history that Jack Crisp failed to tell voters when he was elected and isn’t telling us now.
Crisp resigned as the Berlin, NH city attorney on the heels of being fired. He had billed Berlin taxpayers for more than $600,000.00 worth of legal fees for a case he failed to deal with. The case should have been settled but he let it languish and city had to settle for more money. It cost Berlin taxpayers a lot of money.
In 1996 Crisp, his wife, and his law firm filed for bankruptcy citing $7,400,000.00 in debt. His bankruptcy was granted in 2001, a long time, and the discharge was in June of 2002. Before the Crisp’s bankruptcy was discharged they purchased a home in Bow for $367,000.00 and secured a loan (how is this possible if Crisp is bankrupt?) for $220,000.00. Crisp was able to come up with $147,000.00 in cash to buy a home. If he was bankrupt as he claims, where did he get $147,000.00 or more? According to the bankruptcy court the money came from an “inheritance” and the court never questioned it.
Don’t vote for this man.
The information on Crisp is public.
How does a regular voter like me know that this is true? And not just fabricated dirty politics as usual? If it is true where can this information be found?
Numerous individuals in Bow received copies of the Berlin issues and the Crisp bankruptcy file. I believe at least one selectmen, Eric Andersen, received a copy.
If you would like a copy please contact huntersmithcu@yahoo.com
I would think a major bankruptcy like this would be relevant in a campaign for office. Why is the press keeping this information from us?
I’m guessing the press was notified but no one died and it’s more than five second old so I guess they aren’t interested. -:)
Here’s something I’ve been pondering: if Mr. Keene is both a School Board member and a Selectman, even if this isn’t disallowed, doesn’t it at least give the appearance of impropriety? Thoughts?
Also, Dee Treybig has my full support. I’ve known her for years, both personally and professionally, and has consistently demonstrated herself to be a person of character, intelligence, and a passion for doing what she believes to be the correct course of action.
Again I ask:
How does a regular voter like me know that this is true? And not just fabricated dirty politics as usual? If it is true where can this information be found?
It would be nice to know more about this before the election. If he cannot manage his own finances, how can we expect that he can manage the Town’s finances as a Selectman?
A question that comes to mind here is what is his voting record as a Selectman with regards to spending items?
Crisp bankruptcy file: NH Bankruptcy court file # 96-12385 MWV The file is available electronically on PACER and part to the file is only in hardcopy.
Home purchse: Available form the Merrimack Registry of Deeds, Concord.
The numerous articles on his failure as the Berlin city attorney are available on microfiche from the state library.
Additional information is available from the bankruptcy court trustees listed in the Crisp bankruptcy filing.
Re: Jack Crisp. Why doesn’t someone call him on the phone and ask him?
Be cautious, he’s a lawyer.
I’m disappointed that there is no “Meet the Candidates” night this year.
This would be the perfect forum to pose this question.
I think I’ll place a call to the newspaper in Berlin to confirm Mr. Crisp’s
past.
retiredvet,
Mr. Crisp is under the obligations of the New Hampshire code of Professional Responsibility, a legal requirement to conduct himself with professional integrity and honesty.
Unfortunately, for some of those who slander Mr. Crisp, they feel no compunction to operate under similar standards; rather, they smear the name of a public figure, while hiding behind a user name on a confidential website.
“taxedout”:
As a follow-up to the comments against Mr. Crisp: his bankruptcy status was discharged nearly seven years ago in June of 2002.
Moreover, he was not the sole petitioner, so any conceivable onus you might muster cannot be placed squarely on him.
This bankruptcy issue is nearly 13-years-old at this point. I’m sure whatever issues “taxedout” imagined up in Berlin are even older.
I think it’s time to move on from this stale personal attack. Allow his record of service in Bow act as a guidepost for how you vote, be it for or against him. I think the people of Bow are virtuous enough see beyond anonymous and cowardly mudslinging. I certainly know the majority of regular contributors to this website are.
publius:
taxedout gave court document numbers to substantiate his claim.
How is this slander?
Publius acknowledges that Mr. Crisp’s bankruptcy status was discharged in 2002. Now that we know this fact we can base our vote on this basis. From my perspective I would never vote for a person who cannot manage his or
her own household. This person would not serve in my best interest as an elected official.
One’s past IS important in this case. The facts brought forward and acknowledged by you are not a “stale and personal; attack” as you noted above. They are, quite simply, facts. Now let US judge.
In addition re your mention of the NH Professional Responsibility: that’s like the fox guarding the hen house. Who are you kidding? Lawyers protect lawyers.
retiredvet
I think stating that someone resigned “on the heels of being fired,” verges on slanderous. It is unnecessarily harmful to Mr. Crisp’s reputation, and entirely without a factual basis. Human resource discussions are typically confidential, and I see no reason why mr. Crisp’s case is any different. Such statements appear, at best, to be speculative. As a worst case, they are deliberately false for the purposes of harming his reputation. As a result, that would verge on slanderous.
As to his past: this is a false argument. You are looking at a bankruptcy filing on which he was just one party of multiple parties. Moreover, you state that you won’t vote for someone who cannot “manage his… own household.” That’s your right, of course; however, I would like to point out that this was not a personal bankruptcy, and therefore did not involve his “household.” Therefore, your argument is invalid.
As far as one’s past being important: such a harsh value judgment, of course, is easy to make in an anonymous forum. I wonder, with all due respect, if your opinion would change if you were subject to scrutiny equal to that of Mr. Crisp.
If someone is public record, how can it be slander? Ridiculous.
Teacher
I think what you’re trying to say is if something is of public record how can it be slander. I’ll respond in kind.
Simple because something is on public record does not mean it is not slanderous. Someone can accuse another of committing a crime on the public record. This does not mean it is necessarily true, nor does it mean it is not slanderous.
However, you are confusing two issues: first the bankruptcy and second the resignation. The prior is public, while the events surrounding the latter are not.
If someone had access to confidential personnel files and leaked them, this is a serious breach of privacy. If they are basing it purely on speculation, then they are verging on slander when they present it as fact.
Doesn’t matter if he was fired or not. Why would anyone want to vote for someone who did this? Or are we forever to suffer from the “Geithner Complex”; a condition whereby we elect the very people who have shown to be incompetent in the areas they are charged with managing?
Teacher,
I’m making no debate over who you should vote for. It’s you’re right to vote as your heart and mind so guide you. However, those reasons should be based on fact. Some of the information posted by “taxedout” is a matter of fact. No question. But some of it seems to be based on speculation, and serves no purpose other than to slander his professional ability. This is, frankly, inappropriate.
To some it’s ALWAYS inappropriate to mention ANYTHING someone has done if they are of a certain political persuasion… I’m not buying it.
Teacher,
I’m not sure what you mean. I think you may have misread my post. Could you please clarify your immediately aforesaid comment?
What does mean “Human resource discussions are typically confidential”? Publius obviously knows or is a personal friend of Crisp. Just read his statements. I suspect he is a laywer or so to be lawyer. Crisp’s bankruptcy was personal and his business, but publius already knew this.
I fail to see how this is a personal attack but you, publius, in a lawyer fashion attempt to scare with terms such as “slanerous”. You are trying to bait, instill fear but your real goal is to confuse and try to move the discussion away form the fact that Crisp cost Berlin unnecessary expense as the city attorney and there are lingering questions concerngin his bankruptcy. Again, the veiled attempt to hide your legal expertise fails. There may be criminal, civil , and disciplinary issues IMHO not barred by statue. We’ll see.
Meanwhile, the voters have a right to ask Crisp about his time in Berlin and his bankruptcy and he should answer.
Nice try publius. Don’t fall for this voters! The documentation is there. Draw your own conclusions.
“However, you are confusing two issues: first the bankruptcy and second the resignation. The prior is public, while the events surrounding the latter are not.” states publius. Not so. Crisp’s resignation was kept confidential by the Berlin city manager but the mayor of Berlin was so mad about this back-room deal she refused to pay Crisp’s final bills to the city. Publius: next time Jack gives you information make sure you get all the information. All this information was VERY public in the Berlin newspapers and letters to the editor. Crisp himself stated the reasons he was leaving.
But, once again, you seek to confuse. Let’s stay focused folks. Failed Berlin city attorney and bankruptcy.
taxedout,
I swear on the life of my children, I do not know Mr. Crisp. I have never met the man. In fact, in passing, I could not tell you what he looks like. Rather, I acquired this information by simple due diligence. Bankruptcy records are public, and easy to find. A call to the town office of Berlin reveal their disclosure policy.
Let me be unequivocal here: I have no stake in the election of Mr. Crisp. However, personally attacking someone because he wants to serve his community is unacceptable. Making unsubstantiated statements about his former employment in an anonymous forum is cowardly. Accepting someone’s claims without verifying their accuracy is not civically-minded.
I am asking my fellow townspeople to use reason and judgment in determining who to vote for. Should you vote for or against Mr. Crisp is between yourself and whatever God you may answer to. I only humbly ask that you do so based on what is true.
taxedout,
Also, if you’re going to quote me, please make sure you check your spelling. It’s slanderous, not slanerous. I’m not an expert grammarian, and I certainly do not need your help in making my writing sound worse than it is.
I’m not buying your not knowing Crisp. Your statements reveal something about this. Bankruptcy records are not in Berlin. I have no idea what you are talking about in reference to calling the city (not town) office in Berlin looking for Crisp’s bankruptcy records. There is a public paper trail on Crisp, a very long one. If this forum could post it, I’d put it all here for you and everyone to decide for yourselves. Maybe someone else has a site they can post at.
Again, voters: don’t be distracted by publius. Crisp’s failures in Berlin are a matter of public record (even though the city manager pulled a Harried move to keep the details away from the public). The bankruptcy is public.
Crisp is running for a PUBLIC office. The voters have a right and expectation that Crisp respond to these matters. Do you want this man managing you money? Judge for yourself but get all the information.
taxedout,
You’re right: I did not find the bankruptcy records in Berlin. I haven’t the time to devote to the drive. A simple lexisnexis search was sufficient to get the information regarding his bankruptcy.
Also, if you want to make inquiries about the town of Berlin’s human resource policies, you may call 752-7532. The secretary, June I think is her name, is very helpful.
taxedout, if you’d like, I’ll gladly e-mail the lexisnexis document, or, alternatively, I could send you a printed version.
As far as me knowing Mr. Crisp: I’m sorry that one man standing up for another is outside of your world view.
Publius:
If one is running for public office he or she must be prepared to expose all.
I have nothing to hide but I am the first to admit that I do not have the necessary background to hold a public office even if I desired to do so.
Let’s just have a peek at several of President Obama’s selections for cabinet positions. Three out four had failed to pay their income taxes
in full. Did Obama know prior to announcing his selections that these folks owed back taxes? We’ll never know. But these are the very people who are integral parts of our broken political system. If you or I owed $7K or so in back taxes, rest assured that the IRS would be knocking on our doors demanding immediate payment. Possessing wealth has everything to do with the political posturing in the nations’s capital. I have never contributed one cent to a political aspirant and I never will.
Politicians have ego problems, severe ones.
As for Mr. Crisp, he simply won’t get my vote.
I don’t know Mr. Crisp either. But I would not vote for him because he is a lawyer. I do not like lawyers as a whole. Yes, of course, there are few good and honest ones scattered about but they don’t hold public office.
retiredvet,
I see a clear double-standard: our elected officials are to be set apart from the rest of us mere mortals by being wholly scrupulous and free of any perceivable fault, and yet, as if in the same breath, we revile them for not being representative of the people they serve. I’m not sure which you want: a flawless representative, or one that is truly representative of the people they serve.
Nothing against my fellow taxpayers, but I think these might be mutually exclusive traits.
Other thoughts?
Thoughts: Why do lawyers think they can get away with things we mere mortals can’t, and then try to defend each other?
Teacher,
Off point. We’re talking about elected officials and not lawyers.
Not off point. The man is a lawyer.
It is off point. The thread had veered toward examining the requisite qualifications for running for political office. You’re deflecting and derailing the conversation by posing a question aimed at a targeted occupation.
But wait a minute, Crisp IS a lawyer AND an elected official. It’s on point.
I did not imply that elected officials must have meticulous backgrounds. I doubt that many of them do. If Mr. Crisp had a DUI conviction, that would have no bearing on my vote. If he had 3, then I’d think twice before voting for him. But if he was in any way involved with “money” issues, I would most certainly be extremely cautious when considering whether or not to cast a vote for him.
Re the City of Berlin: It matters not to me if Crisp was asked to leave or if he left on his own. Simply put, something smells. There are two sides to every story so let’s hear from Mr. Crisp. Why did he choose Bow as his place of residence. Did he know someone?
It’s a shame that there cannot be a public forum so that we may learn something about ALL the candidates. Needless to say we have candidates that we know fairly well. Others have appeared out of the night and we know nothing about them. Unfortunately Bow has no means of communicating with the public at large other than through letters to the editor at the Concord Monitor or Union Leader. Any correspondence is apt to be biased, however.
retiredvet,
You were talking about elected officials in general terms.
You wrote: “If one is running for public office he or she must be prepared to expose all.I have nothing to hide but I am the first to admit that I do not have the necessary background to hold a public office even if I desired to do so.”
Not all elected officials are lawyers, so I think you should respond in the general terms you laid out when making the initial statement, and not have the conversation be deflected.
In the past I have noted that publius acts like a lawyer, at least he talks in circles like one. I’m just sayin’…
I’ve had experiences let’s just say and I’m turned off by just that fact. Free country and all.. ya know?
Teacher,
If you read above, you’ll see I endorsed Dee Treybig for Budget Committee, mentioning that I worked with her. She’s a teacher (one of the finest I’ve ever met). I hope that gives some clarification.
But hey, I’m glad you’re so interested! If there’s ever anything you want to know, feel free to ask!
So interested in what? Having lawyers and public employees get on town boards and committees is not something I like to see. But, stuff happens.
Sorry Teacher, perhaps I was clear: your preeminent interest seems to be my career.
And for the record, once again, I’m not a lawyer.
publius:
you missed your calling
IF Dee Treybig is elected to the budget committee, I trust that she will NOT be involved with any discussion pertaining to teachers’ salaries, benefits, etc as this a true conflict of interest.
retiredvet,
First, thank you very much for the compliment. It means a lot that, though we may disagree, there can still be camaraderie.
Now: I don’t understand why Ms. Treybig would have a conflict of interest. She has no personal stake in the Bow teacher’s contract. She stands to make no personal gain, save the possible tax ramification and the impact of her children in the schools. Of course, if these were enough for recusal, I doubt few could vote for such matters.
it is stated above that she is a teacher. Why wouldn’t she have a stake in a contract? Am I missing something?
Yes. She doesn’t teach in the Bow School District.