Meeting agenda — Item #15. See pages 50–62 for information about this bill.

This bill remains tabled.

The aldermen adjourned this meeting early, leaving all tabled items from last time—which included the sex-offender residency restriction ordinance—tabled. Apparently the aldermen wanted to get out of there in a hurry tonight. The meeting was spent receiving updates from the police and fire departments, discussing new E-ZPass–like tracking devices that can be used at parking meters, and replacing the large number of small signs in downtown Manchester with a small number of large signs.

Laurie and Jeremy both attended, along with Mark Warden, another Manchester resident concerned with this, and other, issues of liberty. Even though she didn’t testify to the Committee this time, the aldermen were definitely aware that Laurie was there in order to witness the proceedings, and will doubtlessly be following up with them individually later this week.

Leo Pepino, former alderman, showed up to speak in favor of this ordinance, but didn’t get to do so as a result of their early adjournment. He was quite angry at this, calling them a “bunch of idiots” and grumbling about them being more concerned with dogshit than sex offenders. This was most likely a reference to last month’s meeting where the aldermen spent most of their time going over the finer points of dogs fouling Manchester’s city parks.

From where we’re standing, however, if the aldermen want to waste their meetings discussing dogshit, instead of passing it, in the form of new anti-freedom laws, that’s just fine with us.

Associated Press

NASHUA, N.H. (AP) — Nashua is the latest New Hampshire community considering banning sex offenders from living near schools, parks and day-care centers.

The ordinance, introduced by Alderman James Tollner, would prevent registered sex offenders who have been convicted of a crime against a person under the age of 18 from living within 1,000 feet of the facilities.

The proposal would not force sex offenders to move if they already live in a restricted area, or if a school, park or day care is built in their neighborhood.

Sex offenders also would be prohibited from entering a school or day-care center without authorization.

“We have drug-free zones around the schools. We should have sex offender–free zones around the schools as well,” said Tollner, who is running for mayor.

“City considers sex offender restrictions like those adopted in other towns.” Union Leader, 2007-08-14.

The bill to pass residency restrictions in Manchester was tabled pending further discussion.

Laurie and Jeremy both attended this meeting, where Laurie presented a speech describing all the things that can go wrong with residency restrictions. Mark Roy (ward 1) was most strongly in favor of the residency restrictions, while the other aldermen—Ed Osborne (ward 5), Daniel O’Neil (at-large), William Shea (ward 7), and Patrick Long (ward 3)—voiced various concerns: The draft legislation prepared by the city solicitor, Thomas Clark, did not specify the specific restriction radius that would be drawn around schools, nor was it clear whether or not current residents would be grandfathered in, or if they would be forced to move. After lengthy discussion about preparing a map demonstrating either 500′ or 1000′ restriction radii, a motion to table was presented by Shea and seconded by Long, which passed unanimously.

Afterward, Laurie was interviewed by WMUR channel 9 news and WGIR 101.1 FM radio.

Prior to the Committee meeting, an information handout and letter were mailed to the aldermen.