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 Pre-ShowReturn to index of stories... |
Next on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| Hello Return to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Allison McNair. Welcome to this Friday Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. Coming up - the Episcopal Church may have a new gay bishop. The state courts announce layoffs. And the Stratham Republican committee wants fellow party members to be nice to Governor Benson. |
| Roundtable Return to index of stories... |
Joining us from the state house in Concord, Guy MacMillin from the Keene Sentinel. Thank you for being here this week. And joining me in Durham, Sarah Vos of the Concord Monitor and Tom Fahey of the Union Leader and great to see you both. Reporter: GOOD POINTS THERE, GUY. |
| Intro Gay Bishop Return to index of stories... |
Will New Hampshire's next Episcopal Bishop be the Reverend Gene Robinson of Weare? The openly gay Episcopalian priest is one step closer to getting approval by the church's general convention. Friday the Episcopal committe on consent of Bishops approved Robinson's candidacy. In Minneapolis there has been debate both pro and con regarding the election of Robinson. |
| Gay Pro/Con SOT Return to index of stories... |
Randy Dales PRO The choice was of a person. It was about a ministry, not an issue. We were led overwhelmingly to call gene robinson for his humanity, not his sexuality Mary hayes CON Bishops in particular are called to guard the faith and to proclaim the word of god. Their lives are meant to demonstrate what the scriptures say, to be a wholesome example to the entire flock of christ. The scriptures, the word of god, which we uphold are clear. Homosexual behavior is wrong |
| Robinson SOT Return to index of stories... |
What I can tell you is in the relationship with my partner, i'm able to express the deep love thats in my heart and in it, and his unquestioning love of me. I experience just a little bit of the kind of never ending, never failing love, that god has for me. So its sacramental for me. |
| Gay Policy Vatican Return to index of stories... |
This week the Vatican reaffirmed its stance against gay marriage. It issued guidelines for politicians to oppose legislation that would recognize same sex unions. It also said that gay couples should not be allowed to adopt children. Here in New Hampshire, Manchester Bishop John McCormack said he will work with legislators to protect people's human rights while - quote - at the same time advocating true justice for our society by affirming the unique gift that married life brings to society and the church. |
| Gay Bishop Return to index of stories... |
Reporter: THE LAST PERSON WE HEARD WAS GENE ROBINSON HIMSELF. GUY, THIS HAS BEEN GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION. YES, IT HAS. I SUPPOSE THAT'S NATURAL. IT IS, IF IT DOES HAPPEN-- AND WE'LL KNOW VERY SOON-- IT IS A BREAK WITH TRADITION. I PERSONALLY AM A LITTLE BIT AMUSED THOUGH BY THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO THINK THEY HAVE A VOTE IN THIS. THIS IS A RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION AND THEY HAVE THEIR OWN WAY OF DETERMINING WHO THE BISHOP IS GOING TO BE. IT'S A LITTLE BIT LIKE ALL THE PEOPLE CALLING FOR THE BISHOP TO RESIGN HERE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. YOU DON'T GET A VOTE IN THAT. THESE ARE NOT DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS. THEY HAVE THEIR OWN RULES AND REGULATIONS. WE CAN WATCH IT FROM A DISTANCE BUT THEN WE HAVE TO ASSUME THAT THE PEOPLE IN THE CHURCH WILL MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS AS TO WHO IS GOING TO BE THEIR LEADERS. Reporter: TOM, HAVE YOU BEEN FOLLOWING THIS AT ALL? FROM THE OUTSIDE, OF COURSE. GUY IS RIGHT. NOT EVERYBODY IN THE EPISCOPALIAN CHURCH GETS TO VOTE ON THIS. I THINK, HOWEVER, IT TURNS OUT THERE WILL BE SOME WOUNDS TO BE HEALED OVER THE LONG TERM. FOLKS WHO WERE BEHIND ROBINSON WILL RESENT THE FACT IF HE DOESN'T GET ELECTED. THOSE WHO ARE AGAINST HIM WILL BE DISSATISFIED IF HE IS. ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, IT WILL BE SOMETHING TO BE PUT BEHIND AT THE CONCLUSION. Reporter: SARAH, I'M SURE THE MONITOR HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THIS. HAVE THEY HEARD BOTH FOR ROBINSON AND AGAINST? I THINK PEOPLE HAVE BEEN REALLY ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS. OUT IN MINNEAPOLIS IT SEEMS LIKE SO FAR ROBINSON HAS BEEN GETTING A GOOD REACTION, AND THE PROTESTORS HAVE BEEN STANDING AT ARM'S DISTANCE. WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS. Reporter: MONDAY I GUESS IS THE FINAL VOTE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THAT. THIS WEEK THE VATICAN REAFFIRMED ITS STANCE AGAINST GAY MARRIAGE. IT ISSUED GUIDELINES FOR POLITICIANS TO OPPOSE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD RECOGNIZE SAME-SEX UNIONS. IT ALSO SAID THAT GAY COUPLES SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO ADOPT CHILDREN. HERE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, MANCHESTER BISHOP JOHN McCORMACK SAID HE'LL WORK WITH LEGISLATORS TO PROTECT PEOPLE'S HUMAN RIGHTS WHILE, QUOTE, AT THE SAME TIME ADVOCATING TRUE JUSTICE FOR OUR SOCIETY BY AFFIRMING THE UNIQUE GIFT THAT MARRIED LIFE BRINGS TO SOCIETY AND THE CHURCH. YOU KNOW. Reporter: GO AHEAD, GUY. I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I'M POSITIVE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PROGRAM THAT WE DON'T HAVE ANY VOTE IN THE SELECTION OF BISHOPS IN VARIOUS CHURCHES. I DON'T THINK THE CATHOLIC CHURCH HAS ANY RIGHT TO DICTATE CIVIL DECISIONS THAT ARE BEING MADE IN OUR LEGISLATURES EITHER. WHEN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH TELLS CATHOLIC POLITICIANS HOW TO VOTE, THEY'RE PUTTING THOSE POLITICIANS IN A VERY TIGHT SPOT BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE A SOCIETY WHERE PEOPLE HAVE TO ASK WHAT RELIGION YOU ARE BEFORE THEY DECIDE WHETHER THEY CAN VOTE FOR YOU. THIS ISN'T THE ONLY ISSUE THAT THAT HAPPENS AT EITHER. WE'VE HAD GAMBLING WHERE THE CATHOLIC CHURCH HAS TAKEN A STANCE. OBVIOUSLY THE ABORTION QUESTION. THE CATHOLIC CHURCH TAKES A LOT OF STANCES THAT HAVE POLITICAL RAMIFICATIONS. DEPENDING ON THE INDIVIDUAL PARISH, CATHOLICS ARE TOLD EITHER THAT THEY OUGHT TO OR MUST FOLLOW THE DICTATE. Reporter: YOU'VE COVERED THE STATE HOUSE AND THEY ACTIVELY, DO THEY NOT, LOBBY TO TESTIFY? THAT'S RIGHT. THEY WILL SEND A REPRESENTATIVE, FREQUENTLY A LAWYER, WHO REPRESENTS THE DIOCESE TO JUST LAY OUT THE CHURCH'S POSITION ON A GIVEN ISSUE. I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT I THINK THAT A LOT OF WHAT TOM JUST SPOKE ABOUT HERE IS PERFECTLY VALID AND IT IS, IN FACT, A ENRICHMENT OF OUR SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE THESE VARIOUS VOICES. I THINK WHERE IT CROSSES THE LINE IS WHERE THE CHURCH TELLS ELECTED OFFICIALS HOW THEY MUST VOTE BECAUSE THEIR DECISIONS ARE AFFECTING A LOT OF PEOPLE WHOSE. WHO HAVE NO PARTICULAR REASON TO FOLLOW THE CATHOLIC DOCTRINE. Reporter: YOU KNOW, GAY MARRIAGE CERTAINLY SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN THE TOPIC THIS WEEK. PRESIDENT BUSH IN HIS PRESS CONFERENCE IN THE ROSE GARDEN SAID THAT HE HAS LAWYERS, ADMINISTRATION LAWYERS, ARE LOOKING INTO WHAT THEY CAN DO TO MAYBE NOT SANCTION GAY MARRIAGE AND THEN OF COURSE WE HAD HOWARD DEAN, GOVERNOR FROM VERMONT, WHO SIGNED THE CIVIL UNION BILL. AND ALSO JOE LIEBERMAN FROM CONNECTICUT THIS WEEK SAID HE WOULD NOT FAVOR GAY MARRIAGE. THAT'S BECOMING MORE DECISIVE WITHIN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. AT FIRST YOU MIGHT SAY MAYBE THE REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING TO SET UP A DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE, BUT IT REALLY GOES BACK FURTHER THAT THAT DECISION ON THE TEXAS SODOMY LAWS ABOUT A MONTH OR SO AGO IN THE FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT OR THE APPEALS COURT DOWN THERE. THAT SORT OF STARTED THE BALL ROLLING WHEREAS IT TALKED ABOUT A SODOMY LAW THAT PEOPLE STARTED TO EXPAND IT TO WHAT'S IT GOING TO DO BY GAY MARRIAGE? NOW IT'S A FULL BLOWN ISSUE. LET'S SEE IF IT LASTS THROUGH A YEAR FROM NOVEMBER. IT WILL CERTAINLY PLAY THROUGH THE FALL AS THE PRIMARY COMES AROUND. Reporter: YOU THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A MAJOR POLITICAL ISSUE? NO, BUT I THINK IT'S A SPOT, A CHINK IN ESPECIALLY DEAN'S ARMOR. HOWEVER HE FELT ABOUT CIVIL UNIONS, HE WAS GOVERNOR WHEN THE LAW PASSED AND THAT'S PART OF HIS LEGACY. Reporter: SOME PEOPLE SAID, GEE, YOU DIDN'T DO A PUBLIC SIGNING OF THE BILL. HIS EXPLANATION WAS THERE WAS JUST SO MUCH CONFLICT AMONG EVERYBODY IN VERMONT OR DIVISIVENESS THAT HE WANTED TO DO IT PRIVATELY JUST SO THINGS WOULD CALM DOWN. WE SHALL SEE. ANY THOUGHTS ON THAT BEFORE WE MOVE ON, GUY? I DO. I THINK THAT WE REALLY NEED TO DO-- AND I MEAN POLITICIANS PROBABLY MORE THAN THOSE OF US THAT CHATTER FOR A LIVING-- WE NEED TO SEPARATE THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE THAT CHURCHES PERFORM FROM THE CIVIL CEREMONY THAT IS INVOLVED WITH THE STATE. YOU KNOW, YOU CAN ARGUE ALL YOU WANT ABOUT THE RELIGIOUS IMPLICATIONS OF THIS AND EVERYBODY'S RIGHT BECAUSE THEY FOLLOW THEIR OWN LIFE. EVERYBODY HAS AN OPINION INCLUDING JOE LIEBERMAN, BUT IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO ARGUE THAT A PERSON WHO IS HOMOSEXUAL SHOULD NOT HAVE THE SAME INCOME TAX BENEFITS, THE SAME INSURANCE BENEFITS. IF THE HOMOSEXUAL FALLS IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY, THAT PERSON CAN'T GET A GREEN CARD. IF A HETEROSEXUAL FALLS IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY, YOU CAN GO TO THE IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE AND GET THAT PERSON A GREEN CARD. SO THE RIGHTS ARE IN CONFLICT HERE. WHETHER YOU CALL IT MARRIAGE, CIVIL UNIONS, WHATEVER, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HARMONIZE THAT. I THINK WE'RE ON OUR WAY TO DO IT. |
| Gehring Return to index of stories... |
Court documents were released this week in the Manuel Gehring case. He is facing two charges of first degree murder for allegedly killing his two children 11 year old Philip and 14 year old Sarah. Sarah, the documents revealed some chilling details about the case. |
| Gehring Discussion Return to index of stories... |
Reporter: BIG STORY THIS WEEK HAS BEEN MANUEL GEHRING. COURT DOCUMENTS WERE RELEASED IN THE CASE. HE'S FACING TWO CHARGES OF FIRST DEGREE MURDER FOR ALLEGEDLY KILLING HIS TWO CHILDREN, 11-YEAR-OLD PHILIP AND 14-YEAR-OLD SARAH. THE DOCUMENT REVEALS REALLY SOME CHILLING DETAILS ABOUT THE CASE. SARAH, I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN FOLLOWING THIS CLOSELY FOR THE MONITOR. HOW DID THE DOCUMENTS GET RELEASED? A MOTION WAS MADE TO UNSEAL THE DOCUMENTS. AFTER SHOWING THE DOCUMENTS TO THE VICTIMS' FAMILY AND TO THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS, THE STATE DECIDED TO LET THEM BE UNSEALED. YOU KNOW, THEY DESCRIBED WHAT OFFICIALS FOUND WHEN THEY LOOKED IN GEHRING'S VAN WHICH WAS TWO LOADED GUNS, LOTS OF BLOOD, BULLET HOLES, BULLET FRAGMENTS, AND REALLY GAVE A SENSE THAT THEY HAD FOUND THE MURDER SCENE WHICH IS NOT WHAT ANYONE KNEW BEFORE. Reporter: ALSO WASN'T LIKE THE MIDDLE SEAT OR SOMETHING. THE MIDDLE SEAT WAS MISSING. THEY THINK IT'S IN NEBRASKA SOMEWHERE, LEFT AT SOME SORT OF STRIP MALL NEAR A DUMPSTER. Reporter: THEY KNOW THESE KINDS OF THINGS OR WHY THEY'RE SEARCHING IS BECAUSE HE APPARENTLY TOLD THIS TO F.B.I. AGENTS? DO WE REALLY KNOW? THEY HAVEN'T SAID WHAT. WHERE THEY'RE GETTING THE INFORMATION ABOUT WHERE THE SEAT IS OR WHERE THE CHILDREN'S BODIES ARE, BUT CLEARLY THERE'S PROBABLY ONLY ONE PERSON. Reporter: WHAT ABOUT AS FAR AS THE QUESTION AS TO WHETHER HE ALLEGEDLY KILLED THEM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE OR TOOK THEM OUT OF STATE TO DO SO? WHAT DID DOCUMENTS SHOW THERE? THE DOCUMENTS SAID THAT HE KILLED THEM 30 TO 45 MINUTES FROM CONCORD, AND IT WAS A 30- TO 45-MINUTE DRIVE. WHETHER THAT'S ON A TWO-LANE ROAD OR IF THAT'S ON INTERSTATE 93, 45 MINUTES, I MEAN, THAT CAN PUT YOU OUTSIDE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE INTO MASSACHUSETTS. BUT IF HE'S ON BACK ROADS, YOU KNOW, WHO KNOWS? Reporter: IF THAT HAPPENED IN MASSACHUSETTS, WOULD THE CASE STILL GO FORWARD THEN IN NEW HAMPSHIRE? I MEAN, IF WE EVER FIGURE THAT OUT? PROSECUTORS HAVE SAID THAT IF THE WAY IT WORKS IS THAT PARTS OF THE CRIME ARE DONE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, THEN THEY CAN PROSECUTE THE WHOLE CRIME IN NEW HAMPSHIRE EVEN IF THEY'RE ACTUALLY KILLED IN MASSACHUSETTS. SO IN THIS CASE HE WENT BACK TO HIS HOUSE AND GOT THE GUN, TOOK THE KIDS IN THE VAN AND STARTED DRIVING. SO THAT WOULD BE THE FIRST ELEMENTS OF THE CRIME, I WOULD THINK. ALSO DIDN'T THEY RELEASE DETAILS AS FAR AS WHAT WAS IN THE APARTMENT ITSELF? YEAH, I MEAN THERE WAS SOME DIFFERENT STUFF IN THE APARTMENT BUT IT'S HARD TO TELL WHAT OF THAT IS SIGNIFICANT AND WHAT IS JUST SORT OF, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU ENTER A CRIME SCENE, THERE'S LOTS OF CLUES BUT YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT MAKES SENSE UNTIL YOU PUT IT ALTOGETHER. WHAT ABOUT THE WHOLE QUESTION OVER WHETHER HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN OUT THERE WITH OFFICIALS TRYING TO SHOW WHERE THESE BODIES WERE OR SHOULD HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO NEW HAMPSHIRE SOONER? THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS FOLLOWED FOR A WHILE. THAT WILL BE UP TO HIS PUBLIC DEFENDERS. IT WOULDN'T SURPRISE ME IF THAT BECOMES AN ISSUE AT SOME POINT. Reporter: DO WE KNOW IF HE'S CONFESSED WHO HE HAS CONFESSED TO? IS THAT IN ANY OF THE DOCUMENTS? IN THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS, HE CONFESSED TO F.B.I. AGENTS. Reporter: WILL THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE? THAT COULD BECAUSE THE WAY FEDERAL LAW WORKS AND THE STATE LAW WORKS, FEDERAL LAW, THERE'S A LITTLE MORE LEEWAY BEFORE YOU CALL IN AN ATTORNEY WHEREAS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE YOU HAVE TO CALL IN AN. IT'S JUST A SLIGHT DIFFERENCE. SO THAT COULD BE AN ISSUE. Reporter: HAVE YOU BEEN SURPRISED BY THE MEDIA THAT'S BEEN HERE FOLLOWING THIS OR IS THIS SOMETHING YOU WOULD EXPECT? IT'S BEEN A LITTLE CRAZY. I DON'T THINK NEW HAMPSHIRE HAS SEEN THIS SINCE THE ZANTOP MURDERS. I KNOW CONCORD HAS NOT SEEN THIS KIND OF CRAZY ATTENTION PERHAPS NOT SINCE BERNIE GOETZ GAME. I HAVEN'T BEEN AROUND THAT LONG BUT IT'S DEFINITELY A CIRCUS. Reporter: IT REMINDS ME A LITTLE OF PAM SMART DAYS AS FAR AS SEEING THE TRUCKS FOR THE PRESS CONFERENCES AND THE LIKE. |
| Missing women Return to index of stories... |
Guy, two Chesterfield women have been missing for more than two years - still no word as to whether this is a crime. Police say its a missing persons case. At the same time the AG and Supreme Court have sealed the files. Why? |
| Missing Women disc. Return to index of stories... |
GUY, TWO CHESTERFIELD WOMEN HAVE BEEN MISSING FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS. THERE'S STILL NO WORD THERE WHETHER THEY WERE KILLED OR WHETHER THIS IS A CRIME. WE SAY IT'S A MISSING PERSONS CASE. AT THE SAME TIME, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND SUPREME COURT HAVE SEALED THE FILES. WHY IS THAT AND WHAT'S THE LATEST THERE? WELL, I DON'T KNOW WHY THAT IS BECAUSE THEY'RE SEALED. VERY INTERESTING. I'LL GET TO THAT IN A MINUTE. THIS WAS IN FEBRUARY OF 2001 WHERE A 34-YEAR-OLD WOMAN AND HER 15-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER DISAPPEARED FROM CHESTER FIELD WHERE THEY LIVED AND NEVER TO BE SEEN AGAIN. NOW FOR SOME REASON, THIS CASE HAS NOT GARNERED THE KIND OF CABLE NEWS FRENZY THAT THE CURRENT CASE HAS. I TURNED ON TV THE OTHER DAY AND THERE WAS A PRESS CONFERENCE ON I THINK IT WAS THE FOX NEWS CHANNEL FROM CONCORD VIA SATELLITE. THERE HAVE BEEN NO NEWS CONFERENCES FROM CHESTERFIELD. THESE WOMEN HAVE DISAPPEARED AND NOBODY SEEMS TO CARE. WHEN THE "KEENE SENTINEL" TRIED TO GET THE COURT DOCUMENTS THAT HAD BEEN PRESENTED IN ORDER TO GET A SEARCH WARRANT TWO YEARS AGO NOW, THE KEENE DISTRICT COURT AGREED AND WAS GOING TO GIVE US THE DOCUMENTS BUT THE STATE WENT TO THE SUPREME COURT AND HELD. AND GOT THE SUPREME COURT TO HOLD THE DOCUMENTS BACK. THE SUPREME COURT SAID IT WAS PART OF AN ONGOING CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION. IT WASN'T. IT'S A MISSING PERSONS INVESTIGATION OFFICIALLY. STILL IS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SUPREME COURT HAD IN MIND. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN OPEN-ENDED GAG ORDER ON A CASE. TWO WOMEN HAVE BEEN MISSING SINCE FEBRUARY OF 2001 AND NOBODY CARES. NOT CNN, NOT THE SUPREME COURT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING. Reporter: DO YOU HAVE ANY THEORIES AS TO WHY IT HASN'T GOTTEN THE ATTENTION? I DON'T KNOW. BUT I SUSPECT THERE PROBABLY ARE A LOT OF CASES LIKE THIS AROUND THE COUNTRY. EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE ONE OF THEM WINS THE LOTTERY. LACY PETERSON. WHAT MADE THAT CASE SPECIAL? THE CHANDRA LEVY. WELL, THERE WAS A CONGRESSMAN INVOLVED. I DON'T KNOW. THE ENTERTAINMENT FACTOR I'M AFRAID SOMEHOW TAKES OVER AND SOME OF THESE CASES BECOME VERY POPULAR AND SOME DON'T. I DON'T THINK THAT THIS IS ALTOGETHER HEALTHY BUT I DO THINK THAT THE NEWS MEDIA ESPECIALLY IN CASES OF MISSING PEOPLE MAY BE ABLE TO HELP LOCATE PEOPLE. THE FAMILY NOW IN DESPERATION HAS ENGAGED THE SERVICES OF A PSYCHIC. THERE'S GOT TO BE A BETTER WAY THAN THAT TO GO ABOUT IT. Reporter: I BET THAT WOULD GET MORE ATTENTION, HIRING A PSYCHIC. YEAH, THEY GOT A PSYCHIC WHO APPARENTLY HAS BEEN ON COURT TV, TO COURT TV'S EVERLASTING CREDIT. I DON'T KNOW. THEY'RE SEARCHING THIS WEEKEND, THEY SEARCHED LAST WEEKEND. SO FAR NO BODIES HAVE BEEN FOUND. Reporter: YOU'VE BEEN COVERING IT AND FOLLOWING IT, THE "KEENE SENTINEL," BUT YOU'RE NOT SEEING THAT ELSEWHERE. WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO COVER IT. Reporter: DO THEY HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS AROUND? I MEAN. YEAH. Reporter: THEY DO. OKAY. IT SEEMS LIKE THE CASES WHERE KIDS ARE INVOLVED OR PREGNANT WOMEN, THAT'S WHAT THE MEDIA FIXES ON. PEOPLE ARE REALLY TOUCHED BY THE IDEA THAT A CHILD IS KILLED OR MISSING. ONE OF THESE WOMEN. I CALL THEM WOMEN BECAUSE I'M AN OLD-FASHIONED PERSON AND I GET LOST NOW AS TO WHERE WE START, BUT ONE OF THESE WOMEN WAS 15 YEARS OLD WHEN SHE DISAPPEARED. |
| Court Cuts Return to index of stories... |
The state court system has had round one of its layoffs of clerical and support staff. This is its first in 25 years. 11 people have been let go. And it's anticipated 20 or more will be layed off. The state's temproary budget told the court to come up with 6 million dollars in cuts.What does this mean for someone going through the courts? |
| Court discussion Return to index of stories... |
THE STATE COURT SYSTEM HAS HAD AROUND ONE OF ITS LAYOFFS OF CLERICAL AND SUPPORT STAFF. IT IS ITS FIRST IN JUST OVER A LITTLE MORE THAN 25 YEARS. ELEVEN PEOPLE PREVIOUSLY HAVE BEEN LET GO AND IT'S ANTICIPATED OR ACTUALLY WE FOUND OUT TODAY THAT MORE WILL BE LAID OFF. STATE TEMPORARY BUDGET TOLD THE COURT TO COME UP WITH $6 MILLION IN CUTS. I SHOWED YOU, TOM, THE DOCUMENT FROM THE SUPREME COURT WEB SITE. NO NEWS AS TO HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE LAID OFF BUT WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SPECIFICS THAT WE HAVE? WELL, THEY'RE SAYING THAT THEY'LL OFFER. FIRST OF ALL, THE 11 TEMPORARY LAYOFFS ARE GOING TO BECOME PERMANENT. THE PEOPLE WHO WERE HIRED ON A PROBATIONARY BASIS. THERE'S ANOTHER 19 VACANT POSITIONS THAT THEY'LL OFFER TO CURRENT EMPLOYEES, NON-PROBATIONARY PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY EMPLOYEES OF THE COURT SYSTEM, THEY'LL LET THEM TRANSFER INTO THE VACANT SLOTS BUT THEY'RE NOT GUARANTEEING THAT ALL THE PEOPLE WHO WILL BE AFFECTED BY LAYOFFS WILL HAVE ACCESS. IT SOUNDS LIKE 19-PLUS LAYOFFS COMING. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY. Reporter: EVEN AS FAR AS SOME DETAILS AS TO MILEAGE. YEAH, THEY CUT THE MILEAGE FROM 36 CENTS A MILE TO A QUARTER. IF YOU'RE THINKING PERCENTAGE TERMS, IT'S ABOUT A 30% CUT. THAT'S PRETTY STEEP. Reporter: SARAH, WHAT IMPACT HAS THIS HAD ALREADY OR WILL IT HAVE TO DO YOU THINK ON THE COURTS? THEY'VE ALREADY CUT ONE MORE MONTH OF JURY TRIAL. NOW THERE'S FOUR MONTHS THERE WHERE THERE'S NO JURY TRIALS. WHEN YOU GO TO CONCORD DISTRICT COURT, THE COURT NOW SHUTS AT 3:00 P.M. WHICH, YOU KNOW, AS A REPORTER I KIND OF FIND FRUSTRATING WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO GET DOCUMENTS. I THINK WE CAN PROBABLY EXPECT MORE THINGS LIKE THAT. WHEN YOU ASK FOR A SEARCH WARRANT TO BE UNSEALED, IT WILL PROBABLY TAKE LONGER FOR IT TO GET DONE AND LONGER FOR THE COURT TO HAVE COPIES AVAILABLE. Reporter: AND FOR PEOPLE I WOULD ASSUME THAT ARE GOING THROUGH CUSTODY CASES OR DIVORCE CASES OR WHATEVER THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM, MAYBE NOT GOING TO BE AS QUICK AS IT ONCE WAS. RIGHT. I MEAN, SOME OF THE CIVIL LAWYERS ARE SAYING THAT EVEN SETTLING A LAWSUIT WHEN YOU'VE GOT A TRIAL HANGING OVER YOUR HEAD, YOU TEND TO COME TO THE BARGAINING TABLE AND GET IT OVER WITH QUICK BEFORE THE TRIAL DATE OCCURS. IF A TRIAL DATE IS NOW PUSHED BACK SIX, EIGHT, NINE MONTHS, CASES ARE GOING TO MOVE MORE SLOWLY. CUSTODY, WITH THE GEHRING CASE, WHERE IT EVER COME TO A CASE WHERE A KID'S LIFE MIGHT BE CHANGED BY THE WAY A CUSTODY ORDER DRAGS THROUGH THE COURT. HOPEFULLY NOT. Reporter: ANY THOUGHTS, GUY? I HAVE TWO. IF ANYBODY WANTS AN ABORTION, THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO FIND A JUDGE WITHIN 25 MINUTES. I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT WILL HAPPEN ANYMORE NOW UNDER THE NEW LAW. MORE IMPORTANTLY I THINK THERE ARE HALF A DOZEN TO MAYBE EIGHT OR TEN INSTANCES AROUND THE STATE WHERE BUDGET CUTS HAVE CAUSED EVEN WORSE HARDSHIP I WOULD SAY. WE HAD A STORY IN THE PAPER THE OTHER DAY, 373 PEOPLE ON THE WAITING LIST FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED SERVICES. CAN'T GET SERVICES. NO MONEY. WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED AROUND THIS STATE WHEN BUDGETS ARE CUT. THE COURT IS. HAS TRADITIONALLY BEEN A LAST RESORT FOR THIS KIND OF PERSON. IT WON'T BE PERHAPS AS ABLE TO PERFORM THAT FUNCTION ANYMORE. |
| School Construction Return to index of stories... |
Some construction companies would probably tell you they're having a good year. Tom Fahey - you recently reported that close to a half billion dollars in school construction projects have gotten the go ahed from voters and school boards over the past two years. |
| Construcion disc. Return to index of stories... |
Reporter: SOME PEOPLE WHO MAY SAY TIMES ARE GOOD ARE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES. THEY MIGHT SAY SO. I KNOW THAT YOU RECENTLY REPORTED THAT CLOSE TO HALF A BILLION DOLLARS IN SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE GO-AHEAD. TELL US WHAT'S HAPPENING THERE. WELL, IT'S INTERESTING. HALF A BILLION DOLLARS REPRESENTS NEW CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATIONS, IMPROVEMENTS, ET CETERA. FOR INSTANCE, $100 MILLION OF THAT IS JUST MANCHESTER'S CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT. A LOT OF BUILDINGS AND A LOT OF WORK THAT'S BEEN PUT OFF FOR A LONG TIME BUT IT'S ABOUT $240 OR $250 MILLION A YEAR THAT GETS. SEEMS TO COME THROUGH THE STATE FOR APPROVAL TO THE BUILDING AID THAT THE STATE PROVIDES IN ORDER TO HELP FINANCE THESE. THEY SAY PART OF IT IS POPULATION GROWTH. THEY JUST NEED MORE SCHOOLS AND MORE ROOMS, MORE CLASSROOMS. THE OTHER PART IS THAT BUILDINGS ARE OLD, THAT EVEN WITH ALL THESE IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE BEING MADE, I THINK IT'S SOMETHING LIKE HALF THE STATE'S SCHOOLS ARE 50 YEARS OLD OR MORE. Reporter: WOW. NO ELEVATORS, OLD VENTILATION SYSTEMS. IF YOU'RE A KID WITH A BROKEN LEG OR IN A WHEELCHAIR, GETTING UP AND DOWN, TO OR FROM THE CAFETERIA, FOR INSTANCE, IN SOME OF THESE SCHOOLS IS A PROBLEM LET ALONE SOME OF THE OTHER AMENITIES THAT ARE MISSING. SO THERE'S A LOT TO IT. PROBABLY LIKELY TO CONTINUE. I MEAN, THEY SAY IT'S NOT POPULATION GROWTH ALONE. IT'S JUST THE NEED. Reporter: TO RENOVATE. I GUESS APPARENTLY SOME SCHOOLS ARE REALLY. I THINK IN YOUR PAPER YOU SAID SOME PARENTS WOULD MAYBE BE SURPRISED TO SEE THE CONDITIONS. MARK JOYCE WHO RUNS THE NEW HAMPSHIRE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION, REPRESENTS THE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT AND OTHERS, SAID, YEAH, THAT A LOT OF PARENTS WOULD NOT GO TO SCHOOL OR GO TO WORK IN THE PLACE WHERE THEIR KIDS GO TO SCHOOL BECAUSE OF THE THINGS I MENTIONED: BAD WINDOWS OR BAD VENTILATION. CLIMBING STAIRS INSTEAD OF ELEVATORS. THAT SORT OF THING. Reporter: WHERE IS THE BIGGEST AMOUNT OF MONEY GOING TO BE SPENT FOR EITHER CONSTRUCTION OR REHAB OF A BUILDING? I WOULD SAY. WELL, THAT'S HARD TO SAY. GARY IS GETTING LIKE $24 MILLION. HANOVER IS FIXING WITH $24 MILLION. THEIRS IS NEW CONSTRUCTION. EXETER IS BUILDING $50 MILLION WORTH OF BUILDINGS AND MANCHESTER WITH IMPROVEMENTS AND EXPANSIONS INCLUDING AN UNDERGROUND PARKING GARAGE AT THE CITY CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL. Reporter: HAS THE LEGISLATION CHANGED SOMEWHAT? THAT'S RIGHT. Reporter: HOW WILL THAT IMPACT? A COUPLE OF CHANGES. ONE IS THAT THEY'LL GIVE OUT MORE PROPORTIONATELY MORE AID TO POORER COMMUNITIES. THEY'LL BASE IT ON ANOTHER EDUCATION FORMULA. THAT WILL BE TO FIGURE PROPERTY VALUE. THE POORER YOUR DISTRICT, THE HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF BUILDING AID YOU GET. THE OTHER PART OF IT IS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF SPACE YOU CAN ADD ON UNDER THIS AID FORMULA. TRYING TO GET RID OF WHAT SOME PEOPLE CALL THE TAJ MAHAL SCHOOL WHERE YOU GET STATE BUILDING AID AND YOU THROW A LOT OF MONEY IN A SCHOOL BUILDING AND EVERYBODY ELSE IN THE STATE PAYS FOR IT. FROM NOW ON, IF YOU WANT TO BUILD THE TAJ MAHAL, IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT THAT, YOU'LL HAVE TO PAY FOR A BIGGER PORTION OF IT YOURSELF. AND THEY SAY THE SAVINGS THERE WILL ACTUALLY HELP PAY FOR THE IMPROVED INCREASED AID. Reporter: GUY, WHAT ABOUT IN YOUR AREA? DO YOU HAVE ANY SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION GOING ON RIGHT NOW? WE'RE SORT OF BEHIND THE CURVE. WE DID RENOVATION OF KEENE HIGH SCHOOL A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO BUT THEY WERE VOTED DOWN, CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS APPARENTLY IMPORTANT AND NECESSARY ONES IN BOTH THE MANADNOCK REGIONAL DISTRICT AND ANOTHER DISTRICT. THINGS ARE QUIET. THE PEOPLE OF WINCHESTER HAVE VOTED PROGRESSIVELY TO CLOSE THEIR HIGH SCHOOL AND SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO KEENE. |
| GOP Resolution Return to index of stories... |
Be nice to Benson. That was the gist of a resolution passed the the Srafford Court Republican Committee last week. According to the Concord Monitor the resolution reads. "We disagree with and we encourage restraint from implying that our Republican governor is incompetent and does not care for our citizens' needs, and we hereby call on all Republican lawmakers to stop making fodder for the opposing party's use in the next election." the resolution read. "We disagree with name-calling, character assassination and personal ridicule and instead call for statesmanship and respect in carrying out the legislative process," |
| GOP Discussion Return to index of stories... |
WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT? IT DID COME OUT OF THE GOVERNOR'S HOME COUNTY. YOU HAVE TO KEEP THAT IN MIND. THE OTHER INTERESTING THING IS THAT ONE OF HIS STAUNCHEST CRITICS IN THE SENATE IS ALSO FROM STRATFORD COUNTY, SENATOR DICK GREEN. DICK GREEN NEVER TRIED TO HIDE THE FACT THAT HE DIDN'T LIKE THE WAY THINGS WERE GOING AND ALWAYS PRIDED HIMSELF ON SAYING I'LL NEVER TELL. SPEAKING TO REPORTERS, I WOULDN'T SAY ANYTHING TO YOU THAT I WOULDN'T SAY TO THE GOVERNOR'S FACE. HE WAS PRETTY BLUNT ABOUT HOW HE THOUGHT THE PROCESS WAS GOING. IT JUST GOT WORSE FROM THERE. SO WHETHER EVERYBODY WILL MAKE NICE, I DON'T KNOW. Reporter: WE SHALL SEE. WHAT DO YOU THINK, GUY? I THINK IF A POLITICIAN WHO HAS HAD AN INTERACTION WITH THE GOVERNOR COMES AWAY FROM THAT INTERACTION BELIEVING THAT THE GOVERNOR IS INCOMPETENT AND RECKLESS, HE OUGHT TO SAY SO BECAUSE MOST OF WHAT MOST PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THIS GOVERNOR HE PAID CHANNEL 9 TO TELL THEM. HE'S A GOVERNOR WHO SPENT ABOUT $10 MILLION TO GET ELECTED THROUGH TELEVISION COMMERCIALS. OTHER INFORMATION FROM OTHER SOURCES I THINK IS IMPORTANT. REPUBLICAN COMMITTEES NOTWITHSTANDING. Reporter: WELL, WE'LL SEE IF PEOPLE MAKE NICE SINCE THAT'S COME OUT. |
| Presidential Return to index of stories... |
If Senator Hillary Clinton or former Vice President Al Gore decided to run in the New Hampshire primary either would beat the nine candidates facing off in the state's primary. That conclusion from A Frankin Pierce College poll of 500 likely NH Voters. |
| Pres. Discussion Return to index of stories... |
I WOULDN'T WANT TO BE ONE OF THOSE NINE AND HEAR THAT. I WOULDN'T WANT TO BE ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO IS SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY TO THE POINT OF THE NINE EITHER. Reporter: NO KIDDING. WHO KNOWS WHERE IT WILL END. JOE LIEBERMAN IS DOING WELL IN SOUTH CAROLINA ACCORDING TO A POLL TODAY BUT NOT DOING VERY WELL UP HERE. HE'S TAKING A CONSERVATIVE APPROACH TO THINGS. MAYBE CONSERVATIVE IS GOING TO PLAY WELL IN THIS ELECTION. IT'S HARD TO SAY RIGHT NOW. IF THE PAST IS AN INDICATOR IT WILL. Reporter: WE'RE ALMOST OUT OF TIME BUT I WANT TO QUICKLY ASK WHAT IS EVERYONE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT IN THE COMING WEEK OR SO? ARE YOU STILL GOING TO BE FOLLOWING THE GEHRING CASE? PROBABLY. Reporter: ANY NEW NEWS LIKELY TO COME OUT THAT YOU. PROBABLY NOT. Reporter: DO WE KNOW WHEN HE'S GOING TO COURT AGAIN? NOT UNTIL SEPTEMBER. THEY'LL HAVE A STATIC CONFERENCE. Reporter: GUY, WHAT ABOUT FROM YOU? I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NEWS WILL BE UNTIL IT HAPPENS. Reporter: THAT MAKES SENSE. THEN I GET DOWN INTO THE BATTLEFIELD AND SHOOT THE WOUNDED, AS SOMEBODY ONCE SAID. SO I'LL JUST SIT HERE AND WAIT. Reporter: OKAY. WE'LL ANNOY YOU TO COME BACK AGAIN. WHAT ABOUT FOR YOU, TOM? I'M GOING ON VACATION SO I REALLY DON'T WANT TO GET TOO MUCH INTO DETAILS. I'M KIND OF CURIOUS THOUGH WHERE REPUBLICANS HAVE SAID THAT THE COURT IS SORT OF CUTTING A FOOTBALL TEAM, WHETHER THOSE PEOPLE IN THE LEGISLATURE THAT ORDERED THESE COURT CUTS WILL COME OUT AND SAY THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES AND THE COURT IS JUST TRYING TO JAM IT DOWN THEIR THROATS. Reporter: WELL, TOM, IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE IN DURHAM. SARAH, GREAT TO SEE YOU. THANKS FOR COMING IN AND, GUY, IT'S BEEN A WHILE. GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN. THANK YOU. |
| Next OutlookTease Return to index of stories... |
On the next New Hampshire Outlook, we'll be focusing on the state court budget cutbacks and layoffs. Find out what the cuts mean for jury trials and other court proceedings. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
That's all for this edition of Outlook. Thanks for joining us. We'll be back Monday at 10. |
| Founders Return to index of stories... |
Thanks to our founding sponsors who have provided major funding for the production of New Hampshire Outlook: New Hampshire Charitable Foundation Public Service of New Hampshire Stratford Foundation |
| mon/tonight 10pm Return to index of stories... |
Monday on New Hampshire Outlook. court budget cutbacks, layoffs and the impact on justice in the state. Monday at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Outlook. Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. court budget cutbacks, layoffs and the impact on justice in the state. Tonight at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| key: Media Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 8/01/03 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 26:46 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, the state budget - the Episcopal Church may have a new gay bishop. The state courts announce layoffs. And the Stratham Republican committee wants fellow party members to be nice to Governor Benson. Joining us from the state house in Concord, Guy MacMillin from the Keene Sentinel. And in Durham, Sarah Vos of the Concord Monitor and Tom Fahey of the Union Leader and great to see you both. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Ally McNair NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Guy MacMillin\Keene Sentinel, Sarah Vos\Concord Monitor, Tom Fahey\Union Leader |
| News Briefs Return to index of stories... |
Here's a look at other stories making news this Friday. |