MacDonald: Obtains indictment, guilty plea
New Hampshire Attorney General Gordon MacDonald announced the indictment of forty three year old Russell Berry, of Hooksett, on a charge of Theft by Unauthorized Taking. Berry, owner of Classic Auto Works, is alleged to have taken two thousand dollars from an individual in exchange for a vehicle. Berry failed to provide the vehicle or return the money. The maximum penalty for theft over fifteen hundred dollars is seven and a half to fifteen years in the New Hampshire State Prison and/or a fine of up to four thousand dollars.
Attorney General MacDonald also announced, along with and Commissioner John Beardmore of the Department of Revenue Administration, that sixty one year old Maria Panourgias of Windham, pled guilty in Hillsborough County Superior Court Northern Division to two counts of defrauding the D R A during an audit of Stylianos Asprogiannis, owner of Zoey’s Pizza in Manchester. According to the release, Panourgias willfully delivered false financial records to the D R A during the audit.
Asprogiannis: Accountant pleads guilty
That earned her two consecutive six month sentences at the House of Corrections, both suspended for two years. She is prohibited from representing any tax preparer before the D R A for two years and may not prepare or assist in the preparation of tax returns during that time. Panourgias must also pay a two thousand dollar fine and perform fifty hours of community service.
The D R A and the A G’s Office continue to investigate tax evasion and are asking people with information on those not paying their taxes to visit the Department of Revenue Administration’s website, send an email or call the Tax Fraud Hotline. We’ve got the info with this news read at Girard at Large dot com.
- e-mail: TaxFraudHotline@dra.nh.gov
- Tax Fraud Hotline: 603-230-5030.
Girard: Proposal involves parents
Parents in the city of Manchester may soon have information about what’s being taught in their kids’ classrooms coming home. A proposal by at-Large School Committee Member Rich Girard requiring teachers at every level to send a syllabus outlining what books and materials will be used for the coming quarter or trimester was discussed at length at Tuesday night’s meeting of the Curriculum and Instruction Committee.
Van Houten: Opposes requirement to notify parents
In response to criticism of the proposal by Ward Twelve Committee Member Constance Van Houten, Girard said his goal was to develop a policy whereby parents received regular and deliberate communication from their kids’ teachers so they knew, in advance, what materials would be used to teach them. Girard pointed to past episodes where parents complained after inappropriate materials or lessons were used in classrooms, upsetting both the children and their parents, and criticized administrators who said parents had the right to opt their children out of the objectionable lessons, but failed to notify the parents the lessons were coming.
Martin: Proposal due in Oct.
At the suggestion of Assistant Superintendent Dr. Christine Martin, the matter was referred to the administration so it could work with teachers at the elementary, middle and high school levels to develop the plans and procedures necessary to give parents a heads up on materials used in the classroom. Van Houten opposed Girard’s motion to refer the matter saying that requiring a plan to communicate with parents was too restrictive a mandate and that the working group should have the ability to come forward and say it didn’t want a plan if it didn’t think one was necessary.
Langton: Breaks tie
Committee Chair Deb Langton of Ward Two, who offered her input as an experienced teacher, supported the proposal. Ward Five’s Lisa Freeman, who spoke in favor of the proposal at the full board, was absent from the meeting, as was Ward Ten’s John Avard.
News from our own backyard continues after this.
Harvey: Relief on the way
Eversource is donating fifty thousand dollars from its Foundation to the American Red Cross for residents in the greater Houston area displaced by massive flooding following Hurricane Harvey. Additionally, in partnership with the American Red Cross and I B E W locals 4 20, 4 5 5, 4 5 7, 18 37, U W U A Local 3 6 9 and U S W Local 12 0 0 4, the company has established a safe and secure website for customers, employees and contractors that will soon be able to safely donate to the relief effort via the energy company’s dedicated American Red Cross Web site.
Working with unions, Red Cross
In the meantime, those interested in donating can visit Red Cross dot org. All donations will enable the American Red Cross to provide shelter, meals and care for thousands of people facing a difficult recovery. The company is prepared to send crews and help with the restoration efforts if needed.
Sununu: Offers National Guard
Also in response to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Harvey, Governor Christopher Sununu issued a statement late yesterday afternoon saying he’s offered the state’s assistance to the people of Texas, indicating he will mobilize New Hampshire National Guard units and send them there if needed. Sununu said after speaking with officials in Texas and the federal government, quote:
“We are being told that the most helpful thing we can do at this time is to encourage Granite Staters to donate money to trusted, reputable, and charitable organizations. By donating money, organizations can be nimble in how they respond to the disaster, allowing flexibility by efficiently allocating resources…we are being told by FEMA to avoid sending unsolicited material donations, such as clothing, food, and personal items at this time.”
Sununu echoed the cautionary notes issued by Attorney General Gordon MacDonald yesterday regarding monetary donations to help the people of Texas. We’ve linked to the A G’s advice and warnings from this news read at Girard at Large dot com.
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