Board of Directors Meeting Minutes May 24, 2018

 

New Hampshire Press Association Board of Directors

Meeting Minutes — May 24, 2018

 

Board of Directors: Thursday, May 24, 2018, a special board meeting was called to order via phone conference call by President Vanessa Palange at 1:51 p.m.

 

In Attendance: In addition to Ms. Palange and Executive Director Phil Kincade, the following board members were in attendance: David Brooks, Bill Chapman, Heather Henline, and Trent Spiner participating for portions or all of the call, as individual schedules permitted.

 

Absent: Howard Altschiller, Chuck Douglas, Carol Robidoux, David Saad, and David Tirrell-Wysocki.

 

A quorum of membership was present.

New Business: Proposed Supreme Court rule to remove victims’ names from specific court filings. 

 Explanation: At the Committee on Judiciary and the Media meeting May 14, it was proposed to require victims not be named in appeals to the NH Supreme Court. The proposal is drawing opposition from the ACLU and other court observers. The court is scheduled to review the proposal June 1. At issue is whether the Press Association should respond, and, if so, what we should say and how. 

Action: After discussion, it was determined this proposal could cause significant concern for our membership and access to vital public information. Because of that, it was put forth Mr. Kincade, on behalf of the press association, should review similar letters by Mr. Chapman and the ACLU to craft a position by our organization. We then would send a letter to the Supreme Court opposing the proposed rule change that would block the release of victim information in virtually all felony appeals to the court. Our letter should be independent of any other organization.

 

The motion to authorize Mr. Kincade to craft a position on the board’s behalf was proposed by Mr. Brooks and seconded by Ms. Palange.

 

Mr. Kincade prepared our response, and a draft was distributed to the board via email on May 27. A subsequent vote was taken electronically May 30 to submit the draft as presented on a motion by Mr. Spiner. It was seconded by Ms. Palange and carried unanimously.

 

The letter then was sent to:

rulescomment@courts.state.nh.us

Advisory Committee on Rules

New Hampshire Supreme Court

One Charles Doe Drive

Concord, NH 03301

 

Adjournment: The May 24 special meeting adjourned at approximately 1:59 p.m., on a motion by Mr. Dougals. It was seconded by Mr. Brooks and carried unanimously.

 

Next meeting: Our next meeting is scheduled for a conference call at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 14. An agenda will be forthcoming.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Heather Henline

New Hampshire Press Association

Secretary