N.H. Politician Facing Calls to Resign

[Judi Lynn]

N.H. Politician Facing Calls to Resign
September 27th, 2005 @ 6:55am
By DAVID TIRRELL-WYSOCKI
Associated Press Writer


CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - A member of the powerful state Executive Council is facing calls to resign for hiring a campaign aide he knew was a convicted child sex offender, but he said Tuesday he has no intention of stepping down.
(snip)

The aide, Mark Seidensticker, 45, was arrested last month and accused of inappropriate contact with teenage boys. Based on that arrest, Burton said he no longer will employ Seidensticker, who is being held on $50,000 bail at the Merrimack County jail.

The New Hampshire Union Leader last week quoted court records as showing Seidensticker previously has been convicted of indecent exposure, attempted sexual assault on a boy, failing to register in Maine and New Hampshire as a sexual offender, stalking a former boyfriend and violating probation. He has served several jail sentences.

U.S. Sens. John Sununu and Judd Gregg and both of the state's congressmen have urged Burton, to resign. All four are Republicans, as is Burton. Gov. John Lynch, a Democrat, also called Monday for Burton to step down.
(snip/...)

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=157&sid=112501

[LiberalEsto]

1. Family values in the GOP

What is WITH these people?

What is the psychological correlation between neoconservatism and pedophilia? Can anyone enlighten us?

[Lochloosa]

4. Google this: The Bohemian Club

Nixon Tape Discusses Homosexuals at Bohemian Grove

Nixon comments, "But it's not just the ratty part of town. The upper class in San Francisco is that way. The Bohemian Grove, which I attend from time to time . . . It is the most faggy goddamned thing you could ever imagine with that San Francisco crowd. I can't shake hands with anybody from San Francisco."



BOHEMIAN GROVE - 1947

DO YOU RECOGNIZE THE FACES ABOVE?

[alcibiades_mystery]

2. I wonder if this is what GOPers mean by "The adults are in charge"

A pack of creeps.

[FightinNewDem]

3. "Executive Councilor"

In case anyone is wondering what the heck and Executive Councilor is, here's the explanation.

The Council is a colonial era institution, originally designed to serve as a check on the power of the royal governor. Only mass. and NH still have such a body (the Mass. Governor's Council is somewhat weaker than its NH counterpart).

The Council must approve all judicial appointments, other gubernatorial apointments, and any state contract of $5,000 or more. Obviously, this is a very powerful position within state government. Just this week, a recalcitrant council forced Gov. Lynch to reappoint Republican Attorney General Kelly Ayotte (who actually is a decent person) when it became clear that several GOP councilors would not approve the nomination of John Kacavas, a Democrat. This despite the fact that Kacavas is the former head of the AG's homicide unit, a former state legislator and a former Manchester school board member, and a onetime aide to Congressman Norm D'Amours. In other words, he would be the most qualified individual ever to hold the post. But I digress...

The councilors are elected from five districts of about 250,000 residents. Currently the GOP holds four of the seats. Deb Pignatelli, a former state senator from Nashua is the lone Democratic councilor.
Deb does a terrific job, and has been very active in rooting out sleazy "no-bid" contracts within state government.

Ironically, Burton has generally been among the less partisan members of the council. he is essentially an amiable gladhander, who attends every ribbon cutting and bean supper in his rural North Country district.