Posted: Sunday, February 24, 2013 8:00 am
WINCHESTER — A local man isn’t letting legal and financial issues get in the way of his quest to become a town selectman in March.
John E. Pasquarelli, a 35-year resident of the town and owner of P-Square’s Country Store, is involved in civil litigation brought against him and his wife, Regina, by the town. He recently filed for bankruptcy and owes the town more than $11,000 in local property taxes.
Despite these issues, Pasquarelli said Saturday they won’t get in the way of his ability to represent the townspeople.
“Whatever personal issues I have, I certainly won’t drag them into the governing body,” he said.
He is very proud of the fact that during the time he has served on other town boards and committees, he has recused himself from decisions when personal feelings were involved, he said.
“A lot of people try painting black labels on me that don’t exist. I have heritage in this town. I have reasoning. I have all the good qualities you would need for this,” he said. “All I need is opportunity.”
Pasquarelli is one of five people seeking election to two, three-year terms on Board of Selectmen. The other candidates include Brian Moser, Herbert “Chan” Stephens, Jennifer M. Bellan and incumbent Theresa G. Sepe. Selectman Gustave “Gus” Ruth isn’t seeking re-election.
The only other contested race on the March 12 ballot is for two, three-year terms on the Planning Board. Vying for the seats are Ruth, Arthur Charland and Michael Doherty.
James Tetreault, Winchester town clerk and tax collector, confirmed Thursday Pasquarelli is behind in his taxes. He said Pasquarelli owes the town $11,091.87, for 2011 and 2012.
Pasquarelli said he is no different than any other citizen who is struggling financially. In 2004 and 2005, he and his wife invested heavily in the Keene Road property where P-Square’s is located, but the business has lost money every year, he said.
His January bankruptcy filing was a last resort, he said.
“The bankruptcy is for the loss of eight years of money I was never able to recoup,” he said.
Besides his financial situation, Pasquarelli and his wife have been involved in litigation since August 2009 centered on what activities are permitted at his business according to town regulations. While the matter was resolved in December 2009, the town of Winchester filed a motion for contempt in November 2012. A contempt hearing scheduled for Feb. 8 in Cheshire Superior Court in Keene was postponed.
David M. Scanlan, N.H. deputy secretary of state, said Friday he isn’t aware of any state laws preventing someone involved in litigation with a town, or being behind on their taxes, from running for selectman.
“It becomes a political issue, but there is nothing that says because you don’t pay your taxes, you can’t run for selectman,” he said.
Meghan Foley can be reached at 352-1234 extension 1436 or mfo ley@keenesentinel.com. Follow her on Twitter @MFoleyKS.
WINCHESTER — A local man isn’t letting legal and financial issues get in the way of his quest to become a town selectman in March.
John E. Pasquarelli, a 35-year resident of the town and owner of P-Square’s Country Store, is involved in civil litigation brought against him and his wife, Regina, by the town. He recently filed for bankruptcy and owes the town more than $11,000 in local property taxes.
Despite these issues, Pasquarelli said Saturday they won’t get in the way of his ability to represent the townspeople.
“Whatever personal issues I have, I certainly won’t drag them into the governing body,” he said.
He is very proud of the fact that during the time he has served on other town boards and committees, he has recused himself from decisions when personal feelings were involved, he said.
“A lot of people try painting black labels on me that don’t exist. I have heritage in this town. I have reasoning. I have all the good qualities you would need for this,” he said. “All I need is opportunity.”
Pasquarelli is one of five people seeking election to two, three-year terms on Board of Selectmen. The other candidates include Brian Moser, Herbert “Chan” Stephens, Jennifer M. Bellan and incumbent Theresa G. Sepe. Selectman Gustave “Gus” Ruth isn’t seeking re-election.
The only other contested race on the March 12 ballot is for two, three-year terms on the Planning Board. Vying for the seats are Ruth, Arthur Charland and Michael Doherty.
James Tetreault, Winchester town clerk and tax collector, confirmed Thursday Pasquarelli is behind in his taxes. He said Pasquarelli owes the town $11,091.87, for 2011 and 2012.
Pasquarelli said he is no different than any other citizen who is struggling financially. In 2004 and 2005, he and his wife invested heavily in the Keene Road property where P-Square’s is located, but the business has lost money every year, he said.
His January bankruptcy filing was a last resort, he said.
“The bankruptcy is for the loss of eight years of money I was never able to recoup,” he said.
Besides his financial situation, Pasquarelli and his wife have been involved in litigation since August 2009 centered on what activities are permitted at his business according to town regulations. While the matter was resolved in December 2009, the town of Winchester filed a motion for contempt in November 2012. A contempt hearing scheduled for Feb. 8 in Cheshire Superior Court in Keene was postponed.
David M. Scanlan, N.H. deputy secretary of state, said Friday he isn’t aware of any state laws preventing someone involved in litigation with a town, or being behind on their taxes, from running for selectman.
“It becomes a political issue, but there is nothing that says because you don’t pay your taxes, you can’t run for selectman,” he said.
35 comments:
He and Roberta would make a good pair as neither pay their taxes but would vote to increase ours every year. Maybe John could provide the refreshments for the upcoming meetings too? Hopefully the whole board wouldn't be prosecuted for embellishing during a meeting.
“A lot of people try painting black labels on me that don’t exist. John P is Doing a darn good job on his own...
What John P. has been Tedford bud for years and he has allowed the Keene Sentinel to print this garbage want to change his image......Maybe John P. could start by changing the oil in his hair.
Ah yes, the perfect candidate for the job. A fine upstanding, well qualified, honest, law abiding citizen, NOT.
How many times has John been arrested for numerous charges involving alcohol or assault and of course disturbing the peace with his wild drinking parties at his store and other sundry things that put him on the wrong side of the law?
That he hasn't paid his taxes, yet he parties every week reminds me of another member of the board who took vacations and let her taxes accumulate while the rest of us footed the bills as responsible citizens.
Sorry John; but one scofflaw on the board is more than enough.
One fool just quit, do we really want another to take his place?
I understand one of the people that we send to Concord to represent us and decide how our money is spent, has a tax lien on his property.
Kind of funny Parkhurst can not pay his taxes. He got the house from for nothing from Mrs. Prentice. Screwing the rest of the Prentice family.
It cost all of us when people do not pay their property taxes, the town has to borrow in anticipation of taxes. We shouldn’t allow these people to represent us, as selectmen or specially the house of representive. Especially people like Parkhurst, he is still wearing the same dirt smelly coat from when he was a teach at the high school.
You people deserve this type of people representing them.
Psquare opened a business that lost money from day one.
Instead of admitting defeat and moving on, he continues for years until he brings himself to financial ruin and files for bankruptcy.
AND he has the absolute nerve to think he can manage Winchester's finances.
John's all right. I think he means well. He did have a hard time with the regulators in town Notice that Big Daddy has a residence in the commercial building he built. Now he has a retail shop in front. john got crucified for doing something like that. Ken Cole
My mail box had a campaign fly er for J Pasquarelli today. No problem with the fly er, but there was NO postage, isn't that illegal? If its legal the other candidates can do the same thing. Hope it wasn't a PO employee trying to help out a friend.
The letter John P. placed in your mail is no different from the poison pen letter the selectmen sent to every house in Winchester paid by you the tax payers last year. Only difference is John P. didn’t have you the tax payer footing the bill.
Read it or not your choice.Then place it at the bottom of your bird cage.
Really, no difference? How about the BOS letter had postage and therefore was delivered by a government employee making it a legal act. Whereas, John P's had no postage and was probably delivered by him and his family. Tampering with a US Mail Box is illegal, they are after all gov't property.
REF: some people, how about the fact a safe was stolen from a post office dumped in the drink on Pinney Woods Road and the town employees stole a gun and money from it witnessed by a Winchester patrolman and nothing was done.
So what makes you think John P. did anything wrong. What is wrong is the selectmen using your tax dollars to fill their personal agenda. What is one more piece of junk mail anyhow?
You still don't get it. What John P did by putting something in your mailbox with no postage is against the law. That the BOS is a bunch of crooked people voted into office by numbskulls in this town borders on insanity. BIG DIFFERENCE.
That the BOS wastes money for their own personal gains and those of their cronies borders on criminal; but no one cares enough to vote them out of office or file complaints with the State.
Agreed. But what the true problem is in order to vote them out we need someone to vote for, and to date we have had not 1 single qualified candidate to vote for in order to change the BOS.
If some one decent would sign up and run for BOS they would easily win. But be realistic what decent person wants to be on this board? its thankless and time consuming and even if you make 95% of the people happy you will have that 5% percent making your life miserable and and dragging your name through the mud.
The true change will happen with voters and taxpayers, far to many of you forget who should really be running this town and setting policies and such and its you! not the BOS. But that takes getting involved, learning and speaking up in great numbers and it seems that the general public is not interested in doing that.
We have had several good candidates come forward in the past and they got none or very little support. Brian Moser is running again this year and would be a great Selectman once again, but too many people who don't even know Brian won't vote for him because of all the bullshyt that has been spread around town about him. Brian is a stickler for the law and has proven more times than you can shake a stick at that he is for everyone, has no agendas and has no use for the current morons ruining this town. Bob Davis, though a bit rough around the edges, has proven time and time again while on the Budget Committee that he won't stand for the shenanigans going on and being played out by the BOS, Sharra and Dale over at the Highway Dept who now has a nice shiny new truck with all of the options at our expense and hasn't a clue on how to run his dept in a fiscal manner.
Jen Bellam would also make a good candidate. She has shown she too won't put up with Sharra and Beaman and Hill's crap on the Planning Board, has the town's best interest at heart and knows just how much crap goes on behind closed doors. Even that fellow Mike Towne would have been a better Selectman than what we have now. I watched him fight tooth and nail with the planning board and selectman over that horsecrap development out by his house, and Triple T that wanted to put that smelly garbage recycling plant in town and even that asphalt plant they put in by his house. He has no love for the current members of the BOS and knows state, town and federal law inside out. I have had many conversations with him about running again; but his wife is very sick and he has been spending all of his time taking care of her lately. Perhaps when she feels better he'll resurface again.
Thing is many people have come forward and have gotten little if any support from most of the uninformed deadheads that do go to the poles and vote, though not even knowing what the hell they are voting for. Like the poster abiove hass said and many before him, we need people to actually get involved, ask questions and question the answers you get. Open your eyes people, tons of information has been posted on this blog and is available at town hall. If you truly want to see this town rise from the ashes, tax rates go done and government run as it should, then take a stand, get involved and show up to vote for a better future for all of us.
Thanks for the mention Bill, but I no longer have any interest in running for office or serving the town of Winchester. I thought people in this town were ready for change a couple of years back, but it's been just more of the same year after year and in fact it's gotten a whole lot worse and still people here haven't gotten the message, so why bother. Good luck to those running this year I hope Brian and Jenn prevail.
It seems to me a lot of people with good intentions, people who cares about the enjoyment of your home, who cares about over development of the beauty of your town and or your standard of living because of a high tax rate that effects all of us. Where are the Sue Newell’s, the Bill Campbell’s, the Mike Town’s the Bob Davis’ and a few others, the ones who started this fight on your’s and my behalf just to make Winchester a better place to live. Yes! They live here too. You say, I do not like them. Because you take your opinions from the town hall spin masters by lessened to all the false accusations and crap spewing from the town hall who wants keep stealing from you. These people running this town are not smart by any means, it’s because you are so gullible! Gullible sheep that like to be lead around by your noses.
Who is going to search the town records for abuse and corruption next. Turn around and then they are gone. Who is going to fill their shoes? These people and some others like them have opened the town hall cesspool up. Now it is up to you. Now people like Mike Towne and others who are no longer interested in running for office on your behalf. For the many of you in this town who have keep their heads in the sand for fear of retaliation from town hall have lost your chance to have a few stand up for you and to take the heat. Change must take place now or forever live with these corrupt SOBs. Your choice……For this guy I have had enough.
So who are this years candidates and what do we know about any of them? Why hasn't the town posted a sample ballot yet with just a week to go before the election, are they afraid people will discuss the crappy candidates and all the wonderful spending increases with each other and be able to make an informed decision before the vote?
The sample ballots and town report are at the town hall, I got mine. Many opportunity's for some write ins, Mickey Mouse might actually get elected for a board this year.
You cant blame people for not wanting to run for any boards with all the hostility going on, Nobody can please everyone.
We are royaly screwed with BOS choices again.
To "where's the ballot?, and others interested:
The ballots are posted on the wall in the post office. Brian Moser had sample ballots for all at his publicized "explain the ballot/warrant articles" session last evening at the VFW. A perfect opportunity to learn. Sadly, very few people showed up. Also, the town reports are in and available at town hall. The ballots/warrant articles are in them.
So why isn't this information available on the towns web site for those of us who don't drive and live in assisted living, what are we suppose to do? Can someone forward the info to the people who run this site so they can post it for us?
Why are we paying for a town web site to bring us information when it's never up to date or information that should be available to all is missing ? Who is responsible for posting on the town site and why are they always months behind in meeting minutes and other going on?
I vote for the selectmen of your choice, the 1 that you think will be looking out for your best interest, is like giving him or her 2 votes. In my mind there is only 1 choice this year.
It's Joan Morel's responsibility and she is so lazy and busy sticking her nose into other matters. Now she wants to be a selectmen. I say if you voter her into office your in for a control freak that will reap vengeance on everyone along with Sharra Queen Bee that dares to say bad things about the selectmen.
The town reports are in, and anyone can go in and pick one or more up, but not today, its Friday.
But wouldn't it be nice if we, the people who pay the bills could actually access town hall when WE needed to and not when the privileged decided to be there. If anyone actually believes the garbage that we are saving money by allowing these people to have 3 and 4 day work weeks all year and still pay them all top dollar salaries and outrageous health bennys then you need a lobotomy.
So why isn't this information available on the town website for those of us who can't make it down to town hall ? I have 3 kids to get ready for school in the mornings before I go to work and when I get home I have to wait for all of them to get off the buses, prepare snacks and them start dinner. I don't have time to run downtown and read reports. It sure would be nice if the town hall was open at night or on a Saturday for parents like me.
Just got my, how to vote mailer, from the town hall. $400 was set aside for this mailing. Could have saved time and money by not mailing me one and they could have saved postage by having John P go around stuffing the mail boxes. Wonder what dept has so little to do that they have time to put this together?
That mailer borders in being illegal because it is definitely suggesting how people should vote. But it is probably just in side the lines ofm" information."
re: Stuffing mailboxes..The Post Office confirms that J. Pasquerelli paid for the flyer to be put in mailboxes.
^ bullcrap!! IF he had paid, his flyers would have had a postal stamping on them .. go find someplace else to spread your lies.
I called Winchester USPS and they stated he paid, I think its odd that there was no markings, address or return address or permit # and no one with a P.O. box got one. Are they covering for him and the delivery driver?
I could call the 1-800# but in the end I dont care
to "ya right!" 3/10/13 at 12:49pm. It's too bad you didn't think to check on the situation yourself with the Post Office before accusing someone of lying. Stupid is as stupid does.
Sure thing bud, the post office is open for business on Sundays just to take your call.
To the Feb. writer saying it's funny Mr. Parkhurst has a lien on his property and that he's wearing the same old coat-Mr. Parkhurst has devoted his life to this community and may be the poorer financially for it, but I feel he is a person rich in humanity. He may have less money to work with because he has been a teacher all his life. Unbeknownst to most people, a teacher's pension is small and does not cover health insurance. Most retired teachers live off social security like everyone else and use their small pension to pay for private health insurance. In NH, a single retired teacher can expect to pay about $600 per month (rounding up), just for the health insurance. Most teachers pensions won't cover that cost in full. By the mere fact that Mr. Parkhurst represents us in Concord (The attendance log I've seen for him is good.)you should be thanking him. I am not of Mr. Parkhurst's political party, but I vote for him each time he runs, because he cares about people of all walks of life. I'm sure he's not sitting at his computer insulting people for being frugal in wearing what one has that is perfectly serviceable, old coat or not. If the Feb writer is so able, why don't you pay for Mr. Parkhurst's taxes annonymously? Do something positive, if you are able. If you are not able, don't cast stones.
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