"NH Mafia"

The so called "NH Mafia" is a group of FSP members (and supporters) that agressively worked to ensure New Hampshire was chosen as "the free state". I'm not too sure of the members, but this is what I am thinking:

Jason P Sorens
Henry McElroy (R-Nashua)
George Reich
Rich Tomasso
Chuck Geshlider
Michelle Dumas
David Mincin
James Maynard
Mike Lorrey
Amanda Philips
Keith Murphy
Doug Hillman
Tony Stelik
Bruce Morgan
Don Gorman
LPNH - John Babiarz crew
Benson

Let me know who is missing, or who should not be on the list.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Libertarian Party of New Hampshire
PO Box 5293Manchester, NH 03108
603-431-1618
fsp-nh@lpnh.org

LPNH Endorses Free State Project

Concord - 17-Jan-2003 - At the January meeting of the Libertarian Party ofNew Hampshire's executive board, the party officially endorsed the FreeState Project (http://www.freestateproject.org/) by unanimous vote.

The Free State Project is a rapidly growing movement that seeks to gaincommitment from 20,000 people who pledge to move to a single,low-population state and work to peacefully institute political reformsthere. FSP members will integrate into existing communities and worktogether with longtime residents to hold politicians accountable and tomake government smaller and more responsive. Currently, the FSP has over2,400 signed-on participants. New Hampshire is among the ten states beingconsidered as the FSP target state.

Many LPNH members, as well as executive board members, have signed on asmembers of the FSP. In addition, the LPNH has formed the "Welcome to theGranite State" Committee to coordinate efforts promoting New Hampshire asthe most desirable Free State candidate. This committee will work withother activists and FSP members to attract people seeking liberty and thespirit of independence that are so well represented in the Granite State.

The Free State Project membership includes a number of New Hampshireresidents who have signed on, in addition to a core group of nationwidemembers convinced that New Hampshire is the best choice for success of theFSP's goals. The attraction of New Hampshire often cited by FSP members isthe respect by our residents for the ideals of individual liberty andsmall, decentralized government. New Hampshire has one of the lowest ratesof state and local taxation in the country, one of the most efficientstate budgets and is one of the states most respectful of its residents'civil liberties. New Hampshire residents may find themselves a group ofpolitical friends and allies in the Free State Project members, all ofwhom recognize the virtues of self-reliance, individual freedom and smallstate government, and will seek to further improve upon and enhance NewHampshire's standing as the liberty-leader among the fifty states.

For more information on the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire, the FreeState Project, and projects of the Welcome to the Granite State Committee,please visit http://www.lpnh.org/.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Elizabeth McKinstry, Vice President Free State Project, Inc.
Phone: (734) 904-5712
Email: emckinstry@freestateproject.org

New Hampshire Governor Joins as a Friend of the Free State Project

Henderson, NV and Austin, TX - August 7, 2003 - In late June, Governor Craig Benson (R-NH) met with members from the Free State Project (FSP) who were visiting to explore New Hampshire as a possible choice for the FSP. Benson welcomed the visit and noted that he had much in common with Free Staters. After careful consideration, Governor Benson has decided to sign on as a supporter of the FSP. While making no commitment to move with the Free Staters, he supports their efforts to reform state and local government in order to create a truly free society.

The Free State Project (http://www.freestateproject.org/) is a non-profit organization that is in the process of gathering 20,000 or more liberty-oriented people to move to a single state in the U.S. in the attempt to establish a truly free society. Rather than continuing the same failed strategies aimed at bringing the US Government to the light of liberty, the Free State Project aims at creating liberty in a single state. The success of the FSP would likely entail reductions in burdensome taxation and regulation, legal reforms, and an increased respect for and protection of people's rights, demonstrating the benefits of liberty to the rest of the nation and the world. The project's membership is currently conducting the vote to choose which state will become "the Free State."

Jason Sorens, founder of the FSP, said "As a grassroots organization, we draw support from many quarters. In addition to the nearly 5,000 members and hundreds of friends, it's wonderful to have an ally in this state's highest office." The meeting, part of the "Escape to New Hampshire" getaway sponsored by the Welcome to the Granite State Committee (http://www.freestatenh.com/), was arranged by John Babiarz, FSP member, Chair of the Libertarian Party of NH (http://www.lpnh.org/), and Benson's appointee to the Efficiency in Government Commission.

When asked how he would feel about 20,000 small-government activists moving to New Hampshire, Benson replied, "Come on up. We'd love to have you."

Elizabeth McKinstry, VP of the FSP said, "It's impressive to see someone in political office who is encouraged, rather than threatened, by citizens who want to have a say in how government should be run."

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Pictures from the meeting are available upon request
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