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September 14. 2012 12:46AM
Danville selectmen to publicly censure Harding
DANVILLE — Selectmen plan to publicly censure Selectman Russell Harding and ask him again to resign at a board meeting Monday after he was accused of grabbing a 13-year-old boy by the back of his neck and forcing his head into a table during a community movie night.
Harding, 35, was charged by state police last week with two counts of simple assault after an investigation into the altercation that occurred at the movie night at Day Field on Aug. 18.
The agenda for Monday's selectmen's meeting states that selectmen will censure Harding for “conduct unbecoming of a selectman” at 7:15 p.m.
Chairman Shawn O'Neil said the board will also call for Harding's resignation.
Selectmen recently asked him to resign, but he has refused. Instead, Harding apologized for the incident at a board meeting last week, saying he made a mistake.
During the meeting, Harding admitted to “touching” the boy. In an interview with the New Hampshire Union Leader, he said he “pushed” him.
Harding has not admitted to the allegations made in the complaints filed by state police.
Harding claims he approached the teenager because he thought he was tampering with the town's movie equipment. He has said that he moved in between the boy and the equipment and pushed him away.
O'Neil said the teenager and others were simply making “hand puppets” on the projector screen.
Selectmen have not only expressed concern about the altercation but also criticized Harding for holding the movie night even after Police Chief Wade Parsons had postponed the event earlier in the day due to the threat of rain.
While selectmen do not have the authority to force Harding off the elected board, O'Neil said he hopes he'll step down.
“It's in the best interest of the town that he resigns. I think he's lost the faith and confidence of the board in his judgment and in his ability to carry out his elected duties as a town official,” he said.
Harding declined to comment on the case or the calls for his resignation Thursday night.
“I can't talk about anything now,” he said.
Jason Schreiber may be reached at jschreiber@newstote.com.
Harding, 35, was charged by state police last week with two counts of simple assault after an investigation into the altercation that occurred at the movie night at Day Field on Aug. 18.
The agenda for Monday's selectmen's meeting states that selectmen will censure Harding for “conduct unbecoming of a selectman” at 7:15 p.m.
Chairman Shawn O'Neil said the board will also call for Harding's resignation.
Selectmen recently asked him to resign, but he has refused. Instead, Harding apologized for the incident at a board meeting last week, saying he made a mistake.
During the meeting, Harding admitted to “touching” the boy. In an interview with the New Hampshire Union Leader, he said he “pushed” him.
Harding has not admitted to the allegations made in the complaints filed by state police.
Harding claims he approached the teenager because he thought he was tampering with the town's movie equipment. He has said that he moved in between the boy and the equipment and pushed him away.
O'Neil said the teenager and others were simply making “hand puppets” on the projector screen.
Selectmen have not only expressed concern about the altercation but also criticized Harding for holding the movie night even after Police Chief Wade Parsons had postponed the event earlier in the day due to the threat of rain.
While selectmen do not have the authority to force Harding off the elected board, O'Neil said he hopes he'll step down.
“It's in the best interest of the town that he resigns. I think he's lost the faith and confidence of the board in his judgment and in his ability to carry out his elected duties as a town official,” he said.
Harding declined to comment on the case or the calls for his resignation Thursday night.
“I can't talk about anything now,” he said.
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Jason Schreiber may be reached at jschreiber@newstote.com.
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