https://www.laconiadailysun.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/n-h-constitution-needs-to-protect-community-self-determination/article_04d623ee-2da5-11e9-9102-0b4737bcd6bc.html

To The Daily Sun,
I endeavor to appeal to the civic mindedness of our democracy with a republican form of government to follow the plea in attention of 2019 legislative session CACR-8. This bill is not an innovation but an address to preserve and strengthen the rights of people in their municipalities. CACR-8 is the third effort of proposing an amendment to our state Constitution to follow Art. 39 with an Art. 40. This is the Right of Local Self-Governance to protect the self determination and future vision of our communities where we live.
CACR-8 in amending the N.H. Constitution is an assertion reserving community rights to self-government that protects a municipality, it’s citizens, selectmen and our representatives. When a corporation of multi-corporate money proposes a project and are given power equal to the state through a contractual agreement they receive an issued permit. Unless that corporate body regards and respects the goodwill of the community, with their idea of the future vision of that community, as to health, safety and welfare, our citizens, selectmen and our representatives by law must comply or face lawsuit litigation. Corporate property rights are 14th Amendment Rights that were not written for corporations but specifically the civil rights of citizens or people that reside in the United States. The progress and development of big money corporate projects with the help of authoritarian -minded government, charged through Dillon’s Rule rule against the community, preempts our civil rights.
In our N.H. Constitution’s Bill of Rights, CACR-8 would give a rebirth of liberties that would empower a republican form of government, our representatives and selectmen to protect the inherent rights of their constituents and the democracy, solidifying, a renaissance and awakenings of a sustainable future that works through an education resulting in healing our nation. Talk to your neighbors. Contact your representatives and senators to advance CACR-8 and let the people decide on the 2020 ballot.
Douglas Darrell
NHCRN Board Member
Barnstead

www.seacoastonline.com/news/20190131/right-to-healthy-climate-ordinance
Posted Jan 31, 2019 at 7:00 PMUpdated 
  To the Editor:
It is clear that people in Exeter are committed to protecting our natural environment. However, under our current system of government, there is no way for residents to oppose corporate projects that could be harmful to the health, safety and welfare of people and our ecosystems.
A Rights Based Ordinance (RBO) would correct this. It is a binding, local law that establishes a bill of rights that includes the right to a healthy climate, the right to clean air, water and soil, the right of ecosystems to exist and flourish and the right of self-government.
This RBO is a tool used by communities to assert their rights when confronted by projects that may be protected by state and federal permits. It allows for community enforcement of the law as affirmed in the N.H. State Constitution’s Bill of Rights. A group of Exeter citizens have brought forth this petition with support from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF), a national organization committed to fighting for the community and environmental rights since 1995. Over 200 towns across the country have passed similar RBO’s including 11 here in New Hampshire.

I urge you to come to the town deliberative session on Feb. 2 to learn more about this citizens petition and then to vote “yes” on warrant Article 30 on March 12.
Joan Pratt
Citizen Action for Exeter’s Environment