CONCORD, N.H. — An associate justice on the New Hampshire Supreme Court who was indicted last week over a conversation she had with Governor Christopher T. Sununu said in a court filing Wednesday that the chief justice told her in advance it would be acceptable for her to meet with Sununu.
Associate Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi is facing felony and misdemeanor charges for allegedly telling Sununu on or about June 6 that an investigation by the attorney general’s office into her husband was meritless and needed to wrap up quickly because she had recused herself from important pending cases.
New Hampshire Supreme Court Associate Justice Anna Barbara “Bobbie” Hantz MarconiState of New Hampshire
Hantz Marconi, 68, said she communicated with Chief Justice Gordon J. MacDonald ahead of time about her desire to request a meeting with Sununu, and MacDonald signaled doing so seemed appropriate.
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“I think you can do that,” MacDonald said, according to Hantz Marconi’s recollection relayed in her court filing. “You are a constituent and have concerns.”
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Hantz Marconi called on MacDonald to recuse himself from a disciplinary proceeding against her, saying he would clearly be a witness in her criminal case based on their prior conversation.
The office that oversees attorney disciplinary matters advised the Supreme Court on Monday to suspend Hantz Marconi’s license to practice law immediately, and she responded Wednesday by voluntarily accepting the suspension while continuing to deny the charges.
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“She maintains her innocence,” attorneys Richard Guerriero and Oliver Bloom wrote in her response. “Nonetheless, she recognizes that a temporary suspension of her right to practice law is appropriate during her administrative leave while the criminal case is pending.”
Without addressing the particulars of Hantz Marconi’s motion, MacDonald and the other three justices — Senior Associate Justice James P. Bassett, Associate Justice Patrick E. Donovan, and Associate Justice Melissa B. Countway — all recused themselves Wednesday, citing their desire to avoid adjudicating the conduct of a current colleague.
“Our recusal is conditioned upon the availability of substitute justices to participate in this case,” they noted. “In the event that substitute justices are not available, the ‘rule of necessity’ may compel our participation.”
Under the relevant state law, the chief justice or senior associate justice may assign a retired judge to fill a vacancy temporarily. If a retired Supreme Court justice is unavailable, they can assign a retired Superior Court judge. If that’s not possible, they can appoint a current Superior Court judge. If there is still no one available, they can select from the current district and probate court judges.
It was not immediately clear who might be on the clerk’s list of judges willing to serve temporarily as Supreme Court justices.
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Spokespeople for the New Hampshire Supreme Court and the New Hampshire Department of Justice declined to comment on Hantz Marconi’s filing.
Geno J. Marconi, Hantz Marconi’s husband, was indicted Thursday by a grand jury on felony witness tampering and other charges. Marconi is the director of the New Hampshire Port Authority.
Steven Porter can be reached at steven.porter@globe.com. Follow him @reporterporter.
Sunflowers are my absolute FAVORITE flowers. I truly feel like they have magical uplifting abilities. Hence, why I’ve always kept fresh sunflowers in my house, brightening up my kitchen table or even my TV stand.
Obviously, it was a dream of mine to have my maternity photos taken in a sunflower field. They reflect sunshine and exude happiness.
Not to mention, one of my favorite quotes is about sunflowers! “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It’s what sunflowers do.” Helen Keller
A beautiful reminder to keep an optimistic outlook on life and not dwell on the negative.
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So, you can imagine the joy I felt when I learned that New Hampshire had its very own Sunflower Festival at Coppal House Farm in Lee!
Coppal House Farm via FacebookCoppal House Farm via Facebook
About the Sunflower Festival:
During the summer, the farm transforms into a sea of golden blooms, giving visitors the chance to wander through thousands of sunflowers, snap photos, enjoy local food vendors, artisan crafts, listen to live music, and experience one of New Hampshire’s most beautiful summer traditions.
Other unique activities on the itinerary? Sip-n-snip! Guests can enjoy a cocktail or mocktail of their choice and cut their own fresh bouquet of flowers.
Coppal House Farm via FacebookCoppal House Farm via Facebook
Or maybe you’re a yoga fan? You can join a 60-minute sweat session from Lee, New Hampshire yoga instructors right in the heart of the flower field.
And because the farm grows oilseed sunflowers for culinary oil (which they harvest in the fall months), the flowers only stay at their peak for a brief window, making the festival a limited-time experience, according to the festival organizers…
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What makes this event even more special is the reason behind it. The festival started as a way to share the beauty of the sunflower fields, but it has grown into something much bigger. Organizers say the event has raised more than $90,000 for Make-A-Wish New Hampshire over the years and now shares a portion of its proceeds with several local nonprofit organizations serving the Seacoast community.
Anyone who knows me knows that paying it forward is something that’s incredibly important to me. It’s right up there with my love of sunflowers because both fill my cup in the best way. So, when I found out this festival celebrates my favorite flower and gives back to the community, I knew I had to share it.
Sunflower Festival Details:
This festival only runs from Saturday, July 25th until Sunday, August 2nd. You can get the full list of activities and more on the Coppal Farm website.
Daily Field Hours
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10:00 AM – 6:30 PM (last admission at 6PM because fields close at 6:30) Weekend Tickets (prepurchased online – day before) $12 per person ages 13 & older $10 per person ages 5-12 $10 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free Weekend Tickets (purchased day of – online or at farm): $16 per person ages 13 & older $14 per person ages 5-12 $14 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free includes: access to sunflower fields, craft fair, food vending area, tented shade area, picnic area, farm animals, & live music
Weekday Tickets (prepurchased online – day before) $8 per person ages 13 & older $6 per person ages 5-12 $6 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free
Weekday Tickets (purchased day of – online or at farm) $12 per person ages 13 & older $10 per person ages 5-12 $10 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free
What tickets include: Access to sunflower fields, food vending area, tented shade area, picnic area, and farm animals
READ MORE: A Classic Fairy Tale Comes To Life At Portsmouth’s Prescott Park This Summer
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This festival might just leave you smiling long after you leave the fields!
What Flowers Thrive in New England
See what flowers thrive in New England weather: Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
Gallery Credit: Logan
14 of the Best New Hampshire Farms Offering Locally Grown Strawberries
14 of the Best New Hampshire Farms Offering PYO Strawberries
Ed. Note: If this was you and you are interested, please email [email protected] so I can put you in touch with OP.
“Dear PoPville,
I was biking home from a doctor appointment a little before noon on Friday, and stopped at a red light on New Hampshire & L st nw. There was a woman across the street who was looking fine in her dark blue (I think they were) scrubs. I might be crazy, but it felt like we kept checking each other out. By the third time,
if we were in a romcom, one of us would have waved. Sorry I didn’t, but if you are reading this and date men, reach out to the Prince if you are interested in that man on the bike. Have a great weekend!”
Ed. Note: If this is you, please email [email protected] so I can put you in touch with OP. PoPville is not affiliated with either party, please proceed with any potential connection at your own risk using caution as you would any online encounter. For those curious about past missed connections, many have been made and when possible I’ll try to update when/if more are made.
A New Hampshire motorcyclist who had been missing since the Fourth of July was found dead in Shelburne late Thursday night.
State police say they received a request from the Berlin Police Department just after 7:30 p.m. Thursday for help locating 41-year-old Wesley Grondin — the Berlin man was last seen riding his motorcycle on Saturday, July 4, and had been reported missing.
Troopers received a call a couple of hours later, around 10:10 p.m. Thursday, from a concerned resident who had been out looking for Grondin along Route 2 in Shelburne. The person told police they had found Grondin dead, along with his Harley Davidson.
According to state police, a preliminary investigation determined that Grondin was riding his Harley on Route 2 westbound in Shelburne when, for reasons that remain under investigation, he crossed over into the opposing lane, struck a post, and came to a final rest in the wood line.
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The crash is believed to have occurred just before midnight on July 4. At this time, police say there’s no indication that another vehicle or person was involved.
All aspects of the crash remain under investigation, however. Anyone with information that may assist investigators is asked to contact Trooper Hunter Newsham at Hunter.P.Newsham@dos.nh.gov.
