Reward offered

Reward offered

The Girard at Large Radio Show announced today it is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the identity of the person or persons who distributed a controversial flier in advance of last week’s meeting of the Candia School Board.  The “first reading” of a policy on transgendered individuals was on the board’s agenda.

The flier headline screams “PEDOPHILES are Coming!  WARNING!! PARENTS….” and is followed by the meeting’s details and one aspect of the proposed policy.  It then cites the Girard at Large Web site, it’s blog and the name of contributing author Ann Marie Banfield, who posted an article about the policy, as if to attribute the creation and distribution of the flier to them.

Neither Girard nor Banfield were aware the flier existed until contacted by a reporter from the New Hampshire Union Leader.  Both have denounced it.

Girard: Won't be silenced

Girard: Won’t be silenced

While Girard did address the flier on his radio show yesterday, after consulting with business associates, he decided to take things a step further.  This morning, he announced a $1,000 reward will be paid to anybody who provides information that leads to identifying the person or persons who distributed the flier.

“We’re taking this very seriously,” said Girard.  “We want to know who put this out so we can determine whether or not it was a hit piece designed to smear our reputation or a misguided attempt to block the policy.  Regardless, we want to get to the bottom of it and will pay the reward if the information we receive leads to the identification of the responsible party or parties.”

Girard disclosed he is looking into various avenues to understand the legal options in the event the flier’s publisher is identified.

“If this is an attempt to silence me on the airwaves or undermine me s a member of the Manchester Board of School Committee, it’s not going to work,” said Girard.