In an un-explained computer clitch, the original Publius posting
entitled "Statue? Monument? ....Or Cell Tower?" got erased,
along with its response comments. While Publius tries to find
a copy of his original posting to re-post, fortunately, Ulysses
happened to have a print-out of response comments to that
Publius posting, so we can re-create, at the present time, at
least the response postings.
anonymous said...
Witholding information, giving misleading information, and
fabricating information are tactics frequently used by those
with a personal, political or financial objective. Doesn't
surprise me what has been described.
Jan. 17, 2007 5:31 AM
Publius said...
Evidently there is a petitioned warrant article to have true experts
in the field of communications look at this and determine A) if
there is truely a need. B) how great a need. C) how best to fill that
need (at least two options), and D) if a tower is needed, where
does it need to go and why, and how high and at what cost?
It is the opinion of this blog that these issues need to be studied
by people without an interest in the outcome, for the protection of
the townspeople.
Jan. 17, 2007, 7:53 PM
anonymous said....
Atkinson Residents, do not believe everything that you see here
in this type of blog. The assumptions and coward remarks made
by a select few, who also have had the opportunity to get involved
and be part of the solution should be ignored and discounted.
Publius, if you spent your time being a positive role model or
influence, I bet you could be a great asset to the Town. But egos
and arrogance get in the way....
Jan. 24, 2007 2:00PM
Publius said....
Welcome, Anonymous. I can see that you do not understand the
purpose of this blog, nor the objective. The purpose here is to
have a conversation about town politics. As you can see, we only
moderate comments for use of language and tone, not ideology.
Further, on this blog we do not call names, nor make broad
unsubstantiated assertions about subjects about which we are
ignorant.
As we have stated before, Publius is not one person, but a pen
name under which many people are contributing, much as the
original appearance of Publius in American Politics.
You decry this blog and its management and purpose, but you
present no facts, no substantiation. This sounds similar to when
our board of selectmen use public meetings to slander residents
who disagree with them, offering no facts, merely editorial. If you
can find facts that this blog has stated which are inaccurate, please
reveal them and if you are correct we will apologize on this blog.
If you find analysis or commentary with which you disagree,
speak up civilly and we can have a conversation about it.
We welcome debate on the issues as long as it occurs in public.
It is the secrecy and back room deals with which we have problems.
January 24, 2007, 6:38 PM
bridgehead 03 said....
I have been an Atkinson Resident for over 20 yrs. My wife and I
moved here because it was a quaint New England Village with
really nice Villagers living in it. I remember the old Grange, the
stone walls, the country roads, the nice schools, and low tax rates.
These were all reasons why we settled here even though I was
traveling around the world in my job.
The reason Atkinson is Atkinson is because years ago the Town
Fathers had the foresight to hire Hans Klunder, a Master Planner,
who established growth rules to keep the Town a New England
Village. These rules have stood the test of time. Even after 4
Condo Projects and a Golf Course, the Town has managed to keep
its New England Charm. The new Town Hall, Dow Common, new
Fire Station, Police station, Recreation Center and modifications
to Atkinson Academy were all painstakinlly planned for. The
latest town modification, the new Library, has been in the
planning process for over 5 yrs and by the looks of things will
be a facility the town can be proud of.
This brings me to the latest Tower of Babble issues.
The three Stooges and their henchmen are wanting to deface
our town center and spend $300K plus of our hard earned Tax
Money, all in the name of Police Safety. I worry about people
who repeatedly use the "putting our life on the line" syyndrome,
which has become very popular since 9-11. I'm not sure Lt.
Baldwin or Selectman Sapia even know what that means. If the
problem is so critical and dangerous, did I miss the Emergency
Town Meeting to rectify the problem? While this issue will take
at least 18 months to resolve, what action has Lt. Baldwin taken
to protect his men and us? Jack and Billy have both stated we
must have a Cell Phone Tower in the center of town at any cost
in order to be safe? I just don't understand the problem. It really
doesn't matters though, because the Cell Phone Tower is the
answer. Did you know there are at least 5 Cell Phone Towers
within 5 nm of Atkinson, but I guess they can't save us because
they're busy.
In the 20 yrs I've lived in town I've not heard that we have had
a Communication problem. I haven't heard the Fire Department
or DPW complain that this is an issue. As a matter of fact, the
Police Chief on several occasions has stated that he has great
radio coverage from his mobile Vehicle Radios throughout
Town. So again, what is the problem? What are the operational
requirements? What are the technical requirements? What are
the future needs? What about the NH Emergency Network?
How much does this all cost? Can we get a HLS Grant? All
great questions and the six page folder stuffer Billy and the
boys generated doesn't even begin to address these things.
The issue, as I understand, is that the Police 5 watt portable
hand-held radios don't work well in some spots in town. I
guess Lt. Baldwin wants to be able to talk to the Chief as he
performs horse-mounted patrols throughout the Village.
This problem can all be simply solved without a Tower.
This is not a Line of Sight issue. A taller tower doesn't fix this
problem. The Town needs to build a Town Communication
system that takes in all the Town's Communication Require-
ments, not just a special interest group's idea of a good deal.
By putting repeaters in the vehicles and at Busby's Cell Phone
Tower (354ft) along with a Base Station/Repeater at the Fire
Station (418ft), a tower is not required. The cost for this is
easily under $75K.
This issue, like everything else we have done, needs to be
studied by competent Technical Communication Engineers
before some good- doers ruin our New England Village.
Jan. 24, 2007 4:56 PM
Saturday, January 27
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
ATKINSON's Vietnam HONOR ROLL as VOTED and PASSED by 2005 Town Meeting and re-approved at Special Town Meeting Sept. 12
EDITORIAL-
A voice of compassion, an example of fairness and reasonable government.
One who believes in the strength and comfort you, your children and your family can draw from good government leadership.
A person who knows Atkinson is our home -- our most important possession that must be preserved and protected through fair taxes and sound community planning and where our children must be safe to grow to become a new generation of leaders.
One who knows that the citizens of Atkinson are all neighbors with her leadership to be dedicated and responsive to all.
One who believes that when those from Atkinson have served our nation and honors are deserved, those honors must be given.
In Valerie Tobin, we now have a leader we know we can entrust with these responsibilities because they are part of her character.
It is our honor to endorse Valerie for election to Atkinson’s Board of Selectmen.
Just a note for those who wish to count the deer.
In January 08 this blog had 16,000 hits and 1,500 unique visitors (for the month).
In 2007 this blog had over 100,000 hits and 5,750 unique visitors (for the year).
In 2007 this blog had over 100,000 hits and 5,750 unique visitors (for the year).
EDITORIAL-
"I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense . . ." [TP, 1776]
We take no small measure of umbrage at such a hostile official act against this BLOG’s patron. Therefore, a timely Editorial comment is both appropriate and necessary.
Discussion of Atkinson’s financial direction, from any viewpoint, is fundamental and encouraged and we will always attempt to limit and correct errors.
However, Righteous indignation towards purported error of such inconsequential nature is not appropriate.
The ENTIRE car deal is problematic. If it was caused by poor judgement, improper exercise of authority, neglect or mistake or even specious reasoning, this will never trump the facts that the entire questionable transaction started and ended within a very small circle of confidants.
We find the entire circumstances surrounding the disposition of the police Cruiser highly irregular at the least and the "explanations" somewhat trifling and exhaustive of our intellect.
Mr. Consentino: It’s time to go. Being Chief of Atkinson’s Police Department is NOT a birthright. That is a fabled legend of yesteryear.
Historically in Atkinson, police chief appointments were made "under the hand of the selectmen" for terms of one year at a time, as was also the case in the beginning of Mr. Consentino’s assorted and discontinuous stream of appointments to this position.
Your only remaining credential established on a claim of indispensability has faded.
So time is neigh. Plan a graceful exit, Clean out your desk, Accept the gratitude and tearful sentiments from some. We plan no editorial recriminations. It is time. Thank you for your service, We wish you a long and happy retirement. Bon Voyage.
LETTER
"To All Atkinson Residents,
I am writing to ask for your help. A member of the Atkinson Police Department needs our help. I am here to ask for your help in Corporal John Lapham's fight for his life. As you are aware, John has been diagnosed with Leukemia. He has been once again hospitalized with an infection that is threatening his life. He is one of the bravest people that I have ever met. He has never asked of anything from the residents of the town. Now is our chance to step up and help both him and his family out. As everyone is aware John has been out of work for a few months. His family has been busy helping John to get better. He needs our help, and I am hoping that this town can step up to the plate and help. From the moment that I met John, I have admired him. He does alot, but never asks for anything in return. He has helped so many people in this town. I for one am one of those people. Please help him.
There is a fund set-up in his name at TDBanknorth in Plaistow. Any amount will help John, while he is out of work. It would be great if this town could help ease a burden off his wife.
Thank You
Also if anyone would like to send a card, please address it to:
John Lapham
c/o Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Ctr.
Inpatient mail
75 Francis Street
Boston, MA 02115
United States
Please show Corporal John Lapham, that this community can stand up and show our support to those in need. I for one, miss John and can not wait until he can get better and return to work. Please show him that we support him. "
1 comment:
Publiuas and Ulysses your Blog is being talked about by a lot of folks in Town so I had to check it out. My hat is off to the two of you for supplying a venue to some of us that are very interested in what’s going on in our Town but because of our work environments are unable to participate in Meetings to be verbally heard. NH is one of the last places that still use the Town Meeting form of Government which dates back to our fore fathers. It is here, that we the public get to debate issues that affect our Town. In the old days people gathered at the Grange, the Town Church or the Village Store to discuss and debate the issues of the day “without ridiculing peoples positions”. They all new one another so when Town meeting came around most everyone was well informed and educated about the issues. Today with our highly mobile society, chat room and cell phone: we barely know our neighbors never mind what’s happening at Town Hall. You guys may have stumbled on to something that ever Town in NH should have; a way for the people to voice their opinions openly and get educated about the issues. I’ve even tried on several occasions to use the Eagle Tribune but they have refused to publish several Editorials that have been controversial about our Town Government. When Town Governments try to control the information that rightfully belongs to all the Citizens, Free Patriots must rise up and defend our God given Freedoms.
Live Free or Die still means something in this State.
Post a Comment