That's right. You won't hear the board of selectmen admit it, especially as mr. Childs has stated his intention to run for selectman AGAIN this year in the hopes that his friends and other town employees will overturn Article 21 from last year, prohibiting town employees from serving.
At the Budget Committee Meeting on Tues. night there was discussion over what constituted a "full-time" employee. Well here is how this comedy of errors played out;
Budget Committee Chair Mark Acciard, asked what the employee handbook said was a full time employee?
Budget Committee Member Dave Paquette, had with him a copy of the most recent revision dated June 2003, which stated 40 hours regularly scheduled.
Budget Committee member and former Selectman Brian Boyle, agreed with the 40 hour rule.
Selectman Paul Sullivan said he thought it was 32 hours. He remembered a lot of discussion on it in 2005.
Chief and former selectman Consentino said he was sure it was 32 hours.
Cable TV director Erica Jordan said she had TWO employee manuals, one stated 40 hours, one stated 32 hours!
All of these town officials in one room and noone knew for sure what constituted a full time employee!! AMAZING! AND WHY?
Because while the Chief spent 2004 and 2005 trying to revamp the town employee manual, and change full time from 40 to 32 hours, it was pointed out in 2004 by then selectman Brian Boyle that the board COULD NOT VOTE ON ANY EMPLOYEE MANUAL CHANGES BECAUSE TWO OF THEM WERE TOWN EMPLOYEES!!!
At that time both the Chief and Selectman Childs were under Code of Ethics complaints from Budget Committee Chair Acciard. And in 2005 Rockingham Superior Court stated that they had to recuse themselves.
And in a beautiful twist of poetic justice to the two men who do not have the honor and ethics to step aside when they should and to the townspeople that elected them..... the Town's employee manual has not been updated since June 2003 because since that time the board has been comprised of two town employees, and they can't vote on it.
Now state law provides for this; The selectmen could ask the Court to appoint two former selectmen to deal with those issues, but they won't do that because it would be an admission that they were wrong in the first place.
This is a Publius Axiom; "If you put your own needs, wants or desires before those of the Town and the voters, you don't deserve to hold those positions."
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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. "
3 comments:
Can't be transacted??? Of course business can be transacted. And it has been to a large extent. Since March 2006 there has been two non-employee selectmen. So there is no block to employee business being transacted.
Perhaps what should be reported is why, for nearly a year, nothing has been done with a draft copy of an employee handbook. Shouldn't it have been formalized or killed? And how, or why, does a town employee have a copy of the draft without knowing that it is a draft and therefore non-binding.
Janus
Mr. Janus welcome to the blog. A further question along those same lines would be why were there a sitting selectman, 2 former selectmen, 6 budget committee members, and three dept. heads and all had a different idea of what constituted a full time employee. But to answer one of your questions; our town employee chairman of the board con not bring it up for discussion, nor participate in the discussion of the employee handbook. And further this blog is not sure whether or not selectman Sullivan resigned or is merely enjoying a leave of absence.
Looks like Selectman Boyle wasn't such a bad choice for the people of Atkinson afterall.
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