Well Candidates night was surely interesting. In our selectmen's race we have three candidates;
Fred Childs, incumbent, town employee
Harold Morse, challenger
Valerie Tobin, challenger
Questioning was started by Mr. Acciard asking Mr. Morse if he would be willing to step aside on planning, ZBA, and inspector appointments over the next three years as he works for Lewis Builders.
To Mr. Morse's credit he answered yes. He described how he has always recused himself from planning board discussions involving Lewis projects, and this is all true. Unfortunately when asked about the school impact fees warrant article, Mr. Morse spoke at length about it, when if he was earnest about stepping aside on these issues he should have then, as the beneficiary of this impact fee waiver is Lewis Builders.
Ms. Tobin was quick to defend her honor when Mr. Childs stated that she and Mr. Morse would have far greater conflicts than he, they being builders. Incredible! Ms. Tobin was quick to point out that she had no ties to any town boards or committees or employees. And all of her business is out of town. There fore she would have no conflicts at all. Mr. Childs restated his thought that as a builder it would be a conflict for her to appoint planning board members and ZBA members, even though she is not building anything in town. Go figure, he sees no conflict in a town employee voting on his own raise, or buying an SUV for his own dept. or signing a voucher to give himself a $1,300.00 "union benefit" but he sees a conflict in someone being a builder even if they dont work in town.
THIS IS CALLED HYPOCRACY!
As to Mr. Childs, He stated his vast experience on town boards and committees, this participation is surely laudable. He stated that the only reason he was found in conflict by the town code of ethics committee, is because he voted on his own raise, and the reason he did that is because they told him the year before that he could do it. That is true, the previous year the code of ethics committee decided not to do their job until forced to, because a couple of the members are good friends with Mr. Childs. After Rockingham Superior Court defined conflict for them in Mr. Consentino's case, they decided to take "a more literal reading of the ordinance" Mr. Smith's words. What Mr. Childs failed to mention is that the vote that got him in trouble came AFTER the Court said dont do it! He STILL didnt get the message.
As to Mr. Childs assertion the "last year the voters didnt know what they were voting for" when voting for Article 21. Guess what, Fred We knew full well. We were sick and tired of the antics of people like yourself who put their own desires ahead of what is best for the town, and ahead of what the voters tell them to do.
In 2005 a majority of the voters said put the honor roll panels in front of the town hall. Fred said NO! and was willing to spend taxpayer dollars to take it to court.
In 2006 a vast majority of voters said we dont want town employees or dept. heads as selectmen. Fred said I want to run anyways.
We need a selectman without a conflict!
We need a selectman who will do the right thing without waiting for a court to tell him what that thing is!
We need a selectman who will put our votes ahead of their own desires!
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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. "
12 comments:
Open letter to Mrs. Morelli.
Ginny - the days of signing up and automatically getting a seat on the Budget Committee are over. Attenance at Candidate's Night is almost mandatory. It shows the people you want a seat on that board and you're ready to fight for it (and when you win you need to quit your job.)
This article doesn't mention Mrs. Morelli who was, again, a no-show. I was offended by that. She's so egotistical she doesn't see a need to put in an appearance? She's so confident that everyone will remember the years she served that they'll vote for her? She's so positive that everyone will agree with her petition that it will pass?
I don't think so. If she doesn't care, why the heck should I?
If Mrs. Morelli and Mr. Childs can not obey town law in running for election, how can we expect them to obey it when serving?
The fact that Mr. Childs and Mrs. Morelli felt enabled to sign up for positions on a board or committee after last years warrant article passed really is not the problem. They both have already demonstrated their lack of respect for the residents.
The problem is that neither one has submitted a letter of intent stating that if they were to succeed in attaining these positions they would "immediately" resign from their PAYING positions as employees of the town.
As stated so eloquently by Mr. Childs at candidates night "there is nothing that says I cannot sign up" please do not forget Fred and Ginny there is alot that says you CANNOT MAINTAIN YOUR PAYING POSITIONS IF YOU ARE ELECTED!
I think the reason for Mrs. Morelli was a no show, was because she knew that she would of been asked the questions of conflict and how and why she still was running anyhow. But im sure she supports the same idea as Mr. Childs....."the voters didn"t know what they voted for last year" . The two of them need to take a class in common sense 101.
Selectman Sapia asked if the new candidates would be willing to meet constantly throughout the year with the selectmen and dept. heads to work on the budget.
There is a reason we do not do that.
State Budget Law RSA 32:5 lays out the procedure for developing the budget. The budget committee has no authority over the expenditure of the current budget, other than basic audit functions.
Typically, we meet right after the election to elect a chair and vice chair, assign liasons, and set a schedule. We also monitor, throughout the year the monthly expenditure reports, for potential overspending. If we see lines or budgets in danger of being overspent, we meet with the selectmen during the summer to advise them to watch out for those items. Although in the recent past, the selectmen, most notably Mr. Sapia have been extremely critical of our coming in and doing this because the lines in that year that were being overspent were mainly in the PD. It doesn't matter what budget they are in, we are only asking the selectmen to be aware that they may be overspent.
We begin our preparation of next years budget in Oct. because by then we have 3/4 of the year gone and can predict the last quarters expenditures, so we know where to question.
I should point out that throughout the year the liasons should be in contact with their dept. heads regarding new expenditures, increases, potential problems, etc.
Jack, if we were to meet throughout the year as you suggest it would be a wasted effort as we have no authority over the budget you are currently spending. As a matter of fact the last time we discussed this, you were telling us that we had no authority and should not overstep our bounds. I am curious about the turn-around.
I hope this answered your question from Candidates night.
I am always hearing how Acciard only made ethics complaints against Consentino because he hates him because of a traffic ticket. I have heard chief and Sapia say it many times, I didnt know he had filed two of them against Childs for voting on his own raise!, And he was consistent in asking Morse to step aside on these issues too.
Maybe he was right! Maybe we have been being lied to by the people in charge!
I voted for Fred in 2004. I was on his and the chief's side last year when the question of banning town employees came up.
After watching everything that has happened in the last year, the ban was necesary! article 23 needs to be defeated!
I couldn't believe I heard Fred say at candidates night that he didn't know it was wrong to vote on his own raise until someone told him!
How do you get to be 78 and you STILL don't know right from wrong?
If you have to be told what is right and what is wrong then you dont need to be a selectman!
I have to agree with the last poster. Fred said he didn't know it was wrong, but I looked back at the discussions of this, and in selectmens meetings Mr. Boyle, Mr. Acciard, and Mrs. Stewart all mentioned letters from the attornies at the New Hampshire Municipal Assoc. who said that he couldn't vote on a raise he would receive. and he did it anyway.
And at both deliberative session, and candidates night, I heard Chief say he did nothing wrong, but if I remember the newspaper stories correctly the Court told him in Sept.when it found him in contempt of court to stop violating it's order's or he would be "put in jail"!!!
Why can't these people tell us the truth?
I can not vote for someone who lies to me!
Mr. Childs thinks that if he keeps saying he did nothing wrong, over and over and over...the voter's will eventually believe it.
Mr. Childs, I have been a supporter of your candidacy in all of your runs for selectman. I thought I could trust you to do a good job.
This last term you have failed miserably and I for one will not vote for you, or Harold Morse. I want someon with NO CONFLICTS! and maybe some honor, as the current board is sadly deficient in it.
however, let me give you a piece of advice... You will not get elected by telling the voters we were too stupid to know what we were voting for, when we voted for Article 21 last year. You may be able to make that argument when we voted Sapia in, but not for the warrant article.
I helped passa law saying that town employees can not be elected to the board of selectmen or the budget committee, now Fred Childs who has had a year to challenge the legality of that article if he wanted, is thumbing his nose at me and saying it doesn't matter what I told him, he is going to do what he wants anyway.
Well I've got news for you, Mr. Childs, You will do what the voters tell you to do, i will tell everyone I can reach not to vote for you, because you are only interested in you, not the voters of Atkinson.
Voters of Atkinson: Be careful to not get all hung up on Fred Childs. You should be looking to the future on who is the best candidate. I don't believe Harold Morse is the answer. With the largest building complex coming into Atkinson it so happens the son in law of Peter Lewis is running for Selectman. If you think things have been done behind the scenes before, watch out! He already noted he supported on not having the school impact fee, there's a break in itself. He was on the board who could have looked into a Senior Citizen impact fee so they could receive money for needs they may need in the future. I believe it was Valarie Tobin who brought this up. We need someone with a clear mind, professional back round, and ability to make common sense decisions. No Conflict--My vote is for Valarie Tobin.
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