The Town has watched for months as the selectmen have reamed the Road Agent publicly for splitting the two roads slated for this year, part into the warrant articles, part into his budget. Mr. Sapia actually accused Teddy of trying to hide the true cost and made it sound like Teddy was trying to get something over on the voters. Mr. Sapia re-worded the warrant articles to "reflect the total cost of the roads... the voters deserve that" But in reality his articles STILL did not cover the total cost of the roads, as was pointed out by the budget committee. Mr. Sapia got very indignant on camera Saturday, about the "voters should have the total cost of the roads when they go into the booth", and "we have NEVER done it this way, we always give the voters the total cost of the road in each article".
Then Teddy explains that the Town's specifications for roads was changed by the planning board approximately three months ago!!! AND PLANNING BOARD CHAIR SUE KILLAM CONFIRMED THIS!!! Mr. Sapia sits on the planning board! And a little research has shown that not only did Mr. Sapia know of this change, HE SPOKE ON IT IN THE PLANNING BOARD MEETING!!!
So while he was chewing out Teddy for this new proceedure of not including the topcoat in his costs, he knew full well that this was the new standards set by the planning board, with his help, and Teddy had to abide by them. Further, at least Teddy never tried to tell people that his numbers represented the total cost of the roads; He explained exactly, many times, where the costs were and what the total was. Mr. Sapia, in fact told the people that he was including the total cost, when he knew he wasn't! Just like he, and Lt. Baldwin told the people many times that the tower would cost the town nothing! It wasn't until budget committee chair Acciard asked the question, that we found out that it is going to require "half a million or so of equipment, and those costs will take 25 years or so to recoup."
Why can't all of our town officials be honest with us?
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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. "
9 comments:
And isn't it true that at the end of the season, only half of Walker Road will be done? The town will not get the "complete" road Mr. Sapia promised.
True, but it goes further; the warrant articles he proposed only did half the road, and that only to binder, no topcoat. sl while he was verbally bashing Teddy for doing the same thing, He was doing it, and he knew that it reflected the new standards of the planning board! If he felt the way he said Saturday, he should have spoken up against that policy in planning board meetings, not in favor of it. He is being as hypocritical as usual.
Shouldn't we possibly give Mr. Sapia a break? After all, he's a relative new kid on the block, and has't really learned the job yet. He seems to believe he needs to speak as if he knew what he's talking about. That's probably why there's a lot of talk about how wonderful everybody involved in town is, and very little talk about the actual subject of discussion.
During the next year, beginning in March, Mr. Sapia will be chairman. Maybe....just maybe he will learn that it's wiser to keep your mouth shut and listen than to open your mouth and say nothing. It's part of the learning process.
I'm still confused! Is there a new "spec" for town roads? I heard there was a change for developers, but does it apply to existing town roads?
And when was the planning board meeting that was referred to? Can't find reference to this issue in quick Google search of town site.
Actually I am not sure Mr. Sapia deserves a break. He came to this position with absolutely NO experience. He had not participated in Town, been on any Boards or committees or volunteered his time to better Atkinson.
So going in he was ignorant but has continued into his second year to remain ignorant. Possibly by his own choice.
The worst offense is he has never learned any manners a skill most learn at their mother's knee. He treats the residents and other board members with distain and rudeness. Does he forget who he works for?
So ... no...he does not deserve a break. Atkinson deserves better.
Responding to what anonymous #3 above, said about "During the next year, beginning in March, Mr. Sapia will be chairman." NO! NO! NO! That can't be allowed to happen! Sapia has hurt the Town already too much as a regular selectman. He's been constantly rude to residents,talks over people and interrupts them all the time, is intolerant of anyone expressing or having a different opinion from his, cuts off people who disagree, is arrogant and obnoxious,never lets anyone else speak, treats people who disagree with him with contempt, and, like Childs, doesn't comply with town meeting votes which he disagrees with. He is everything a selectman should not be. During selectmen's meetings, he's also interrupted and and rudely talked over Selectman Sullivan. Sapia doesn't know the meaning of common courtesy and basic manners. He's been out of control ever since he became a selectman.
The worst thing that could happen to this town in March, besides Childs being re-elected, is for Sapia to be voted the position of Chairman by the other two selectmen. So, I urge selectman
Sullivan and whoever gets elected
to the other slot to PLEASE don't
inflict Sapia on the town as Chairman. While typically, the other selectmen usually vote the person who was selectman longest to be Chairman, it's never been a hard and fast rule. IT'S NOT TIME AS A SELECTMEN that should matter when deciding who should be chairman. It should be THE QUALITY OF THAT TIME that should be the decider of who serves as Chairman.
Sapia's past time as selectmen has definitely NOT been quality time. On the contrary, it has been an outrage how he has acted and treated people. He definitely should NOT be rewarded for his contemptous, rude, and abusive treatment of others by being elected chairman. So, please, Mr. Sullivan and new incoming selectman or selectwoman, please don't vote to make Sapia chairman. Mr. Sullivan has proven that he is the better and more suitable person. We want someone who will reflect well on the town, not embarrass or degrade it and someone who is temperamentally suited to be chairman.
Mr. Sullivan has constantly demonstrated courtesy in his dealings with residents, other town officials and the other selectmen, including to Sapia who doesn't return the courtesy.
Mr.Sullivan, please don't be hesitant or feel that people might question your voting for yourself. People want what's best for the town which means the best man for chairman. You and either Mr. Morse or Mrs. Tobin, please vote for what's in the best interest of Atkinson, (you as Chairman) and not what is best for a rude, out-of-control bullying man's ego.
RE: Selectman Chairman
For at least the past ten years, it has been "tradition" for a Selectman to serve as Chairman during his third year in office. Before that, a Selectman served during his second year, and that was a good thing, because (1) he was present at the next annual meeting to speak to articles he supported and (2) his education as a Selectman triples during the year of the chairmanship.
It's always possible that the Selectmen could vote to change that tradition back from third to second year. It only takes two votes.
lets not forget to thank Janine for her input to ask the questions that led to the events at deliberative session...
Re Mr. Sapia's job performance: Robert Louis Stevenson said it best. "Politics is perhaps the only profession for which no preparation is thought necessary."
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