Well This blog has been advised that the powers that be in Atkinson are pulling out all the stops to find out who is behind this blog, and who is commenting on it. Even going so far as to use the resources of Worcester Polytech's Computer Lab to try and trace the IP addresses of people who comment on this blog. (Isn't that the Alma Mater of our Town Moderator, Fran Polito? hmmmm, curiouser and curiouser.)
You gentlemen wish to know who is running and posting on this blog, it is simple.....
IT IS THE PEOPLE OF ATKINSON!!! Currently their are 7 people posting articles under the byline of Publius! and so far there are 44 people commenting! Not bad for a blog in it's first month with little or no advertising! And it is growing daily!
The question for the town government is;
1.) What do you have to fear from free speech that you can not control?
2.) If what you are doing is right, then why can't you defend it, without trying to destroy the messenger?
3.) If what you are doing is right, why can't it be debated in an open blog? Why must you attempt to attack the wives, children, and mothers, of those with whom you disagree?
Thomas Jefferson once said;
Where the people fear their government there is tyranny
Where the government fears the people there is liberty!
There is a reason that the majority of the comments on this blog are anonymous...
As stated, given the actions of our selectmen and Police Administration over the past two years, why would anyone criticize publicly?
Lets take a look at what has happened to those who did.
Brian Kaye- Had been participating in the negotiations with Signal Tower. Came into a Selectmen's Meeting on June 6, 2006 to tell the selectmen he was bowing out due to death threats. What happened? The chief followed him into the hallway as he left screaming at him. then proceeded to return to the meeting and spent 20 minutes bashing Mr. Kaye on camera, with added comments from Mr. Sapia for color.
Carol Grant- Came into a meeting to complain about the selectmen's refusal to conduct elderly business in light of the court orders barring Consentino from participating in these matters, and while she was simply sitting there reading a letter, the Chief slapped the table and roared to turn those cameras off, then proceeded to charge across the room to physically confront her.(tape of selectmen mtg. 12/27/05, and testimony from grant case in court 05-E-056)
Mark Acciard- asked court if selectmen who were also employees had to recuse themselves. Court said yes. Found Chief in contempt of court for disobeying its orders, threatened him with Jail! What Happened? Acciard has been ridiculed a bunch of times in live selectmen's meetings, and in the town report, even sued personally, had his business customers informed by the chief that Acciard was under investigation by the PD.
Ladies and Gentlemen these are Gestapo Tactics. And they have no place in Atkinson!
I thought that dissent was a time honored American Tradition!
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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. "
10 comments:
You didn't mention Elaine Woodbury, who submitted a Library petition contrary to the wishes of the Board of Selectmen. A recess was called by Selectmen and, when they came back, Mrs. Woodbury withdrew her petition. I understand she had been crying.
Nor did you mention Eleanor Zaremba, former, beloved Town Clerk and then president of the Historical Society,who never said anything bad about anybody. She went before the Board to discuss the Viet Nam Memorial, and was bashed and berated for her comments.
I don't have dates, but films of Selectmen's meetings will confirm.
You are correct! I didn't mention those fine ladies because when I was writing this I didn't have the dates of their meetings to list as references.
Again, they never discuss the idea in front of them, they bash the messenger.
THAT is why this blog is gaining popularity, it is hard to destroy the messenger, when you don't know who it is. You have to deal with the idea. Or concede.
Am I to assume the powers to be are the chief and Mr. Polito? Maybe other selectboard members?
And I'm guessing that if they were successful in identifying the blog owners they could then harass and threaten them. But haven't they already? Is that not why at least some of blog owners are involved?
And what could be the reason for knowing the identity of the commenter? For myself, and I expect many others, the "powers that be" already know where I stand on the issues.
Keep a log if you are harrassed.
If anyone on this blog is harrassed by a town official, PLEASE document it and report it here. We cannot tolerate any further intimidation tactics. This is not 1939 Germany.
Unity is our strength. We can no longer tolerate this kind of behavior.
The sad fact is that none of these people should have to face PERSONAL ridicule for voicing their opinion, right or wrong!
If thier opinions are right then thats it, but if they are wrong discuss the ideas presented.
LEAVE THE PRESENTERS ALONE!!
funny, that the selectmen whine frequently about people's comments about them yet whenever anyone criticizes them to their face in a meeting they verbally bash them even continuing after the person has left.
How can you criticize others for the same thing you do?
Are you kidding me?!!!! Most IP addresses should show up as Comcast, AOL, or Verizon. But don’t you need a warrant to do that sort of thing? Has our Chief went out to get one? Under what grounds?!
I have been informed that I for one have been identified. Me! That's wonderful.
It is validating to know that I......one person.....have such powerful opinions that "some people" need to know.
Fellow bloggers take heart. This is proof that our shared opinions DO MATTER and are making change that is so necessary in our beloved town.
Valerie Tobin, seeking office of Board of Selectmen. It is time for someone to be a voice of the people! The people voted to allow the monuments to be put up by the Viet Nam Memorial. What is the issue? Do it! the voters have spoken!! If the voters so choose to swap conservation land for recreation, then as a member of the board of selectmen, you MUST do it. My feeling is that nothing should be done with regard to the land on East Road and Sawyer Ave until the following has been determined. 1) What are the try NEEDS of recreation, not WANTS. Come up with a plan to fulfill those needs. Completely assess the land availablity in the Town- from a developability/cost stand point-preliminary. The East Rd land would probably allow for only 1 soccer/ball field, after a installing de-celeration lane and parking. Then you have to install support structures such as bathrooms and leach fields, and some how make secure the area from vandalism - which we know happened over on Pope Rd. And of course the other issue is that interesection is very dangerous...what do we do about that issue? Has anyone explored the land behind the community center for recreation? I understand that it may have a deed restriction, but that may be able to be worked out depending on the restriction. Would that be a better area, some parking is already there, more could be added, and the support structure is there. Is there no more land adjacent to the existing rec fields? Although I have questions about many issues as do the people on this blog, I want to thank all of those that have given up there valuable time. More time and assessments need to be spent on the recreation, town hall, library, tower issues, in order to best serve the needs of the community and try to keep the costs to the taxpayer reasonable.
I want to thank Valerie Tobin for participating in this forum. I think all of the candidates should openly express their views here.
I commend her for disclosing her real name. Without directly saying it, she indicates support for our right to Freedom of Speech.
It amazes me that Freedom of Speech in Atkinson could actually be a platform issue in the year 2007. Based on all of the blog postings I read, it certainly seems to be the case. Fear of retribution is a real perception around here.
We need Selectmen who are willing to stand up for our right to openly question and debate town policies and decisions. The fear must stop. Thank you Valerie.
Freedom of speech, Democracy..
these are things our forfathers fought so hard for. Everyone has a right to believe in whatever they feel is right. And no one should have to feel that they are WRONG! No one person should feel intimidated by saying thier own opinion. Here is something we all can agree on, Atkinson is a wonderfull town, and i think everyone can agree with that.
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