Anonymous said...
Thank U Publius
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Puff piece for Ted;
Ted Stewart is the BEST Road Agent this Town of Atkinson has had the service of in many years, perhaps of all time. We have NEVER seen Ted “out of character” and that is a great “character”. Always a hard worker, we have always seen Ted working harder than his assistants. We know he puts substantial effort into his supervisory and planning responsibilities. We always see him at selectmen’s meetings willingly explaining and giving to the public, accountability for his work and responsibilities.And this in spite of the selectmen's sniping at him. He is the hardest working town employee. We have seen him out diggin out culverts and catch basins, himself, when he could contract that work out. He saves the town a ton of money by also having and maintaining his own equipment, the town doesn't pay for that Teddy does.
We have seen many Road Agents for Atkinson. We have fond memories of
his father, Dan, and now his fine son.
We recall Walter Weeks before Dan. Walter was a character in his own right, from days when snow rollers could occasionally be glimpsed in an Agent’s yard. We remember how Walter would always be “out and about” filling pot-holes with great industry on election day. Definitely not a campaign practice needed for Ted as he spends the entire year building our confidence and pride in our roads.
This Blog has considered the other candidate and, although he is a very upstanding citizen of fine character we have found no advantages for Atkinson in his candidacy.
This blog’s management places its editorial recommendation with Mr. “Teddy” Stewart.
February 22, 2007 1:29 PM
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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. "
6 comments:
Anon is right on about Ted. He's great; his father was great, and so was his older brother, Bobby.
They all demonstrated that they care about this town in which the boys were born, and where Dan spent a large part of his life. Caring seems to be the key, it seems.
By the way, there are a lot of us who have interesting memories of Walter.
I agree. Teddy has always conducted himself like a professional and a gentleman. He goes that extra step for the resident.
Although I did not know his father and cannot agree with the assessment of his brother I would vote for Teddy time and again.
Teddy is Atkinson.
Anonymous said...
I've lived in town for 14 years, and the roads are always well kept, much better than surrounding towns. I see Teddy working all the time. Doing the work himself with his people. I just looked online at the budget and found out he only makes $32,000 a year. I would say he is severely underpaid.
I strongly agree that Teddy is severely underpaid. The lowest ranked police officer make more than Teddy does and Teddy's a department head, besides a consistently hard worker. We owe him a better living salary. The problem is that he never asks for anything for himself and unfortunately, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Mr. Acciard,if you're reading this,-- you've submitted previous anonymous blog responses and helped out by providing information on monies and figures since you're the most knowledgeable in town about budgetary matters. So, I'm asking you: Can anything be done by the new Board of Selectmen about the low wages Teddy gets paid? Please don't say that it has to wait until budget season next fall to not go into effect until 2008. Certainly there must be a way for his wage situation to be corrected and adjusted without his having to wait another year. He shouldn't be penalized just because he very modestly never asks for more for himself. How can it be fixed? We owe him!
Thank you for your kind words, I have endeavored to learn as much as I could about budget law because I thought it was my job as part of the budget committee.
In regards to the road agent, although his initial stipend was set by town meeting, his pay over and above that is under the hand of the selectmen. Meaning that if they chose to give him a raise they could. Although the last time the subject came up they chose not to.
I hope this helped answer your question, If I see any more budgetary questions on this blog I will do my best to answer them as best I can. And thank you again for your kind endorsement.
I graduated Timberlane with Teddy in 1979. And when I got out of the Air Force and moved back into town in 1999, I was encouraged to find him as honorable, and honest as I remembered him from high school.
I would like to point out to the voters of Atkinson, that by law, the road agent could be just a manager. he could just contract and supervise the actual work to be done. But he doesn't! the fact that he is the hardest worker in the department is a credit to his leadership. The fact that he owns and maintains all of his equipment, and that it is placed at the town's disposal whenever the town needs, is an ENORMOUS cost-saver. The fact that he is available 24/7 to plow, fix a washed out bridge, dig out a culvert or catch basin, is a bargain to the town considering he only makes $32,000/year for the position.
Other salaried employees could take a lesson from him, instead of demanding overtime pay for the similar performance criteria.
Russ was floating the idea of the town buying a backhoe a couple of years ago, So I looked into the costs involved, from a budgetary standpoint...
A new Backhoe $80,000
Lease payment $ 19,600/yr.
We paid Teddy last year for his backhoe use including himself as driver $9,600. And he pays the insurance and maintainance on the equipment. On that alone he saved the town over $10,000. The dump truck would be even more.
Please take these matters into consideration when voting. I trust the voters of Atkinson to do the right thing.
Thank you
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