are the FOUR tower related warrant articles and Article 2007-23, an attempt to overturn last years prohibition on town employees serving on or being ELECTED TO the board of sleectmen or the budget committee.
You have read articles on this blog discussing these two issues, but it cannot be made clear enough.
Last year the voters of Atkinson said OVERWHELMINGLY "We dont want town employees serving as their own bosses"! Makes perfect sense, right? So why are we still debating it?
Because the very same town employees who refused to do it right over the last three years, who refused to step aside when they were in conflict, who COST THE TOWN MONEY DEFENDING ACTIONS THEY KNEW TO BE WRONG, STILL WISH TO HOLD OFFICE!!!
Last years article stated that "town employees, full-time or part-time, or dept. heads are prohibited from serving on, or being elected to, the board of selectmen or the budget committee." Not they can sign up, then abdicate, thereby spoiling the ballot for the other contenders, not they can sign up violating current law in the hopes that their friends will overturn this prohibition. "they can not be elected to" That is pretty clear. But Fred Childs has the arrogance to sign up anyway. Just like when a majority of the voters said to put the honor rolls in front of the town hall, outside the flagpoles, he said NO! I don't like Carol Grant and she will not get her way! Is that what decides town policy? Are our selectmen acting like 5 year old children? YES!!! for three years they have been. It is time it stops!
Let me ask all of you a question....
Could you walk into work today and give yourself a raise? even if you were giving it to all employees, yourself included, would your company allow you to vote on it? The answer is no!
How about this one...
Lets say you were made a director of your company, what would the shareholders say if your FIRST ACT, 8 DAYS AFTER BEING ELECTED WAS TO BUY YOURSELF A NEW SUV, WITHOUT TELLING THE EST OF THE BOARD. Think you would get away with THAT one? the answer is no!
How about 9 months after being elected to the board, do you think the shareholders or the board would put up with you authorizing the payment to yourself of a $1,300.00 "union benefit" even though you are not part of the union, and as management, excluded form the union contract? The answer is you would probably be facing indictment.
But those three hypotheticals, are EXACTLY what our TWO TOWN EMPLOYEE SELECTMEN DID!!!
Why would we want to return to that?
The people of Atkinson deserve honor, integrity, honesty, and openess in their governing body! it's about time we hold these people accountable. Show them they can't get away with this and DEFEAT ARTICLE 2007-23!!!
Now about the tower;
IT IS NOT A CELL TOWER! IT IS A POLICE COMMUNICATIONS TOWER THAT MAY HAVE CELL REPEATERS ON IT! Will this tower solve our communications problem, we don't know, because we have seen no data, just a slick sales presentation from an armed officer who yelled at us for making him answer questions about a $800,000 project. He can't even tell us how much it will cost the town up front, when asked he and selectmen Sapia both said "nothing, not one penny" This is a lie! It took questions from Budget committee chair, Acciard on town floor to get them to admit that it would cost at least $300,00 up front that cost to be re-couped over 10-20 years.
If they can't tell us the truth up front, then they shouldn't get our votes.
We should study it, then present everything to the people and let them decide.
We hope that the voters DEFEAT ARTICLES 2007-04 and 2007-21
We hope that the voters will PASS ARTICLES 2007-22 AND 2007-24
2007-04 changes the zoning to allow a tower in the center of town
2007-21 authorizes a multi-year lease to erect the tower
2007-22 authorizes a study to find out the truth
2007-24 prohibits the selectmen from doing anything until the study is complete
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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:
Hey Publius!
Your articles are too long and too full of your own opinions. You lose your readers too soon.
In a good article, you don't need to capitalize anything. A good article will include who, what, when, and where in the first paragraph - that's the one which is supposed to grab the attention of the reader. The rest of the article (which readers may or may not read) is the "how".
Most of your readers are computer literate; therefore you might "assume" they are also relatively intelligent. They don't really need extended explanations; nor do they need recommendations on how to cast their votes, because they are capable of making up their own minds (and probably already have).
If you cut this article in half - taking out most of the adjectives and capitalized words, and trying to be more formal and less buddy-buddy, it might be more effective.
Printing this blog out, I'd say about half was good information and half was your opinion. Not a good thing.
Thank you for the criticism, I have edited the original post taking into account some of your points.
As far as the opinion I realize that but this is opinion journalism to a point. and this article was meant to show not only whay these issues are critical, but how hopefully they can be rectified to the Town's favor.
Better.....but still way too many capitalized words. If the writing is good, you've made your point without them.
Pls. understand, I'm not disagreeing with the article; I'm just trying to help.
Also appreciate the fact that you're very polite! And you don't have to put this in....it's for your info. General public won't care.
Why would I not be polite we are only having a conversation.
Unlike a couple of our town officials, I have no problem with constructive criticism.
Your help and comments are appreciated. Perhaps you should consider submitting an article of your own to be published under the Publius byline.
Have a nice day, and keep blogging!
I agree on the votes; however, we cannot just "Hope".
Our town has been taken over by a small minority who abuse their positions of trust and and police powers for their own self interests. I am tired of seeing my taxpayer dollars wasted because of their practices.
Please get your warrant articles clear: Article 2007-21 is to overturn last year's overwhelmingly approved vote that prevents town employees from also serving as elected officials. Vote AGAINST 2007-21.
Please vote against 2007-19 which authorizes a multi-year lease of town property to erect the cell tower.
Please talk to your friends and neighbors and please, please vote.
Voters absolutely must defeat DEFEAT ARTICLES 2007-04, 2007-19 and 2007-21
Voters absolutely must PASS ARTICLES 2007-22 AND 2007-24
If not, we will pay and pay and pay for years to come.
Mark Acciard wrote an article about Article 23...the article designed to allow Mr.Childs and Mrs. Morelli to serve in office.
The warrant given out at Town Meeting and mailed to voters listed it as Article 21.
Which is correct?
To the last two commentators, please look at the new warrant post deliberative session. If you haven't received one go to the town hall and request one, the articles have been renumbered since deliberative session. I think a planning board article has also been added, but I dont know how that happened.
The NEW number for the effort to overturn last year's article 21 is now 2007-23.
Is it just me or did Mr. Childs call of the the Atkinson voters stupid? When asked about the vote of last year, he replied "the voters didn't know what they voted on" . He also went on to say that he isn't in conflict even though he is an employee and a selectman. I can't believe his defiance to the voters of Atkinson. Thank god i can vote this year , and my vote won't be for him.
AMEN!!!
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