Welcome to another contributor under the Publius Byline
ARTICLE SUBMISSION:
THE APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY
I have never been involved in town politics but have been an avid reader of published town information as well as all televised meeting. I have always voted religiously after educating myself (as best as possible) on all the issues on the ballot.
Since receiving the flyer in the Carriage Town News about this blog site, I have read all the blog entries on this site. I disregarded all the obviously repetitive, crank, out of town, and old town history entries.
One of the lasting impressions that stayed with me after all this reading is that Atkinson does not care about the appearance of impropriety. Sometimes, doing the right thing is not the cheapest, is not the easiest, and is not the way it has been done for years and years.
Another impression that remains is that the town is made up of a handful of small cliques that for monetary or ego related reasons feel the need to control the town. The vast majority of the town is not in these cliques and is made up of two groups, the hard working individuals who do not have the time to get involved in these issues and also the senior citizens.
The last item of concern for me is the blatant use of town resources and personnel for political, clique related or personal business. The idea that certain people feel that the town owes them or that they are entitled to special treatment is a very serious issue. Most while collar crime is committed by individuals that felt, “they are entitled” for their years of service or for their hard work.
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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. "
5 comments:
Much as the blogger posted, I too work outside of town, and have long work days. I try to keep myself informed about the issues in the town, and watch the selectman's meetings religiously, but I do not have the time to get personally involved. My work weeks are long.
However, as a resident of less than 10 years, I have watched the process in this town go downhill over the years. In fact, there are nights that I become embarrassed for the town when I watch the goings on at the selectmens'meetings. I realize that small town politics can sometimes be worse than those on a larger scale, but it seems as if I am watching some very childlike behaviour, and am left with the impression that those that involve themselves in the petty in-fighting that goes on in this town have WAY too much time on their hands, and need to develop some outside interests.
From the Carol Grant screamfests to the almost weekly "statement readings" about who said and did what to whom, it never seems to end. I used to cringe at how Teddy was humiliated on a weekly basis. No wonder he doesn't want to show up every week for the meeting. Heck, the town can't even agree on how to honor Vietman Vets without some litgation and finger pointing involved. Quite pathetic, really.
Not being a lifelong resident, my experience timeline is shorter than some, and I don't know any of the players personally, but I seem to recall enjoying watching Barbara Stewart and Joe DeRosa conduct themselves in a way that did not embarrass the town. In the present day, I think Paul Sullivan comes the closest. I respect his ability to remain calm and measured. He is a good representative for Atkinson.
Anyway, that's my 2 cents. At first, watching the in-fighting was a form of entertainment. Not anymore. It is only pathetic.
I know well the level of white collar crimes that can be committed. The former CEO and CFO of my employer are both serving 25 year sentences in Attica for stealing 600 million dollars from the the company.
As Don Henley one sang, you can steal more money with a brief case than you can with a gun.
In local politics, those who abuse their position count on the majority of residents being too busy to notice.
Impropriety is the exact word to describe the antics of the current two selectmen who choose to disregard the meaning of the word integrity.
There are guide lines for all elected officials, that were decided many many years ago, and were established for a reason.The people would like to see them adhered to and maybe have some sort of government that we could once again be proud of. I cringe when I see the blatant abuse of arrogance that they display. I for one, will no longer watch a selectman's meeting to be embaressed by a board that I used to respect.
It is really not hard to come down on the side of fairness because that is where the people expect your position to be. I don't believe you are giving enough thought to whom you were supposed to represent when elected to this office. It is supposed to be for the people and not your own personal likes or dislikes.and I use these words loosely.
I am writing this blog knowing full well you will read it and hope some sense will sink in but, I am not holding my breath.
Time will tell what sort of propierty will follow,if any.
I've heard a few people say they will no longer watch Selectmen' meetings.
But if no one watches, no one will know what sort of improprieties are being displayed. They can do anything they want and noone will know the difference.
You can't read the minutes to determine the proceedings. The minutes reflect what the Selectmen would like to believe happened. They do not portray any abuse of citizens or department heads or anything of a questionable nature.
I'd bet my bottom dollar that last week's minutes do not reflect Mr. Sapia's efforts to allow Lt. Baldwin one, last-ditch effort to make a pitch for the tower, for instance. If not illegal, unethical - at least in Atkinson where we used to know the difference between right and wrong.
I urge you to keep watching, and letting us all know what you see.
......."I'd bet my bottom dollar that last week's minutes do not reflect Mr. Sapia's efforts to allow Lt. Baldwin one, last-ditch effort to make a pitch for the tower, for instance"........But will they show how the Selectmen allowed Consentino to make his last pitch for the Wheelchair van? In my opinion that was campaigning and shouldn't have been allowed, but was. I guess some people are just above the law!
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