Welcome to another new contributor under the Publius byline.
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Childs’ Consequences- part 1
Do not be fooled again. Fred Childs’ Candidacy and performance has continuing BAD consequences for YOU and Atkinson. He has taken and abused your trust. He has taken your votes and broken your laws; then told you it doesn’t matter because YOU don’t know anything. He has taken your tax money and spent it as he pleased and then told you to shut-up and quit whining He has interfered with your projects because YOU could not be trusted to spend the money and demanded that he became the controller.
As is the Tin Woodsman of OZ so goes Childs. The allegorical Tin Man, a heartless and indifferent instigator, accompanied by his cabal of The brainless Scarecrow, who has not a clue as to good government, and the Cowardly Lion, who for years has been all roar, little courage and nothing more. All while following the Wrong Road and that is a CONSEQUENCE we suffer. We must wonder from what deceived pen dripped “his” Characterization of Atkinson as HIS Beloved town.
Childs joined with the remnants of Atkinson Vietnam war protesters who continue to hold disrespect for those from Atkinson who have served. Have you ever wondered why the monument in honor of these veterans was disallowed among our other honorees and installed in a remote place of convenience in front of town hall. Well it was this group to which Childs now associates and credits his “decisions”. Again dishonoring the most honorable service of those amongst which he will never be fit to stand in their shadow . Not only is that behavior undeserving of any respect, I find it so Despicable I can only hope, along with a recording in the true history of Atkinson, a proper place in the eternity of hell has been reserved such a person.
The election is upon us. This is the time the cabal is out or on the telephone cajoling our neighbors. As history repeats, They are likely scaring the most vulnerable in exchange for a vote. Making promises on Childs’ behalf that he does not mean, will not keep or has no right to make. That is what they do and that is despicable. It is time to for all good people to talk with our friends, call and visit our neighbors and build a NEW board of selectmen, which we can respect and which will serve all the people Atkinson, and not only the interests of themselves.
We must look to “Childs Consequences of the past” (HIS PROLOG), “Childs consequences present (HIS EMPTY RHETORIC), and “Childs Consequences promised” (A DECEPTIVE RECIPE) The record is clear, the actions are revealing and his intentions are consistent.
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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. "
20 comments:
Wow! That was harsh. I do not see Mr. Childs that way. I see him as a retired old man who enjoys being involved in town and wanting to continue. It gives him some place to go on Monday nights and some topics of conversation.
Yes, he disagrees with the Viet Nam Memorial. I believe he was a Vet himself, so that's surprising.
What I don't understand is why Mr. Childs had such a sudden reversal of views on Chief Consentino. Some years back, during his first term of office, the papers were full of the Childs/Consentino debates, spitting contests, fights and disagreements.
When elected three years ago, Chief Consentino was one of his supporters, and Mr. Childs certainly did return the favor many times over, supporting anything the Chief wanted. My instinct is to wonder what the Chief "has" on Fred that caused the turn-around.
There comes a time in every politician's life when you've served your town, done everything you can, but have grown stale - set in your ways and views - and it's time to move on. Now is Mr. Childs' time.
Dear Publius, as much as I admire your passion, I could wish that you could keep your retoric within the bounds of believability! Childs has taken his share of hard knocks during his terms as selectman. Is he perfect? No, no one is. Is he as bad as you would have us believe? Certainly not. Rein it in, Publius - and give us something to get our teeth into.
It is open seaon on political candidates. The truth hurts. Facts and honesty count far more than wishes and dreams and empty promises.
We have had enough empty promises from hacks who want power and authority over others for it's own sake.
How about this, list for me any individual accomplishments that Mr. Childs has had in his three years reign, then we will compare them to the atrocities.
I think your remarks may be unjustly cruel to Mr. Childs. We ALL make good and bad decisions but it sure is better than making no decisions (or taking it under advisement). I do think that Mr. Childs now has too much baggage for the office of selectman but I don’t think he’s done a bad job.
As 33 year resident I don't think he has done any job. Can't think of one positive thing he has personally done as selectman, and I can count on one hand the number of times I have seen him work around town. By contrast I see Teddy every day, most of the day, and Teddy only makes what $6,000 more than Fred? What does Fred do to earn the money?
Way Harsh! He can't help it. Look the guy is just looking out for his and his buds best interest. If you get the bums rush along they way, ehh tough! That's how they play. He (Childs) does what he's told and that's how it is and will always be and he's learned to accept it. We on the other hand don't have to accept it, WE SIMPLY DON'T ELECT HIM !!!!! AND NEXT YEAR WE GET RID OF THE OTHER PUPPET ...See life isn't all that complicated.
Off-topic.
Moderator, you need not post this, but I thought that perhaps this should be a new item. I just read in Boston.com that Atkinson's own Brad Delp, former lead singer of Boston, has died in his house on Acedemy Ave. I don't know Brad personally, but I feel as though it is a sad day that brings us his passing. Here's the link:
http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2007/03/09/boston_lead_singer_brad_delp_dies_at_55/
Like i said before, i will be the first inline to vote. It is time for someone else to be our selectman, someone without any conflict whatsoever. Too bad we can't vote for next years selectman at the same time. Is it to late to make a motion for that?
I have to agree with one of the commentors above, I think Mr. Child has decent job but I won’t be voting for him. I think it’s time for some fresh blood in the selectmans office. I don’t want to ever have to worry about conficts of any kind again.
In reading the comments on this blog, I’m confused by the accusations against Mr. Polito. I didn’t think he was a good selectman but he is a fine moderator (name someone else who would be better) and he does a good job with the ZBA committee. The only reason I can come up with is that he must somehow crossed the “Brotherhood of Builders and Real Estate Agents” . Can someone please list for me, the specific infractions he has committed to warrant all the venom on this blog. I know none of the town officals personnally and would honestly like to understand.
I hope this will be answered by the king Publius himself … or should I say Janus himself.
To the Taxpayer #3173,
This blog would have to agree with your assessment of the need for new blood in the selectmen's office. However, I am not sure what you mean about venom on this blog for Mr. Polito. I have re-read a number of posts and he has been complimented by many for his conduct as moderator. I have seen him criticized for his dispensing of legal advice to the selectmen, and other comments he has made as a private citizen at selectmen's meetings, but I believe he has been treated fairly here.
I also don't know what you mean by the "brotherhood of builders, and real estate agents" in the past we have had some very fine town officials from both career fields. I don't believe that Mr. Boyle or Mr. Acciard would have raised all of these conflict of interest issues if Consentino and Childs had just stepped down when in conflict, but their arrogance, vainity, and need to force these issues into a court to be ordered to do what they should have had the integrity to do in the first place has spoiled it for the rest of town employees.
Publius-
I think we may have a difference of opinion. I agree that both Mr. Consentino and Mr. Childs have made mistakes and neither should ever be considered for elected office again. I believe that Mr. Acciard has been unfairly treated and has behaved flawlessly and honorably.
For a number of years, I’ve felt that builders, real estate agents and their associated friends and family have exerted an anomalous amount of influence over town government. I believe this influence has been self-serving and hypocritical. Having one of these career groups drop the “conflict of interest flag” makes me laugh, hence the term “Brotherhood of Builders and Real Estate Agents”.
When I received your blog flyer recently, I started reading the whole blog with great enthusiasm, top to bottom. I was left with the impression that Mr.’s Childs, Consentino, Polito were terrible and evil and that Mr.’s Stewart, Sullivan walked on water. I will now go back and re-read the items and respond with the specific items that gave me that impression.
In politics it is not a negative ad if it is true. Politicians don't like it when truths inconvenient to their election aspirations are made widely known.
Though I no longer live in town, I must say that none of the commentary regarding Childs sounds beyond the realm of possibility. This is where Childs supporters scream at their monitors "then shut the #@!& up."
I can say that in spite of the open secret that APD has a propensity for acting more like Mall Cops than real cops, if I won the lottery, I would call Janine for help finding a huge undeveloped plot to build just one big house on and then bring in the NEA4WD to help me cut some wicked Jeep trails on my land.
I would then run for selectman using some of the goodwill that may still exist in town from my father's decades of service to the community.
As far as elections go, it should be easy to determine who is fit to be elected. Any candidate who is willing to state openly what so many say in private about the APD and the mental problems exhibited by some of those who are supposed to protect and serve. Anyone who is too cowardly to speak openly should not be elected.
The only reason the APD has gotten as bad as it is, is due to the silence of good people. I thought that only happened in movies and Boston.
Thanks to Mark for being open in his challenges to the abuse of authority by those with a badge and gun. I know it has cost him financially. I suspect that is also why one of his business ventures is based in the next town over.
I wonder if an APD officer is printing pictures from my blog to watch for any vehicle coming into town that looks like the ones pictured.
As both selectman and selectman Chairman, Childs has sullied the Selectmen’s Office and should not be re-elected. He has shown himself to be unfit to serve as a selectman
Childs has used his position as Selectman to bully and verbally abuse any residents (including women residents) who are critical of him, the other selectmen, or the police chief.
On cable tv, he has personally insulted the honesty of former Town Clerk Ellie Zaremba, and joined Consentino and Sapia in bullying and threatening Library Trustee Chairman Elaine Woodbury to the point of her being reduced to tears – bullying her into withdrawing a petitioned Warrant article submitted by the Friends of the Library (a warrant article which would have prevented the Selectmen from making an illegal power grab to control Library Trustee funds). We’ve also seen Childs, as a selectman and the Chairman, repeatedly be especially vicious and brutal to Carol Grant when she has questioned improper selectmen behavior and actions.
Childs has equalled Consentino and Sapia in rudely cutting off residents from speaking, talking over them, throwing tanturms and walking out of the room on residents who have proper agenda appointments, ordering the cable tv cameras turned off, and threatening police removal from selectmen’s meetings of residents who try to speak out.
Childs has also participated in the continual selectmen abuse of Mark Acciard when Acciard has simply been trying to do his job and carry out his responsibilities as Budget Committee Chairman. Childs also allowed, without objecting, Consentino’s vicious abuse of resident Brian Kaye.
Childs has actively continued the Consentino tradition of using the Gestapo tactics at selectmen’s meetings of threatening to have residents removed by the police if they dare to criticize him or the other selectmen. The Atkinson police under this selectman cabal have become like and are used like the secret police of Nazi Germany. We understand from a previous blog that Childs, as Chairman, even allowed, without objection, Consentino to use the Atkinson Gestapo to force a handicappped child in a wheel chair from the Town Hall.
What is especially serious and inexcusable about Childs (with Consentino and Sapia) is the Gestapo atmosphere which he has actively joined in to create around, and dominates Selectmen’s meeting. Residents who watch on cable or hear from talk around town about the resident abuse which has come to characterize and dominate selectmen’s meetings, are themselves intimidated from going to selectmen’s meetings to question or criticize improper selectman behavior and actions. Residents see the abuse heaped on other residents who have dared to show up and question/criticize the selectmen and are afraid to themselves show up to speak out.
The selectmen’s office no longer belongs to the townspeople – it’s become instead, a place of resident abuse, bullying and intimidation.
Childs has also consistently pandered to, covered for, and refused to stand up to Consentino, both in not acting on resident complaints against Consentino and in not removing Consentino for not meeting state police standards.
Childs has also been found guilty of Ethics violations in illegally voting raises for himself.
Childs insulted and discriminated against Atkinson’s Vietnam and Vietnam-era veterans by being the only selectman in 2004 to vote against a Vietnam Honor Roll to honor Atkinsonians who wore their country’s uniform and served during that tough period. Thankfully for the veterans of previous wars, Childs wasn’t a selectmen when the votes were taken to put up Honor Rolls for Atkinson’s Civil War, World War I, World War II and Korean War servicemen.
Childs then further insulted not only Atkinson’s Vietnam and Vietnam-era veterans, but also insulted Atkinson’s voters by refusing to comply with the 2005 Town Meeting vote to place the Vietnam Honor Roll name panels in front of the Town Hall on each side of the map stone as the voters mandated. He has arrogantly and illegally put himself above the will of the voters.
Enough is enough! Childs has inflicted one atrocity after another on our town. We need to finish cleaning out Atkinson’s worst and most despicable and contemptuous Board of selectmen. Voters overwhelmingly rejected Consentino’s re-election bid last year. We now only have Childs to remove now and Sapia to remove next year and our town and Board of Selectmen will once again belong to the townspeople.
To the Anon who said Sullivan and Stewart walk on water, I have a few comments.
Mr. Sullivan: polite, quiet (that's awesome), learning the job of Selectman (which Mr Sapia has never done); nice man. BUT, in instances during the past year when a vote - any vote - has come up and Mr. Childs and Mr. Sapia vote for it, Mr. Sullivan does too. In a lot of cases, I believe he knows he's out-voted and just goes along, when he should have stated his thoughts and ideas. He needs to get some guts. The voters would appreciate it.
Ted Stewart - an elected town official responsible for maintenance of the roads. When the Selectmen tell him what roads to do and how to perform his job, Ted balks. Why not? THEY were not elected Road Agent. HE was! Ted handled himself well during those really bombastic sessions, and he deserves applause for that. He can't walk on water, but he's learned to tread water as the Selectmen are trying to put him down, and for that he deserves some credit.
Go Ted!
Like Mark, I graduated in the same class (school year that is) as Ted. Polar opposite of his older brother. Always struck me as an honest and without a mean spirited bone in his body.
I must admit, I did not recognize him at first at the 25th.
If I lived in town, he would get my vote for any office he ran for.
When everyone votes, I hope you will vote for Valerie Tobin because she alone, has on this blog promised to do something which has not been done by Consentino, Childs or Sapia.
Valerie Tobin has promised that one of the first things she will do if elected is to call for a selectmen re-vote on whether the Board will honor and comply with the wishes of 2005 Town Meeting and place the Vietnam Honor Roll panels where the voters mandated them to go. She is committed to ethical behavior of selectmen which means honoring Town Meeting votes.
The Vietnam Honor Roll name panels, paid for by town residents to honor our veterans, continue to be in storage. There has been NO signed Stipulation to allow Childs, Sapia and Consentino, to get away with not complying with Town Meeting vote, as much as THE DISHONORABLE THREE want it. The Selectmen's proposed Stipulation to allow them to disregard Town Meeting vote was re-soundingly rejected.
Selectmen Valerie Tobin's calling for an immediate re-vote by the Board will save the town additional legal expenses, besides just being the honorable and ethical course of action. With Tobin's election and Paul Sullivan also honoring the wishes of 2005 Town Meeting, the honoring of our Vietnam veterans also honors Atkinson.
There has been a long time since the Board of Selectmen had the benefit of a woman's compassion on it. Now is the time.
That last comment about "woman's compassion" is probably unnecessary. "compassion" is used by left wing nuts to justify stealing from one person who worked hard fro everything they have and giving it to someone who did nothing to deserve receiving the stolen property.
Tobin sounds honorable, a word that can not be used in the same sentence with Constantino with "dis" in front of it.
The only legitimate place for compassion in government is when adult children fail to take care of their elderly parents when they can no longer take care of themselves.
Childs is already violating town statute by running for re-election.
The deliberate breaking of a town ordinance must violate his town employment contract.
Even in Lowell, a public school guidance councilor got whacked for accepting a promotion while he served on the city council. A conflict of interest was found.
The Atkinson ordinance goes a step further than Lowell's.
When Kojak is no longer Chief, the Eagle Tribune will get more boring.
Well, tonight is the night! Article 21 of last year prohibited town employees from "being elected to the board of selectmen or the budget committee" So tonight at the selectmen's meeting I fully expect to see Fred and Ginny withdraw from the election so that they do not take the chance of breaking the existing law, by possibly being "elected to" the positions.
No I don't think either of them has had a sudden infusion of honor or character. I know they will not do this, but that is what they SHOULD do.
And we should not give these people our vote.
I don't think either Mr. Childs or Mrs. Morelli will withdraw their candidacy, but I wonder if possibly they'll withdraw their names from the Citizen's Petition.
What hypocracy for Childs to criticize Tobin and Morse for having a conflict simply because she is a developer. Fred is also a developer.
He developed Jasmin Dr. in town, and owns a shopping center in Salem AND he is a town employee. If Tobin does all of her business out of town, Fred still has infinitely greater conflict than she does.
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