At the Selectmen's meeting, Monday The Chief came in to advertise for the Atkinson- Reporter! We appreciate your efforts, Chief. Thank you.
Although he mistakenly identified the blog operators as "Pluto" and "Useless", We are flattered none the less. But This blog has some questions for the chief.
Chief, you stated that our fact are wrong, Please tell us which ones, and offer verifiable proof that they are wrong and we will not only correct them but apologize to our readers for the mistake. (if only the selectmen would do the same, what a wonderful world it would be) Please don't confuse FACTS stated in the original article with QUESTIONS asked by commentators.
It is nice to see that we are being noticed, and having an effect, although the Selectmen's and the chief's M.O. Remains the same. For the past three years, whenever criticized, this band of brothers, has indeed banded together to shoot the messenger, all the while ignoring the message. Guys, wouldn't it be much simpler and better if you addressed the individuals criticism, and dealt with the issue, and left the personal attacks out of it? Oh, and Chief, just an observation, every time someone criticized you or your actions, they do not have a vendetta against you, it is not personal, they just question an action you took. If you honestly believe whatever it is you did that they are complaining about was right, explain it, defend it, but do it without verbally assaulting the complaintant. It gets old, and you have been using the same tactic for the last 20 years with everyone from Carol Grant, Mark Acciard, Brian Kaye, officer Dale Childs, officer Gary Lorden, Officer Micheal Rivera, Fred Childs, Brian Boyle, officer Rick Daniels, officer Pat Judge, Wayne Peak. And those are just the ones reported in the Eagle-Tribune.
Oh, and By the way, what made this town business that had to be discussed at selectmen's meetings? It wasn't on the agenda, and I have heard selectmen Childs and Sapia admonish residents many times for trying to introduce discussion without being put on the agenda, I guess if you are saying something they like to hear it is ok, only if you are critical do you get the boot.
This Blog is assuming that the chief is simply responding to the "No Free Ride" article and it's comments. I have just re-read all of them and they are honest, and reasonable in their criticisms, And they are universal in their support of the elderly affairs program. I would think the chief would be happy to have so much public support for a program that is obviously near and dear to his heart. But, apparently, again, any level of criticism, even the mildest is unacceptable.
This is free speech, And it is being done anonymously, not out of cowardice, but out of fear of retaliation from you and your brethren, who have the authority and the power to enforce your whims on an innocent populace. That is why this Blog and it's format is so necesary.
It is truly funny to see the Chief, selctmen Sapia, Moderator Polito, and other town officials deride this blog in public meetings, all because they are being forced, for the first time to deal with the message, because they can't find the meesenger to shoot her. Never before have they dealt with the residents criticism, they merely assualt the complaintants character, motivations, and family, and never answer what they are being asked.
It is time for a change!
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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:
Bravo! This blog is brilliant!
Hopefully now the residents of Atkinson can read the truth about what goes on behind the scenes w/Chief Consentino.
As the wife of a former 'victim' I am hopeful that this site will enlighten the Town & justice will be served.
Thank you Ulysses & Publius!
To acknowledge this blog so publicly, the chief recognizes the threat to his political organization. Take note of his timing just before elections.
Also take note: the selectmen that allowed him to discuss an issue not on the meeting agenda were the same ones being exposed on this blog.
In a word: Predictable.
Well that was typical, everybody's attacking ME! Everyone is criticizing ME! And their doing it under cover of darkness so that I can't find them! They are scared of ME! ME! ME! ME!.
Can someone change the channel?
Shame on the selectman letting Phil come in and not being on the agenda. It's all who you are. As an ex Selectman he still doesn't want to follow the rules!
Since when does Phil care about following the rules?
He didn't follow the rules as selectman, Acciard had to get the court to order him to do the right thing
He didnt follow the rules after the court orderhim to, they found him in contempt of court
he didnt follow the rules as chief, the labor board ordered him to stop bullying his officers
he has never followed the rules when they conflict with his wishes.
Just pick up your marbles and go home
I just had a chance to watch that meeting and I was surprised to hear the budget committee attacked by the Chief.
I would like to clear the record. First of all most of those indictments of the budget committee were just plain not true!
I have sat on that committee for 6 years, the last 2 as chair, and when people come into our meeting it is all about the numbers, personalities are left at the door. For 5 years the budget committee has been asking the Chief for information on Elderly Affairs. noone ever discussed eliminating the program. I know that the Chief claimed in 2003 at candidates night that that was why he ran for selectman, "because the budget committee wants to cut or eliminate the elderly program, well I will not let them, I will protect the seniors" Don't believe me check the tape out from the library. That was also not true! All the budget committee asked for was verifiable number on how many people used the program, and how many rides they gave.
In 2002 the Chief told us we could not have that info. it was "classified" he would not even provide it to the selectmen. We passed his budget anyway.
In 2003, same request, same answer. We passed his budget anyway. Noone had the stomach for the chief telling all who would listen that we wanted to hurt the elderly. What a ridiculous statement.
In 2004, same request, no answer, we passed the budget anyway, although in light of how the elderly fleet was increased in 2003 in spite of the voters saying no, there was discussion this year of not passing the budget until we got the info. Chief told us he gave 566 rides, no info on number of users,but we passed it anyway.
In 2005, Officer Anderson FINALLY told us that 61 people used the program that year. 727 rides. We had our information after only 5 years of asking and getting accused of looking too hard at elderly for asking.
In 2006, Officer Anderson told us usage was up but he didnt have exact figures. We asked him if it was 61 last year what do you think 80 or 90 this year? he said that would be about right. 900 rides or so. I asked Police liason Jim Blackadar to see if he could firm up those number when he met with the chief. Jim came back and reported that the Chief said 1049 rides and over 250 people used the program. Now I can believe usage being up 50% as officer Anderson said, but a 425% increase?
Who is telling the truth? What are the true numbers? and why cant the budget committee or the selectmen get this information? Chief Murphy can tell us exactly how many calls his dept. has gone on, what type of call, any information we need? Why is this the only dept. that it is impermissible to ask for numbers on?
In 2003 at candidates night Chief said the budget committee had cut the elderly affairs budget and wanted to eliminate it entirely. That was not true either. We simply asked for numbers.
For the record, the elderly affairs budget has increased each and every year of its existence, and by a far larger percentage than most budgets. Every year the chief has put in his budget requests and EVERY YEAR THEY HAVE BEEN APPROVED! The only questions he has ever been asked baout Elderly Affairs is how many people, how many rides. Check it out for yourselves, look at the minutes of the meetings, look at the tape of candidates night. Anything you have been told different from what I have just laid out for you is a lie. I for one am tired of hearing the budget committee derided for trying to do it's job. The budget committee is supposed to look hard at ALL the spending purposes in the budget. State budget law states in RSA 32:16
"II. To confer with the governing body or bodies and with other officers, department heads and other officials, relative to estimated costs, revenues anticipated, and services performed to the extent deemed necessary by the budget committee. It shall be the duty of all such officers and other persons to furnish such pertinent information to the budget committee. "
This means that if the budget committee determines that it needs some information on revenue, expenditures, or services to be performed it is the DUTY of the officials to provide it.
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