Another Submission under the Publius byline
Publius: Article Submission
Mass. Governor in similar conflicts to Atkinson selectmen
I was listening to the radio this morning and heard all this controversy about Mass. Governor Deval Patrick and conflicts of interest, so I listened, and I thought this is the problem in Atkinson.
Evidently, Deval used to sit on the board of Ameriquest, and stepped off it during the campaign to avoid the PERCEPTION of impropriety. Ameriquest called him last week and asked him to intercede with Citibank in their favor... And he did!!!
Now he didn't benefit from this. He pocketed nothing. He could even say he was just calling an old friend. But the impropriety is that as governor, he oversees policy on mortgage regulation in the state, he SHOULD have been smart enough to say I'm sorry I can't do that.
Now fast-forward to Atkinson... The chief voted on things for his dept. He didn't personally benefit, although that IS his paid employment, but it was still wrong! Fred voted on his own pay raise, as chief said he got nothing more than anyone else, but it was still wrong! NHMA had told him it was wrong. I had pointed it out to him and even warned him that if he did it I would file the code of ethics complaint. He did, and I did. What if he wanted a 5% raise, would it be ok as long as he gave ALL town employees 5% raises? It is STILL wrong!
The point of this is that this is not about a town employee pocketing money, this is about having the honor and judgement to stay above the fray, not wallow in it.
I heard it put well on the radio, Steve Bailey said the problem was the people elected deval for his Judgement, and now that has been called into question!
Well, I say to you the voters of Atkinson, we elect Selectmen for their judgement, and based upon Fred's past actions as selectman, that Judgement has been called in to question.
If you can't do the right thing, even when it is the hardest thing to do, even when it goes against your wishes, you don't belong in office.
Thank you,
Mark Acciard
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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. "
7 comments:
If Mass. will rake it's first Democrat governor over the coals for this it must be serious! If everyone else can see this is a problem why do we put up with it in Atkinson
Mass will get what they deserve after electing this guy. All style, no substance. At least no substance that I can agree with.
Let's see, he want to weaken the CORI laws so it's harder for employers to find out about potential employees past disgressions. He got himself a nice new Caddy. A personal assistant for his wife making 75K, who, oh by the way, happened to be a main member of his finance campaign!
He's made sure that the cushy salaries of the state police won't be in jeapardy so they can continue to get their high priced road details. He overturned 365 million in Romney spending cuts, and turns around a week later and says the state is short by 1 billion! Huh?!?! And what special needs did the state get for this money? Well, let's see, a nice gazebo for Braintree for one. Yup, the taxpayers couldn't be without that now could they.
Sorry for the rant, former Mass resident REALLY glad to be out!
Mr. Acciard is not even a tax payer. Why then should he be running for a public office in the town?
WOW, if that is true, then I want a refund of the roughly $4,000/yr. I have paid for the last 6 years.
I have stood up to the best mudslinger's in town, I am afraid you will have to do better than that.
good luck.
Mark R. Acciard
As said previously, it is only a negative ad when it is a lie.
Clearly the Bozo who claimed Mark is not a taxpayer in Atkinson when to the Bill and Hillary Clinton school of public discourse.
If Mark was not paying his tax bill, then the town would own his home for that non-payment.
I am not a tax payer in Atkinson but I will still express my opinion from time to time here because I still have family and friends in town.
You know, one of the things that initailly attracted me to this blog when I heard the chief whine about it, was the fact that everyone here seems to deal with the issues. There are few if any ad hominum attacks on people personally. These comments about Mr. Acciard's taxes are the stuff of selectmen's meetings under our current corrupt crop, and I for one, do not wish to see them here.
but seeing those comment tells you that those people have nothing left to say. So I see it as a sort of back handed compliment. They can not dig real dirt so they make it up.
Kind of like the attacks on Mitt. Some butt head had to go back a few generations tp pull out the polygamy card and try to slander Mitt with it.
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