Selectmen want a consultant for the library? for what?
Would someone please explain to Chairman Sapia that as a selectman he has no control over who is hired for the library building project, and to "recommend" as he did last night, is just that, and carries no weight unless the trustees wish it to. It is the Library Trustees that are responsible for overseeing the project. Once again, the voters told the selectmen to go out and negotiate and get the bonds necessary to build the library, up to the amount specified. They must now go and do it. They do not get to pick a consultant for a project. And why does this project need a consultant. They have a competent Architect, they will hire a competent builder. It is not a particularly large project, as buildings go. Why would this consultant be needed, and from where would he be paid? Just what line item(read spending purpose) in the budget allows the selectmen to hire a consultant? Why wasn't this put into a warrant article for the voters, since this expenditure must be more than $5,000. Jack you are starting off your chairmanship as you have led(if that isn't too comical a term) for your last two years.
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).
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:
for the selectmen's education, there are four entities in town that use taxpayer monies over which the selectmen have NO authority! 1.) School Board 2.) Conflict of Interest committee 3.) Budget Committee 4.) the Library.
These entities have budgets that the taxpayers raise and appropriate money for, and the selectmen have no authority by law over how this money is spent. They simply write the checks.
They don't have the authority to tell the school board "we only want to pay you $800,000 this month." just as they can not do that to the library.
Hey Jack, where is the consultants line in the budget?
Why do we need a consultant? We have homes in tis town that are more complicated than this building. The country club is much larger and more complicated, and no consultant was needed.
Could this be a ploy to allow the selectmen some measure of control over the project?
Anon 3:24 -
You have hit the proverbial nail smack dab on the head! To put it kindly, Chairman Sapia does seem to have "control issues". He needs to take a step back, close his mouth and listen to we common folk!
Lots of money at stake here. Lots of political favors can be gained. I would not be surprised to see a huge battle ensue between the Library and the Selectman over control of the project. When $2.7 Million is being spent, there is a lot of room for abuse.
Get ready for a big fight. Sapia and Childs are ready to take control of the Library's money! They have lots of "qualified" buddies that could use the "work".
In the interest of life safety, of course.
We need an $800,000 Library cell tower in case someone tries to steal a book from the library.
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