Apparently more went on behind the cameras at Monday night's meeting than we knew. Selectman Sapia and Town Administrator McAllister, we hear, were loudly chewing out Cable TV director Erica Jordan yesterday, DEMANDING that she reprimand one of her camera people for having an opinion.
As we hear it, during the portion of the selectmen's meeting where selectman Sullivan apprised Sapia of the legalities of what he was trying to do behind closed doors, one of the camera operators said under their breath; "yes!" This comment was evidently heard by mr. McAllister as he got up and told that operator that "as a town employee you shouldn't say that". But didn't Moderator Polito give us a short disertation at deliberative session that the camera people were not strictly employees they were "paid volunteers"?
Anyway, I digress, Both Sapia and McAllister were in the town hall on Tues. demanding the reprimand of the camera person by Ms. Jordan, and for what? for having an opinion, underthir breath, and allowing the gestapo to hear it.
Atkinsonians, this is getting insane. Sapia complains constantly about people being disresectful towards him and the board, yet noone could possibly be more disrespectful to them than they have been to so many critics. Their disrespect has been the subject of 6 separate legal actions! 4 of which they have lost!
Jack, you can't complain about others doing what you first do to them, Golden Rule! And this isn't George Orwell's 1984, You are not the thought police! Everyone does not have to march in lockstep to your thoughts(if you have any), whims and desires.
Notice the "part III" in the title, if you look back in the archives you will find where Mr. Sapia screamed insanely at Mr. Sullivan in the town hall; "F*** YOU, PAUL; F*** YOU, F*** YOU, F*** YOU! You will also find where he publicly demeaned and humiliated Town Clerk, Linda Jette, in HER office for allowing a resident behind the counter. And THIS is the guy who demands respect from everyone he meets?
A piece of advice, Jack; Respect can not be demanded, it must be earned! Try treating others as you wish to be treated, FIRST!
Why can't you just do your job in a moral, legal, and honorable fashion?
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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. "
11 comments:
The afore mentioned camera operator has been a "paid and unpaid volunteer" since the mid 1980's. In that length of time one becomes very familiar with the RSA's most commonly used by the town boards and the parameters for use. Is it not possible that the comment of "yes" was to applaud Selectman Sullivan on his correct usage as opposed to it being a remark used to disparage Chairman Sapia? Are we not innocent until proven guilty? Or has that changed in Atkinson, NH?
Sapia's disrespect for anyone who doesn't agree with him is disgusting. Just look at how he tried to shout down then mocked Mr. Sullivan on Monday night.
But HE feels people are disrespectful to him. He is not deserving of respect.
Russell the “snitch”
Another badge to hang on this “petty clerk”
How many problems has he created?
How many things has he made worse?
How many “mistakes”?
Why does he butt-in?
Why is he present for any reprimand of an employee and why in public?
Why don’t the Selectmen learn their job and seek out their own counsel not his?
He has worked elsewhere in NH and some of those places have had “BAD” outcomes.
Atkinson has had “BAD” outcomes lately
Why? Why Us?
Jack said monday that "if I talked to my boss the way Teddy talked to us, I would be fired"
Well, Jack, if you swore at your boss the way you swore at Paul, you would be fired!
If you humiliated a female dept. head in your company the way you did Linda Jette IN HER OWN OFFICE you would be fired!
Get some perspective! you are supposed to do the business of the town, not pusue your petty personal grudges!
Surely you should have learned from your mentor, the chief's mistakes!
To anon @ 8:45
you miss the point the camera operator WAS signifying support for Paul, that is why she is being persecuted.
My dear Publius -
I did not miss the point - just being a bit facetious - and another thing, are not volunteers citizens too, and as such are they not entitled to show support to whomever they like, where ever they like without being taken to task? Jack likes to say that the town runs on volunteers - I guess he only likes the ones who support his points of view.
I'd move back to town just to be another thorn ion Sapia's side and maybe even run for selectman. However, with a family member in town known as "the pajama lady", could be a bit of a problem.
I've only lived in town 7 years, but I must admit, the steady decline in selectmen has been disappointing. My wife always jokes that since I have no other interest in town, besides being a resident of it, makes me a perfect candidate to run next time and actually try to help the town, rather than myself. Maybe she's right.
Why is this blog so biased? I am not condoning the actions Mr.Sapia but the constant bombardment of negative issues makes this blog less effective.
People need to listen more and speak less.
Just beware of Massholes that move to town and start agitating for town water and sewer systems.
And what is this crap with curb side trash collection? Going to the dump was a minor adventure when I was a kid.
If I win the lottery, I'd have to buy the biggest undeveloped track of land in town, put one home on it and an ORV/OHV park on the rest. Keep On Wheeling!
To Anon @ 6:50
I don't think it is a question of bias, you are seeing comments from many different people. We have received not a single comment in support of Mr. Sapia egregious actions, and many that we have refused to publish as they were accurate, but invective filled, and therefore not deserving of a place here.
The purpose of this blog is to discuss town politics without fear of reprisal, this being a new feeling for some in town. The secondary purpose is to inform the public of the issues unfolding in town which they do not see, and would not otherwise find out about.
As Ben Franklin said "Sunlight is the best disinfectant", and this is as true today as it was 237 years ago.
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