According to the Eagle-Tribune today the town's new wheelchair van is in and striped. It reads "Atkinson Police Community Services Senior Transport Division"
WOW! I thought Elderly Affairs was a separate dept.! Hold on, let me check the town website..........
Yup, The budget shows it as a separate, stand alone dept. I even found the minutes where the selectmen re-appointed thi guy named Phil Consentino to serve as elderly affairs director for a period of one year. Surely if it was merely a division of the PD there would be no elderly affairs director position to be appointed to, it would simply be the chief of police's job. And I remember Chief Consentino asking the selectmen last year to move elderly affairs back into the PD, and they did not vote to do that, but never the less, here it is, a DIVISION of the PD!
By the way, for all who didn't know we INCREASED THE SIZE OF THE FLEET AGAIN, TOO! The police fleet now consists of 12 vehicles! Yes I know chief stated in the selectmens meeting 6/18/07 that there were only 10 vehicles, but he was wrong, as he so often is, the FACT is he pnly traded ONE VEHICLE IN ON THE TWO NEW ONES, NOT A TWO FOR TWO TRADE AS HE PROMISED THE BUDGET COMMITTEE. But whatever you do, don't call these mistakes, you may get sued if you do, it HAS hapenned, you know.
I remember Chief telling the Eagle-Tribune a couple of months ago that the reason elderly affairs worked so well in the Pd was that there is "so little crime in Atkinson, and we have dispatchers that have the time to do it."
Can anyone give a logical reason why Elderly Affairs would not be more efficient, more accountable, and more transparent if TOTALLY SEPARATED FROM THE PD? take the stripes and radios off the vehicles, run your phone line to the community center and run it with all of the other senior programs, make it a true FULL SERVICE SENIOR PROGRAM. Tell us wy that would not work, We can't wait to hear this one.
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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. "
19 comments:
My question is this... if the Grant's were to evaporate magically from the planet would this blog continue to see so much negativity and hatred towards individuals?
First of all, Anon, you never see Ad Hominum personal attacks on the site. You see discussion of events, and observations about those events, even opinions about those events, However it is uncontrolled, and unscripted. Unlike the selectmen's meetings where you DO see Ad Hominum personal attacks carried on BY THE SELECTMEN, EVEN THOUGH IT IS ILLEGAL FOR THEM TO DO THAT!
On the contrary, what you see here is the voice of the people. People who spoke at the deliberative session last Tuesday. People who haven't had a voice since 2004 when the selectmen began their egregious practice of shouting down, and defaming anyone who criticized them.
What you see on this site, sir, is DISGUST with a corrupt government that is not responsive to the people, it does not even listen to the people when their wishes contradict what the high and mighty selectmen wish to do.
As far as your comments about the Grants, if you knew them, you would know that Mrs. Grant is not computer savvy, and the few times that she has participated in this blog has been under her own name. Note that very few others have the courage to do this, could it be because of fear of reprisals from the selectmen and police chief?
In answer to your question, I would venture a guess that you will see criticism of corrupt officials as long as they continue to place their own interests before those of the town.
Ken, Thanks for the update on the Ad Hominum
Nice try! But neither the article nor the reply were written by Mr. Grant. It is a riot how much our town officials and their minions obsess about who writes on this blog. Keep Guessing! ROFL
In all fairness, Mr. Grant has only authored 3 articles on this blog, and submitted them as has everyone else through the comment window.
If you listen to chief during meetings you would realize that the PD has many divisions;
a Detective division- 1 officer, Sgt. Farrar, little detecting to do on a regular basis.
a Patrolmans division
a Senior Transport division
All with only 5 full time officers and only 1 on patrol at any given time.
What a joke!
My question is this....is the part-time Police Chief position in Atkinson an elected, hired or appointed position?
Was the Chief elected?
If so, when and for how long?
Was the Chief hired?
If so, who else was interviewed?
Was the Chief appointed?
If so, when and for how long?
I hope I can get a positive answer to this question. I hate not knowing.
I moved here in 2005 and at first thought the board was great. To me at the time I thought that the Grant's and some other people were the instigators. Boy was I wrong! After over two years I can see that the town has some serious problems with the BOS. When you first look at the police dept it seems great that the Chief and Department are looking out for the elderly..Didn't take long to see how he manipulates some of the great people in town. It is a shame what goes on here. I thank the few and I mean very few that stand up to this BS. Next elections I and I am sure others will vote on the side for change in our local government. Hopefully it will lead to huge change in our police department.
The residents of the Town want honest individuals who represent their best interests (and not spend our tax dollars foolishly!) When that happens, this blog won't have much to discuss... unfortunately I have a feeling it will be around for a long, long time. We've got how many cruisers vs. how many officers... and if you call during "off hours" you need to call Plaistow... that's brilliant!
Mr. Ponzi, thank you for contributing to the conversation.
In Answer to your questions;
The police chief is an appointed position. Chief Consentino was first appointed in 1978 by selectmen Tony (cant remember the last name) and Pat Consentino. This was a probationary appointment, the permanent appointment was made in 1979 or 1980 and the motion was made by; can you believe it, Carol Grant! Irony of all ironies.
His appointment has been renewed over the years, and his last appointment was in 1992 for a period of 7 years. It expired in May of 1999! Since that time we have had Consentino filling the office, but without appointment. Curioser still the selectmen have known about this since 2006 and have refused to either re-appoint him, nor have they advertised for a new chief.
Wonder why? If he truly IS qualified, why not re-appoint? If he is not as many suspect, then advertise and hire a replacement.
Actually using Plaistow's dispatch is much more cost effective than our own.
We pay Plaistow $30,000 to do ALL of the fire dispatching, and 77% of the police dispatching.
We pay Atkinson PD dispatchers $50,000 to dispatch 23% of their calls, but they DO have time to do ALL of the elderly dispatching, because "there is so llittle crime in Atkinson" (Chiefs words in the Eagle-Tribune)
Pat Consentino voted to appoint Phil Consentino, chief?
Is she a relation? And if so, isn't that a conflict? shouldn't she(or he) have recused themselves?
Does anything in this town happen without personal conflicts?
I've been around forever, and I didn't remember the 1978 vote on the chief's position. Tony Nobrega was the other Selectmen. Pat is a niece, I believe, of Phil.
Thinking back, the only reason I can see for this probationary appointment would be the resignation of the then-chief whom, I think, might have been Pete Crowe. Before him was Ken Austin, who also resigned. Before him was Bob Conley, and I think he resigned as well...partially because he was ill and partially because there were some very unjust and untrue rumors running around town about him. Bob's resignation, followed by Ken's and Pete's, all took place within a two to three year span. The only other police officer available at the time was....Phil.
Put some pieces together, folks, and add a shadow of a doubt, and combine it with some of the things you've read in the blog about Phil and you might see how Phil actually got his job. His reign of terrorism has lasted a long, LONG time.
Reign of Terror, is such an apt phrase. Anyone remember Wayne Peak? I do. Here are a few details, I'm sure some of this is probably in the various case files. as I remember the pawsuit seemed to drag on for about 6-8 years.
In 1980 Wayne Peak was appointed by the Court to fill a vacancy on the board of selectmen.
8 months later he noticed that the fees the PD charged for report copies, and stuff like that were not being deposited with the town bookkeeper, instead Phil was giving them to the police assoc. donation acct. When Peak discovered this I believe the purloined amount was $260 or so. Really minimal, but when Peak brought it up, Phil went ballistic! Claimed he never did wrong, and Peak had a vendetta against him(sound familiar?), claimed that this was trumped up. An investigation ensued, The police assoc. probably out of embarrassment and the need to do the right thing, closed out their acct. and gave it all, about $300 to the town, and disbanded. The selectmen refused to fire Phil, Peak resigned in protest, and filed suit to force the town to fire him.
Phil countersued, claiming, slander, defamation, libel, lost wages, many illnesses the stress of this had caused him, etc.
During all of this someone allegedly took shots at the PD, Phil accused Peak(no evidence) FBI investigated Peak, no charges.
Phil charged Peak with speeding, reckless driving, Peak got charges overturned on appeal. Phil would wait at end of Peaks driveway on his motorcycle, and follow him through town. Peaks business was investigated by Mass. Dept. of Revenue on an anonymous tip of tax evasion(any guesses where that came from?)
Case was settled with a non disclosure agreement in 1988. Phil claimed Peak only got $15,000. Peak hinted that it was the largest civil settlement in NH history. Peak through a huge party at KofC in Lawrence and bought 2 new Caddies with his winnings. I believe Peak, only becaus eI have had a first hand opportunity to judge Phil's honesty throughout the years.
Here's what I dont understand...
I admit I am fairly new to Atkinson, about 4 years, but I've heard Lt. Baldwin state that there is usually only one patrol officer on most shifts.
If that is true why do we need 12 vehicles?
and why do we need two new ones every 2 years?
and if the wheelchair van is good enough to be a daily driver for a family in danville, then why did it need to be replaced for our town?
Can anyone tell me why elderly affairs HAS to be run out of the police dept.?
It seems to me that it would make more sense, as Ms. Princota said last year( i think that is her name on the budget committee) to run it out of community center, and combine it with all the other senior service to make it a full service program, and to allow us to know exactly how much we spend on elderly services, total.
I used to believe everything the police chief said, but watching him in meetings these last three years, has shown me that he is more interested in protecting his political power base, than being transparent and accountable to the people.
publius,
Thanks for the answer.
I have a simple solution to many of the problems that seem to plague Atkinson...
Just request, more like demand the Board of Selectmen perform their duty to reappoint the Chief of Police position, just like they do for all other open appointments.
When they bring up the appointment, request to see Phil's qualifications.
We all know he never wanted to see the position go full-time since he could not qualify as a full-time NH police chief. I believe, with the rule changes in recent years, he no longer qualifies to be appointed as a part-time chief.
I guess our BOS would then have to consider another appointment to fill this opening.
I would like to be the first one to wish Phil well in his retirement. Maybe he can use his free time volunteering to help the elderly or something.
Mr. Ponzi,
Thank you for the suggestion, however the selectmen were informed of this in 2006. They have steadfastly refused to acknowledge or consider it. They have not verified Phils qualifications, nor have they re-appointed him.
Logically, the only possible reason for not re-appointing him, is that he is unqualified, but that is merely supposition.
Phil likes to claim he is "grandfathered" but he fails to admit that the new qualification standards passed in 1999 do not contain a grandfather clause, instead they gave each officer in the state 20 months to comply.
This blog does not believe Phil did so.
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