This is what the law says about Electioneering.
659:44-a Electioneering by Public Employees. – No public employee, as defined in RSA 273-A:1, IX, shall electioneer while in the performance of his or her official duties or use government property, including, but not limited to, telephones, facsimile machines, vehicles, and computers, for electioneering. For the purposes of this section, ""electioneer'' means to act in any way specifically designed to influence the vote of a voter on any question or office. Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Now that having been said, Atkinson has a rich but clandestine history of public officials, and employees electioneering, but intentionally, and in one case accidently.
1.) When Chief and selectman Sapia stand on the post office lawn to hold signs and wave to cars campaigning for Lt. Baldwin to be elected to school board, that is electioneering.
2.) When Jack puts Baldwin signs on town property, that is electioneering.
3.) When the chief comes into a selectmens meeting to urge everyone to vote for the wheelchair van the next day, that is electioneering.
4.) When Lt. Baldwin comes into a selectmen's meeting to advocate for the communications tower issue, that is electioneering.
5.) When Principal Webster advocates in the school newsletter for the kindergarten, that was electioneering, although she probably didn't know it at the time. (she is not a public official)
This is all wrong as it is using your official position to advocate foe a candidate or issue. However this blog is getting reports of phone calls being made by public officials, to get out the vote AGAINST the Vietnam Honor Roll panels article. THIS IS ILLEGAL!
So, in honor of this practice, this blog would like to keep track of the public pressure being brought to bear upon the voters in regards to this issue. We would appreciate a comment, whenever anyone is contacted by those advocating, or those opposing this issue. We would like to keep a public tally. This should be fun.
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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. "
3 comments:
I would like to point out, just to clarify, Publius, that a selectman or police chief, acting on thier own, in a personal capacity, would not be electioneering.
However, if they use their official position to advocate for an issue, or candidate, that would violate the law.
It would also violate the law, if they used, any town resource or property, such as, a vehicle, town cable tv broadcast, a selectmen's meeting, the "Chief's Command Vehicle", The town's elderly affairs list, etc.
So you were right about standing on town property, on camera at selectmen's meetings, or discussing an elective issue while you are driving elderly to the polls, are all violations of law.
Reminds me of Richard Nixon claiming he was acting as head of the Republican Party rather than as President of the United States.
I have heard form many that the chief talks to elderly people about their votes when he is driving them to the polls. Can't prove it, but I believe it! This is why he shouldn't be driving them on election day.
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