HEARING MONDAY NIGHT TO GET ATKINSON A STATE HONOR
By Carol Grant
This Monday night, July 9, the Selectmen will be conducting a Public Hearing concerning Atkinson receiving the very high prestigious state honor of having our Main Street declared a “N.H. State Treasure“ – as a N.H. Cultural, Historical and Scenic By-way. That is the very special N.H. name and designation for a road which captures the essence of Hew Hampshire’s history, cultural, beauty and character as a state.
After receiving Atkinson’s application for consideration for the honor, a team of State officials quietly visited Atkinson and inspected Main Street’s 41 significant historic, scenic and cultural sites, comparing them to the pictures and information on the application prepared jointly by the Atkinson Historical Society and the Atkinson Planning Board. The members of the state inspection team were all so impressed that they UNANIMOUSLY voted to award this States “Blue Ribbon” to Main Street, Atkinson !!
This Monday night’s Public Hearing is a simple formality required by RSA 238:32:III –
a formal acceptance of this already-approved honor from the State by the Selectmen on behalf of the town.
What makes New Hampshire special is reflected by our Main Street. Reflected by 6 homes that survive from before Atkinson even existed or was incorporated as a N.H. town, by 9 homes from before the American Revolutionary War, and by 25 pre-Civil War homes. Atkinson’s Town Center Scenic Vista provides a post-card perfect picture of a N.H. town: a small valley with stone-bounded fields and a white, steepled old N.H. colonial period church cresting the hill over-looking the valley.
The Atkinson Congregational Church dominating the vista captures the historical, cultural and faith qualities of Atkinson’s and New Hampshire’s early settlers and current residents.
The scenic qualities of Main Street are also reflected by the beauty of “The Tunnel” and
Main Street’s woods and fields bounded by stone walls.
Our Main Street also includes several historic non-architectural sites, n including the colonial-era Town Pound, the “Old” Town Cemetery where Atkinson’s earliest settlers are buried, the Town Common which was donated to honor Atkinson’s Civil War veterans, and the area where Atkinson’s colonial militia used to drill and train.
Two farms on Main Street, one still active, reflect Atkinson’s agricultural heritage and early years as an agricultural community.
Atkinson residents have much pride in our town. This high State award and honor being given to our Main Street is well-justified and one which all Atkinson residents can be proud of.
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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. "
4 comments:
Why would ANY resident in his right mind oppose this honor?
I know the chief stood against it but that like so much of what he does was only because he was pissed off, that Carol Grant was the main proponent of this, and he wont give her her way even if it benefits the town.
We should be happy that we have been recognized this way.
One feature I will never forget along main street. The barbed wired fence near the Slade house. For new comers, that the house that got moved way back from the road when a new development went in.
I almost caught a barb in the throat while out really late one night. Walking with friends. Ran off to the side when we saw lights. Forgot to duck and got a sore throat real fast.
Even back then (late 70's) Kojak busted kids just for being out at what he thought was an unreasonable hour though there was no official curfew in town.
And of course Kojak would oppose any idea not of his origin.
Expect the Chief to speak against it this time as well. He feels it will cause massiv increase in Main Street traffic.
My question: Where has the Chief been for the past 30 years, during which traffic has quadruled, at least?
I grew up in Atkinson and that vista as you come out of the tunnel and head up the hill to the church is so very Currier and Ives.
It is beautiful and should be honored
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