MAcciard said...
Publius, Please accept this as an article submission, you could even entitle it Electioneering pt. 3- Jack STILL doesn't get it!
I went to the selectmen's meeting tonight because I saw on the agenda that Lt. Cmdr Latham was coming in with a proposal for a veteran's park similar to what Salem or Derry has. His proposal was beautiful, and in principle, as a veteran myself, I am all in favor of this proposal, However it was wrong, and probably illegal for the selectmen to entertain this discussion now, when the issue of veterans memorials placement is under ballot to the voters in a month's time. Is the timing of this proposal coincidental, maybe, but probably not.
The problem here, is "Electioneering" which is illegal. Electioneering is defined as a public employee or official using their position to discuss upcoming ballot issues in a manner that may sway the vote for or against a candidate or issue.
Knowing that selectmen Sapia made the selectmen vote two years ago to operate under "Robert's Rules of Order" I called for a procedural point of order, to warn the selectmen that if they continued to dicuss this issue they would open themselves up to charges of electioneering. Given the fact that the town has sufferred over 9 legal actions in the last 2.5 years, because of the selectmen's failure to follow the rules(and the law), I wanted to give them the opportunity to table this discussion until after Sept. 12. Selectmen Sapia chose to gavel me down before I had even announced the point of order, stating that it was his decision.
Here is the problem, when an issue is already on the table, ANY resident has the right to speak on it. The selectmen may control the subject matter, but to allow a subject on the table then not allow a resident to speak on it is a violation of that residents rights, not to mention just plain wrong. If we were truly operating under Robert's Rules, the chairman should have at least listened to the point of order, but selectmen Sapia showed once agan, that he is more interested in hearing what he wants to hear, than being fair, and observing the rules for everyone.
I held my objection until Mr. Latham was finished with his presentation out of respect for that gentleman, however for the board to entertain discussion about the placement of veterans memorials when the town is going to vote on the placement of the vietnam veterans memorial in one month is illegal. This issue could have been brought up and discussed any time within the last three years, that this issue has been going on, and it can be discussed in one month's time, if it is a genuine issue. The fact that it is eing brought up now, and discussed at selectmen's meetings is because, I suspect, it is intended to give the voters an option other than voting for the warrant article before them on Sept. 12. This would be classified as an attempt to sway the vote, or electioneer.
Either way, the board of selectmen should have had the class, and honor not to discuss this issue until after the vote. It is obvious to me as well as many others that these are qualities sadly lacking in this board, especially in its leadership.
August 6, 2007 10:46 PM
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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. "
15 comments:
I have to agree, Mr. Sapia should have at least listened to Mr. Acciard, instead of using his gavel to interrupt him and shout him down.
And the selectmen should not be talking about this until after the vote, but they never act appropriately anyways
Gee, I thought it was just me that thought it was a coincidence that this memorial plot suggestion be brought before the board of selectmen monday night. As I listen to the presentaion (which by the way, I have no problem with)I couldn't help but wonder if there was a motive involved...and then when I heard that gavel bang I knew my answer...
Mr. Sapia needs to listen to residents more, and talk less!
These are public meetings and every resident has the right to cemment on any subject being discussed!
If he doesn't want to listen he should leave.
Just a guess, but is Sapia a fan of Hillary? He shares her contempt for "the little people." I would be stunned if he treated a big campaign contributer the same way he treats the rest of the voters of Atkinson. He probably got elected by a bunch of Mass-Holes that moved to Atkinson. Probably from Southie. After all, those folks kept electing Bulger.
Hopefully enough people will have become aware of Sapia's treachery to assure defeat next go around.
Mr. Sapia should be aware that if he keeps talking to people that visit the town hall about the vietnam memorial issue, it is going to get out that he is electioneering, and he could find himself back in Court again for violating his oath of office.
Wouldn't be the first time.
Somebody should remind Mr. Sapia that the people he is not allowing to speak are his employers....all of us, whether we agree with him or not. And all the Selectmen should listen to their employers, whether they agree or not.
I hear Sapia is trying to say that the town is bound by a judges order, to place the memorial up at the historical society.
He is obviously trying to sway the vote, and that is illegal.
as I see it 2 of the selectmen are puppets. Mr.Sullivan is the voice of reason. I was disappointed that he did not try to shut Jack down as he usually does..Please Mr. Sullivan don't back down to your "fellow selectmen" continue to speak your mind and fight for the rights of the citizens of Atkinson.
I was very disappointed in Mr. Sullivan, When Mr. Acciard was trying to suggest that they shouldn't talk about the ballot issues, Mr. Sullivan looked at his papers, He should have spoken up and agreed with Mr. Acciard!
Please tell the selectmen that they can not refuse to allow a resident to speak on a subject be discussed at a public meeting. This Sapia character needs to learn his place, he is not King.
You, the citizens of Atkinson, New Hampshire, Have some BAD APPLES. What I see is a attempt to void your rights to vote. This is clearly prohibited by law in every state and US election. It is a crime in most. Write a report to your state chief law enforcement official and the Sec. of State for action. Do not let this go on for a long time - these BAD APPLES only get worse. This type of actions do not happen in more urban states because a different type of corruption is present and the local "dumb-ass" gets smacked down quickly by "private" interests but in rural states like New Hampshire- some local Yahoo always trys to get away with corruption because they are "dumb-asses"
Maybe Mr. Sullivan fears that Sapia will have his buddy the Chief order Mr. Sullivan followed by a town cruiser everywhere he goes in Atkinson with orders to cite him for every infraction no matter how minor. It has been done before. Mark Acciard knows this is true having been a target for retribution in the past. How many times was the height of his Jeep measured!? A ticket for having his vehicle, with a remote starter, running unattended.
But Mr. Sullivan should stand up. Be part of the solution and if Sapia does sick his dogs on him, then it becomes more evidence of yet more criminal behavior by Sapia and the Chief. And thus grounds for both a recall and indictment on state, if not federal, public corruption charges. Abuse of authority is public corruption.
Public service means to serve.
You guys really don't know what you are talking about. Selectmen are not "employees" of the taxpayers, and they do not lose their free speech rights when they take an oath to be selectmen.
They have every right to discuss ballot issues and to promote their opinions. The only issue would be if they were using the town copier or the town postage meter.
I voted for Paul thinking he might make a difference...I still have hopes for him but he is wimping out.
Mr. Springer,
While you have a point about free speech, you must also remember that even elected officials can not use taxpayer funded town owned resources to spread their personal opinions, because that disenfranchises every other advocate that does not have access to those resources.
That is what these selectmen have done. They asked Mr. Latham to do up some sketches and come in to talk about it.
They allowed this to be presented even though they are election officials entrusted with maintaining the integrity of the election process.
Selectmen Sapia, gavelled down the opposing opinions, and did not allow any mitigating discussion to be heard, thereby infringing upon the free speech rights of residents who tried to caution the board against promoting this issue on camera, while this very same issue(that of where to put memorials) is going to the voters in three weeks.
For that 9 minute segment of the meeting selectman Sapia was using $230,000 worth of equipment and the salaries of 4 town employees for his own personal use of excercising his free speech rights. When every advocate on both sides of the issue has the same access to taxpayer funded broadcast equpment, then you may have a point.
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