In what can only be described as a legislative slap in the face to the board of selectmen, voters decisively took opposing positions to the boards in yesterday's special election.
The water ordinance article passed by a 2 to 1 margin in spite of the inaccurate, spite filled scare tactic letter sent around to all of it's customers by the Hampstead Area Water Co. Voters are more scared of their wells running dry, and the depletion of our groundwater, than the water company's scare tactics.
The Honor roll panel article passed by a 3 to 1 margin, as voters, clearly disgusted, and angry about the selectmens refusal to do their statutory duty for the last two years, decided this time to tell them in no uncertain terms, to quit stonewalling and place the panels in front of the town hall, where they should be. We trust that Mr. Weymouth and his group will finally accept the defeat that they refused to accept two years ago, and with the help of our two least honorable selectmen were able to stonewall for over two years.
Thank you to the citizens of Atkinson. We all did a good thing yesterday. Maybe we can continue this roll we are on and take back our town from the people who put their own desires before what is best for the town.
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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. "
27 comments:
It was about time, the town stood together and got things done. Mr. Weymouth's group will now have to find someting else to do with their free time. The voters spoke and the group lost. I am also glad to see that the water article passed. Why should we have our water shipped out of town?
HERE, HERE !!!!!
Did any of you read this morning's paper, in which Mr. Childs said the judge handed down an order to place the monumentals up the hill (My words....not his). He concluded by saying "I guess we'll be in court again.
Looks like they never give up.
Yahoo! I am thrilled! When concerned citizens rally together good things happen!
I actually think the SCARE tactic letter from Hampstead Water HELPED Article 1 pass. Did Peter Lewis think we would give up our water resources because he demanded we do so?? Guess not!
Someone needs to ask Sumner if the selectmen have standing to fight this in court, as they are bound by law to carry out the directives of the people.
I will bet Sumner will say they don't. And if he doesn't The Court will deny standing.
Mr Acciard!!
What on earth makes you think the Selectmen will listen to Sumner. They didn't the first time.
This blog is having an impact by getting information to voters they did not have access to in the past.
The opposition does not like this. The truth is being told. Facts are becoming available. Voters are asking more questions, getting educated and seeing what is REALLY going on in this town.
I am looking forward to the next election. This one is going to be very interesting.
Why aren't the voting results on the official Town web site? Oh that's right they lost...guess they don't want us to know.
Thank you Blog for keeping us informed
They are not on the website for the same reason that the last selectmens meeting minnute on there are from JUNE 18th! I am told that the reason for the delay in selectmens minutes is because they are not being sent to the webmaster to be put on there! When I started putting budget meeting minutes online last year, it took two days from when I emailed them to their being on the site. You need to demand that the selectmen post them!
As for the person who asked why I think that they will do it this time;
Because they all stood up in fornt of the voters at town meeting and said that they would abide by whatever the outcome of the vote! I expect them to keep their word, and I intend to hold them acocuntable for it. I am one of the original petitioners on this project two years ago, and I am pissed that my vote was ignored, illegally by these people since then. I, and I dont think the other 70 petitioners, will wait another 2 years! The warrant article said immediately, and I expect the selectmen to announce a game plan and timetable on Monday.
The people have voted. I hope that this matter doesn't go to court again. How much have we aready spent on court fees, lawyers, not to mention the special election.
Hey Mark. You have a whole lot more faith in the Selectmen than I. I hope you're right.
Since the creation of this blog my political views(town) have done a "180". Thanks again Mark and other contributors. Hopefully one day we will all post our names.
I think we need to get the eagle-tribune to write an article on the selectmen's previous refusal to follow the law and obey the voters. Maybe the paper can keep them honest, god knows nothing else seems to.
Well done. This was a good win for the town. It proves voters who are educated can make a difference. But much work remains.
I look forward to the day I can speak my mind freely in this town without fear of persecution. When I can go to a town meeting and ask any question I want - even about budgets or ridiculous cell tower proposals and not be threatened or intimidated by someone with a badge. A day when MY tax dollars are not used to fund a political organization run out of the police department. To see when the elderly in this town are not manipulated and obligated for their vote by a pretend do-gooder. To see an end to electioneering when town phones, faxes, personnel, mail and vehicles are used to influence the town vote. It is voter fraud as far as I am concerned and to actually see it happening in our country today is a travesty. You would think I just described some foreign country run by a political dictator.
The town, the taxpayers and our children deserve better and it is up to all of the voters to make sure changes occur.
The battle is just beginning. Enjoy this victory. Reality is the real war will occur next March. It seems to me the chief didn't try too hard on this one and is saving up his resources and political capital for the next election - to get Sapia re-elected,
which could ensure the chief's family's legacy and his comfortable retirement. In my opinion, he will approach this election as if it is the most important election of his career. Because if someone besides Sapia is elected, chief may only have Childs to rely on to continue his practices.
Then again, if the voters rally behind one, solid candidate against Sapia, perhaps not.
Boy, I bet those guys really hate this blog.
I'm thinking the town should continue to stand together by
attending Monday night's meeting...just to keep them honest. Remember last week, when the Chairman said, often, that the people had spoken and the Selectmen had to honor the library vote.
to the last commentator, Too true, but remember the people spoke two years ago on this same issue, and Town counsel even told the selectmen that they were "bound by law" to carry out the expressed wishes of the voters, and they STILL ignored us and did what they wanted.
Now they whine about the settlement agreement as if that is gospel, yet they conveniently ignore that they failed in their duty to carry out the wishes of the voters.
You're right, Mark....but I was sort of thinking about a lynching mob, ready if needed.
Hey does anyone know... Are the selectmen meeting on Monday? There is no agenda or notice posted anywhere! Not inside the town hall or outside, not at the library, what the hell is going on?
Well if they DO meet without it being posted 24 hours ahead of time, not including weekends, then it is an illegal meeting!
Not that they don't hold illegal meetings regularly, this would just be more blatent than most.
I tried to phone Selectman Paul Sullivan this morning and discovered that, to prevent residents from being able to talk to him as their elected official, that he has gone to an un-published, un-listed phone number !!! So much for the town's hopes that we finally would have a selectman who was responsive to the people.
I tried to phone him to ask if the selectmen were going to keep their word-- which all three gave during Deliberative Session on cable tv that they would all
honor the town meeting vote concerning the placement of the Vietnam Honor Roll name panels.
Are they going to show that they have a shred of integrity and keep their word or are they going to show themselves to be nothing more than liars?
They are definitely meeting at 7:30 PM on Monday and it is so noted on ACT 20 bulletin board. However, anyone want to take bets that if a person, or group of persons shows up to question them re the installation of the Honor Roll panels the answer they get will be "well, our hands are tied! Someone has gone to court to stop the install and we can do nothing!" Don't be surprised.
to anon 4:43
They would not dare.
The first queston to them is "SHOW US YOUR AUTHORITY, WHO HAS GONE TO COURT?, THAT IS PUBLIC RECORD AND THEY MUST ANSWER. IF IT IS THEM, THEY CAN'T, FOR OBVIOUS REASONS AND ANYONE ELSE HAS NO STANDING.
The second is to do the same to them for all their functions, includeing meeting, paying town bills or any other function. There are many ways that can be done.
Remember WE direct THEM. WE told THEM to do something IMMEDIATELY. Our directions were reasonable.
The bottom line is EVEN THESE CLOWNS ARE NOT THAT STUPID.
Sure they are! We told them the very same thing although not as decisively in 2005, and they still allowed Mr. Weymouth's group to influence them to ignore the vote and block the placement of these memorials, and all because they did not like the point person on this project.
Well that is not a valid reason to shirk your sworn duty, if you are not going to do what the voters tell you to do, then resign and we will find people who will.
Yeh, I went by the town hall to check the agenda on saturday and it was last weeks. How can they have a meeting without posting it 24 hours in advance?
Could somebody explain what was Mr. Weymouth's reason for not installing the panels at town hall.
Thanks
Yeah, his name won't be on the panels, because he went into the service from another town, and that town doesn't have a memorial. That's what I have heard.
Are you kidding me!!! That's what the just of this is all about!!! How childish and moronic can one get.
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