Welcome to another contributor under the Publius By-line.
Publius, An article for your blog. Thanks
ADDRESSING ANOTHER EXAMPLE of SAPIA-CONSENTINO MIS-USE of POLICE
By Ken Grant
I am telling this story now for 3 reasons. First, the subject is timely and need to be seen in the context of the problems coming to public attention now. Second, my story contains solid examples and reinforcement of Atkinson’s current pressing problems. And last, but not least, several people whose opinion I respect have suggested I do a short article which, in relating the story, certainly reinforces and highlights many of Atkinson’s current problems.
On November 9, 2005, Selectman Sapia and then-Selectman “police chief” Consentino, FOR POLITICAL REASONS, sent uniformed police to remove me from the Town Hall. They then notified and provided a series of defamatory statements to an Eagle Tribune reporter for the obvious intent of harming my reputation.
On that day, WMUR-TV sent their Anchor/Reporter, Kria Sakakeeny, accompanied by a news cameraman to Atkinson to conduct interviews concerning the Vietnam Honor Roll. The primary interview was to be of the ladies of the Atkinson Vietnam Honor Roll Committee in front of the map-stone.
During those interviews, the reporter stated that she also wished to view and photograph the two Vietnam Honor Roll panels. She was given directions to the storage place but said that she was unfamiliar with the area and could someone show her the way. I was volunteered for the job. I remained at Town Hall solely because I had the responsibility of guiding the news crew to the panels’ location upon completion of their interviews in town.
A second interview of one of Sapia’s anti-panels group, was to take place inside the main meeting room in Town Hall after the interview of the ladies, so I was asked to hang around until after that second interview was completed.
There is no LESS private place on this earth than in an open public government meeting room with a group of people in front of a Television camera while being interviewed by a reporter with a microphone in her hand.
I have personally observed or participated in numerous similar interviews. The behind-the-camera observing audience is often large. But, in Atkinson my quiet and non-intrusive arrival some how provoked the ire of the interviewee, a Sapia ally. He immediately singled me out and demanded “Get him out of here”, referring to me. Sapia and McAllister, amongst others, were also watching the interview, but only I was singled out to leave. I IMMEDIATELY left and returned to the atrium of Town Hall after having been present at this second interview FOR NO MORE THAN 10 – 15 SECONDS. After all, if anything newsworthy was forthcoming it would be available on the evening news.
Within a few minutes a uniform officer arrived, immediately asked me “what is the problem” . The officer thereafter stuck to me like glue even when Sapia came outside to the front sidewalk to taunt me. The officer did or said nothing as I recall. While I waited in the center atrium area, Consentino entered and did a kabuki dance around me as I ignored him and did not acknowledge his presence.
Lt. Baldwin also arrived. To my recollection, I had NEVER met him before. As I recall, we met at the Town Clerk’s counter. I asked him what was going on and why were they all there? I had no idea at that time that they were there in response to a Sapia/Consentino call. Baldwin just gave me a telling smirk and would not give me the basic courtesy of an answer. I have seen him react similarly on another occasion. Why? When a person reacts like that they are either part of the problem or don’t care. He left a bad first impression.
By piecing together the police report with comments by McAllister, Sapia and Consentino in the next day’s Eagle Tribune article, I learned that Sapia had, as usual, totally over-reacted in using police against residents for political reasons, by directing Town Administrator McAllister to call the police against this resident. McAllister then EXAGGERATED and HYPED IT UP by falsely reporting that my presence was “intimidating behavior” and that I “tried to insert(myself) “during an interview
in a forceful manner.” Since when is a resident JUST STANDING THERE WATCHING AN INTERVIEW in a public area “trying in insert” himself or acting “in a forceful manner.”?
McAllister’s call to the police must have been to Consentino because it was Consentino who made the request dispatching an officer to Town Hall. The arriving police officer’s report states that he was told over the radio by Consentino “that there was a potentially volatile situation festering at Town Hall.” Consentino added his own hyping-up of the situation by characterizing a nothing situation as a “potentially volatile situation.” The total over-reactions by Sapia, McAllister, and Consentino in their mis-use of the police against a resident was documented by the police officer’s official report which states that “there were NO incidents of violence or any other type of disorderly outbursts. The interviews took place and NO POLICE INTERVENTION WAS NEEDED.”
The problem: We have Selectmen, two of which were installed in the office by the campaigning efforts of, the “Chief of police”, Director of Elderly Affairs, then Selectman Consentino. As the saying goes, “You dance with the one who brung you”. Call it what you will but “they” work tirelessly administrating (politically) on each others behalf. That is just wrong.
The problem: The people we now employ are not qualified to meet our needs or expectations.
The problem: Going beyond the debate on certification, appointment, and “grand-fathering” claims to office, Atkinson has not had a qualified chief of police for years. The current standards, requirements and expectations for that office are fundamentally different and more advanced than they were 30 years ago. We, Atkinson, need a temperamentally qualified, educationally qualified, physically qualified, administratively qualified person leading our police department under the guidance of the community and NOT a continuation of an arcane system of empire building. We expect the Selectmen, who hold that responsibility, to do what is necessary and proper. This is a very important governmental defect needing solution now.
The problem: We, the voters, decided to allow a “Town Administrator” to be hired with the understanding that this would “save us money” locating resources, application for grants and bringing good administrative techniques and advice. I do not believe these expectations are being met. Yes, we were spoiled by previous T.A. Vic Richards when he set us on a good track. But, we have lost that direction with our current administrator.
Finally, I do not want to leave without solutions. Let’s look at solutions. The solution is definitely NOT to “DO NOTHING”. The solution lies in separation of the offender or incompetent from a continuing opportunity to perform offensively or incompetently . The list of satisfactory options can be wide. As examples:
A. Lateral Transfer – be creative and develop a position.
B. Early Retirement - the golden parachute.
C. Resignation.
D. Re-designate the position.
F. Appoint a replacement.
G. Suspension.
H. Termination for cause.
I. Etc.(Do Nothing, Which would be the Norm.)
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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. "
37 comments:
These types of abuses have been going on, longer then we knew, and with more people than just Acciard?
WHY HAS THIS ABUSE OF OFFICE BEEN ALLOWED TO CONTINUE?
Does anyone realize the liability actions like this expose the town to?
How long are we going to put up with this?
Do you havea a copy of the police report you referenced?
I would like to see it posted on the blog.
Eagle Tribune article
Dear Readers,
Shortly after this article was posted we received a vile, hat filled, ad hominum attack not on the author of this article, but on his family!
As we have noted in the past, Ad hominum attacks have no place on this blog.
If you wish to debate in the arena of ideas, if you wish to comment on, analyze, or otherwise debate, events and issues of the day, this is the place, but do it without the cowardly attacks on family members of the contributors here.
If that is how you wish to conduct yourself, perhaps the board of selectmen is where you want to be, given their recent track record.
Sounds like somebody is getting panicky.
I heard this story a couple of years ago from someone in the town hall, and I thought they were exagerating.
What pisses me off, is that Dave Weymouth is not a town official, and therefore has no business yelling at another resident to "get out" of a public building.
Secondly, that Rus and Sapia had to lie about Mr. Grant's actions, and motivations, what possible purpose could they have had other than to defame his reputation?
Third, they are in a public building, and it is not a non public meeting, therefore, they shouldn't be calling the police to evict anyone.
And if they REALLY thought there was a situation, wouldn't they have called the police dept? and not the chief PERSONALLY?
These people are corrupt, and they wash each others back, it is time to get rid of the lot of them, before they do this to me!
How many layers of impropriety are there in this onion?
I think the pertinent questions here are;
1.)How would YOU feel if you received an official letter from the police chief threatening you?
2.) How would YOU feel if you were standing in the town hall, and Jack Sapia called the police on you for no reason?
3.) How would YOU feel to open the paper and see your selectmen lying about you and your actions?
4.) How would YOU feel if you filed a legitimate complaint with your selectmen about an employee, and they did nothing, not even the courtesy of a response?
5.) How would you feel, if when you brought it to their attention that they hadn't resolved it yet, they blamed you for not reminding them?
6.) How would you feel when you see the people that DO remind them of their inaction denounced as "politicking"?
Do Sapia and Childs have any idea how foolish they are making our town look by not pubically reprimanding the chief. They certainly have no problem publically humiliating our road agent, just about every week.
About half of group 4 will be attending the meeting tonight. We may a shoutout with Sapia. I think the other groups should plan on attending too.
Anyone ever think that this is why Sapia and his cronies don't want to piss off the chief,
they want to be able to use police power like the soviets used to in the gulag.
Give us a break. Years later as you recall? Whats up with that. Is their really proof that Sapia called the Chief or is this your best guess? I try and believe that most comments are truthful but it's sometimes a real stretch to consider what is printed on this blog. The Chief has to go but the constant attack on Sapia seems like a your tryin to take them all out because of guilt by association. Why is Sullivan always left out? Wasn't he here for the last 2 years doing nothing, hence making him as culpable as the other 2?
And Mr springer, go back to Danville where you clearly belong
saving your fellow townspeople!
Any more cert letters coming your way. We are all real interested. {not}
To anon 2:49 PM
The Eagle-Tribune, Thursday November 10, 2005
"Sapia asked McAllister to call police."
Mr. Sullivan was elected to the BoS in March 2006 so he was not a member at that time. The member of the BoS in November 2005 were Consentino, Childs and Sapia.
To anon 11/14 7:33 PM
The police report is #20051104 and is public record.
Here is a comment on the ET article from SpeakoutDanville that you might find interesting.
For those who dont believe that these events are true, and that Consentino has a long established history of using the police dept. to harras and bully those who question him refer to these Eagle-Tribune Articles; ( I would give you a link, but since last year they have disabled their online archives.)
1.) 3/12/1998, "Patrolmen:Chiefs search for informer a problem"
2.) 8/24/1998, "Chief pledges vow of silence"
3.) 12/29/1999, "State to Chief: Stop Intimidation"
4.) 3/21/2000, "Town silent on Chief's latest flap"
5.) 3/2/2000, "Chief's work may be halted"
6.) 6/28/2000, "Chief Must slash workload"
7.) 5/23/2000, "State, Consentino to discuss hours"
8.)1/12/2000, "Town split over chief"
9.) 3/16/2000, "It's time for chief to go"
10.) 11/15/2005, "Chief SHOULD set good example"
11.) 8/15/2005, "Vietnam Honor roll battle showing no signs of subsiding"
12.) 7/15/2005, "Selectmen stick around after meeting concludes"
13.) 11/30/2004, "Chief protests denial of pay"
14.) 4/7/2004, "Debate on tenure policy resurrects conflict fight"
15.) 7/18/2005, "Selectmen impose gag order on town information"
16.) 7/21/2005, "Loosen the gag in Atkinson"
17.) 8/5/2005, "Consentino blocks vote on honor roll"
18.) 4/13/2004, "Conflict issues unresolved"
19.) 10/26/2004, "Resident files suit against chief"
20.) 2/24/2004, "Atkinson wages annual war on leaders conflicts"
21.) 4/22/2004, "Budget panel leader offended by chief, selectmen"
22.) 5/33/2004, "Ethics panelist revives debate"
23.) 5/11/2004, "Official defends right to three hats"
24.) 6/30/2004, "Police, chief at odds over pay"
25.) 7/28/2004, "Consentino faces conflict-of-interest injunction"
26.) 8/25/2004, "Ethics panel moves o clear its practices"
27.) 10/24/2003, "Trick or treat, and your papers please"
28.) 10/12/2003, "Resident asks if ethics enforced"
29.) 10/16/2003, "Our candy for town kids"
30.) 5/12/2005, "Consentino:Judges order wont change a thing"
31.) 5/24/2005, "You can't take the police chief out of the selectmen"
32.) 1/26/2003, "Election bid raises ethics questions"
33.) 3/12/2003, "Consentino is doing too much"
34.) 8/1/2004, "Dispatcher claims he was replaced after filing grievance"
Anyone tired of this guy yet?
Unbeleivable, this town government.
If all these stories have been written about Consentino, then people must know, how has he gotten away with it so long?
Because there has never been a blog to list all of these.
also there is usually an interval between incidents, so people forget.
Also, they have controlled the mike.
I was embarrassed again for Ted! Fred is making a fool of himself the way he treats Ted. Ted did stand up to Fred but Ted must have said"I apologize" a hundred times. I am sick to death at myself for voting for Fred.
I wonder how far from here one would have to go to find such a depressing town government/police situation like the one in Atkinson. Why do people in that town elect (or put up with) all these officials who could care less about public service. These officials are obviously self-serving individuals who use their positions to stroke their need to control others. That's one sad town...
Now is anyone going to talk about how Mark A. kept interrupting last nights selectmans meeting without being addressed. His comments may be valid but its way of trying to deliver the message, showing that he is speaking out of order.
I am not picking on what mark stands for, I am picking on his delivery.
I'm sure there will be a blog soon on Monday night's Selectmen's meeting, but I can't wait.
The Selectmen, Jack said, have dealt with Mark's complaint, and Brian Kaye's as well, but they are bound by RSA 91-A - Right to Know Law - not to discuss it publicly. Instead, they've said they will send each of them a "letter".
MY guess. Dear Mark (Brian); We've met with the Chief and have reprimanded him. A letter will be included in his file. Sincerely.....
Wow. A slap on the wrist. Dear heavens, he'll never get over it.
Mark, please have the letter put on the blog.
The big show, I thought, was Ellie Zaremba, speaking to the issue of the Viet Nam Memorial. Wow! If you hung around long enough, you had an opportunity to see what little old ladies can do. She called them despicable; said she has no faith in them. She administered the oath of office to several prior Selectmen, she said. To her, that oath means something. She is disgusted, and didn't want to stay around to hear what they had to say.
The "new" stipulation has been signed and is in the court somewhere. She went to the courthouse, in hopes of getting it moved out of the basket in which it sits and signed it, so the town could proceed. As long as both parties had signed it, she asked that the Selectmen just put the tablets up in time for Veteran's Day. Well.....said Jack....they have to wait until it's signed. If not, they would technically be in violation of an existing court order, and he feared the Selectmen might have to go to jail for that.
HEY JACK.....PHIL VIOLATED COURT ORDERS (PLURAL) AND HE NEVER WENT TO JAIL. WHAT ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT?
Another thought. If you put them up, would the Judge say "But you didn't say May I, and make you take them down? Like judges have nothing more important to do.
Anyway - to Ellie - you go girl!
You're right he shouldn't interrupt, he should leave that to Sapia, but when Sapia is waving him off, and refusing to let him speak, what would you do?
This is apparently Sapia's new tactic, just don't let anything you don't want to hear be discussed at selectmen's meetings.
I looked up some of those articles;
he was Ordered to stop bullying, harrassing, and intimidating his officers.
His own officers accused him of threatening them.
He sent an official letter to Hampstead to try and get selectmen Childs wife fired. And when she raised hell about it, he wimped out and claimed he was acting as Resident, not chief, even though the letter was official.
I just realized that Acciard, Grant, Kaye, and the rest of them are RIGHT!!!
This bully has to go!
I think Ellie Zaremba summed it up nicely when she said to Sapia, " I dont trust you, because you lie"
And THAT is the problem!
No disciplinary action against chief:
Eagle Tribune article
Two weeks ago Sapia told Brian that he didn't follow up. Last night he wouldn't even address his questions. Which is it? And also, Go Ellie Zaremba! You are so on the money with those guys.
Philip V. Consentino is EVIL! He continues to threaten people and use his position of authority to intimidate! He is a bully in every sense of the word and action must be taken NOW!
As a Police Officer (Commanding Officer) in a nearby department I can assure you what the consensus is:
Phil Consentino is an absolute disgrace to NH Law Enforcement.
The men and women in uniform are disgusted by his on-going antics and wonder how long before the citizens of Atkinson finally take a stand and do what is right - REMOVE THIS DERELICT FROM THE POSITION!
Atkinson PD, and consequently the Town of Atkinson, is the laughing-stock of Rockingham County Law Enforcement. Mutual-Aid agencies CRINGE when they are requested to assist Atkinson PD because the agency is so poorly run and mismanaged from the top. It's a liability.
Further, there are MANY officers over the years that Phil has forced out whom have gone on to become some of the finest Police Officers in the state - most of them were forced out because they disagreed with Phil's wicked ways and took a stand on what was right - and legal.
It is high time that the NH Police Standards & Training Council and the FBI Corruption Unit begin to focus on the small community of Atkinson, NH and the Dictator they currently have as "Chief" of Police.
You have the POWER - use it!
To the "police official":
Our selectmen are intimidated by Consentino, MARK MY WORDS; THEY WILL DO NOTHING!
Just like they have been doing for the last 7 years!
This is nothing new, He has been doing this stuff for over THIRTY YEARS!!
It is only now that people have a forum to speak out against this man's tyranny.
To anon 2:34, the commanding officer:
We are just taxpayers who fear this man because he abuses the badge. I don't care to be threatened, harrassed or arrested. If there was an easy way to get him removed, we would have done it by now (duh). If your posting is genuine, you want to see change as much as we do.
The State Attorney General calls Phil when anyone complains to him.
You must know all of the laws or procedures required to get a bad cop removed. Please enlighten us. Who should we call? Names and numbers of people who would care would be helpful. We dont know who to trust cause of this small, good-ole boy state we live in. Our selectmen are no help. Please help show the way. We'll do the rest. We just need a good coach.
If Sweeney is still involved/associated with Police Standards and Training DONT call him. Phil must have something on him, too, since in past years, he's always sided with our chief when we all knew whatever the isue, Phil was wrong.
You might find this article about a similar situation in Madbury to be of interest:
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Madbury lawsuit gives clues to the police chief's decertification
By AARON SANBORN
Democrat Staff Writer
MADBURY — A wrongful discharge suit filed by the town's former deputy chief is starting to shed light on why he resigned from the department and the reasoning behind the former chief's decertification.
Former Deputy Police Chief Jason Lamontagne is suing the town for wrongful discharge after selectmen decided not to renew his contract in May 2006. Lamontagne resigned from his post in December and took a job as a patrol officer in New Durham.
Foster's Democrat article
HE MUST RESIGN.
I'll tell you how i KNOW that the selectmen did nohting substantial to Phil.
Because when he came out of the secret meeting, and gave his budget, he was HAPPY! he was joking, and light hearted, and he would have been pissed, as we have seen him many times before, if the selectmen criticized him, or God forbid punished him.
It is obvious that people in general have trouble believing that these revelations seen on this blog, of their elected officials conduct, are true.
You know me, I have always been an advocate of transparency,
What we need here is an online website that will be a repository of all of the public documentation of town official malfeasance in the commission of their public duties.
I am not talking about a smear site! I dont care what tickets they got, or how many drinks they had New Years Eve. That stuff is none of the publics business, But how they conduct themselves IN THE COMMISSION OF THEIR PUBLIC DUTIES IS!
One place where people can access ALL of the newspaper articles, all of the video clip of their sad performance in selectmen's meetings. All of their official decisions, or lack thereof.
Just beware, whoever sets this up, is making themselves a target for investigation.
I sent a link to the federal prosecutor in my family.
Maybe he knows someone that might be able to "help the board of selectman do their job."
And I will be sure to drive at leas 2MPH below the speed limit any time I come into Atkinson again.
Still may come up Halloween night to see if it is still a crime to cross into Atkinson that night.
I was just wondering if "the powers to be" will allow Chief baldwin the apparent flexibility he exercises as LT. I could have sworn I just saw him on the side of the road in Salem, making some extra green, with his take home car. I think it's true what the say the grass is never as green as it is in Atkinson. Can you spell double-dip ( and I don't mean the donut)?
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