As reported in the Eagle Tribune today, The selectmen, sent letters to DES, PUC, and the Attorney Generals office, asking if the ordinance was enforcable. The Attorney Generals office replied back that they would not give a legal opinion, but that the matter would probably be settled in court.
This is all true, but what the selectmen once again fail to realize, is that the voters told them to do something, this means they are BOUND BY LAW, to do it UNTIL IT IS CHALLENGED IN COURT, and then THEY ARE BOUND TO VIGOROUSLY DEFEND THE ORDINANCE AGAINST CHALLENGE!
Our selectmen, however, are trying to pre-emp the process by getting a legal opinon up front as to whether or not they have to DO THEIR DUTY!
This is precisely why 74% of voters passed the Vietnam Memorial article, and 69% of voters passed the water ordinance!
WE DON'T TRUST OUR SELECTMEN TO DO THEIR DUTY!
Here is a short list of their MALFEASANCE, in recent years.
1.) Water Ordinance- Selectmen to AG; Do we really have to do this?
2.) Sign on Conservation land around Community Center- We own the land, we can give permission, deed restrictions don't matter.
3.) Vietnam Honor Rolls- Doesn't matter what the people say, our friend don't want them there! "the word area is too vague"-Jack Sapia, Parsing the word out of the phrase "the area between the flagpoles, up to and including the flagpoles themselves"
4.) 7 Complaints about conduct of chief of police- no action taken, no response for 17 months, and even then it is the complainants fault for not hounding them about it.
5.) Create the towns FIRST FT Police Lt. spot.- Town policy, if a position is vacant for more than 180 days it must be readvertised. Funy thing is at the same time they were doing this they were forcing Teddy to readvertise the assist. road agent position because it had been vacant for more than three months. HYPOCRITS!
6.) Refusal to allow town residents to plug their own scanners into the electrical sockets in town hall, to scan public documents, tells residents to bring their own generator.
SELECTMEN, Hear this, your are not kings, nor dictators, you are ELECTED REPRESETATIVES OF THE PEOPLE!
START ACTING LIKE IT OR WE WILL KICK YOU OUT AT THE NEXT ELECTION!
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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. "
18 comments:
Fuzzy Math
SUV
Old Van
Electioneering
Legal Expenses
Nonappointed officials
LIES
unposted meetings
"Bring your own generator?" WTF? Who was the a-hole that did that? He should be run out of office for that alone. It was clearly an attempt to intimidate a taxpayer/voter. But that seems to be the norm.
Maybe it is time for someone to compile a DVD with video from BoS meetings a PDFs of documents to all registered voters before the next election. Such an action should trigger higher turn out than the Chief voter block can counter.
The contributors to this blog are angry with the Board of Selectmen, and rightly so, for the endless stream of missteps and "creative" interpretations of the law.The focus on the actions of the Board draws focus away from what I think is the real problem - Town Administrator Russel McAllister. Residents who have been into the Town Hall over the last few years will no doubt agree. Ever since Russ has been empire building in the Town of Atkinson, our town government has been a series of one mistake or lawsuit after the other. Does anyone remember these types of problems when Vic was here? No- because it was Vic's sole interest to help the Town and it's residents. Getting a generator to plug in personal equipment to copy documents that are, by law, to be easily made available to all residents!?! - This has Russ (and his need to control what EVERYONE in the Town has access to) all over it. I think the people of Atkinson give the Selectmen too much credit for what goes on in Town Hall. I think if you look a little deeper, you will find that the Selectmen are just following along with whatever Russ tells them to do or what Russ thinks they can get away with(and shame on them). What we really need is a Town Administrator who: 1. Treats EVERYONE who comes into the Town Hall with respect, 2. Has the best interest of the Town, and not his own empire, in mind, and 3. Does not think the position is equal to 4th Selectman or Town Manager (the Selectmen rely on his "knowledge" and opinion far too much).
Don't get me wrong - I think the Selectmen are equally at fault. They have neglected their duty to inform themselves about issues, form independent opinions, think for themselves, and follow the will of THEIR BOSSES - THE VOTERS. Somewhere along the way someone convinced them that they could do whatever they wanted without repercussion. And until this blog they were basically right.
Fellow bloggers - keep up the good work and let's see if we can get these Selectmen out of office and elect thinking people with integrity whose first order of business is getting Russ out of that office and restoring respect and faith in our local government.
I don't get it. I've lived in town for going on 8 years now, my wife has about 15 under her belt now. I always assume there's more than one side of the story, but some of the stuff I read here is crazy. Is this really happening in our town?
If this is all occurring, I don't understand why the State isn't involved, or the courts, etc. Perhaps I don't understand how to take action, but can't a Selectman be impeached like other elected officials? Wouldn't the State be interested in the apparent abuse of power that is suggested (with some evidence - so some must be accurate) is occurring in town.
I've always thought of running for the selectman's office. Why? Because I live here and care about the town. I don't own a business here, I don't have anyone on my payroll. I don't owe any favors to anyone. I just want to see the right stuff done for the residents.
Maybe I should. Who knows. I'm not well known; maybe a bit through my kids in school, but maybe that's what the town needs...
go for it Chad, we need U
To Anon @ 4:52
Unfortunately, yes! All of the incidents you see described here are true and have happened.
And yes, residents HAVE taken these issues to Court, with mixed results;
Mr. Acciard took Chief Consentino to court to force him to abide by the law, and step aside on police matters. He won.
He also won when Consentino violated that Court Order, Mr. Acciard advised the Court and Chief Consentino was found in contempt of court. He won again.
Mrs. Grant took the selectmen to court to have them removed from office for violating their oath of office. She Lost. But in her defense, the court has never removed an elected selectmen from office. This is because the voters can remove them in a year or less.
The fact is that elected officials are supposed to do the right thing, not end up in court over every little thing.
What we who post on this blog need is a single place where all of the documentation that verifies the stories told on this blog can be seen in its original forms.
It never ceases..............
They BoS are unbelievable. I just cannot believe the consistancy with which the BoS seem to do the absolute wrong thing.
I think at the election we should elect Mr. Acciard to selectman and Justice to town adminstrator.
To Anon @ 7:02
Thank you for your kind sentiments, but not only owuld my wife kill me, She has been buggin me to move ever since the Chief started harrassing me, but the sad fact is that due to the chief and the selectmen's constant slandering of me, on camera, in selectmen's meetings, I couldn't get elected Dog Cathcer in Atkinson!
But, again, I thank you for your kind words.
I just discovered this blog, due to the story on the front page of the Eagle-Tribune today, but why is everyone anonymous?
I can answer that! LOL
Look at what happens to those who stand up and criticize these people!
All I did was ask the chief to step aside on police, elderly and town employee matters as a selectman. No brainer, right?
ROFL
He refused, even after the court ordered him to, he STILL violated it!
Ask yourself, how many times have you seen the chief or the selectmen yel and scream, and belittle their critics at selectmens meetings?
I have been followed through town, had my vehicles inspected 13 times in one year, Been sued personally, for my house and my business, had my customers and suppliers called by the chief, and told I was under investigation. You have sene the latest installment in the never ending harrassment, the letter threatening MORE legal action.
Now ask yourself, do you want to put yourself, and your family in that line of fire?
Is it worth the time, effort, and money to defend yourself, constantly from these warrantless attacks?
You know as well as I that the answer is NO!
Even my wife wants to move, she can't stand it here, because of all of this, believe me it is not worth it.
Anonymous said...
At Monday night's Selectmen's Mtg,
Russell McAllister announced that the Selectmen had received a response letter to the one they had sent the N.H. Attorney General asking for a legal opinion as to whether the Selectmen had to enforce the Water Withdrawal Control Ordinance.
McAllister read aloud from parts of the A.G's letter -- that the AG said that their office "declines" to give the selectmen any legal opinion because the matter can only be decided by the courts.
Also that the AG's office doesn't get involved in litigation between private companies and towns.
The Selectmen had, once again, tried to do an end-run around the legally-voted Town Meeting mandate of the townspeople, but were bought up short.
At a previous meeting MacAllister had stated that THREE letters had gone out from the selectmen against the Ordinance -- to the AG, the PUC and to DES.
But at Monday night's meeting he didn't mention the selectmen receiving any response to their other sell-out-the-townspeople letters.
It was an insult and a slap in the face to the people of Atkinson that Sapia even sent out those letters to try to benefit the water company at the expense of the townspeople. Well, it didn't work. His efforts came to naught. The AG's office refused to co-operate with him against the townspeople.
This is just another reason why Sapia must be replaced in the next election. Selling out the townspeople -- like his refusing to honor the 2005 Town Meeting vote about the Honor Roll panels --is a regular practice of his and shows a contempt for the people he is supposed to be serving.
I commend you all on this blog...I cannot come on here as anything but anonymous because I use someone else's computer but I have watched these meetings for over a year now and have repeatedly seen the vote of the people overturned and undermined...go for it Atkinson...get them OUT...power to the people...
I read Sumner's letter to the Selectmen regarding the two Vietnam warrant articles adopted two years ago. (It's on the "other" blog - Atkinsontaxpayers.ord)
In more than one occasion, Sumner said there is no ambiguity in those articles. He ALSO said that if that doesn't clear it up, he would recommend that the Selectmen file a petition for declaratory judgment with the court and let the court decide.
The Selectmen didn't do that, as we all know now. So two years later, the citizens filed a petition warrant article which required a special town meeting.
We've heard the Selectmen often speak of how much money the special meeting cost the town. Don't you wonder how much the petition for declaratory judgment would have cost? Do you suppose it would have cost $5,000? My guess is $1,000 - maximum. Probably less, since Sumner is on a retainer.
I don't ever want to hear the Selectmen blame the expense on the town again.
Neither do I want to hear any blame put on Sumner, who made a recommendation to the Selectmen which they chose to ignore. He did his job. Selectmen didn't like what he had to say.
I, too, just read that letter from town counsel.
It is just like Mr. Acciard said at town meeting!
As far as I can tell, Mr. Sapia lied to us, when he told us that the two warrant articles were too vague.
He just didn't want them placed in front of the town hall!
And this is the guy who takes a moment of silence for the troops every Monday night, What a hypocrit!
Who is in charge here? Who has the governing authority in this town?
Last month Peter Lewis (a strong arm in this town) decided to do what he often does twice a year and that is drop sewage pumped from his many real-estate holdings onto his farm field off of Salem Road. This is not the first time he has done this; it also violates one of the mandates within the town of Atkinson.
As mentioned in the Zoning Ordinance
"400:7 Land Application of Septage. The land application of septage containing disease-causing bacteria and infectious viruses and protozoa; the stockpiling in any form, and the land spreading of Class B sewage sludge containing heavy metals, pathogens, parasites and hazardous organic chemicals, is not allowed in the Town of Atkinson, New Hampshire. This ordinance shall not apply to any facility owned and/or operated by the Town of Atkinson for the disposal of sewage/septage/sludge generated within the Town of Atkinson, New Hampshire. (1998)"
When mentioned to the selectman of such actions they want someone to go onto his land and prove that he is doing this sort of thing by taking soil samples. Say What? This is crazy. Anyone in the surrounding area has complained about this violation as well as the probable effects on their wells.
Back in 2001-2002, this area was labeled as a cancer hot-spot as many individuals within a half mile of this sewage dumping practice have been diagnosed with cancer!
Just because Peter Lewis is a big player within this town, he should be liable for his actions just like you and I.
I would like to know who said to investigate on your own and take soil samples? Dis that come from the selectmen?
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