This appeared on Channel 9 news over thanksgiving weekend.
Police Chief Finds Empty Station When Officers Walk Out
Officers Protest Chief's Reinstatement After Firing
POSTED: 5:31 pm EST November 21, 2007
LYNDEBOROUGH, N.H. -- The Lyndeborough Police Department has a staff of one since its chief was reinstated after he was fired and a walkout of the town's other officers who refused to work with him.
Chief James Basinas was put on paid leave in February by the town select board and then fired two months later. He was temporarily reinstated by a judge while legal arguments continued, but he returned to an empty building.
Selectmen said the chief is the one responsible.
"We've had at least one (officer) resign and a number out on leave," Selectman Andy Roeper said. "It's disturbing. We're extremely troubled, leaving the town without coverage."
Roeper said Basinas was placed on leave because of concerns that fellow officers and town officials had about his ability to get the job done.
Basinas was fired in April, and, according to court paperwork, some of the reasons included failure to follow purchasing policies or safe and appropriate booking procedures, not properly maintaining equipment and incorrectly reporting hours.
After months of legal arguments, Basinas was reinstated in October, only to be put on paid leave again for new concerns, including not filing fingerprint cards with the FBI and lack of evidence that substantiated hours worked by an investigator.
A week ago he returned to the office.
"He is here by court order, not by our choice," Roeper said.
Not only have Lyndeborough police officers left, but neighboring Wilton and Milford have pulled their mutual aid.
Basinas said he won't talk about personnel issues, but he said residents have no need to worry.
"The town is protected," he said. "I am on duty as police chief and I have state police as backup, so we are going to provide what's necessary for the town of Lyndeborough. I'll make sure of that."
The town plans to have final hearings on the chief's status starting on Feb. 11.
Notice the paralels, Working too many hours, failing to accurately report hours, failing to accurately manage budget, failing to follow proper purchasing policies, personality issues, etc.
All of these items have been reported repeatedly about our chief here in Atkinson!
I guess it is not JUST Atkinson, with these problems.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
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. "
9 comments:
Some similarities. But their Board has the fortitude to do what is right. The Atkinson won't even slap Consentino on the wrist when he commits federal crimes.
Maybe the exodus has begun, I see Fardella resigned. Hmm wasn't he the one who 's name was on the flyer about that union fundraiser? You don't think.....
No Phil wouldnt have forced him out.
What's this I heard officer Fardella was "forced to resign"?
Is this because of his fundraising calls and flyer for a "police union donation account"?
Was he fired for threatening Phil's honeypot?
Phil was very indignant, when he informed the people that there was no other "donation acct." and no other police fundraising, other than his of course.
There should not be any "police fund raising" accounts. PERIOD.
The alarm at my home went off at 2AM. It seems a door that was not properly closed blew open, tripping the alarm.
The local police responded.
Not a week later I get a call from a cop asking for a donation to some fund raising thing.
Any time the police do fund raising, there is, intended or not, implied intimidation. The veiled threat is that if one does not make a donation, the police may be very slow to respond if you need them. Or if the case of Philbo, he will follow you through town, just waiting for you to go 1 mile of the speed limit. Wouldn't you love to hear a tape of how he solicits "donations" from seniors dependent on him for hospital rides?
To Fishgutz:
You are unreal. If you bothered to do your homework, you would know that the fundraiser was NOT conducted by police officers. It was done by a contracting company that was hired by the police union. Stop being paranoid.No one is trying to intimidate you; and it was probably coincidence that you got a call. And when was it? One week AFTER your alarm went off? Maybe you would have a case if you got a call the next day! If you do not want to donate...don't donate...it will not affect your police service...and your very immature to think otherwise.
I was never a fan of unions. Then I saw what goes on in this town to the police officers, who give an honest days work for pay. The leaders of the police department use their powers to intimidate everyone. Who suffers? The hard working officers. That is why I donated to the Union Police Fundraiser.
To Anon @ 10:49pm
The elderly who received phone calls said they thought the person calling was officer Fardella, and the flyer sent home in our kids shuttles from the Academy was signed officer Fardella.
But to be realistic, They would be stupid to fire him while he was doing union business!
So there has to be a better reason than that.
Officer Fardella resigned for personal reasons, he was not fired by any means. Officer Fardella also did not sign any letter that went home with the students, to my knowledge, it was sent by the fundraising firm that the Union hired to do the fundraising drive.
The timing still leaves things to be questioned though, doesn't it? AFTER the fundraiser...Fardella resigns. hmm....
Post a Comment