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WATER !! WATER ? "Water"

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New Information and Updates Daily

Sunday, December 30

Has there been planning discussion about a mini-mall in Town center?

Welcome to another contributor under the publius byline

Publius, could you please consider posting this as a new article on the front page?

===================================
ATKINSON GETS A MINI-MALL?

Would you believe that someone is considering putting a mini-mall in Atkinson? Here it is, from the November minutes of the Conservation Commission:

http://www.atkinsonconservation.org/
==================================

"The house at Map 13, Lot 15, south of Pages Lane and West of Main Street burned down by the Fire Department: a preplanning presentation was given to get the opinion of the Planning Board on putting a minimall in that location."

===================================

Maybe I'm alone in this, but is a mini-mall really appropriate for an essentially residential section of Atkinson? My hope here is just to get word of this potentially innappropriate development in Atkinson out as early as possible so that people can have their say; God knows that the interests of developers, builders, and the real estate industry have enough represtentation all throughout our government...
Publish Reject

Tuesday, December 25

Who do you want to see the Town Annual Report dedicated to?

Anonymous said...
Publius,

Would you consider opening up another article for readers to respond to?

It's coming to that time when the Atkinson Annual Report is approaching and there has to be a decision of to whom to dedicate it to.

Recently, over the last several years it has been a disgusting political thing where political favorites or cronies of the selectmen are chosen or they honor themselves.

When I first moved to town, it was the TOWNSPEOPLE who did the selecting of who their annual report was to be dedicated to. They would submit names to the selectmen and it was one of the people's nominations of who was honored and not political friends, cronies, supporters of the selectmen.

The Annual Report belongs to the people. We should go back to the way it used to be of the townspeople picking who they want honored in their report.

Would you consider starting a new article which would solicit blog response nominations from the people


This is an excellent suggestion form one of our readers. For the last four years this honor has been as disgustingly assigned as the "citizen of the year"! In keeping with the principles of this blog, it should be the people who decide who is honored.

So think about it, decide who has been the town's unsung heroes for the last year, and who has been deserving of such an honor, and lets have the comments.

Thank you all, and have a fantastic holidays!

Friday, December 21

Public Service Announcement!!! An Officer lost his Gun!!!

MAcciard said;

Publius, please accept this as a public service announcement.

An Officer lost his Gun!!!

My home just received a recorded phone call from the superintendent of schools, in co-operation with the Atkinson police dept. This call notified all Atkinson parents that, while helping push someone out of the snow, an Atkinson police officer lost his gun. The call urged Atkinson parent to speak to their children about gun safety, and if the weapon is found please return it to the police dept.

Publius, Please warn all residents about the fact that somewhere in a snowbank in town is a loaded 9mm handgun. This is serious enough that everyone should be aware of it, and advise their children accordingly.

Once the weapon is found, then questions can be asked about the weapon safety practices of our officers, but in the mean time, the prioroty is to find the weapon before anything happens.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Mark Acciard

EDITORS NOTE: The comments on this section have been closed for now. This is a serious subject and we think it should be treated as such. Anyone finding a lost firearm should not touch it unless they are QUALIFIED. They should call our police department immediately. (Parents please tell the kids) .
Thank You

Wednesday, December 19

Merry Christmas to all!!!

MAcciard said:
Publius, please accept this as an article submission for Christmas.

Merry Christmas to all!!!

Merry Christmas Atkinson!, and I mean Merry Christmas, not Happy holidays, nor Seasons Greetings, Nor Happy Winter Solstice, Nor Happy Christmahanakwanzica, Nor anything else that our small minded politically correct mass media may think up. And what season would they be greeting, I wonder? Since they don't believe in the birth of Christ, it can't be Christmas, they can't even acknowledge the pagan origins of the tree, or gift symbols of the season, because paganism was a religion also.

Have any of you noticed, that as you go about your daily lives, no one says; "Merry Christmas" to you anymore? Not the lady at the Dunkin Donuts drive thru, not the clerk at Kohls, Not the Gas Station attendant, No one, not until you say it first to let them know it is OK, and they are not going to get their employer sued.

I remember a time when this was the happiest of seasons. It wasn't the presents, or the hole Christmas will blow in the family budget, or the bustle; it was the inherent niceness, that imbued everyone around this time of the year. It was one common to pass someone on the street, anywhere, and hear them say to you, even though you were a stranger to them, Merry Christmas!!! That this is Not a normal occurrence anymore, is our sad loss. It is political correctness' legacy to a world most of which never wanted it in the first place.

As I reflect on the meaning of Christmas, I realize once again, as I only seem to actively do, during this time of year, that the magic of the Christmas season, is not about either the money you have, or will spend, nor is it about the possessions you have or will acquire, but rather, it is about the general feeling of goodwill towards all, and the desire to actually take time out of our busy lives to actually help someone else, who is in need. For this is the one time of the year, that seems to make us all notice those in need more so than at any other time of the year, and desire to give of ourselves, and our precious time, rather than just stroke out the check.

So, this year, lets beat back the clarions of political correctness, and the career offended, and proudly say to all we meet, whether we know them or not, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! And maybe we will unconsciously brighten someone else's day.

Congratulations to the Atkinson Taxpayers Association!!

This just in;

Congratulations to the Atkinson Taxpayers Association, We have just learned that the Taxpayers Association website, which you can link to from the right side of our home page, has been recognized by the National Taxpayers Union!

The website atkinsontaxpayers.org has been added to the NTU's website under local taxpayer organizations reference list. The purpose of this list is to provide a reference for local citizens who wish to get involved with a local taxpayer organization to find out , and get invloved in tax, spending, and budget issues both locally and nationally.

Again Congratulations!

ANOTHER LAWSUIT????

This blog is hearing rumors around the town hall that the Town has been served with ANOTHER lawsuit!!! Sherrifs have been seen in town serving papers, If anyone knows the details, please post them here....

We anxiously await....

Monday, December 17

What qualities would YOU like to see in your elected officials?

Yes my fellow Atkinsonians, it is election time again!

That special time of the year when we all get together in the Dyke Auditorium to meet and greet, and debate with great passion and intensity, those warrant articles that are near and dear to our hearts.

It is also time for us to be looking at our elected officials who are up for re-election, and their likely opponents, and evaluate whom will meet our expectations, and who will fall short.

We have heard much complaining on this blog about the ways in which our elected officials conduct business. But, what we would like to hear, is any solid accomplishments you feel they have had in the past year or two, and especially the qualities you would like to see in a Selectmen, or a Budget Committee member, or a Planning Board member, We would like to know, and this is also your chance to et anyone planning on running know, what we the people, expect of them.

Have fun with this, but also this is a serious issue. Your comments may take the form of qualities you want in a candidate for public office, or any solid accomplishments you feel the current crop have earned.

Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 11

TOWN CLERK RESIGNS AFTER 29 YEARS?

Town Hall Insider said:
Publius please accept this as an article submission

TOWN CLERK RESIGNS AFTER 29 YEARS?

Last night, at the selectmen's meeting town clerk, Linda Jette, announced her retirement after 29 years of service to the town of Atkinson! And this board of selectmen that two years ago made such a show of giving Fred Thompson a plaque, and warm congratulations as his second three year term on the budget committee ended(the award was for his 9 years of service, and he had only actually served 6 years), took the announcement without batting an eye, or giving even a moment of sincere thanks for someone who has served so long.

Linda was too nice to tell why she is resigning. She only in passing expressed her hope that the incoming town clerk would have more support from the selectmen. What she was far too nice to say in public, is that the selectmen have given her no support for the last two years at least! What she was far too nice to say in public was that selectmen chairman Sapia, screamed at her in HER OFFICE, where he has no authority, in front of her staff, because she allowed a resident to come back to her desk! When this was revealed on this blog, and he started getting heat for it, he claimed that he was concerned because of sensitive information in her office. BULLSHIT! He never gave a gentlemanly apology for his infantile conduct! Even Lt. Baldwin, who was outside and heard him, came in and spoke to him about his conduct! Goo for Lt. Baldwin. To confront a bully like that. What Linda was far too nice to say in public is that she has gotten nothing but rude condescension from the town administrator, Mr. McAllister, who has been actively undermining her for two years. She also spared the selectmen mention of the fact that they and the town administrator were docking her pay this fall, an elected official! She also failed to mention that McAllister is rude and downright nasty to her and her staff at every possible opportunity. He talks to those town hall employees as a master would to a slave, and they just put up with it. They have filed complaints with the selectmen, the selectmen do nothing, just as they do nothing with complaints about chief Consentino. I remember Mr. Acciard was in the town hall, one day and heard Mr. McAllister in his normal rude and dismissive manner to Linda, and he spoke to Mr. McAllister about it, and also informed the selectmen, they did nothing. The selectmen refused to interview or hire anyone for a vacancy in the town clerks office for over 18 months! And even pressured the volunteer in there donating his time, to leave!

The selectmen have effectively forced this long serving town official into retirement, and I can only hope that the voter do the same to them in March.

Saturday, December 8

Mission Statement.

This blog has heard comments, (mostly made by public officials, who have been exposed on this site) that this site is nothing but ad hominum attacks on the powers that be. We have heard it said by our own police officers that this site will not publish anything positive.

NONE of the above is true!!!

Here is what we stand for;

The Atkinson Reporter is an open conversation about town government. This site was designed and founded to promote OPEN, TRANSPARENT, HONEST GOVERNMENT IN THE TOWN OF ATKINSON!!! And to expose those who violate these basic ideals.

Anyone may submit articles or comments to this site, to date, only comments that have amounted to unfounded, or slanderous ad hominum attacks have been rejected from publication. Given a certain town officials propensity for threatening and filing frivolous lawsuits in efforts to shut down dissent, we have no wish to add to the long list of those sued by him for slander, and everyone knows whom we are talking about.

The purpose of this site is to discuss EVENTS, that happen in town, and the conduct, and job performance of our public officials in relations to those events. This is the site for opinion journalism in Atkinson. Although we encourage people to either post under their own name, or a psuedonym, we understand the need to post anonymously, given the unique nature of the threat to critics in Atkinson, that has been amply demonstrated by our selectmen and police chief.

We want to engender open, public debate, about the goings on in our town, so that the public is truly informed about what they can not see in selectmen's meetings. As we said previously this is the site for commentary. To see the actual public documents that back up the discussion here you need to visit; www.atkinsontaxpayers.org This site is a document repository for any and all public documents! One place where you can go and get the whole story, in it's entirety.

So, please feel free to post and comment about any and all happenings in town. If there is a subject you would like to see written about, please submit it as a comment to an existing article, with the words article submission at the top of the entry.

Thank you, and we hope that you enjoy the upcoming political season. Check here early and often for the latest updates.

Thursday, December 6

Senator Sapia takes aim at child predators!

It was reported in the Eagle-Tribune today that when the Atkinson Republican Committee hosted an informational seminar on how the county taxes the taxpayers of Atkinson pay, are spent, County Attorney Jim Reams told the assembly that there wasn't adequate funding to investigate and arrest child predators, that arrest were routinely made every 9 weeks, when with more funding they could be made more frequently.

Our Republican? Senator..... what, you say?.... He ISN'T Senator yet?..... He is just a selectman? but how?..... never mind, that is not the point; when our republican? selectmen chairman, heard that there wasn't enough funding to accomplish everything that the county attorney wished to accomplish, his response was, We have to do more! How can we help? as if our taxes are not enough.....

Could we get a former selectmen, from times gone by, when the selectmen actually knew what their job was, to step in here and inform the current board, as to their duties?

Now, is this a noble and laudable pursuit for any individual? Yes it is! Is it within the selectmen's duties, no it is not!

Have we had cases of attacks by child predators in Atkinson, no we have not, Is it the selectmen's job to do the job of the county attorney, or law enforcement? No, it is not! Is there so little work for our four selectmen to do that they have to meddle in other elected officials jobs? apparently so, oh, and yes we said FOUR SELECTMEN!!! We are including our town administrator, because he acts much more like a fourth selectmen, than the glorified secretary, that he is.

We remember when Selectmen Sapia, stated in a selectmen's meeting that he was going to "work on the school finding crises" Hello, Earth to Jack...... The selectmen have NOTHING TO DO WITH SCHOOL FUNDING!!!, Just as you have nothing to do with the County Attornies office. Our selectman Chairman is ;

Unable to obey a town vote!

Unable to keep the town out of court!

Unable to protect town conservation land!

Unable to treat the boards critics with respect!

Unable to treat the town clerk with respect!

Unable to put the town administrator in his place!

Unable to discipline town employees!

Unable to perform the basic functions of his office, yet he can perform the functions of others offices, what is wrong with this picture? and is this what we pay our selectmen for?

Tuesday, December 4

So, it appears Atkinson is NOT unique, unfortunately.

This appeared in the Eagle-Tribune on Monday.


Published: December 03, 2007 12:00 am



Resident seeks restraining order against town officials



By Margo Sullivan , Staff writer

Eagle-Tribune





PELHAM - A Pelham woman has asked for a restraining order against the town's code enforcement officer and the planning director.



Paula Jarek of 378 Mammoth Road filed papers Thursday in Nashua Superior Court, saying she needed relief from "overly aggressive practices" which caused hardship for her family.



"I am in fear of my safety and the safety of my family," she wrote, saying Thomas Wakefield, the code enforcement officer, has "abused his authority as a town official to photograph my home and belongings/persons on countless occasions."



She also said that Wakefield is behind a state audit of the family business and an IRS audit, and tried to have her in-laws evicted from the in-law apartment on their property.



Wakefield could not be reached for comment on Friday.



The judge denied Jarek's petition for an immediate restraining order against Wakefield, but directed the clerk to set a date for a hearing, which will be held on Dec. 12.



Wakefield is the only named defendant, but Jarek also indicated that she wants a second restraining order against Jeff Gowan, the town's planning director. Jarek said Gowan is Wakefield's boss and likely not only knows about Wakefield's actions, but also might have encouraged him.



Gowan did not want to comment on the restraining order on Friday. He said Jarek and her husband, Nick, have complained to selectmen, and they have launched an investigation.



"The public has a right to their opinions and to pursue protections," Gowan said.



Jarek said the problems with Wakefield started 18 to 19 months ago when he cited her husband for selling cars from the family home. The couple was in violation of the zoning laws because their home is in a residential area, but they cooperated and stopped selling cars, she said. But she said Wakefield has not stopped checking their property and taking photographs.



"I feel I am being stalked," she wrote in the court papers. "I wholeheartedly believe Tom Wakefield has and will continue to intimidate me and harass my family."


The spectacle of a resident feeling persecuted by a town official is an all too familiar feeling here in Atkinson, Just ask, Mrs. Grant, or Mr. Acciard, or Mr. Kaye, or too many others to list here. Government is supposed to be responsive to the needs of it's constituents, not a vehicle boost the power hungry ego's of it's elected elite. However, it is somewhat comforting to know that Atkinson is not the only community in southern NH, where residents have to go to court to get their officials to do the right thing.

Sunday, December 2

What has happened to Christmas, and to my Country?

MAcciard said

Publius, please accept this as an article submission

What has happened to Christmas, and to my Country?

I was listenning to the news on Friday, and heard this story on the Surgeon General of the United States, at Children's Hospital in Boston, staing that Santa, needed to slim down, as he was not a good role model for children, because he is fat!

What the Hell is going on?


THis story was followed by the new rules being taught to dept. store santas, at Santa University;
No scooping up kids and putting them in your lap.
Keep your hands in sight at all times
No initating of conversation with kids
NO WISHING MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
Only Happy holidays, or seasons greetings.

This country was founded upon the principle of the greatest good for the greatest number. Since when do the angry, irate, few get to dictate to the many? Happy Holidays???? So what holiday would you go to see Santa in celebration of? Chinese New Year? No, it is ridiculous to sweep christmas under the rug to satisfy the whims of the politically correct few! Their desires be damned! The majority of people in this country celebrate christmas, and the beauty of this country is, that if you don't wish to celebrate it, you don't have to! But you do not get to force that desire on those who DO wish to celebrate Christmas!

I am sick and tired of seeing the screaming children of political correctness forcing the rest of us to bow and scrape to their desires, while refusing to acknowledge that civil society has a few demands to place upon them as well., After all, Fair is fair!

If two men wish to go out with each other, that is their right, and It doesn't affect me, so I dont care what they do, but when the activists stand up and tell me how I HAVE to think about it, THAT IS WRONG!

If someone wishes to use abortion as a method of birth control, because they are too lazy or too stupid to keep their legs closed, or use a condom, that is their choice, but dont tell me that I have to ACCEPT that, and can not think that it is morally wrong.

If I choose to think that the job of a school is to educate! Not to assess my child feelings, how his home life is, whether or not his parents fight, drink, spank, or keep guns in the house, THAT IS MY RIGHT!

These very simpletons who preach tolerence are the most intolerant people on the face of the Earth! Do not be so quick to rob someone else of their right to Freedom of Speech, lest you find the day when someone robs you of yours!

If I wish to celebrate Christmas that is my right, and who are you to tell me that I can't wish you a merry christmas, because it offends you, how about you take the wish in the vein in which it is offerred and simply say thank you.

Thank you for putting up with my rant, and Merry Christmas!

or to the politically correct crowd... Happy Christmahanakwanzica! After all dont want to leave anyone out.

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).

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. "