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!
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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. "
12 comments:
The Qualities I Demand in my elected officials is;
1.) HONESTY!!! If you say you will do it, then follow through, or go home!
2.) DO THE RIGHT THING! Follow the law, do what the people tell you, and don't even think about what you or your friends want.
3.) Put the good of the town first! Your good, or that of your friends comes about 157th.
4.) Do YOUR job, and let others do theirs! Self explanatory.
The above are for all elected officials, however I have special requirements for the Budget Committee;
1.) The budget should be as clear, and transparent as you can make it.
2.) It is the JOB of the budget committee, to ACTUALLY RESEARCH budget numbers and warrant article number they are given.
3.) Just because someone says it is so, doesn't make it so! Trust but verify!
There was a time when the budget committee got their money warrant articles from the selectmen at least a month before public hearing so that they would have time to do some independent research, to verify the numbers. Sadly that doesn't happen anymore, and I think the public is ill served by this lackadasical attitude. The job of the budget committee is not to agree with everyone who comes before them, or take what they are presented with a grain of salt, but to question everything, and verify numbers, the job of selectmen during the budget preparation season is to provide the budget committee with ANY information that the budget committee asks for. Other than that the selectmen have no role, statutorily, in the process.
What I would like for Christmas....
I would like the government of Atkinson to stop being run like the Russian government durning the cold war. Lets get away from the High School "click" mentallity. I say we elect new officials and get rid of the current BoS and their little "Teachers Assistance" (McAllister) The town has done it before with the horrible teachers back in the seventies. We sould learn from our past mistakes and put our best foot forward to correct the abyss lies, misteps and agendas that have brought this town to it's current position. And for the new elected officials; let's try a little honesty, integrity, and a general good will for the towns sake.
I, honestly can not think of much that the current board of selectmen has "accomplished" But I would have to agree with Mr. Acciard, Honesty is everything!
when is town meeting?
This is not a list of qualities but rather simple, common sense guidelines that should be followed:
1) Don't break the law
2) Follow the rules about proper meetings
3) Stop trying to hide public information
4) Truthful budgeting
5) Let residents speak and ask any question they wish without being harrassed or painted as an extremist
6) Don't ignore deed restrictions on town conservation land
7) Stop delegating your job to the Town Admin
8) Stop using town counsel as your personal attorney
This is not a list of qualities but rather simple, common sense guidelines that should be followed:
1) Don't break the law
2) Follow the rules about proper meetings
3) Stop trying to hide public information
4) Truthful budgeting
5) Let residents speak and ask any question they wish without being harrassed or painted as an extremist
6) Don't ignore deed restrictions on town conservation land
7) Stop delegating your job to the Town Admin
8) Stop using town counsel as your personal attorney
As an outsider looking in why is it the towns people haven't expanded the BoS to five members? That seems to be the problem - three persons making decisions with no real true quorum statistically to be sure what is being done is in the majority of the publics interest. Why isn't the towns lawyer speaking up to clear himself of the bad mouthing input to his legal skills and his towns representation by those who write and speak badly about him ? Maybe it would be for the best for the final outcome that the town make a full sweep of its town BoS and its legal representative. What ever happened with the state taking action on the complaints submitted to them recently? From what I've read there was supposed to be updates on that .
in a word BALLS, unless it's a woman and i'd settle for a backbone.
please start a new topic called "What qualities would YOU like to see in your elected Atkinson residents?"
First, I see the need for a warrant article to rename the Dyke Auditorium as the name is offensive to the W4W crowd. Not sure what to rename it to since any name might offend a single person and thus be unacceptable. (Just having a little unPC fun folks)
Characteristics needed to lead?
1. Courage to do what one knows is right even if it means pissing off the big guy with the badge (no gun since he failed to qualify to carry)
2. Courage to say no to anyone that asks for special treatment.
3. Courage to fire Mac and any other incompetent boob that snuck in under a flawed vetting process.
4. Honor. To serve in a manner that sets an example to be followed not an example of what not to do.
5. Know the difference between being being ethical and moral
(a clue. An ethical man knows the difference between right and wrong but will still not always do what is right. A moral man knows the difference as well but always does what he knows is right)
To Anon @ 2:19
Ok, first resident are not elected, but ok,
What Qualities would YOU like in your fellow townspeople?
Good Idea. All home sales to anyone coming from outside Atkinson have to be approved by a vote of all current residents. Great idea Anon @2:19. Atkinson as one big Condo Association.
Ah the joy of bad humor at the expense of another
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