Publis
Please consider this as a new topic for discussion.
It's in regards to the length of time we take at our deliberative session.
Atkinson's is too long and we don't get a very good turn out, especially at the end.
So, why do communities like Hampstead succeed with starting their deliberative session at 7PM. Hampstead has their meeting tonight, Feb 7th. I wonder if they are going until 2AM ?
This is from yesterday's tribune:
Deliberative sessions
Salem
What: School deliberative session
When: Tonight at 7
Where: Salem High School auditorium, 44 Geremonty Drive
Sanborn
What: School deliberative session
When: Tonight at 7
Where: Sanborn Regional High School auditorium, 17 Danville Road, Kingston
Timberlane
What: School deliberative session
When: Tonight at 7
Where: Timberlane Performing Arts Center, 40 Greenough Road, Plaistow
Hampstead
What: Town deliberative session
When: Tomorrow at 7 p.m.
Where: Hampstead Middle School, 28 School St.
Londonderry
What: School deliberative session
When: Tomorrow at 7 p.m.
Where: Town Hall, 268B Mammoth Road
Windham
What: School deliberative session
When: Tomorrow at 7 p.m.
Where: Golden Brook Elementary School, 112 Lowell Road
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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:
I believe that - once upon a time - Atkinson started their meetings at 7:00 p.m. I remember watching, as we arrived at midnight, and the Moderator turned the clock back an hour. (These were held on Saturday....can't go over on to the Sabbath.)
Don't try to encourage a greater turnout because you'll never get it. Senate Bill 2 was developed because, during an old town meeting style, only the people in attendance were the once to vote in the budget and any warrant articles. If you weren't there, too bad. That was pre-cable TV. Today, nobody has to attend. They can watch and form their own opinions in the comfort of their own home. I'm pretty sure that the voter turnout, percentage-wise, is larger than in days of yore.
In short, about the only people who EVER show at at a town meeting/deliberative session are those who have to be there and other department heads and town employees. Get used to it.
And by the way, the crowd this year was the largest one I've seen in years and years.
I would not want to change from Senate Bill 2.
I would like to know how other communities that are similiar in size to Atkinson, handle the length of time to run their respective meetings. Are some communities completing their business in a couple hours. I have been/watched the last 10 years worth of our meetings. I dont recall any that were over in less then 4 hours.
What are we doing so differently from other communities that it takes us so long?
I'm not suggesting getting rid of SB2. I am saying that the attendance at either meeting was negligible. Just don't complain. It's life in Atkinson. I do remember calling restaurants at 9:00 p.m. at Town Meeting to see if we could get them to postpone our reservations until 10.
Do other communities completely rewrite warrant articles during their deliberative sessions ? If they can finish in a few hours I assume they do not and just move the articles to be voted on by the people.
That we can ammend these articles into something that removes the original intention, is bad. People raised the signatures to get these articles included and they should be voted on.
it is because of extremely low participation at other town meetings. Last year Derry has 53 people there to discuss a 30 million budget.
Very few town enjoy the level of participation that we have here in Atkinson
Publius: Please consider this as an article.
ANOTHER POLICE DONATION ACCOUNT?
Shopping today, I saw a large donation container in the store, labeled "Atkinson Police Relief Fund" and with the request to please donate to this non-profit organization.
Let's see; We have an elderly fund; we have an equipment fund; we have donation letters going out at least twice a year (if not more). That apparently isn't enough to compliment our $900,000 police budget!
I'm livid!
It was probably for Officer Lappham. Give it a break. Why not say what store? AT D.D. there is a can for the Officer. This is the only donation acct can that I've seen. Please respond with the facts.
I hope your right. It was Hannafords in Hampstead. I rarely go there, but today, there it was.
No names were mentioned; nothing other than what I listed.
I think the police donation fund is so that the chief can buy another new car.
I HEARD THE BUDGET COMM ADDS UP THE LIST FROM EACH DEPT AND SUBMITS IT AS A BUDGET NEVER ASKING ANY ?????
You heard wrong.
Non profit organizations are accountable to the government (AGO, IRS). Are the PD funds registered as non profit agencies in NH??
Here's the website for the NH AGO's Guidebook.
http://doj.nh.gov/publications/guidebook.html
Here's a list of the charitable orgs registered in NH. No PD funds listed.
http://doj.nh.gov/charitable/pdf/charlist.pdf
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