Chief Consentino's indignant ranting at the town meeting gave us the idea for a review of this issue that STILL, 6 MONTHS LATER has him upset, one wonders why?
http://atkinson-reporter.blogspot.com/2007/08/fuzzy-math.html
Here is a reprint of the original article, analysis and discussion follows;
For years we have heard questions about the umber of vehicles in the police fleet, and their relative value. We have also recently heard questions about the value of vehicle being disposed of by the chief, and the value of thier replacements, well the Atkinson-Reporter decided to look into these figures and found some startling results.;
The old Wheelchair van 1994 Dodge Ram Van Wheelchair conversion;
Kelly Blue Book Value:$3,170.00
http://www.kbb.com/KBB/UsedCars
The selectmen, you will remember, refused to accept a $750 bid from a Danville gentleman, in favor of a $1.00 sale to a Danville family.
Loss to the taxpayers -$3,169.00
2000 Ford Crown Victoria Cruiser;
Kelly Blue Book Value: $3,080.00
http://www.kbb.com/KBB/UsedCars
This vehicle was traded in to Irwin Ford by the Town?, Irwin gave the town $300 for it, It is rumored that the very next day the chief's son bought the vehicle for $400, it is a fact that this car can now be seen occasionally at the apartment building on Main st. across from Robie ln. Shady, Yes, Legal, not quite. RSA 95 prohibits a town employee from benefitting form the disposal of town property, and there is much case law that prevents a family member from serving as straw man for the transaction. By law all town property must be disposed of by competitive bid.
Loss to the taxpayers: -$2,780.00
Just in the improper disposal of these two vehicle the taxpayers were screwed and the town lost a total of -$5,949.00
The important issue here is not the price which he paid for the car, if it was more than it was sold for than the town could have gotten that money if it was disposed of by competitive bid, as the law states. I mean the chief's kid COULD have been on a car lot 80 miles away, looking for a good used cruiser, the day after it was traded in by the town, it could've hapenned that way, right? Only in Atkinson!
This blog thinks that the selectmen and the chief can no longer be trusted to dispose of vehicles on their own, it is time for a warrant article to force them to put a disposal article before the voters like they used to. They are failing miserably in their fiduciary responsibilities to the voters.
It is high time we hold them accountable! THROW THE BUMS OUT!
Now the chief stood up at town meeting, making quotation marks in the air with his fingers to punctuate his claim to tell us the truth about this transaction, and this Blog believes that he finally did just that!
At town meeting he claimed;
1.) the car was traded in to Irwin Ford for about $300.00
2.) He told his son the car was up there and that Irwin Ford paid $300.00 for it
3.) His son went up there and bought the car for $450.00, within days.
ALL OF THIS IS AS WAS STATED IN THE ARTICLE CHIEF CLAIMS WAS LIES!
He also claimed that the car had absolutely no value, he had to demand they pay him something for it, this suggestion is ludicrous on its face, but we'll go with it.
Kelly Blue Book value for a 2000 Ford Crown Victoria, police package, with 170,000 miles is over $3,000.00
Ebay has a number of them;
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-Crown-Victoria-Police-Inter-2000-Ford-Crown-Vic-Police-Interceptor-New-Inspection_W0QQitemZ280198237886QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item280198237886
Miles: 131,000 Price: $4,995.00
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-Crown-Victoria-P71-2000-FORD-CROWN-VICTORIA-POLICE-INTERCEPTOR-P71-SILVER_W0QQitemZ170190871129QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item170190871129
Miles: 163,000 Price: $1,725.00 currently
Cars.com has a number of them;
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=22&pageNumber=1&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7cE-ALL%7cM-_14_%7cH-%7cD-_169_%7cN-N%7cR-10000%7cI-1%7cP-PRICE+descending%7cQ-descending%7cY-_2001-2000_%7cX-popular%7cZ-03811&aff=national&paId=243619766&recnum=57&leadExists=true
Miles: 83,000 Price: $6,995.00
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=22&pageNumber=1&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7cE-ALL%7cM-_14_%7cH-%7cD-_169_%7cN-N%7cR-10000%7cI-1%7cP-PRICE+descending%7cQ-descending%7cY-_2001-2000_%7cX-popular%7cZ-03811&aff=national&paId=245965742&recnum=71&leadExists=true
Miles: 59,000 Price: $6,950.00
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=22&pageNumber=1&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7cE-ALL%7cM-_14_%7cH-%7cD-_169_%7cN-N%7cR-10000%7cI-1%7cP-PRICE+descending%7cQ-descending%7cY-_2001-2000_%7cX-popular%7cZ-03811&aff=national&paId=258904518&recnum=74&leadExists=true
Miles: 125,000 Price: $6,724.00
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=22&pageNumber=1&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7cE-ALL%7cM-_14_%7cH-%7cD-_169_%7cN-N%7cR-10000%7cI-1%7cP-PRICE+descending%7cQ-descending%7cY-_2001-2000_%7cX-popular%7cZ-03811&aff=national&paId=251395748&recnum=83&leadExists=true
Miles: 116,000 Price: $5,995.00
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=22&pageNumber=1&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7cE-ALL%7cM-_14_%7cH-%7cD-_169_%7cN-N%7cR-10000%7cI-1%7cP-PRICE+descending%7cQ-descending%7cY-_2001-2000_%7cX-popular%7cZ-03811&aff=national&paId=253747766&recnum=96&leadExists=true
Miles: 125,758 Price $4,995.00
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=22&pageNumber=2&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7cE-ALL%7cM-_14_%7cH-%7cD-_169_%7cN-N%7cR-10000%7cI-1%7cP-PRICE+descending%7cQ-descending%7cY-_2001-2000_%7cX-popular%7cZ-03811&aff=national&paId=135541925&recnum=102&leadExists=true
Miles: 165,082 Price $4,995.00
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=22&pageNumber=2&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7cE-ALL%7cM-_14_%7cH-%7cD-_169_%7cN-N%7cR-10000%7cI-1%7cP-PRICE+descending%7cQ-descending%7cY-_2001-2000_%7cX-popular%7cZ-03811&aff=national&paId=135446511&recnum=106&leadExists=true
Miles: 154,128 Price $4,877.00
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=22&pageNumber=2&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7cE-ALL%7cM-_14_%7cH-%7cD-_169_%7cN-N%7cR-10000%7cI-1%7cP-PRICE+descending%7cQ-descending%7cY-_2001-2000_%7cX-popular%7cZ-03811&aff=national&paId=134864719&recnum=126&leadExists=true
Miles: 213,641 Price $3,800.00
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=22&pageNumber=2&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7cE-ALL%7cM-_14_%7cH-%7cD-_169_%7cN-N%7cR-10000%7cI-1%7cP-PRICE+descending%7cQ-descending%7cY-_2001-2000_%7cX-popular%7cZ-03811&aff=national&paId=135541083&recnum=132&leadExists=true
Miles: 183,340 Price $2,990.00
Click the links and check these online listings for yourself! These are all dealer listings, this is what DEALERS are pricing these vehicles with this HIGH MILEAGE for!
AND WHY?
Because as government owned vehicles they have been meticulously maintained!
So, THis blog's question to our police chief would be; Who decided the car had "absolutely no value at all"?
and if it was in such lousy condition why is your son driving it daily?
And if we can get these kind of prices for former cruisers with this much mileage online, is it reasonable to believe you when you tell us that the $500.00- $800.00 we normally get or the $300.00 we got before your son got HIS deal, is the BEST THE TAXPAYERS CAN DO?
The Problem with this entire scenario is that the law prevents officials form using information they acquire through their office for personal gain, or the gain of their families.
This is prohibited in the towns conflict of interest ordinance, as well as state law;
CHAPTER 643
ABUSE OF OFFICE
Section 643:2
643:2 Misuse of Information. – A public servant, as defined in RSA 640:2, II, is guilty of a misdemeanor if, knowing that official action is contemplated or in reliance on information which he has acquired by virtue of his office or from another public servant, he:
I. Acquires or divests himself of a pecuniary interest in any property, transaction or enterprise which may be affected by such action or information; or
II. Speculates or wagers on the basis of such action or information; or
III. Knowingly aids another to do any of the foregoing.
This is what he refuses to acknowledge, that he provided his son information that was not available to the general public, and his son benefitted. Further the taxpayers lost by not getting fair market value for their property.
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. "
31 comments:
Thanks, good info.
On a related topic, the ET yesterday quoted our two state reps on their position regarding the proposal (to be voted on today)to define a method for removing selectmen. They don't think it's really needed. Have they been to Atkinson?
I realize that this won't help with getting the Chief out but it shows that we should not expect to get assistance from either rep in trying to oust anyone.
If someone actually believes the chief has done something benefitting a family member financially, then they have to file a conflict of interest complaint with the towns Conflict of Interest Committee. Until that happens, I doubt any investigation will ever occur. Just my opinion.
"Because as government owned vehicles they have been meticulously maintained!"
I always wondered why so many old cruisers end up as taxi's. A mystery no more.
VOTE NOW
Ok, how the hell is it ok to get 10% of the cars value?
where the hell are the selectmen and why aren't they investigating this transaction?
this is our money that is being wasted, apparently so that the chiefs kid can get a cheap car.
why arent our cars auctioned off? thats what they did in MA. where I used to live.
I was at town meeting on Sat. and I heard chief Consentino talking about this blog, and that is what made me check it out.
I just read the "Fuzzy Math" article, and I am confused. This article appears to be right, He was very angry at this blog because he said that article was lies and untruths.
But everything he said on Sat. confirms what was written in the article.
I dont understand what he is yelling about, unles it is that this transaction is now public. I was also uncomfortable by a uniformed police officer yelling in a public meeting.
Who would have the nerve to file a conflict of interest on Cos. They'd end up like Mark. Harassed.
The louder he yells, the worse he makes it. As if volume had something to do with veracity. If the car was junk, why did his kid buy it? I would have told my kid to stay away from it if I had detailed knowledge of the car's poor condition. He makes the case it is a clunker but then its OK for family? Auction on eBay was a great idea.
We had white hats in Atkinson when I first moved in. They all worked at Western Electric, where a majority of town decisions were made. At least three - maybe four - were members of the Budget Committee. They're all gone now.
Folks this is our money they are wasting. I bet if that was the chiefs own personal car that he was trading in and not the towns, he would sure make an argument that the car is worth more than a few hundred bucks.
If he and others are going to do whatever they feel like and let the town suffer for their bad decisions, they should be held accountable. I know in my line of work that if that sort of shenanigans was ever pulled I would be fired!
After watching our police chief go off at deliberative session, I had to look into this blog. I'm glad he pointed it out. That led me to the website by the Atkinson Taxpayers Association and I read a whole list of complaint documents at www.atkinsontaxpayers.org about the chief. And there were lawsuits posted I would have a hard time believing if I did not see the real documents themselves. Peak vs Consentino was incredible. He was also found in contempt of court in one of the cases. I just never thought this stuff happened in our town. Where are our Selectmen in all this? How does he get away with it and keep his job? I'd have been fired a long time ago at my job. This thing with the car is nothing compared to the other incidents.
Maybe an add in the ET pointing to this site....Were do I send money?:)
I guess with Phil doing it for us is cheaper.... When my wife sees that I am watching the town meetings or the BOS meetings she comments that I am watching "loony tunes". Funny but sad.
I was wondering if I took some plywood and made a huge sign in the bed of my truck asking people to come and see this site..Any odds on how long I'd last before being pulled over??? ashamed
You wouldn't make it out of your driveway.
Speaking of cars, I heard selectman sullivan ask the Chief about the most recent purchase, an unmarked car. The Chief said it is parked at the PD for surveillance, if it's the greenish/tan vehicle he's talking about I've seen that being driven to The Hill-Top Farm area more and more. Was Phil being honest with you Mr Sullivan?
Mark,
Can we invite the candidates (for selectmen) to post on our blog and answer a set of questions about where they stand on some of the issues? Maybe we can ask people to post questions first and then present them to the candidates. I think this would be beneficial and get a good healthy debate going.
Thanks
The unmarked car is for the Chief's personal use. This way he can run errands wherever he wants without the townspeople knowing it is him. Haven't you seen the durango sitting in the parking lot at the station? Is there police equipment in the unmarked car? If so, who paid for it? I imagine the expense of the equipment did not come out of the donation account. Lets be honest with the selectmen.
An unmarked Dodge Durango, color greenish tan. We can put it under surveillance and see if everything is on the up and up. Anyone know the plate number?
NO, it is an unmarked Crown Victoria, the black Durango(the clown car) has been parked behind the station for a month, guess he is trying to keep a lower profile.
How in the name of God does this happen in a small town by a POLICE CHIEF?
I have seen him scream at meetings before, but I always bought his line about "those people" with their "vendettas", I guess I was a fool.
I used to sit on a school board in Mass. before I moved here, and if I facilitated the purchase of district property by my son, I would have been kicked off the board.
We live in an alternate universe. Normal rules and behavior do not apply.
I'm just glad he admitted it on camera.
Unfortunately, history shows it means nothing. What'ca gota do?
Call "Board Busters"!
Whatcha gonna do? Throw the bum out!
The question is "HOW". The BOS refuse to discipline him for his over the top actions. If they won't/can't do even this, don't expect them to take the next step.
So, who else do you call?
Re. Who yah gonna call - Ghost busters , etc! ..... I may be confused and wrong about this , but , I thought the state was involved already with complaints given them about the selectmen by a citizen.
Hey Chief, just saw your performance at town meeting. Thanks for admitting that everything in this article was TRUE!
Maybe you should check YOUR facts when chewing out the public.
Why are the selectmen accepting $300 if other towns are getting these prices?
At town meeting it should have been stated that the article calling fo rdisposal by public auction or ebay is for exactly the reson the chief described.
He said the car was worthless but needed to get something for it. Dealer didnt want the car but gave Atkinson $300 as a trade. Dealer sold the car next day for $450. The chiefs on facts means the town lost a minimum of $150 by trading. Now his admission that his son needed a car, so he told him to go and negotiate a deal doesnt work so well for the rest of the town residents. My son could use a car to get to work also . Any one else here believe an auction might have provided someone elses kid a chance to bid instead of just the chiefs?
Namekit
THAT is the issue!
You hit the nail on the head. You can't give your kid inside info. that is not available to the general public, so he can get a cheap car.
One other question,
This was the "detail car" it was only used for details. So what I want to know is, if the car is good enough for the Chief's kid to drive daily to and from work, why did it NEED to be traded in the first place? Why wasn't it "good enough" to sit at a detail with the lights on? THAT is all it was doing.
Post a Comment