This was reported in the Eagle Tribune.
Changing of the guard Atkinson town clerk leaves after more than a quarter-century
By Meghan Carey
Staff writer
ATKINSON — When Linda Jette became town clerk, she had to step gingerly around her office in the old Grange hall so she wouldn't fall through the rickety floor. While sitting at her desk, she could hear water running and frogs "ribbiting" underfoot.
A lot has changed since Jette was elected in 1980, from the location to technology to the generations of Atkinson residents she served.
But today, the greatest change of all arrives. She's taking down her "Jette" license plate and passing on her duties to Deputy Town Clerk Rose Cavalier. Jette gave her resignation to selectmen in December for reasons she still won't discuss.
"It's the right time for me to go, personally and politically," she said.
Jette plans to take some time off, then look for a part-time job. And she'll be spending lots of time with two of her greatest loves — the beach and her 11-year-old grandson, Daniel.
"I just want to lie on my stomach and look at bugs with him," she said.
Cavalier will serve as town clerk until March 2009, when the job will be up for election. By state law, no one can run for a position while it is filled. Since Jette didn't leave until a month after the filing period ended, she paved the way for Cavalier to take over until next March.
Cavalier was in charge of bringing the tissues today. While she said Jette trained her well, she's still not happy to see her go. The two have worked together for four years.
Through the years, Jette's role in town has changed a bit. She moved to Atkinson in 1961, when she was just "barely a legal adult" — that's the closest she'll get to admitting her age. She volunteered at the library for some time before getting a job there in 1973. In 1978, she became deputy town clerk, but kept working at the library on Saturdays because she said she has trouble giving things up.
Two years later, she was elected town clerk — something else that will now be difficult to move on from. In fact, she's keeping her certification to register cars active until fall, in case they want to hire her "as a consultant" to do registrations on a busy day, Jette said.
To Jette, being town clerk was a way of life, not a job.
The reality of her upcoming life change just began to settle in this week. As men came in to conduct business, she said she had flashbacks of them as little boys. Atkinson's residents have become extended family to her, she said.
Others came just to chat and say goodbye.
"People come in and start sobbing," she said. "They'll remind me of something I did, usually for a member of their family. It's touching people remember the little acts of kindness I've done."
That's what the job has been all about to Jette.
Like the times she got up at 5 a.m. to be sure she'd be the first to log into the state system and secure a newly available "Harley" or "Rdsox" plate for a resident.
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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. "
11 comments:
I think many of us know the reasons which Linda refuses to discuss;
Sapia screaming at he in her own office.
Sapia plotting to install a friend of his in her office, with a view towards taking her job.
The selectmen's refusal to fill vacant positions in her office ina timely manner.
The selectmen's attempt to dock her pay.
Mr. Sapia must feel like a real big man screaming at Linda. Real big problem we have with our elected town gov.
Why doesn't Linda tell the real story. Maybe she does not want it to be publicized...what could it be???
Jack's not a screamer. Just people who can't handle the truth claim he's a screamer. Not once meeting on camera has he screamed. Give us some proof please...
Why don't you ask; Linda, or Rose, or Kelly, or Shirley, or Barbara, or Debbie, or Lt. Baldwin who had words with Jack after his FIRST screaming episode, or Mr. Grant, who was in the room.
Then ask the Attorney General what authority a selectman has to order a town clerk to conduct business in her office in a certain way.
Also remember that the reason her office is set up that way in the first place is because another selectman who thought he could order her around rearranged it including building the wall behind Kelly's desk over a weekend when Linda wasn't there and couldn't comment. That selectman was Charley George.
Charley George was another useless Selectman. Class act!
Maybe now the town clerk's office won't feel slow like the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles office.
It's time to pick up the pace in that office.
To Anon @ 6:54
It's funny you should say that.
The only time I have ever found the wait to be anything comparable to the Registry is 2006-2007 when the office was one and at one point two people short, due to the selectmen's refusal to hire anyone. Linda even had a volunteer at one point who went on his own time and expense and got himself certified with the state, and the selectmen threw a hissy fit over his working in there.
I for one, and I know there are many others who enjoy the homey, personal atmosphere in the town clerks office, something that I have rarely found in any government office anywhere.
One day recently I was in the town hall and Sapia was talking on his cell phone loud enough for all to hear and he was using the F word, while sitting behind his desk in the selctman's office.
He has no respect for himself, his behavior tells the story.
In New Hampshire, the Town Clerk is the caretaker of the heart and the institutional memory of a community. For whatever purpose, when the Clerk leaves her position, the Town ultimately goes through a period of loss that is somewhat similar to “mourning”. This is especially true when the Clerk is of such a high caliber as is Linda Jette. I’ve worked with Linda for almost nine years, and I’ve seen her ascend to become President of the New Hampshire City and Town Clerk Association. Linda was an excellent leader of this Association, and she was an excellent Town Clerk who served the Town of Atkinson well.
Unfortunately, due to another family’s personal tragedy I was unable to attend Linda’s farewell party at the Atkinson Country Club Sunday night. This bothered me greatly, because it would have been the perfect time for me to pay homage to Linda’s fine career. Regardless, the Town of Atkinson was very lucky to have had such a person as Linda as the guardian of Atkinson’s heart and memory for such a long time.
I wish her well in her retirement.
Sincerely, William R. Bolton, Jr., State Registrar and Director, Division of Vital Records
That was nice. Very classy. Linda was one of the good ones and it is always a shame to loose them, especially when the circumstances are suspect.
Maybe someday we'll get the whole story.
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