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Thursday, April 24

Atkinson is in the midst of a veritable crime wave@

Yes, folks, once again a local business has placed flyers on mailboxes all around town, attached to the flags, by a rubber band! This is unbelievable! especially after all the press the chief of police's persecution of Mrs. Grant got.

You all must remember chief Consentino coming into the selectmen's meeting the day before the election to tell everyone about the heinous crime, of placing fliers on mailboxes, and how it was only through Phil's dogged determination, and PERSONAL in depth detective work, that he alone uncovered the perpetrators. And, of course, he HAD to defy selectman Sullivan's order to not name names, so that he could, once again, defame Mrs. Grant!

And it was only 10 days later that, when confronted with a landscaper doing the same thing, Phil wasn't interested enough to investigate it himself, he had Det. Farrar collect the fliers and give the landscaper a call. WHAT??? no diatribe in a selectmen's meeting? No soliliquy about how Phil's valiant efforts protected the Town from this scourge? No calling the postal inspectors, or complaining to the post master?

So much for Equal justice under the law! And now it is happening again, and once again, Phil does nothing! I guess you only get the "special attention" if you have complained about him.

Wednesday, April 23

Why is the School Board Dragging their feet over a New Principal for the Academy?

CALL OUR SCHOOL BOARD REPS.

WE WANT MRS. DAYOTIS AS PRINCIPAL!

All of us who are long time town residents all know Mrs. Dayotis. A finer, more qualified principal for our children can not be found. Mrs. Dayotis has been teaching and in school administration here in Atkinson for 30 years! She taught us, our brothers and sisters, and our children.

She has been assistant principal under Mrs. Webster for 7 years now, and this blog does not understand why the school board is dragging their feet over the principal search here in Atkinson, when we have someone who has an exemplary record, right here in the school. Why is it necesary to hire from without, when we can promote from within.

As anyone who ppays attention to state academic rankings will tell you, the elementary schools are the best schools in the district, and the Atkinson Academy is their gem, and Mrs. Dayotis has earned a rather large part of gratitude for that reputation.

It would be a shame for the school board to do our academy a disservice by looking elsewhere for a new principal.

Call our school board representatives, Mr. Micheal Mascola, and the Chairman of the school board police Lt. William Baldwin, and tell them how you feel.

If we don't make our voices heard the school board will screw this up. Call them today!

Saturday, April 19

Polygraph training pays off for Police departments

This was posted on the Plaistow Town Crier!

Imagine if Atkinson periodically made ALL officers (including the chief) Stand for a polygraph!

Of course someone other than the chief would have to administer the test, as that is the very problem we face with him certifying his own training and hours to the state.


Posted by Dennis Herrick on April 18, 2008 at 07:50:40:

I wonder how some of the area politicans, town officials and even some of the police departments heads would do, taking these polygraph test. Is this legal? Are lie detector results admissible as evidence in a New Hampshire court? I'll have to check. If not, then why are they beings used to screen prospective job applicants. Maybe the Town should try it out as part of the process to select a new Town Manager and see what it gets them. I can see it now. Come over here Mr Sherman, this won't hurt a bit, I promise. Peeing in a cup is one thing, but strapping myself to a machine for a job is another. I don't think I would want to work for an organization that does this. It just smacks of "Big Brother". And what does it say about the kind of person, boss and employer you are? Paranoid comes to mind. What will it be next, lie detector tests to apply for a car or home loan. First you wanted the town to spend the taxpayers money to join that Southern New Hampshire Special Operations Unit and now this. Chief Savage, aren't you straying off the reservation here? What's your take on this, Plaistownians?

We salute you, Eagle Tribune staff writer, Meghan Carey, for the heads-up article below.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Polygraph training pays off for two departments

By Meghan Carey

Staff writer

Just seven police departments in the state can conduct polygraph tests, and two of them are right here.

When the New England Polygraph Institute held its first training class in New Hampshire last spring, Plaistow Chief Stephen Savage and Londonderry Detective Patrick Cheetham were in attendance.

Nearly a year later, Plaistow is just getting up and running with its testing, while Londonderry has utilized the tool since last summer. But Savage has big plans to use the lie detector tests for pre-employment screenings, investigations — and town profit.

Plaistow selectmen approved the purchase of a $10,000 office trailer last summer as a short-term solution to space problems inside the safety complex. Shifting some offices freed up a room, which Savage quickly converted to an interview and polygraph room. On one side, there's a table and chairs. The other side is more complex.

The walls are wired with cameras and voice recorders so Savage can make a DVD of a test at the flip of a switch, he said. He runs the software on a laptop, which is hooked up to a chair that measures respiration, sweat and blood pressure.

The $700 bill for the chair caught the eye of Selectman Dan Poliquin. He said that's how he found out about the polygraph suite, which was quietly renovated using mostly drug forfeiture money. It was almost as quiet as when the chief disappeared to attend the 11-week training last year, Poliquin said.

The training cost $5,500, which included most of the equipment.

That money doesn't have to go through selectmen, interim Town Administrator Jason Hoch said. It's the result of settlements from drug seizures and must be used for police training and equipment, per the Department of Justice.

"I think that the reason it's been a little quieter is that we used drug forfeiture money," Hoch said. "If we were directly spending taxpayers' money, it would have been gone about differently."

In Londonderry, the entire cost of the training and equipment was picked up by the town, Cheetham said.

Londonderry police had open interview rooms that could be converted into a space for polygraph testing because the department moved into a new building just three years before, Cheetham said.

Because the transition was made quickly, Cheetham said, he was able to administer three polygraph tests in the first three weeks after training. He gave three more in July, three in August and one in September. Then there was a lull until February, when he said he gave four.

Savage said he has administered "some" polygraph tests, but wouldn't specify a number.

Both police departments require new officers to take a polygraph test as part of the hiring process, so a majority of the tests Cheetham gave were for that purpose, he said. The others were part of criminal investigations.

Since Plaistow hasn't hired anyone in the last year, Savage hasn't needed to administer any preemployment exams.

As soon as Cheetham returned from training, Londonderry police Capt. Bill Hart said the department organized the technology and began taking advantage of it.

"It's been a boon to us so far," Hart said.

He said Cheetham has administered tests for one or two other towns, but that Londonderry doesn't plan to charge for the service.

But the promise of a little revenue is what sold officials on Savage's training.

In the future, Savage will do pre- and post-employment polygraphs for $300, he said. Those payments will go to the town. But for criminal cases, he will conduct the test for free for other departments as part of his "obligation in the law enforcement community," he said.

Londonderry is saving money by having its own examiner. Before they used the polygraph less because they were dependent on another town's resources and time-frame, Cheetham said. Plus, they had to pay a fee each time they needed a pre-employment test done, he said.

"It's a tool that we've never had so readily available to us," he said.

In Plaistow, the chief said it saves manpower as well. They are short staffed and for each test they needed to run, an officer had to come off the line to drive to Portsmouth, he said.

The training is good for a lifetime, but Savage said he will probably spend time each year training and would like to send another officer to training in the "medium-term" future so someone can utilize the technology after he retires.

The chief is in his early 60s and eligible for retirement, but he said he plans to stay on until after the department is accredited and possibly in a new building.

An Appeal for Cpl. Lapham!

Publius, Please add this as a submission.

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. 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.

Thursday, April 17

Atkinson get Statewide Exposure!

http://www.nhtaxpayerradio.org/media/04102008.mp3

The above link is to Coalition of New Hampshire Taxpayers(CNHT) director, Ed Naile's radio show. If you forward through the Windsor discussion to about the 26 minute mark you will hear his discussion of Atkinson's woes.

He laughingly discusses the comical rantings of our police chief. And for those who haven't checked lately, there are a number of videos that have been posted by someone on you tube. The links to all of these can be found on atkinsontaxpayers.org

Ed and his able assistant Jane, have a good laugh over our chief's persecution of Mrs. Grant for the heinous crime of placing fliers on mailboxes, oh the travesty...

He has a laugh about our chief's insistance on abusing his authority to harrass those who upset him. It really is a good listen.

Wednesday, April 16

Large groundwater withdrawal is back on the table in Atkinson

To the moderator of this blog, please consider this as an article for the Atkinson Reporter that was published in the Eagle Tribune.

------------------------------

Large groundwater withdrawal is back on the table in Atkinson

By Meghan Carey
Staff writer

ATKINSON — Hampstead Area Water Co. resubmitted its application for a large groundwater withdrawal to the state.

The water company originally submitted the application to drill and test wells a year ago, but the state Department of Environmental Services found the application incomplete, according to DES spokesman Stephen Roy.

Now another consultant has rewritten the application, he said. The sites within Atkinson are the same, but there are different production and volume amounts for each well, Roy said.

"Oftentimes, in New Hampshire, larger water systems have multiple well sources to provide water to the whole system," Roy said. "In this case, the proposal is for three new well fields."

The completed application begins a long review process, beginning with a public hearing that the town requested, Roy said.

At that meeting, there will be a presentation on the general large water withdrawal process by DES and a project-specific presentation by Hampstead Area Water Co.

The forum will then be opened up for questions, which will be recorded and responded to individually as part of the DES review process, Roy said. There also will be a 45-day period after the public hearing, during which anyone can submit written questions about the process.

For each question, Roy said, the review team will have to respond in writing. At the end, it will deny, approve for testing or ask the water company for more information, he said.

There will be the opportunity for another public hearing at the end of the application process, Roy said. Last year, an informal meeting was held by DES, but Hampstead Area Water Co. didn't attend because the application had been denied, Roy said.

Selectmen Chairman Paul Sullivan said the selectmen reserved Dyke Auditorium at Atkinson Academy earlier this week to make sure there is room for everyone interested to attend. The meeting will be on May 7 at 7 p.m.

The town is taking the application one step at a time, and will consult with Sumner Kalman, the town's lawyer, later in the process to find out how the water withdrawal ordinance will play into the water company's application.

Tuesday, April 15

So what is going on with all the cruisers?

At the selectmen's meeting last night, chief brought up an issue of ANOTHER cruiser which was totalled, and "needs" to be replaced! This makes FIVE CRUISERS TOTALLED in two and one half years! Isn't that an awful lot for a town with only 5 full time officers, and routinely one patrol officer on any given shift?

In 2005, there were the two cruisers that Lt. Baldwin, and officer Paquette drove into each other on Maple ave.; there was the cruiser that slid under a dump truck in Hampstead; and the Chrysler Imperial "surveillance vehicle, with the ghost plates on it"..... Sorry, can't say that without cracking up....

And now this cruiser... and why haven't we heard anything about this? Where did the accident happen? How did it happen? And why is it being replaced?

Selectmen you dropped the ball on this one! The police dept. does not have 9 vehicles, it has 11! And until last night we never had TWO "front line" cruisers, and TWO "back ups", We have always had ONE "front line" cruiser, and ONE " back up"! If you dont believe us look back at tapes of selectmens meetings and budget meetings where this has come up many times before.

What the selectmen should have asked was;
1.) Why do we NEED 11 vehicles when we only have one officer on patrol on any given shift?
2.) When did the selectmen authorize the Lt. his own car? or the Detective for that matter?
3.) Why do we NEED 2 "front line" cruisers, and 2 "back ups" for ONE GUY TO DRIVE?
4.) Why is the Durango parked in the chief's driveway if he is now driving the Mercury? How many cars have the taxpayers generously provided for his PERSONAL USE?
5.) If we only put 33,000 miles on our "front line" cruisers in 13 months, as the chief stated last night, then why do they NEED to be replaced every two years? at 33k/yr. they should last 6-7 years before replacement, as most other depts. do.

But, of course, that is not what happened. And where is the budget committee on this?

And you wonder why our police dept. has half the job of Hampstead, at $150,000 more!

Sunday, April 13

Chief Hypocracy in Atkinson?

We all remember the selectmen's meeting right before the election, when chief Consentino came in to tell the town that a resident was placing flyers on mailboxes around town. Then he went on for 14 minutes about the depth of the "crime" and how it was a federal offense, and how he had received so many complaints that he had to do something.

He failed to mention that he called the postal inspector, that he was the only complaint to the postmaster, and that the LAW only covers INSIDE the mailbox. When asked about this the postal inspector claimed that there was case law that expanded that provision, but couldn't cite the case. Either way it is immaterial as you can not be convicted for case law, only what the LAW says.

So, here is the hypocracy;

when 10 days later the police dept. received complaints about more flyers from some landscaper tucked between the flag and the mailbox all over town. Det. Farrar went out and collected the flyers, contacted the landscaper, and explained that he couldn't do that. Chief never handled it personally, never complained to the postmaster, never called the USPS postal inspector, never went into the selectmen's meeting to disparage the reputation of this landscaper, never follwed up with a story to the Eagle-Tribune. Do we have equal justice under the law?

This blog doesn't think so.

Thursday, April 10

Residents rebuffed in Right to know requests to Town.

Publius please accept this as a submission article

Most of you watched my presentation to the Atkinson Board of Selectmen on March 24, 2008. For those that did not see that presentation, you can find it at the web address listed below or (thanks to someone else) is posted on the atkinson-factor section of this blog.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=atkinson%2C+nh++&search_type=

Listed below, is a copy of the presentation I made at the selectmen's meeting, and the response from Mr. Paul Sullivan.

Please note that our committee asked them fourteen questions, but (like our assessor) only poorly addressed four.

Our committee will address the real issues in the comment section of this submission, after it is posted and we get a chance to read other comments. For now, enjoy this posting.

Sincere regards,
Leon
Atkinson Taxpayers For Fair Evaluations Committee


Atkinson, NH Selectmen’s Meeting March 25, 2008

WE ARE HERE TONIGHT TO DISCUSS 4 DIFFERENT TOPICS

1. ASSESSING
2. RIGHT TO KNOW INFORMATION
3. FREEDOM OF SPEECH
4. ETHICS (CONFLICT OF INTEREST)

ASSESSING

THIS BOARD IS IN RECEIPT OF A COURT ORDER BY THE BOARD OF LAND AND TAX APPEALS, (STIMULATED BY
THE ATKINSON TAXPAYERS FOR FAIR EVALUATIONS COMMITTEE), TO SCHEDULE A MEETING TO WORK WITH US
ON OUR FIRST APPEAL OF 2006 PROPERTY TAXES ABATEMENTS.

THIS COURT ORDER VERIFIES OUR POSITION THAT IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN (AS ASSESSORS) TO PROPERLY DO THE JOB OF
ASSESSING AS REQUIRED BY RSA.


ACCORDINGLY, WE WOULD LIKE TO ASK, IF THIS BOARD IS GOING TO REQUIRE TOWN COUNSEL OPINION AS TO THE NECESSITY TO ABIDE BY THIS COURT ORDER, OR CAN WE GET AN APPOINTMENT TIME TONIGHT FOR A
MEETING SCHEDULED FOR THIS WEEK?

( WE WANT TO MEET WITH PAUL SULLIVAN NOT THE ASSESSOR ROD WOOD).

RIGHT TO KNOW INFORMATION

IN JUNE OF 2007, WE HEARD RUMORS THAT THE LAST BOARD OF SELECTMEN WERE IN VIOLATION OF
ENVIROMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGULATIONS, FOR NOT FILING STORM WATER REPORTS AND THE TOWN WAS BEING FINED. WE ASKED REPEATEDLY, BUT WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. RUMORS PREVAILED, AND WE FINALLY FILED A “RIGHT TO KNOW LETTER” IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR.

WE SPECIFICALLY ASKED FOR THAT INFORMATION TO BE SUPPLIED BEFORE DELIBERATIVE SESSION, SO WE
COULD PROVE OUR TOWN ADMINISTRATOR WAS NOT DOING HIS JOB.


THAT REQUEST ALONG WITH OTHER INFORMATION WE WERE LOOKING FOR, WAS SENT TO TOWN COUNSEL FOR OPINION, KNOWING THE INFORMATION WOULD BE REQUIRED. THAT INFORMATION WAS NOT SUPPLIED
UNTIL WELL AFTER DELIBERATIVE SESSION, AND CONTAINED NO INFORMATION AS TO THE STORM WATER
REPORTS WE WERE LOOKING FOR. IN FACT, ALL THE FOLDERS WE WERE GIVEN FOR INSPECTION CONTAINED
ALMOST NOTING REQUIRED IN THE “RIGHT TO KNOW LETTER”. WE WERE TOLD REPEATEDLY, THAT WAS
ALL THE INFORMATION THE TOWN HAD IN ITS FILES.

WE SCANNED THE INFORMATION MADE AVAILABLE, AND LEFT THE BUILDING, BECAUSE WE ALREADY KNEW THE TOWN HAD BEEN FINED FROM ANOTHER SCORCE.


TWO DAYS LATER, (BEFORE WE COULD BREAK THE NEWS TO THE TAXPAYERS OF ATKINSON) THE EAGLE TRIBUNE RAN AN ARTICLE REGARDING THE FINE. WE RETURNED TO THE TOWN HALL THE NEXT DAY TO INSPECT THE FILES AGAIN, ONLY TO FIND THE INFORMATION REPORTED IN THE TRIBULE ARTICLE MAGICALLY APPEARED IN THE TOWN FILES. (ALONG WITH OTHER INFORMATION NOT PREVIOUSLY DECLARED)

WE SCANNED THIS NEW INFORMATION FOR COMPARISON AGAINST WHAT WE WERE ORIGINALLY GIVEN.

IN THAT INFORMATION: WAS A JANUARY 2007 LETTER TO THE PREVIOUS BOARD, STATING NO LESS THAN THREE DIFFERENT DIVISIONS OF THE EPA HAD INFORMED THE BOARD THAT TWO YEARS WORTH OF REPORTS
WERE MISSING AND HAD NOT BEEN ADDRESSED.


MY QUESTIONS TO YOU TONIGHT ARE:


1. WHY DIDN’T THE PRIOR BOARD KNOW THOSES REPORTS WERE REQUIRED?

2. WHY WEREN’T THEY COMPLETED IN TIME?

3. WHY DIDN’T THE PRIOR BOARD REPREMAND THE TOWN ADMINISTRATOR AND VERIFY THE REPORTS WERE FILED CORRECTLY, BEFORE THE TOWN WAS FINED $5,000 OF TAXPAYER MONIES?

4. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR WITHHOLDING THE INFORMATION REQUIRED IN OUR “RIGHT TO KNOW” LETTERS?

5. IS THIS NEW BOARD OF SELECTMEN GOING TO CONTINUE THE POLICY OF “NOT COMPLYING WITH” RIGHT TO KNOW REQUESTS, OR ARE THEY GOING TO MEET THEIR LEGAL, TIMELY OBLIGATIONS REGARDING FUTURE “RIGHT TO KNOW” LETTERS?

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

IN THIS LAST ELECTION, SIGNAGE WAS MADE AN ISSUE. IN PARTICULAR, THE ATKINSON REPORTER
BLOGSPOT.COM SIGNS WERE DECLARED ILLEGAL, BASED ON LEGAL OPINION (AT TAXPAYER EXPENSE)
DESPERSED BY THEN CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD JACK SAPIA. THAT BOARD ORDERED THE SIGNS REMOVED
(HOPEFULLY NOT DESTROYED) AND PERSONS (NOT NAMED) RESPONSIBLE FOR PLACING SAID SIGNS, WERE
LABELED COWARDS.


LATER, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT MR. SAPIA HAD LIED TO THE BOARD REGARDING WHAT LEGAL COUNSEL
HAD ACTUALLY TOLD HIM, AND THE SIGNS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN REMOVED.


MY QUESTIONS TO YOU ARE:

1. WHY ARE NOT ALL SELECTMEN ADVISED BY TOWN COUNSEL ON ANY OPINION RENDERED?

2. WHY WAS THIS ALLOWED TO HAPPEN BY THE REST OF THE SELECTMEN?

3. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SIGNS, AND WHEN WILL THEY BE RETURNED?

4. WHAT ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN, (OR WILL BE TAKEN) TO REPREMAND MR. SAPIA FOR HIS ACTIONS?

5. WHAT PUBLIC NOTIFICATION HAS BEEN ISSUED TO CORRECT THE FACT THE SIGNS WERE NOT ILLEGAL?

6. WHAT HAVE THE SELECTMEN DONE, IN ORDER TO AVOID ANOTHER LEGAL SUIT AGAINST THE TOWN?

7. WHAT STEPS IS THE TOWN GOING TO TAKE, TO INSURE FREEDOM OF SPEECH WILL NOT BE INFRINGED UPON AGAIN?

8. WHEN WILL A PUBLIC APOLIGY BE GIVEN TO THOSE ATKINSON TAXPAYERS THAT WERE BRANDED COWARDS?

ETHICS

IN LIGHT OF THE KNOWLEDGE THAT MR. SAPIA LIED TO THE BOARD REGARDING LEGAL MATTERS, OUR
COMMITTEE HAS A REAL PROBLEM WITH JACK SERVING ON THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST COMMITTEE. WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE BOARD INTENDS TO DO, TO REMOVE HIM FROM SERVING IN THAT CAPACITY. IT IS OUR OPINION THAT HE NOT BE ALLOWED TO SERVE IN ANY PUBLIC CAPACITY, NOW OR IN THE FUTURE.


Please see Mr. Sullivan’s response letter below. Note it is dated 26 March 2008, ( two days after presentation at the Selectmen’s meeting) but is misleading since it was not delivered until April 5, 2008 AT 5PM BEHIND TOWN HALL!


PAUL SULLIVAN’S RESPONSE

26 March 2008

Mr. Leon Artus
114 Maple Avenue
Atkinson, New Hampshire 03811

RE: Questions received during the BOS meeting of 24 March 2008

Dear Mr. Artus

I am writing in response to the questions you presented at the Selectmen’s meeting of March 24, 2008. First I would like to thank you for the professional manner in which you presented yourself during the meeting. It is my goal as Chairman to move all meetings forward in a timely, professional and progressive manner and I sincerely appreciate your cooperation.

In regard to your request, I offer the following:

ASSESSING:

I have reviewed the current files in regard to all notices received from the Board of Land and Tax Appeals. The board of Selectmen’s office will contact, in writing, the resident who has filed the tax appeal directly in response to any and all such notices. Please understand that all communications in this regard are directed to the actual individual who has filed the claim unless we have received a certified “power of attorney” from the landowner fully authorizing an agent to act on their behalf. This authorization includes full authority in regard to all financial issues for the landowner.

RIGHT TO KNOW:

The responsibility for the filing of the storm water reports that is the subject of your questions on this item lies within the Road Agent and the Town Administrator. The Board of Selectmen was not advised of the delay in filing such report until the filing deadline had passed. In regard to the reprimand you question, any actions that may or may not have been taken in regard to our past town administrator would have taken place in a non-public session under RESA 91-A and any information in that regard would not be available to the general public.

The responsibility for receiving and responding to any and all resident request would first rest in the hands of the Town Administrator and subsequently the Selectmen. It is the intent of the current board of selectmen as well as it was the intent of the past board to fully follow the requirements of the RSA’s in all areas including the “Right to Know”.

Freedom of Speech:

Please understand that all communications between the Board of Selectmen and the Town attorney is held as privileged and is not open to general discussion. The decision to remove the signs in question was made as a unanimous decision by the board of selectmen during a regularly scheduled meeting. At this point, It is unknown by the current board as to the location of any such signs that you reference as removed and therefore we cannot speak to the return of such. Also, as freedom of speech is the issue at hand, it would be inappropriate for this board to comment in regard to the statement make by a resident.

It is the endeavor of the board of selectmen to move forward in an open and positive way and do what is in the best interest of the Town and its residents as a whole. In doing so0, we look to protect the town and its residents, to the best of our ability, in regard to all potential pitfalls.

ETHICS:

Mr. Sapia signed up as a candidate for the Conflict of Interest Committee and was subject to the same process of election as all other candidates for their subsequent positions. The results of such election as decided by the majority vote of the residents of Atkinson, who actually voted, have placed Mr. Sapia on the Conflict of Interest Committee. The Board of Selectmen has no authority to intervene in this process.

Thank you for your continued interest and concern in the betterment of the Town of Atkinson.

Sincerely,

Paul Sullivan
Chairman Atkinson Board of Selectman

Friday, April 4

Atkinson Police Chief issued Letter of Reprimand by NHPSTC

Yes, NH Police Standards and Training Council issued Chief Consentino a formal letter of reprimand, at their March 25, 2008 meeting. The Reprimand was issued for "failure to use due diligence in ensuring that proper documentation existed when he certified to the council that the documentation of training did exist"

That is interesting enough but the minutes of the Police Standards and Training Council Meeting go even further...

"We further require that he comply wih the plan that he has outlined to the Council orally in his testimony to the Council in terms of the remedial steps that he is going to carry out going forward, and we ask that Police Standards and Training Council staff checks in with him after one year to confirm that that has happened."

In this blog's opinion, this raises some serious questions, such as;

1.) What was Mr. Consentino's remedial plan?

2.) What happened to the documentation between when Mr. Consentio told the Council he had the documents and when they asked to see them?

3.) Who certified his training? Does he certify himself?

4.) What protection does the public have against officers without the proper training?

5.) Does Mr. Consentino actually HAVe the required training? Or the training to carry a gun?

We are sure there are others, but you will let us know what is important to you.

So Much for "Nothing was wrong" and "all this is unfounded allegations", It would appear that a number of residents complaints over the past few years about a lack of training, were true, and the Town of Atkinson deserves better.

Tuesday, April 1

What should Congress do about the price of gas?

MAcciard said...

Publius, Please accept this as an article submission.

What should Congress do about the price of gas?

We all know the issue at hand, it has been on the news for weeks, and now Congress has gotten into the act. After wasting our time and money on probes into steriods in baseball, the Patriots videotaping issue, they now have launched inquiries into why American Corporations made so much money, in the last year.

BY WHAT RIGHT?

What right does Congress have to make this type of inquiry?

Lets look at the economics of it;

Do you know who makes the most money off a gallon of oil?


THE GOVERNMENT!
Yes, that's right, the average combined state and federal taxes on Gasoline are $0.51/gal.

With Oil at $100/barrel the cost of crude in a gallon of gasoline is $1.83/gal.

The average cost of refining, transportation, and marketing, including the cost fo government compliance is $0.52/gal

The average profit of the oil company is $0.28/gal.

The average profit of the gas station is $0.12

This equals the average price per gallon right now of $3.29/gallon

So, yes Exxon made $39 Billion in profit last year.

The part that no one will discuss is that they invested $426 Billion to make that!

That's 9% profit!

And Congress is complaining!

How would Our congresspeople like it if we piad them their roughly $170,000/yr. salary, but only let them keep $15,300?

I am wlling to bet that they would not think that very fair.

On another note, where in the Constitution does it say that Congress has the right to regulate profits?

These people who complain about $3.00/gal. gas are quite happy to pay $7.00/ gal for water!

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. "