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.
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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. "
10 comments:
As I said, this whole mailboxgate episode had nothing to do with enforcing a federal law. It had everything to do with stifling the 1st Amendment. There was an election to be won and this is just one sorry event in a serious of events that smells like a gallon of milk that has been in the sun for a week.
I'm sure much has been learned from this years election. Next year should be really interesting.
That sounds like the old Red Sox dream..."wait 'til next year".
Folks, this problem ain't going away (the Chief) unless you demand that the selectman fire him or you push to remove them for not doing their job. You now have enough reason.
Here is the question raised in this blog's minds;
If he can use his badge to do harm to those he doesn't like, and you either condone it or just avert your eyes...
What do you intend to do when YOU have pissed him off, and he does the same to you, and your family?
Hypocrisy has always been the chief's strongest suit. I have a very good friend in town who was absolutely persecuted by the chief and his officers showing up at his door at night (with young children in the house)serving complaints taken from people who lie for a living. He took sides in a matter that we have all heard him say has nothing to do with the police department (i.e. neighborly disputes). What these people went through was a disgrace to this town. The people making up allegations are not well-liked but they are just the type of people the chief seems to gravitate towards. Just a real black mark on this town.
I asked the postal guy right after the meeting and asked him if anyone had called about the fliers. He told me "no one called or complained, The chief was the only one." He also went on to say, that "this happens every year at election time."
Postal fliers, Atkinson reporter signs, standing over voters putting in ballots with write ins,
That group has made atkinson into a communist state. Every citizen of Atkinson should be outraged , that group has stuck their finger up to every person in Atkinson.
Congress adopted the mailbox restriction in 1934 to protect postal revenue
by preventing delivery of unstamped matter to mailboxes, which
reportedly was having a considerable impact on postal revenues. The U.S.
Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the mailbox restriction in
1981. Civic groups, which had delivered unstamped material regarding
their activities to mailboxes, claimed that the mailbox restriction abridged
their First Amendment rights to free speech and the press. The Court
denied the groups’ claim, ruling that the law and enforcement actions were
not geared in any way to the content of the message placed in mailboxes.
The Court also found that mailboxes are an essential part of national mail
delivery and that postal customers agree to abide by laws and regulations
that apply to their mailboxes in exchange for the Postal Service agreeing
to deliver and pick up mail in them.
This is the only law that was posted on mailbox restriction. This still does not give a good explanation on the outside of mail boxes but i would think it would be the same because your still using the mailbox for free advertising. If that was allowed then you would have thousands of companies driving around and placing there flyer's outside your mailbox. The alternate would be to hang a bag with your flyer on the persons front door. It still does not give the chief the chief the wright to pick and choose who he will reprimand and wont.
Anyone notice the number of posts are down since instituting the necessity of making an account to post? How has the effected the hits the blog is getting?
True, comments and posts are down since then, but there has also been little controversy since then as well.
But isn't it nice to be able to have a conversation, instead of all the anon@00:00?
One time, I saw a story about a small town.
The Chief of Police stopped at a farm and talked with an old farmer. He told the farmer, "I need to inspect your farm for possible contraband."
The old farmer said, "OK, but don't go out in that pasture over there."
The Chief flashed out his badge and said, "I have the authority of this Town to go any where I want. See this badge? I will go wherever I wish."
So the old farmer went about his farm chores.
It wasn't too much later and the farmer heard loud screams and yelling. He looked over and saw several police officers running for their lives and right behind was the farmer's huge prize bull. The bull was madder than a hornet's nest and was gaining on the Chief at every step.
The old farmer yelled out, "Show him your badge, Smart Ass.... Show him your badge!!"
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