Can anyone tell me why We the Taxpayers are buying "pleasure vehicles" for the personal use of the chief of police and his family, and treasured assistants?
These were the chief's own words Monday night.
Can anyone tell me how BOTH the Durango, AND the Mercury get from the chief's driveway at night, to the police station during the day?
How about this one. WHEN did WE authorize Lt. Baldwin to have a take home car, and the chief to have TWO?
HOw about why do we NEED a new vehicle when we already have 10? We have one patrol officer on each shift, and we have 10 vehicles, and why? because our Obersturmfurher has assigned each one a purpose, and, never shall it be used for another! This on is a cruiser! That one is only for Details! This one is only for the detective!, Those three are only for the elderly!
We have 10 vehicles currently, and 6 of them have been acquired since 2005! They are new! when does enough become enough?
No other town have two vehicles for EVERY FULL TIME OFFICER!
Hampstead, which is 40% larger uses $10,000 less in Gas. Why?
Why is no one asking these questions?
Getting these vehicles cheap is only a virtue, if their acquisition saves the town from buying a new vehicle. But no, in Atkinson we get the free vehicles, ANd buy the new ones too. It boggles the mind.
But we are grateful to our chief for finally admitting that he bought two vehicles that are not fit to be police vehicles, so why dont we get rid of those two, and get him his new cruiser, that way we shave the size of the fleet by one vehicle in the process.
But what happened to how those two cars were bought? The Durango was donated by Rockingham Dodge, and we were told by the chief that we NEEDED this as a DARE truck because the old DARE truck was not serviceable, had too many miles, etc. The Mercury, we HAD to buy to replace the 1993 Chrysler that we HAD to buy after the voters turned down a new elderly car. Chief told us that he NEEDED a surveillance vehicle. 6 months later it wasnt being used for surveillance, and it got an elderly sign on the door! He got his elderly car even though the voters said no! When they totalled it, he NEEDED to have it replaced, Now it is not fit to be a police vehicle! MAKE UP YOUR MIND! is it a police vehicle or not?
How about for once we get some honesty out of this subject?
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. "
10 comments:
Click on my name to get to video of this issue and decide for yourself. It boggles my mind as to why "Pleasure Cars" are part of our police force. IF you need a car so bad Chief, retrofit one of the cars you already have. But im sure one of those new Mustangs look better? Im sure of it.
You know what the problem is? it is the same as with the Expedition, all the surrounding depts. had one, so we need one. All the surrounding depts. have the new hemi charger, so we need one!
Can't be a big boy without big boy toys!
DARE is a state funded program so why if we did not have any DARE donations or expendatures for 2007 WHY do we need a DARE truck?? We don't. Is this another case of the APD funding pet projects with money from other accounts?? Isn't that called misappropriation?
with the price of gas where it is, why does anyone other than the chief get to take home a car?
as a matter of fact, why does the chief even need one?
Sandowns chief doesn't have a take home car.
Why has our police dept. had 5 accidents, that totalled or severely damaged 4 cruisers in, what 2 1/2- 3 years?
Doesn't that seem like a lot?
We should get rid of the clown-car (DARE), have the officers that are on call more than 20 hours a week have a driving course and finally recruit the remaining civilian cars (elderly transportation) to night patrol vehicles. In the daytime, when needed they can tool the elderly around.
I have to admit, the D.A.R.E car has always puzzled me for a couple of reasons. It appears that the D.A.R.E program revolves around police officers teaching in a classroom. So do the elementary school students even see the Dodge? I am sure the Durango was a nice tax write-off for Rockingam Toyota, but the Durango gets 14 mpg city and 18 mpg highway and WHY DOES "THE CHIEF" USE THIS VEHICLE*? Prior to falling ill, the D.A.R.E. classes at Atkinson Academy were taught by Corporal Lapham. This year, it is taught by Office Schiavone of the PLAISTOW PD!!! http://www.atkinsonacademy.com/atk0108.pdf
So again, should the residents of Atkinson be footing the fuel bill for a program related GAS GUZZLING vehicle that Chief Consentino uses for personal use???? What, exactly, does he do with D.A.R.E.?
I would be interested to hear if I am off on this subject, but I just never, ever understood this setup.
*The Dodge Durango was the department’s DARE vehicle and used by the Chief. It was a donated vehicle and was accepted at no cost by the Town. There were two duty cruisers, a cruiser for the detective and one for the sergeant.
-From 5/2/2005 BOS Meeting Minutes
http://www.town-atkinsonnh.com/bos_minutes_522005.htm
Geez! With all the free vehicle/fuel perks he gets, no wonder he fights to keep his part-time status under the guise of saving the town money! Between the free cars and free fuel, he must be saving himself quite a bit too! If only I could get my gas for free right now.
We did not have any DARE donations or expendatures for 2007. Again, why do we need this car at all if the program is inactive?
We tax payers dont need it at all. Plain and simple. Pleasure cars do not need to exist on the police force.
Post a Comment