From the Eagle Tribune;
One candidate, two towns Kleman interviews for jobs in Plaistow, Atkinson
By Meghan Carey
Staff writer
Atkinson selectmen thought they had their man, but he's looking elsewhere.
Selectman Fred Childs said last week the board planned to offer a permanent position to interim Town Administrator Craig Kleman. They have been searching for a new administrator since winter, after the departure of Russell McAllister.
Plaistow selectmen also have been searching for a town manager since winter and, more recently, for an interim town administrator.
The parallel searches just became even more similar. Kleman met with Plaistow officials in nonpublic session Monday night. He confirmed yesterday that he was interviewing for the interim position in that town, too, but said he didn't want to comment beyond that.
Kleman has worked as interim administrator in Atkinson since mid-April. He was a candidate for the full-time job when he took the interim position. Selectmen liked the idea of a candidate "test drive," according to minutes from the selectmen's meeting March 31.
Childs said yesterday he heard Kleman probably was looking elsewhere — and he wasn't surprised. He said that's why it's tough to keep a town administrator for long — they're always looking. But he's confident Atkinson is Kleman's first choice.
"He wants the job," Childs said. "I know that."
Just last week, Childs said the selectmen planned to offer Kleman the full-time job, but they haven't yet. At the next meeting, scheduled for Monday, the selectmen and Kleman are expected to sign a 30-day extension to his interim contract, Childs said yesterday.
"I don't think he's too happy with that," Childs said. "I think he'd like to get it settled right away, and I can't blame him. There's other opportunities out there."
The other opportunity Kleman is trying for pays a lot more.
In Plaistow, he would likely make more than the $700 a week Atkinson is paying him in the interim job. Plaistow interim Town Administrator Jason Hoch is making $1,395 a week. He started as a full-time town manager and transitioned to an interim town administrator two months after giving his notice.
Hoch's last day is Saturday, and Plaistow selectmen are trying to get someone to take over right away. After Kleman's interview Monday, the selectmen said they were done interviewing candidates. Selectman Dan Poliquin said yesterday the town has made an offer for the interim position and will announce it Friday.
If Kleman is trying for the permanent position in Plaistow, too, he stands to make more money than he would in Atkinson.
Plaistow selectmen advertised a salary range of $84,000 to $95,000 for the town manager position. Atkinson didn't put a salary range in its advertisement because each administrator wants something different, Childs said. He would not say what range the selectmen are considering now that they have a candidate in mind. McAllister made about $62,000 a year.
Atkinson selectmen plan to hire a permanent administrator in the next month. Plaistow doesn't plan to have a town manager onboard until October.
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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. "
2 comments:
For those who are not aware, Plaistow offers more because they have a TOWN MANAGER. This position carries with it fiduciary responsiblity similar to the selectmen's here in Atkinson. Hence the greater pay scale.
We have a TOWN ADMINISTRATOR, a lesser position or responsibility that carries with it NO fiduciary responsibility at all, as a matter of fact, a Town Administrator has NO STATUTORY responsibility at all. He has only what responsibility the selectmen vote to give him. Hence the lesser salary in Atkinson.
Here is a basic statement that pretty much sums up the situation:
Atkinson is not - nor has it ever been - set up or accomodating to have long term, full time, career / professional employees at ANY level of public service.
A few examples:
The police chief: part time
The fire chief: call firefighter who is "elected" by members of the fire department itself
And, instead of going "all the way" and doing what is best for the Town...we have a Town Administrator instead of a Town Manager.
That coupled with all the shenanigans...is it any wonder why we are a laughing stock? And who suffers? We do.
Let's get with the program and get some PROFESSIONALS in ALL levels of town government to come in and do their jobs and dislodge the "good old boy" network that has festered for so long
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