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Welcome Message and Mission Statement

Welcome to the NEW Atkinson Reporter! Under new management, with new resolve.

The purpose of this Blog is to pick up where the Atkinson Reporter has left off. "The King is dead, Long live the King!" This Blog is a forum for the discussion of predominantly Atkinson; Officials, People, Ideas, and Events. You may give opinion, fact, or evaluation, but ad hominem personal attacks will not be tolerated, or published. The conversation begun on the Atkinson Reporter MUST be continued!

This Blog will not fall to outside hacks from anyone, especially insecure public officials afraid of their constituents criticism.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Candidates file for town, school offices in N.H.

Other towns, including Atkinson and Derry, will have plenty of choices on the ballot next month.
Candidates in almost all towns and school districts had until 5 p.m. yesterday to file paperwork to get on the ballot for local elections March 12.

Atkinson
Atkinson has a three-way race for a three-year selectmen’s seat.
Incumbent Selectman Fred Childs is being challenged by William Baldwin and Craig Schuster, both of whom ran unsuccessfully last year.

Incumbent road agent Edward Stewart wants another two-year term, but he’s being challenged by Brian Klimaszewski.

Jean Sanders will try to unseat incumbent cemetery trustee Kathleen Friel for a three-year term.

Michael Turell is running unopposed for a three-year term as treasurer.

Incumbent Raymond Fournier is being challenged for a three-year term on the Conflict of Interest Committee by Jean-MacMillan Foley. Jean Sanders is running against incumbent Joyce LaFrance for a two-year term on the committee. No one filed for a single one-year term spot.

Harlan Cheney and incumbent Budget Committee members Bill Smith and Susan Carroll are vying for two three-year terms.

There’s a race for library trustee, too. James Cobb, Timothy Dziechowski and incumbent Alan Phair are seeking two three-year terms.

Incumbent Adele Dillon is unopposed for a one-year term as checklist supervisor.

Incumbent Helen Galloway is unopposed for a three-year term as trustee of trust funds.

106 comments:

Anonymous said...

What does everyone think of the 3 way BOS Race?

Anonymous said...

I like all three people but Bill would not be able to participate all the time, Fred should take this opportunity to leave his legacy but has not yet done so, and Craig waffled too many times when he was filling in.

For me, it will be between Fred and Craig. Maybe they will come here and post.

Anonymous said...

Listened to part of the deliberative session. Sepia was there to cut up the COIC with his usual attacks. What is with this man who always thinks there's a bad motive? It gives me clause about his mindset and his angry attitude..

Anonymous said...

Gives me pause..typo..

Anonymous said...

To 8:15 PM, Don't know him , don't care, its the voters that ultimately make their decisions on the warrant articles, so we will see what they want.

Anonymous said...

12:48Pm Picking the new person, need a clean slate.

Anonymous said...

I agree a new slate is needed. I am tired of the town employees voting for their own perks and the buds for supporting the corruption. Why is the planning board chairman getting paid as a town employee too? Is this why he is against the conflict checks?






Anonymous said...

Well why is jack sapia so concerned about nieces and nephews when his friend
The Conman has his wife and kid working for him? Jack the hypocrat.. rat..get lost. ...

Anonymous said...

Does anyone think Baldwin will be a puppet for the chief and gauarantee Phil 3 more years in the corner office? Shooooster Friel and Todd will be the 3 to send Phil to the retirement home.

Anonymous said...

Let the healing begin

Anonymous said...

Who in their right mind would vote for Baldwin. He's corrupt. Remember the pay and benefits scheme he and the Conman dreamed up?
He got away with it back then and now it's time to feel the wrath of the voters and taxpayers. He's got awfully big balls even running for
Selectman.

Just my humble opinion. Let's hear yours.

Anonymous said...

That's a great question for the Meet the Candidates Night. "Bill how would you feel if as a member of the BOS a member of APD sued the town because he wasnt being paid enough?"

Anonymous said...

"Bill if Sgt Caggiano comes to the board with a request to be promoted, will you consider it or suggest he run off to another town and take a pay cut?"

Anonymous said...

Bill has to step off for anything to do with the police. We get half a selctman for the full price.

Anonymous said...

Jack was in usual form with his ax to grind and his ever suspicious nature.

Anonymous said...

Aunt/Uncle and niece/nephew are the other side of the same relationship. Beats me why this was even raised. Dumb.

Anonymous said...

If and when we ever get a new chief(who actually carries a gun) does Baldwin think that by him being a Selectman he may become heir to the throne??

Just wondering?

Anonymous said...

He's wanted the Chief's job for years, it's no secret. I agree that this is the plan to dream fulfillment. I am voting for Schuster this time, Fred has had too many chances to prove himself awake and hasn't.

Anonymous said...

I think Shuster's last campaign showed too much arrogance and as many of us can recall, that A word was the downfall of one of our best Selectman of this millenium. Show your soft side Craig!

Anonymous said...

Why, what did he say?

Anonymous said...

My cat says the darnedest things. Today she says " I'll take the prime rib". Nope it's gonna be lobster.

Anonymous said...

Not voting for a cop or relative of a cop. Atkinson is cop welfare gone boss hog wild. Here we have entitlement NH style. "Don't like it? Move." Not my plan.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a real cop out.

Anonymous said...

Can your cat use your iPad? Maybe he can write your next post for you.

Anonymous said...

Or show you where the off button is...

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a real turn off.

Anonymous said...

What's new in town? Do we have nothing to talk about? Phil is behaving, the osborn's must have moved and the fireworks have stopped. You may as well blow up AR 2 and wait for The Atkinson reporter 3.

HMM something's got to give! but what? :)

Anonymous said...

Come on Atkinson Reporter, get sniffing, it could put you back on the map.

Anonymous said...

With that old saying that a leopard doesn't change its spots but at times only get dull in color I'd say to wait after the election. Then you'll see the colors come to life again to cause trouble for the town.

Anonymous said...

the town is the cause of all the trouble.

Anonymous said...

I'm thinking you won't have to wait that long this year!

Anonymous said...

Pleas clarify the word town. Do you mean the officials or the towns people? My guess, before you can or will answer, is both . The officials are not doing what the majority of the taxpayers want and the people able to vote wont come out to the polls to vote their wants for good governing practices. Voters are some what stupid by not going to the polls to save themselves money and the respect they should have in every regard to being a part of the town and its future.

Anonymous said...

I was disappointed so few of you attended the deliberative session last night. You were represented by Jack Sapia. What does he do for a living? Reminded me of a used car salesman. Jack made motions to add $150k and $75k to the budget. The first passed.

We did secret ballot on op budget amendments last night. It wasn't really necessary. There were so few people in the room it was obvious most were employees of the SAU. The amendment passed 41-34, so if just eight people had switched off the TV for a couple hours, we might have saved ourselves $150k.

No big deal, I guess. Our schools are awesome, and there is no limit to the support they deserve, right?

Speaking of awesome, another neighbor -- Jim Garrity -- proposed that the warrant to fund the teacher contract be reduced by $150k -- to offset the earlier increase. This caused all sorts of emotional response. Two Plaistow teachers testified to the excellence of the teachers, their selflessness, and the fairness of the contract. Of course, Plaistow is the only town with a SINI elementary school. These teachers' kids can fully expect to graduate without ever attending a decent school.

There are two warrants that require our attention. One puts the SAU budget on the ballot as a separate warrant. You may not know that the SAU budget is crafted by the SAU and rubber stamped by the SAU board. This year (like the last two) included across the board raises PLUS additional raises for three of the highest paid employees in the district. We need to be able to amend and disapprove these budgets. The other warrant that matters allows the SAU to keep a portion of the surplus each year. Until the School Board puts a legitimate default budget on the ballot, there is no way we can let them slush the surplus.

Anonymous said...

I keep hearing that the SAU is operating illegally. Is this true and how so. Let's talk about it and do something. Sick of paying for other peoples kids getting a bad education.

Anonymous said...

Also I rarely agree w Sapia and he is in sales.

Anonymous said...

Any chance he sells John Deer or sporting equipment? He was pimping both pretty heavily last night.

The SAU does things that are illegal -- the fraud surrounding the default budget process is illegal and unethical. The real question is do we even need one.

The answer is sort of. We are required to have an SAU FUNCTION to provide administrative services to the state. There is no requirement for a school or district to have a SAU building or employees.

In theory, we do this to share services in the interest of cost savings. I think that is OK. I would like to see SAU 55 dissolved. I'd talk to one of the successful school districts about licensing their operating system and possibly even paying them to provide SAU services. Exeter is a good, local choice.

Anonymous said...

If the sau budget process is illegal, who can HP clear this up?

Anonymous said...

HP is my smart phone being stupid. I meant 'help'.

Anonymous said...

LGC says the process is not compliant but that no one has jurisdiction over the supposed creators of the default budget -- the 'governing body' aka the school board.

The only remedy is lawsuit.

In my opinion, there is another alternative. If 100 people showed up at the deliberative session and amended the proposed budget to what the default budget should be, then the community would have choice at the ballot.

What should that number be? Well you might just take the previous budget and subtract the change in the interest on the bond. You might multiply that by the change in enrollment. That'd be a pretty good number.

We could invite Mark Acciard back and try to do something like this...

http://danvilledelivery.wordpress.com/2010/12/14/the-right-number-part-deux/

Or we could just lop $1mm off the previous budget.

The impact should be great enough to encourage the SAU to do a better job.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Dennis Heffernan, could you please email me (Len Mullen) at lmullen@myfairpoint.net.

Anonymous said...

Jim Garrity, could you please email me (Len Mullen) at lmullen@myfairpoint.net.

AtkinsonReporter2Monitor said...

Please do not post links. URLs are OK, email addresses OK.

AtkinsonReporter2Monitor said...

Anything that looks suspicious will be deleted.

Anonymous said...

Len, In my day we had a saying= = telephone, telegraph, tell a woman.What is wrong with calling these people instead of asking them to call you? What do you want to gain by using this site to ogget them to call you or email you? Are you trying to start some thing beyond the normalcy of personally calling on them? You raised my suspicions and I'm sure others that want the answers to my inquiries.

Anonymous said...

Sorry I left out the word on after the word call in the second line.

Anonymous said...

And something is one word, not two....but hey...

Anonymous said...

And in our days we know that sexist statements are always unacceptable....Tell that to a man.

Anonymous said...

I'm just respecting their privacy. I post my email address because that's OK with me. If they want to get in touch they can use it. If not, they won't. I won't just call someone I do not know without permission. I hate it when people do that to me -- especially for political reasons.

Anonymous said...

Curious, anon1:55, what about my posting my email address raises your suspicions? I don't think anyone else's suspicions were aroused, but, if it makes you feel better, these two gentlemen were among the 75 people interested enough in the operation of our $65,000,000 SINI academic enterprise to attend the deliberative session. I am the operator of a blog that deals with such things, and I would like to chat with them about their impressions. Feel better?

Anonymous said...

Are you from Slovenia?

Anonymous said...

Danville currently. I was born in Exeter. We lived in Amesbury and Lubec Maine before settling in Seabrook when my father retired from the service.

Feel better?

Anonymous said...

Have there been any improvements in the Timberlane District since hiring the new SAU55 Superintendent? Or is he just another leech dragging the school system down?

Why can't we have a Superintendent that insist State RSAs be strictly followed instead of making up new rules as they go along?

Just a few humble questions.

Anonymous said...

I think Dr. M. is an improvement over La Salle. Some noticeable changes:

1) Reinstatement of Midterms/Finals
2) Community engagement
3) Improvement plan

I feel like there will be a steady stream of continuous improvement, but a lot of my optimism is hope. Time will tell. I can tell you that there is optimism among the teachers I think the most of -- people who were genuinely discourage under the previous regime.

It's not Metzler's job to ensure RSA compliance, but I am not aware of any infractions, except for the default budget and that is the responsibility of the 'governing body' (school board), not the SAU.

Better question: why don't we elect school board members who abide by RSA? All I can say is that I have never voted for any of the sitting scoundrels.

Anonymous said...

The BOS should do more. Did they attend the meeting? They have in the past. This is a good reason for them to take legal steps and I'd support it.

Anonymous said...

There is no law that requires a school district have a budget committee. When I served on that committee, I blogged this...

The major topic of discussion at the Organization Meeting was absenteeism. The problem was that people
missing meetings tended to be disruptive on their return -- asking questions already answered and causing
matters resolved to be discussed again. Given the complexity of the budget process and the short time the
committee is in session, members wanted to discourage absence. In the end, we agreed to call a member
who had missed two consecutive meetings to remind them of the importance of the meetings and the
disruptiveness of the absences.
The Regular Meeting was very informal. We talked about televising the meetings. All wanted to televise the
fall presentations, but few wanted to broadcast all sessions (I did). I took the opportunity to lobby for
posting the meetings on the internet for the benefit of those who did not have cable or had problems catching
the TEN broadcasts. Michael Mascola (our School Board rep) was generally receptive to the idea, but it
was decided to table this until we could get the support of the School Board and the Technology
Committee. I encourage everyone who would like to be able to watch these meetings online to let their
School Board reps and the SAU's Technology Director know. I've volunteered to lead a pilot that would
cost the SAU $0.
For the rest of the meeting, we talked about roles and responsibilities. You could tell the committee was
made up of parents at this point because the discussion became emotional -- people wanting to help make
the school better without knowing exactly how to solve the problems facing the school. In the end, it was
decided that we would use the April session to seek guidance from the SAU on the roles and responsibilities
of the budget committee. I don't think this is a good idea, but I am looking forward to the exchange.

Anonymous said...

That was my observation from the first meeting. Most of the people on the budget committee, at that time, thought that the purpose of the budget committee was to 'sell' the SAU's budget to the community.

I've heard two of the current members say this. I think that is what the problem is.

Anonymous said...

As far as I know, only one selectman was in attendance -- he drove the budget committee chair to the meeting.

Anonymous said...

We can't force people to attend and we have the same problem with town mtgs. They are hostile and this discourages attendance. We need a better system that fits our times.

Anonymous said...

Well, town meeting is the law of the land. Teachers, contractors, town employees band together to protect their stake. We need a taxpayers' association to look after ours.

Len Mullen said...

webmaster, these comments have strayed from the original discussion. I apologize for that, as I have been primarily responsible for the drift.

I have posted an article called Bottom Line Budgets on http://danvilledelivery.wordpress.com. Please consider reposting that to your blog so that the discussion can continue under a more appropriate entry.

thanks...len!

Anonymous said...

The Atkinson Elderly Affairs Program is instituting a new program for our seniors. I have found on several occasions when doing a senior transport that the seniors have not been able to get out do any food shopping. One senior had only one frozen dinner left in her refrigerator. This should not be happening in our town. For that reason, we are offering this new program.

If a senior needs help on days when they cannot get to the store to purchase food, they only need to call the Police Station at 362-4001. We will have a person come to your home and pick you up to take you food shopping. That person will have a $100 food voucher to purchase your shopping needs. If you cannot do your own shopping, that person will provide that service for you. You only need to prepare a list and they will bring your groceries directly to your home and put them away for you.

We have also been receiving calls for fuel assistance. We received a call from an oil company stating that one of their customers only wanted to purchase 20 gallons of heating fuel, as that was all they could afford. The oil company gave us a call and we had them go to that senior’s home and fill the tank.

If you or one of your neighbors should find yourself in this situation, please give us a call and we will make sure that no senior in Atkinson goes cold or hungry. If you wish to call me directly, you can call me at my residence at 362-5627. All calls for service are held in the strictest confidence.

Phil Consentino

Director of Elderly Affairs

Police Chief

Anonymous said...

100 dollar food voucher, where does he get all this Money? who's doing the shopping? And most importantly is the PD phone going to be busy when I have an emergency as they are taking down the list.

Although this is great, there has to be a bunch of questions about this fund? Please help me understand?

Anonymous said...

In the past, families, neighbors, friends and the churches used to watch over the elderly. What a sad indictment for our current society. When no one is left that wants to spend their money and their time, in jumps the government. In the case of our town, that's the Police Department. How sad. Why would anyone let themselves become depressed, isolated and dependent on the government?

Sorry in advance for any errors in spelling and grammar.

Anonymous said...

That was the past. These days, families don't look out for each other the way they should, they are too selfish to be bothered.

Anonymous said...

I saw that disgraceful letter in the newspaper.

This is highly improper and unethical to be offering anyone $100.00 to take a ride from the Chief of Police. Where is this money coming from?

This is WRONG!

Anonymous said...

I called got my 100 dollars and went out and bought some ammo with it. This is a great town!!!!

Anonymous said...

So, we here on the AR 2, are more concerned with who the candidates are than what Chief Consentino is pulling under his Robin Hood disguise. Let's get some answers! First why should my grandmother be calling APD and telling the dispatcher what she wants at Market Basket?

So grammy can't get out of the house cause it's snowing so she calls 362-4001 and tells the dispatcher how she's love to go shopping but can't because she's afraid to drive in the snow. She explains that she needs a can of tuna (white meat in water), a quart of milk (2%), 1/8 lb of german bologna, a loaf of wonder bread, some jolly ranchers and some red wine (the kind that comes in a bag). Meanwhile the Emergency line is runging with cars off the road and a bit of a Domestic at the appartments.

Apparently they can wait cause Gram now has to give the list of things she needs at Walgreens......and you think I'm making this stuff up??????????

Anonymous said...

What is more than disgraceful,unethical, and improper is the 6:11 post. I do agree that the newspaper letter shouldn't have been used or published. Where is the protection of the persons identity who the money /oil money was given. The news of it will definitely get out some how because of someones leaking it out in an attempt to seek their job protection and glory.








That persons name will be spread around like wildfire to their not wanted embarrassment of needing help.

Anonymous said...

just another reason why Elderly Affairs should be separate from the PD

Anonymous said...

Serious lack of grey matter on the board of selectmen who ignore this decade after decade. Corruption and cronyism is what ruins small towns, we are the proof.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know if PVC ever makes it into the wills of those he aids?

Hmm Just wondering

Anonymous said...

I haven't seen Phil out and about, does anyone know if he is ok?

Anonymous said...

He's busy offering free food for program participation. Maybe a soup kitchen can be started at the PD. Drive-up chicken and rice to go. We deliver.

Anonymous said...

It is his time to go from the police department. He can stay with the elderly program and drive the elderly here and there. He can even head it . His time is as short as anyone his age. In this/that way there will be no hiding what goes on in town and justice will be equally given to all in need of it .... justice for those who seek it and those who those who have to have it given them in every way. Sorry if I seem to appear harsh but that is the way I feel, do you?

Anonymous said...

A little donation here and another there buys an awful lot of justice in Atkinson. Too bad the here and the there both point to Phil Consentino's Elderly Fund. And no donation means no justice for you. Not even $100 for food and fuel.

JMHO

Anonymous said...

He should not be in charge of anything pulic. No one has the right to turn down taxpayers requesting services. He is not fit to serve the Town and has proven it over and over.

Anonymous said...

So now it's in the CTN. Every senior who calls and can't get to the store WILL get a ride and a $100.00 food voucher. You want him out? Call. The Town HAS TO pay for this now.

Anonymous said...

Think of it this way.. you haven't been getting the services anyway. He won't give you anything if you call. He won't do anything to you if you do call (blog ). You are a hero. Go for it.

Anonymous said...

I'm fond of cats. Just can't eat one in a single session.

Sorry, just stirring the pot. This blog is usually quite active right up to the March elections and a few weeks thereafter. This year is already pretty quiet. I think the blog is falling apart. Where's Tim D? Where's Accaird? The Grants? It's over. Nothing has improved in town except our Armed Force members are honored on town hall property instead of in the outback at the old library. The rest of the corruption continues. We lose. Perhaps
we can kill the communications tower once and for all and redeem ourselves.

JMHO

Anonymous said...

I agree we havent even picked on PVC in a while, what's he up to anyway, I always see him out and about and I havent seen him in a few weeks.

AR get to the bottom of it.

Anonymous said...

Bill, Craig or Fred, although they could be the cast of the lastest 3 stoogers movie, who should we pick? AR please tell.

Anonymous said...

I wonder what would happen if Chief Consentino all of the sudden retired and ran a write in campaign for Selectman, could he win?

Anonymous said...

Interesting that as the Town of Plaistow's Emergency Management Director, Bill Baldwin has been absent from dealing with Hurricane Sandy and the latest snowstorm. He was away doing his Coast Guard duties. While admirable, I'm sure that's not what Plaistow is paying him that money for, and it only reinforces the fact that Baldwin is absent for anything of importance. Just ask his household.

Anonymous said...

Is it true Baldwin is PVC long lost son?

Anonymous said...

What is true...if BB wins, he can't participate in PD, EA either. Not around for Plaistow emergency mgmt. Well why o why is he in charge of this when he can be called up for service with the coast guard ? We have a candidate who can't do the jobs he has already. Why complicate it anymore? Ask him on candidates Nite what he can't do.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

I haven't seen him either but he's around the newspapers lately...

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
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Anonymous said...

Is no news good news?

Anonymous said...

simply dropping by to say hi

Anonymous said...

Don't worry, be happy. SOS. The corruption continues.

Anonymous said...

One tough pussy cat...

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

So everyone but the blog is talking about big changes a blowing in.

Anonymous said...

They are blowing and what do you think will change first?

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

The King is gone!

Anonymous said...

The questions is WHERE!

Anonymous said...

you are sleeping Atkinson Reporter. The ET has the chief going to play on his farm. Good for him.

Anonymous said...

Hopefully to jail or the poor house.

Anonymous said...

Hopefully everybody votes for Brian Klimaszewski!

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