The answer is of course they do! So why don't our selectmen take steps to stop the wasteful spending of our tax dollars, on things like paying sick time, in violation of established town policy, so the employee could go work somewhere else, in effect double dipping at our expense?
Is this right? There was a time when we had budget committee members that watched the expense reports and questioned this type of activity. That way even if they couldn't get the selectmen to do the right thing, they at least let the public know they were being fleeced. But no longer.
Vote at right and let the selectmen know what you think!
Atkinson Town Hall
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7 comments:
I've watched a few budget meetings -- the chairman seems to ask some questions, though he was probably picked since he was expected not to ask too many questions. His test will be whether he has the guts to stand up to the chief and his "off shore accounts" manner of covering up his slush funds...
Have you ever noticed that our "Honest" selectmen open the "Public Hearing" then let the Chief withdraw monies from questionable accounts, then close the "Public Hearing" without comment? Ever question why? Hmmm
Perhaps you should.
Perhaps we should question what their "payback" is. Perhaps we should ask why anyone would run for such a "time consuming" job for three thousand dollars a year. Anyone but me, think there is a reason for it? Hmmmmmmmm?
Believe me, to do the job of selectman right, requires a lot more time invested than $3,000 can pay you for.
The issue with our current and former board has never been one of money or kickbacks, it is a matter of friendships, and an unwillingness to do what is right, regardless of the consequences, in my humble opinion.
Political power and getting one's way, is the driving factor. But in your Chiefs case, i'm sure there are alot of items that get paid for out of all of those accounts that don't have to do with police or elderly buisness. Some one who does not give all the facts when asked is usually up to some kind of monkey buisness.
selectmen exercise their financial watchdog authority when it comes to Teddy, but they ignore the $800,000 PD, or all the slush funds... um... i'm sorry, donation accounts. They ignore all the legal fees Consentino's actions cost the town, and have cost the town for 30 years!
Go look at the Atkinson Taxpayer website.
In 2005 the towns attorney spent the WHOLE YEAR defending Consentino, not the town! and why? because he was too arrogant to leave police matters alone as a selectmen!
So because of one man's ego, and the selectmen looking the other way, the town spent thousands on legal fees, and the towns attorney got his salary TRIPLED at the end of the year, in a negotiation with Consentino! Where is the outrage?
I agree with Mark. Many of those running the town have known each other for years, may have even grown up together. It can be really hard to tell a friend they did something wrong and there will be consequences.
However, those elected to public office have a sworn duty to serve the public trust. It has been said in one form or another many times, if a fraction of the stuff that goes on in this town were to be done in the private sector, many would be firing offenses, no questions allowed.
What is needed is some really tough love. Friendships aside, wrong doing must be stopped. It is an embarrassment to the citizens, and it has cost the taxpayers real money.
Sure the chief has friends, but start adding up the $$$$$$ his tenure has cost and think to yourself, its your money too.
Tough love hits it on the nose. A job of our selectman is in a way like being a parent, they can't be the children's best friend all of the time.
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