From the Eagle Tribune;
Letter: Forced changes in elderly fund no improvement
To the editor:
This letter is in response to your editorial of Nov. 17. I would like to set the record straight for the second time with your paper. I previously came to your office and explained the process of how the Elderly Affairs Department and the Police Departments Donation/Equipment fund worked. I will again advise you of the process that has been in place since 1994.
You mention in your editorial the word "transparency" of the funds we received and how those funds were spent. Let's set that record straight. Whenever the Police Department wanted to use funds from our Donation/Equipment fund, the selectman were required to hold a public hearing during their regularly scheduled meeting. During this posted public hearing, I advised the selectmen exactly why we wanted to take funds out of this account. The selectmen then opened the public hearing to the public to see if they had any questions on how or why these funds were being requested. At the conclusion of that public hearing, the selectmen took a vote to authorize the withdrawal of these funds.
Once a receipt was obtained for the items requested, that receipt was turned into the town's bookkeeper and she then produced a check. That check was sent to the Board of Selectmen for another approval prior to the funds being expended. That is open and full transparency. At least once a month, a resident would come to the bookkeeper's office to look over all of the receipts that were paid out of the Police Departments Donation/equipment fund.
That again is full and open transparency.
Now let me tell you how the new approved system is working. All funds received into the new Atkinson Police Charitable Fund are no longer open to scrutiny by the public, because, under direction of the attorney general's office, we were required to open a nonprofit charitable trust that is not open to public scrutiny under the right to know law. We are not required to advise anyone how these donations are going to be spent, or provide any receipts for these expenditures. This account no longer has full transparency as it did prior to the separation.
You also stated that I was the only person who decided how these donations were to be spent. That was not true. Any senior that needed assistance only had to ask the Police Department and we then provided them with the assistance they requested. Now that these funds are under the control of the charitable fund, we will adhere to the state laws governing a nonprofit charitable fund. Under the guidance of the attorney general's office, we set up a board of directors. They are Philip Consentino, president; William Anderson, vice president; Robert Neill; treasurer, Roger Culliford, secretary; and Richard Magoon, recording secretary. All of the directors are members of the Atkinson Police Department's Elderly Affairs Division. Most seniors would rather go without than to go to the Town Hall and fill out a 15-page life history form just to get a one-time assistance with an oil delivery. That is why so many seniors know that they can always come to the Police Department and get the help that they need. So nothing really has changed except we are no longer transparent.
There will no longer be any public hearings advising the residents of how these donations will be spent. You will no longer be allowed to look over all of the receipts and slips indicating what these funds were used for. Remember, this new charitable trust was set up by the N.H. attorney general's Charitable Trust Division. We did not request to take the transparency away from the public; this was done against our wishes.
As far as separating the Police Department from the Elderly Affairs Department, this is a lose-lose situation for the town. We now have to turn over the full responsibility of the two old police cruisers and the new wheelchair van to the Elderly Affairs Department.
Who is going to maintain these vehicles? Who is going to pay for all of the repairs? All of these expenses were paid through the Police Department's Donation/Equipment Fund. This can no longer be accomplished, because these vehicles are no longer under the control of the Police Department. Who takes the calls from seniors looking for rides to the doctors? Who houses all of the medical supplies? Who helps seniors when they have a problem with Medicare or a contractor that did not complete a job? That's right, the Police Department. The Elderly Affairs program cannot provide the services to our seniors that we do without the interaction of the Police Department.
Can you tell me is this new separation and new charitable fund going to help the residents of Atkinson or is it now going to reduce or completely dissolve the Elderly Affairs program? Please get your facts straight prior to printing your editorials.
PHILIP V. CONSENTINO
Police chief
Director of elderly affairs
President of the Atkinson Police
Charitable Fund
Atkinson, N.H.
Atkinson Town Hall
The Norman Rockwellian picture of Atkinson
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13 comments:
Chief said "Whenever the Police Department wanted to use funds from our Donation/Equipment fund, the selectman were required to hold a public hearing during their regularly scheduled meeting. During this posted public hearing, I advised the selectmen exactly why we wanted to take funds out of this account. The selectmen then opened the public hearing to the public to see if they had any questions on how or why these funds were being requested. At the conclusion of that public hearing, the selectmen took a vote to authorize the withdrawal of these funds."
NOT TRUE! Selectmen almost NEVER voted to spend any money!
You spent money you never mentioned in the public hearings!
You asked for money to be spent that never was!
Phil says -
"Who is going to maintain these vehicles? Who is going to pay for all of the repairs? All of these expenses were paid through the Police Department's Donation/Equipment Fund."
This is a bold faced lie. Atkinson Taxpayers paid for it through PD dept funds without anyone approving it.
Show us the receipts. Did the selectmen ever once approve funds that were asked for to pay for EA vehicle maintenance? Someone please show me the evidence!
Hey Phil,
you sent out a fundraising flier saying that the Police donation acct. was operating under a new name. but everything was the same.
If that is true, then why wouldn't you pay for the same expenses out of your new slush fund?
Having a temper tantrum, are we?
Good point. If the slush fund is still there, why wouldn't it continue to be used to pay for the EA vehicle maintenance?
He speaketh with forked tongue.
Can someone explain to me why we need our own police department? Can't we contract with Plaistow to cover Atkinson? We would save a bundle. Last I looked there is virtually no crime here.
The Town's police donation acct. still exists! It is under the management of the Trustees of the Trust Funds, like it Should have been all along!
FULLY ACCOUNTABLE TO THE TOWN AND THE STATE!
Unlike Phil's private slush fund, the "Atkinson police charitable fund"
Given the choice, why would anyone donate to the slush fund?
Why doesn't anyone close to Phil try to talk him out of sending letters like this? Does he really think he is helping his cause with his angry, defiant, "I don't have to tell you anything" tone?
Phil said "At least once a month, a resident would come to the bookkeeper's office to look over all of the receipts that were paid out of the Police Departments Donation/equipment fund."
Who was the resident, and how does he know?
Hey Phil'
I know the law doesnt REQUIRE you to tell how you spend money, but if TRANSPARENCY is your goal, nothing FORCEs you to not tell.
I have two comments to make about this ridiculous attempt at justifying a this new scam.
1) Consentino states "So nothing really has changed except we are no longer transparent." This is where he tells us that he will not be accountable anymore. Was he ever? No, that's why the AG stepped in.
2) He states "The Elderly Affairs program cannot provide the services to our seniors that we do without the interaction of the Police Department." Ok so that means YOU ARE NOT GETTING PD FUNDED SERVICES ANYMORE, SO DON"T CONTRIBUTE TO HIS NEW SLUSH FUND BECAUSE IT'S NOT FOR YOU, IT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS WHERE THE MONEY GOES. THE PD BUDGET HAS BEEN ILLEGALLY SPENT ON YOU FOR TOO LONG, LOVE PHIL.
Contribute = STUPID. If he cared about the elders, he would not be using them as pawns in this scheme to control and manipulate.
CONTRIBUTE TO THE TOWN FUND HELD BY THE TRUSTEE **ONLY**, there's where the accountability will be, the RTK laws will protect us.
He Lies to the seniors in his mailing saying "we are just operating under a new name" telling them nothing will change, while he tells us in the paper, that the things that used to be paid by the donation acct. now have to be in the budget because his fund wont pay for those things anymore, and that you cant ask him any questions about how he spends money!
WHY CANT YOU SPEND YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY ON THE SAME THINGS WE ALWAYS DID, PHIL?
Phil you cant play the victim here, if you did things right before the complaints, and did everything in public, there never would have been complaints!
But you didn't you threw a tamper tantrum every time anyone asked you about elderly affairs, then you would lie by telling the elderly that the town wanted to end the program, and only Saint Phil stood stopping them.
Well, this is what happens.
If you REALLY cared about the elderly FIRST, you would disclose properly how you spend the money, and where it comes from, to end the slush fund comments.
If you REALLY cared about the elderly FIRST, you would have just allowed the donation account to be managed by the Trustees of the Trust Funds! If everything was open and accountable, why couldn't they manage it? Why did you have to form your own PRIVATE fund?
And Funny how all the directors of this fund are paid by YOU! No conflict there, huh?
You never learn! Once a bully, always a bully!
PLEASE CONSIDER THIS AS AN ARTICLE SUBMISSION
ATKINSON POLICE CHIEF TRIES TO MISLEAD THE TAXPAYERS AGAIN
Phil Says: Forced changes in elderly improvement
From the Eagle Tribune;
Letter: Forced changes in elderly fund no improvement
To the editor:
This letter is in response to your editorial of Nov. 17. I would like to set the record straight for the second time with your paper. I previously came to your office and explained the process of how the Elderly Affairs Department and the Police Departments Donation/Equipment fund worked. I will again advise you of the process that has been in place since 1994.
SECOND TIME, WHEN WAS THE FIRST? IS PHIL RESPONSIBLE FOR MEGAN LEAVING THE EAGLE TRIBUNE? WHAT RIGHT DOES PHIL HAVE TO ADVISE ANY NEWSPAPER ABOUT ANYTHING?
You mention in your editorial the word "transparency" of the funds we received and how those funds were spent. Let's set that record straight. Whenever the Police Department wanted to use funds from our Donation/Equipment fund, the selectman were required to hold a public hearing during their regularly scheduled meeting. During this posted public hearing, I advised the selectmen exactly why we wanted to take funds out of this account. The selectmen then opened the public hearing to the public to see if they had any questions on how or why these funds were being requested. At the conclusion of that public hearing, the selectmen took a vote to authorize the withdrawal of these funds.
THIS IS A HALF TRUTH. GRANTED, A MEETING WAS HELD, BUT NO VOTE WAS EVER TAKEN. HALF TRUTHS DO NOT SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT.
Once a receipt was obtained for the items requested, that receipt was turned into the town's bookkeeper and she then produced a check. That check was sent to the Board of Selectmen for another approval prior to the funds being expended. That is open and full transparency.
IF THIS WERE TRUE, WHY DOESN’T THE AMOUNTS MATCH UP WITH THE AMOUNTS REQUESTED? AGAIN, MORE LIES FROM OUR CHIEF. SHAME ON HIM FOR MISLEADING THE TRUTH TO THE PUBLIC THAT PAYS HIM.
PLEASE SEE:
http://www.atkinsontaxpayers.org/pdf/Donation_Ledger2005.pdf
http://www.atkinsontaxpayers.org/pdf/Donation_Ledger2006.pdf
http://www.atkinsontaxpayers.org/pdf/Donation_Ledger2007-08.pdf
At least once a month, a resident would come to the bookkeeper's office to look over all of the receipts that were paid out of the Police Departments Donation/equipment fund. That again is full and open transparency.
THE PEOPLE OF ATKINSON WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE NAME OF THE PERSON (S) WHO DID THIS ONCE A MONTH. WAS IT THE CHIEF’S WIFE?
Now let me tell you how the new approved system is working. All funds received into the new Atkinson Police Charitable Fund are no longer open to scrutiny by the public, because, under direction of the attorney general's office, we were required to open a nonprofit charitable trust that is not open to public scrutiny under the right to know law.
THIS IS ANOTHER LIE. THE AGO DID NOT DEMAND THE TOWN SET UP A NON-PROFIT THE TAXPAYERS WOULD NOT FIND TRANSPARENT. PHIL CREATED HIS OWN ACCOUNT SO IT WOULDN’T BE TRANSPARENT. THIS IS HIS OWN PRIVATE NON-PROFIT ACCOUNT. THE GOOD NEWS IS TAXPAYERS CAN STILL DONATE TO THE TRUSTEE OF THE TOWN TRUST FUND. THAT ACCOUNT IS TRANSPARENT. WHY WOULD ANYONE DONATE TO PHIL’S ACCOUNT. THE ANSWER IS: BECAUSE PHIL WILL FORCE THEM TO, IF THEY WANT SERVICES TO CONTINUE.
We are not required to advise anyone how these donations are going to be spent, or provide any receipts for these expenditures. This account no longer has full transparency as it did prior to the separation.
THIS IS WHY THE CHIEF SET UP HIS OWN ACCOUNT.
You also stated that I was the only person who decided how these donations were to be spent. That was not true. Any senior that needed assistance only had to ask the Police Department and we then provided them with the assistance they requested. Now that these funds are under the control of the charitable fund, we will adhere to the state laws governing a nonprofit charitable fund. Under the guidance of the attorney general's office, we set up a board of directors. They are Philip Consentino, president; William Anderson, vice president; Robert Neill; treasurer, Roger Culliford, secretary; and Richard Magoon, recording secretary. All of the directors are members of the Atkinson Police Department's Elderly Affairs Division.
OF COURSE THEY ARE BECAUSE THEY WILL DO ANYTHING THE CHIEF TELLS THEM TO DO.
Most seniors would rather go without than to go to the Town Hall and fill out a 15-page life history form just to get a one-time assistance with an oil delivery. That is why so many seniors know that they can always come to the Police Department and get the help that they need. So nothing really has changed except we are no longer transparent.
BECAUSE THAT’S THE WAY THE CHIEF WANTED IT.
There will no longer be any public hearings advising the residents of how these donations will be spent. You will no longer be allowed to look over all of the receipts and slips indicating what these funds were used for. Remember, this new charitable trust was set up by the N.H. attorney general's Charitable Trust Division.
NO IT WASN’T, YOU DID THIS CHIEF.
We did not request to take the transparency away from the public; this was done against our wishes.
THIS WAS EXACTLY WHAT THE CHIEF WANTED, SO IT WOULD NOT BE TRANSPARENT.
As far as separating the Police Department from the Elderly Affairs Department, this is a lose-lose situation for the town. We now have to turn over the full responsibility of the two old police cruisers and the new wheelchair van to the Elderly Affairs Department.
IT’S THE BEGINNING OF A WIN-WIN SITUATION. IT WILL BE AS SOON AS WE GET PHIL OUT OF ELDERLY AFFAIRS COMPLETELY.
Who is going to maintain these vehicles? Who is going to pay for all of the repairs? All of these expenses were paid through the Police Department's Donation/Equipment Fund. This can no longer be accomplished, because these vehicles are no longer under the control of the Police Department.
YES IT CAN, WE WILL TAKE IT OUT OF YOUR POLICE BUDGET AND PUT THE MONEY INTO THE ELDERLY AFFAIRS BUDGET WHERE IT BELONGS. NO MORE BLOATED POLICE BUDGET FOR YOU CHIEF.
Who takes the calls from seniors looking for rides to the doctors? Who houses all of the medical supplies? Who helps seniors when they have a problem with Medicare or a contractor that did not complete a job? That's right, the Police Department. The Elderly Affairs program cannot provide the services to our seniors that we do without the interaction of the Police Department.
YES THE COMMUNITY CENTER CAN DO ALL THESE THINGS WITHOUT PHIL.
Can you tell me is this new separation and new charitable fund going to help the residents of Atkinson or is it now going to reduce or completely dissolve the Elderly Affairs program?
THE ELDERLY AFFAIRS PROGRAM WILL NOT BE DISSOLVED. WE INTEND TO INCREASE SERVICES FOR EVERYONE (NOT JUST YOUR CHOSEN FEW) WHILE BEING TRANSPARENT. THE ELDERLY WILL DO BETTER WITHOUT YOU CHIEF. WE WILL SEE TO IT. AS MUCH AS YOU WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO BELIEVE YOU ARE THE BEGINNING AND END ALL FOR ELDERLY AFFAIRS, YOU ARE NOT.
Please get your facts straight prior to printing your editorials.
THE PAPER HAS IT FACTS STRAIGHT. IT’S THE CHIEF THAT IS MISLEADING THE PUBLIC.
PHIL, STOP INTIMIDATING AND LYING TO THE PUBLIC AND OUR ELDERLY! THEY DON’T DESERVE BEING MISTREATED. YOU SIR, ARE THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WE HAVE IN OUR TOWN. STEP DOWN NOW.
PHILIP V. CONSENTINO
Police chief
Director of elderly affairs
President of the Atkinson Police
Charitable Fund
Atkinson, N.H.
ATKINSON TAXPAYERS COMMITTEE
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