From the Eagle Tribune;
September 17, 2010
Atkinson police lieutenant back from military tour
By Doug Ireland direland@eagletribune.com direland@eagletribune.com Fri Sep 17, 2010, 01:38 AM EDT
ATKINSON — As a member of the town's police force, Lt. William Baldwin is ready to respond at a moment's notice while on duty.
But for the last year, Baldwin found himself ready to respond around the clock while with the U.S. military in Iraq. The Coast Guard reservist is back in Atkinson.
"I'm very glad to be home," said Baldwin, who is married and has 11- and 14-year-old daughters. "You get a different perspective when you are away."
A different perspective it was.
While deployed, the local police lieutenant and Timberlane Regional School Board member was part of a multinational force protecting the Basra oil terminal in the Persian Gulf, nine miles off the coast. The terminal is used to export much of Iraq's oil to world markets.
Although Baldwin said he couldn't go into detail about his service in Iraq because it is classified, he did say it was challenging.
"You're always at 24/7," he said. "You know what the risks are. We're just well trained and well prepared. It's a tough area to defend."
Baldwin also said it was a privilege to work with the British Royal Navy as they assisted Iraqi forces and helped prepare them for the task of protecting their own oil terminal once U.S. troops withdraw from Iraq.
"It was a great experience working with different cultures," he said. "The positive part of that is we're educating and training them so they can be on their own."
Baldwin returned to the United States in late August after being deployed in September 2009, and was reunited with his wife, Jennifer, and daughters Mackenzie and Brittany.
"They're very happy," he said.
This wasn't the first time Baldwin was separated from his family for months. In 2003-2004, he served as a gunner on a ship in the Persian Gulf.
Baldwin's family members aren't the only ones happy he has returned.
Atkinson police Chief Philip Consentino is glad his second-in-command is back, making his job much easier since he often found himself handling day-to-day duties Baldwin usually performed.
"It was tough," Consentino said. "Now that he's back, we're in good shape."
Baldwin has been with the police force since 1997. While the department has about 16 part-time employees, it only has five who work full time.
"Everyone else chipped in and everyone persevered," Consentino said.
Baldwin returned to the Atkinson Police Department only days after returning home. He also has returned to his seat on the Timberlane School Board, which met last night.
Although Baldwin is back to his old routine, it hasn't been easy for someone who became accustomed to long, grueling shifts while in Iraq, working all hours of the day and night.
"It's going to take some time," he said. "I'm still trying to get the sleeping habits again."
While Baldwin is glad to be back, he said he is especially grateful to everyone who supported him and the other troops deployed overseas.
"People in this town have been so gracious," he said. "I'm so appreciative of all the packages and well-wishes. It really helps out a lot. You get a little bit of home."
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25 comments:
Welcome back Bill.
I am glad you are home safe and sound but I was very dismayed to hear that you left us without a temporary representative on the school board.
During your absence we found out that the town received federal grant equipment several years ago for the police communication problem. The Town says that you were in charge of this equipment and some of it is 'unaccounted for'. Can you find it?
To Administrator:
There is an important mid-term election coming up.
I for one am curious to hear others' choices and their rationale.
How about starting threads on the House, Senate and Governor races? It doesn't ALWAYS have to be about Atkinson.
Wow, I thought there would be at least 100 posts by now given past discussions of the Lt. Mellowing in your old age?
September 21, 2010 5:55 PM: Go back and read the welcome message. THIS ABOUT ATKINSON. There are other forums for your topics.
To 9/21 @ 8:56
Why Yes... you're right.
Your post looking to instill typical blog ugliness (this time about the Lt.) is much more substantive.
Who wants to discuss those boring US Rep, Senate and Governor races when we can instead talk trash about the Lt.?
Attitudes like yours give fuel to the argument that there should be an intelligence means test to vote. I don't think you'd get over the bar.
When someone leaves the town without proper representation, I want to know why. When someone is responsible for equipment that is now missing, I want to know why.
This is not trash talking. He owes us an explanation and maybe a letter of resignation.
"Your post looking to instill typical blog ugliness (this time about the Lt.) is much more substantive."
Hardly. Past discussions of the Lt. have generated great emotion. I said nothing neither positive or negative about the Lt. I was just making an observation. Your reply says a lot more about you than mine do about me.
As I also pointed out, there are dozens of other forums and outlets to talk politics. Why do you want to bring that here? Your mind is already made how you're going to vote, as is most others. Nothing said here is going to change anyone's mind in today's hyper partisanship environment.
"should be an intelligence means test to vote." ???????????
The blog is not here to instill ugliness into this forum, because it is already there.
It is a way to inform some people from this Town of the ugliness that has been happening for too many years.
What people feel and want to express
is their right. We are not third world yet.
If you don't like it don't log on and get over it.
We welcome Lieutenant Baldwin back. He is a gentleman and its an honor to know him. Thank you Officer Baldwin for your service and we all thank God for your safe return.
To 10:22
Again, you are right. You did not say anything good or bad about the Lt.
And I'm sure your "observation" had no intent to incite the usual anti-Lt. vitriol we've seen ad nauseum.
yeah... right.
September 24, 2010 4:04 PM
Yes, you're indeed right. I applaud your perception abilities.
This man just came back from serving our country. For your freedom so you can write your ignorant comments on this blog and you are mad that he left the school district with out a replacement. Are you joking? You people ALL need a lesson in manners. I hope your children dont read the filth you post.. Thank you Bill for all you do..Im sorry this is what you have come home too! ( How about this I have no ties to Phil and I posted this...) It's the nice thing to do.
aCTUALLY WE ARE PISSED THAT WE DID NOT HAVE REPRESENTATION ON THE SCHOOL BOARD FOR THE PAST YEAR, and THAT IT WAS A VIOLATION OF MILITARY REGS FOR HIM TO DO THAT!
"you are mad that he left the school district with out a replacement. Are you joking?"
Actually, no, we are not joking. He was elected to an important position representing the taxpayers of Atkinson. For 1 year he was unable to fulfill that obligation.
The reason is not relevant. It is accepted practice: If you cannot fulfill your duties for an extended period of time (and I think a year qualifies), you resign from it and we get someone who can do the job.
"You people ALL need a lesson in manners." And you need a lesson in civics. Extended leaves of absence do not apply to elected positions. What if our Congressman was called up? Would you accept our district not being represented for one year?
This is comical. I thought the misplaced rage on the Osborn track was terrible. Then I come over here and see what you're writing about one of the town's great people, Lt. Baldwin. What miserable human beings you are! All in the name of the TOWN OF ATKINSON. Well aren't you righteous heros? I've lived here for close to twenty years and know all the players. Anyone with a BS filter knows that the Atkinson Reporter 2, despite claims of impartiality, is heavy on the S.
Im glad to see someone else thinks these comments are disgusting! The man was not on a vacation he was fighting a war. Left his friends and his family for our freedom! This section of this blog makes me sick!
"The man was not on a vacation he was fighting a war."
Who said anything about him being on vacation? I applaud his service to our country. Does that grant him a blanket waiver when that service leaves the community who elected him to the school board without representation for a whole year?
The bulk of our property taxes goes to the schools. Don't you think the honorable thing to do when we was call to serve our country was to resign from the school committee so another Atkinson resident could represent us for the time he was gone?
Tell me, please. What is disgusting about expecting him to do the right thing?
If pointing out the obvious makes you sick, take two aspirin and stop reading.
It's making you sick because its toxic to your soul. Mr. "Two Aspirin" is drowning in this toxic bitterness and can't see the forest for the trees. Normal, well-rounded people with a positive outlook on life don't spend all day writing in blogs or writing in the comments section of the Eagle Tribune. This isn't about Lt. Baldwin, it's about finding something to complain about under the guise of being the "guardian for the people".
Yes Sir.... I suppose if I agreed with you, you would feel different but because I think your words to the LT are disgusting " Welcome Back bill BUT" there are sooooo many things wrong with that. Sooo many! Why didn't you go over sea's so Bill could stay here and take care of the school board.. YOU PEOPLE NEED TO GET A LIFE! Tell me do you have kids? how would you feel if that was your son? Would you care about the flippn school board.
PS. Yes it does and should grant him a blanket.. and if it doesn't IT SHOULD again he did not just up and leave the community for a vacation.
PS. Yes it does and should grant him a blanket.. and if it doesn't IT SHOULD again he did not just up and leave the community for a vacation.
PS. Yes it does and should grant him a blanket.. and if it doesn't IT SHOULD again he did not just up and leave the community for a vacation.
Somebody back up the bus and ship this bunch of blogging loonies down to Massachusetts. What a sad, sorry lot you all are. Hey, I heard someone took an extra piece of candy out of the dish in town hall. Maybe you can do some quality investigative journalism on that and blog the names out to the rest of us.
"Mr. "Two Aspirin" is drowning in this toxic bitterness and can't see the forest for the trees. "
I'm hardly drowning and I see the forest just fine. I make an observation, didn't call anyone any names, and kept my tone even.
But, it does not matter. It's clear that the FOB's (Friends of Bill) are passionate, though a little irrational at times, in their devotion to the Lt. I'll just forget about that little pay fiasco the last time he served, or the fact he sued his employer, US. The man is a saint, and thanks to the FOB's, I'm now convinced he is. Thank you.
Perhaps Lt. Baldwin has earned our respect, trust and benefit of the doubt? What's striking about this blog is your condescending sarcasm when we the voters choose to dismiss your blog attacks. You may think you know what's best for all your fellow residents, but I've never seen you sincerely apologize when you're wrong. You can tell us not to read the blog if it offends us but you know full well that what you write is public forever, whether it's right or sometimes very, very wrong.
October 4, 2010 11:08 AM
Go back and re-read your nonsense. You make the assumption only one person is critical of the Lt. or anything else. Open you eyes darling, this blog is full of complainers.
I really love this: "but I've never seen you sincerely apologize when you're wrong."
How do know that I haven't? In fact, I have indeed apologized on this blog for posting inaccurate information. How about you? I do know I never heard an apology from the Lt. for suing us or his multiple cases of double dipping.
I'm sorry. It is difficult to give anyone the benefit of the doubt when they keep putting our trust in them into question.
I will also say this. The Lt. is a nice guy and he works his a** off. That still doesn't change the facts regarding his history here. If the truth hurts, I'm sorry about that but the truth is the truth and has to be accepted.
Everything I've said about the Lt. is documented public knowledge. That means it is not rumor, slander, libel, or as someone put it, "Toxic Bitterness". Personally, I'm not bitter. I call'em as I see'em. I'm glad he's back, safe and sound.
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