From the Eagle Tribune;
May 13, 2011
Atkinson fire chief is top citizen
By Cara Hogan
chogan@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — Fire Chief Michael Murphy has served the town for 34 years. On Sunday, he will be honored as Atkinson's Citizen of the Year.
The Atkinson Lions Club gives out the award annually.
"The Lions Club members want to let someone in town know how much we appreciates what they have done," director Phil Consentino said. "This award is not given out lightly; there is an awful lot of thought that goes into it."
He said Murphy joined the volunteer fire department in 1977, and worked his way up, becoming chief in 1990.
"It's a lifetime achievement award," Consentino said. "He's served on many committees, is director of civil defense and now director of homeland security."
Consentino said he believes there will be a high turnout for the ceremony Sunday.
"I'm just humbled and happy they chose me," Murphy said.
Town Manager Phil Smith said Murphy does a wonderful job and deserves the award.
"Chief Murphy is an honest, good man and we, the town of Atkinson, are lucky to have him," he said.
"He works part-time for a stipend; he doesn't get an hourly rate. For what he's doing, it's unbelievable."
Murphy is well known in town.
"He's a natural choice, and everyone knows the contributions he makes to the town," Selectmen's Chairman William Bennett said.
Consentino said other recipients of the award have included Selectman Fred Childs, Town Hall administrative assistant Barbara Snicer and Town Clerk Linda Getty.
The Lions Club has been giving out the Citizen of the Year Award for the past 10 years.
• • •
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BOX MATERIAL FOLLOWS
Want to go?
What: Atkinson Citizen of the Year
Where: Atkinson Community Center, 4 Main St.
When: Sunday, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Who: Honoring fire Chief Michael Murphy
Atkinson Town Hall
The Norman Rockwellian picture of Atkinson
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37 comments:
Lions club gives out the award?
Con-man is the chairman?
Con-man is a town official?
Other recipients are all Town officials?
Me thinks (the Lion's Club made up of town officials)that I smell a rat.
The "Old Boy Network" at work again.
Doesn't it just figure in Atkinson?
Yup! Just more corruption amoungst thiefs.
I agree with 7:22 p.m.
Fire chief is a part timer working for a stipend.
How about Hampstead, Plaistow, Derry, Salem. Anyone who knows if any other fire chiefs work part time.
Did you ever stop to think that maybe these folks, town employees though they may be, do give back to the town to a greater or more visible degree than others? It doesn't mean they are corrupt.
Atkinson has the funds. Paying a full salary for full time is better for the Chief and for the town. Chief Murphy, can you say what your current full time job is and how many hours you have to work there? Also how much time you give the town as a part timer for all you do. That's a lot of hours. My opinion is the town could pay you full time and you can focus just on being the fire chief.
A FIRE CHIEF WITH NO FIRE,S
What does the fire fire chief do if no fires. He is not there to do nothing. Right?
Chief Murphy is getting an award after all.
It has been my experience that Chief Murphy has always been professional, and has a great temperament for the job.
And you can not judge the cost of a fire dept by the number of fires, because unlike other depts. You need to have the equipment and people ready to go if you have one fire or one hundred. At least Murphy, unlike some other dept. heads has always been able to demonstrate to the dollar any increase in his budget, and it was all legitimate(ie: new truck lease, passed by voters, etc)
Congratulations Chief!
By far the best choice for citizen on the year in a long time. Being a part timer, and dropping everything at the sound of a siren to go to every single fire and medical emergency is unbelievable . You'll be glad to know and safe to know that if you calln911 your sure someone will come. Not like other local towns where they need to call the dept two sometimes three times before someone shows up. Mike is always there, rain, snow, hurricane , and just to talk with.
Great choice for citizen of the year.
-atk_resident
There are many volunteers in town deserving of the award. I think Chief Murphy is a good choice; however, I think they should have an award recognizing the 100% volunteerism that goes unrecognized. A lot of good townspeople are not selected because the person leading the committee for the Lions club is non-other than Phil. Don't think there is no benefit to Phil cause its all about politics with him which taints the award.
Sorry I call em as I see em.
JMHO
Chief Murphy, I guess this means you are now obligated to the King Con. Make sure you kiss his ring before the ceremony.
Let's not forget Martha and Fred MacDonald; honored for many years of running the Atkinson Historical Society's antique car and truck show at and around their home. Viewed and enjoyed by hundreds but tons of work by Fred and Martha.
Hey Henry (Lions club member) How about all the (Non Lions club members) that have done good for this town for free? Is it because you are a member of the elite that you can't see past your own nose to recommend them for an award?
Is it because you are so entrenched in your OWN MIND (and the others in the Lions "CLUB")that only THE "CLUB" does good work?
You make me sick! I'm sick of your better than THOU attitude just because I'm not a member of your elite "CLUB"!
I'm tired of your attitude, YOUR ELITE CLUB" that think you are better than anybody else that does good work in MY TOWN!
Give it a rest already. YOU and YOUR CLUB put your pants on just the way the rest of us do. You are no better than the rest of us no matter what you say.
Unless, of course you want to expound on how much better you think you are as compared to us. That being the case............. do it here and now.
Go for it!
See you in church, HENRY.
jmho
Wow jhmo. You really are a bitter person. Hank said nothing about being better than anyone. You ask about all the non Lions who do good for the town, well, take a look at the recipients. Mike Murphy is not a Lion, nor is Patty Mangini, the MacDonalds, etc. The Lions are one organization in town that help make our community better. There are others and yes, there are individuals who are not organized. There's no need to diminish the good work that any of these people do, which is exactly what you have done. If someone makes you sick, maybe it's when you look in the mirror.
Dear jmho,
Just as May 17, 2011 6:37 AM said, you ARE bitter person.
A citizen using his own name, which is very rare here, responded to an entry in a very civil way and you attacked him like a rabid dog.
You, sir, have just lost whatever credibility you may have had. How are we to take anything you say seriously anymore?
Sorry, your 15 minutes is up. And that is my not so humble opinion.
Hank:
Your point is well taken. The negativity is based, I think, on the fact teh Committee Chair in the Lions club that names the Lion's Club Akinson Citizen of the Year is held by none other than Phil. It's obvious he's misused what should be positive recognition from a great organization for his own political purposes. Fred Childs was named Citizen of the Year for nothing more than election purposes to keep Fred in power to protect Phil. PERIOD. I know Fred does a lot for the town and has for many years, but he's also allowed a corrupt official to remain in office who should have been fired long ago. Naming Frank Polito as Citizen of the Year is another joke. If I started my own "Atkinson Lawsuit Generator of the Year", it would be tough to decide between Phil and Frank.
Like it or not, Phil taints a worthy cause.
All Just My Humble Little Opinion of course which I am entitled to.
Apologies as this is unrelated, but please see this forum post to fix a pop-up issue I keep finding on this blog!
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/blogger/thread?tid=4b628b87ba24b23e&hl=en
Speaking of generators, has the police dept's very expensive generator gone live yet? I heard its been over two years since a mystery contractor partially installed it?
Anyone out there willing to shed some light on this one?
maybe its just a false rumor but then again maybe not?
Speaking of missing Police equipment. They never explained what happened to the grant equipment they received to fix the communication problem.
The Lions club could take the taint off from themselves by demoting the Conman. If they want to keep the taint on themselves then they won't get rid of him. If they leave him in place, than the taint is their own doing.
If they don’t demote him then they are as guilty of POWER ABUISE as the Conman himself.
T I N A H O
This Town is not going to move forward and be the great little Town it could be until the problems with Town Government are addressed and resolved fully. 30 years is too long and if it's difficult to accomplish, do it anyway and stand firm, Just do it.
Would you rather live in a really great place or in your vision of a really great place?
may 17 polaria installed the generater but i heard it is working
he "installed" ? or did he fix the original contracters problem? from 2 or 3 years ago. Was he paid or did he donate his time?
Well I heard it's definitely NOT WORKING. Get your facts straight. Go to the PD and see the great use of your tax dollars. make sure you take pictures and post them on the internet and contact the tribune. Its just another 25 grand wasted by the conman. But we got a great deal becuz the conman started at 50 grand when he went to budget committee. Thanks Phil. Great job!
you get what you pay for.
I heard Pallaria did not do the work.
of course he didn't! It looks to be leverage the chief has over his bosses.... so who's buddy installed it if it wasn't the chiefs pal? one of the three amigos must know?
The electrician who installed it had to have pulled a permit. Go to the building inspector and get a copy.
New article
May 24, 2011
Atkinson could start Neighborhood Watch
By Cara Hogan
chogan@eagletribune.com The Eagle Tribune Tue May 24, 2011, 12:12 AM EDT
ATKINSON — After a number of attempted break-ins this month, police are trying to start a Neighborhood Watch to discourage burglaries in town.
Detective Sgt. Philip Farrar said police need the public's help, but not enough people have come forward yet.
"We have limited resources," he said. "We don't mind chasing reports of suspicious vehicles around town. We can't be in every driveway in town."
Because of the recent upsurge in crime, Farrar said he has heard from a few interested residents, but nothing has been officially organized.
"I had one lady that seemed really interested, and I sent over the pamphlet about the Neighborhood Watch," he said. "When she read it, she said it was too involved and didn't want to do it anymore."
Farrar said Atkinson has been trying, unsuccessfully, to start a Neighborhood Watch since 2010.
"There were a few break-ins at the time," he said. "When something goes on, people are interested in a Neighborhood Watch. But when it quiets down, it goes away."
Farrar said if someone is interested in starting the program, the police department will help set it up.
"It's not run by the police, it's run by citizens," he said. "It's just getting people to look out for each other. We'd meet with them once a month as a support role."
He said residents can decide how much time and effort they would like to put into the program, tailoring it to their needs. Once it's started, residents can put up signs to warn criminals the neighborhood is protected by a Neighborhood Watch, which could deter some crime.
Mary Carrubba lives on Conley Road, next door to a house burglars tried to break on May 5. The would-be thieves were scared off by an alarm.
"I was kind of shocked right after it happened," she said. "I have two kids and you start to worry since the road has been hit before."
She said a Neighborhood Watch seems like a great idea, but her neighborhood already has an informal watch.
"We all look out for each other," she said. "People will call if they see a strange vehicle in someone's driveway or whatever. I don't know what it would involve more than what we do already."
Carrubba said she wouldn't be the first person to step up to lead a Neighborhood Watch because she has to take care of her children.
"But if everyone is in on it, I'm all for it," she said.
William Jeffrey lives on Westside Drive, a street where a suspicious incident occurred a few weeks ago.
"I think it's a terrific idea to have a Neighborhood Watch," he said. "I'd support it and I'd be happy to join in on it. I hope we get some leadership and get going on it."
But he said he'd rather not take a lead role.
"I'd like to be in more of a follower role," he said. "I'd be willing to cooperate with police on this. I do already look for suspicious things in the neighborhood and have reported things in the past. It's just a matter of being vigilant and keeping your eyes open."
Farrar said he hopes more citizens will come forward to volunteer.
"The burglars are pretty brazen these days," he said. "They pull right up the driveway and knock on the doors. The community and the police department need to work together."
• • •
This is baloney. Try calling in when you witness a crime and all you get is a cop telling you that you're the only one who saw it and you are the problem.
Farrar, you of all people, you attack people who actually try to help around this town and make this place better. You talk about hating to arrest people when you have too and you expect the residents to stick their necks out for a group who sits on their hands?
What we need is competent and willing people in the police department and then things will get better.
Congrats to Chief Murphy he truly deserves the award!
On another note after watching last night BOS Show I thought I was watch a bad version of Saturday Night Live. The first half hour Mr Bennett attempts to appoint committee members (something that even he acknowldges should have been done months ago). They go half way thru it and Friel is so confused with that they decide to recind all the appontment til next week. Guess what? There is no meeting next week so they just put it off for 2 weeks, June 6 will be the next time we see the 3 clowns.
Next, apparently they ordered Chief Consentino to appear at the meeting. Hmm to tell him they have no clue what they are doing with the PD's attempt to replace Baldwin.
These Selectmen are clueless and are soon to be exposed!!! Remember I have more power than any of you.
As said, they are adrift.
Dear men of the Board of Selectmen,
You are adrift without a paddle because it takes guts to stand up to people behind the curtain that are making your decisions for you,
If you stand up for what is right then you start to find your way. If you tell the truth you get clear headed. If you follow the law then you find your moral compass. If you refuse to support law breakers then you are piloting a battleship instead of a canoe without a paddle.
If you protect your decision making from known town bullies that have been ursurping the authority of the BOS for years, that's the challenge.
This is how it works. If you refuse to defend your own territory, as a man, you are lost. if you don't take control and defend your own territory you lose your authority, It takes balls to defend your own territory. You will be challenged. So fill every cell of your body with testosterone and be a man.
yikes.
anyway...
dear bos, this friday you have the opportunity, yet again, to do the right thing. the events of a few years ago were appalling to those who saw our town meeting and saw a persons rights taken away. it was a very bad thing that happened. to see the town and it's leaders, present and former, continue to try to prove the fault was not yours is very wrong.
you need to resolve this before it goes to court on friday and wastes any more of the taxpayers money, just to feed egos.
and that goes for the next case too. you are wrong, residents are right.
Subject: Captain Bullshit
This fellow said very directly what many of us "over fifty" folks have been saying for some time. It's time that the politicians quit referring to Social Security as an entitlement program. WE paid for it. It was a very solvent program until Congress pilfered BILLIONS away to pay for their scandalous entitlement programs Those programs are benefiting people who never paid one cent into them. Please read the following:
THIS SENIOR CITIZEN NAILED IT.! !
Alan Simpson, Senator from Wyoming , Co-Chair of Obama's deficit commission, calls senior citizens the Greediest Generation as he compared "Social Security" to a Milk Cow with 310 million teats August, 2010.
Here's a response in a letter from a unknown fellow in Montana .... I think he is a little ticked off! He also tells it like it is !
---------
"Hey Alan, let's get a few things straight..
1. As a career politician, you have been on the public dole for FIFTY YEARS.
2.. I have been paying Social Security taxes for 48 YEARS (since I was 15 years old. I am now 63). (Note I said "paying". Social Security is NOT an entitlement as you would have us think. We PAID for that right, unlike you Congressional 'employees'.)
3 My Social Security payments, and those of millions of other Americans, were safely tucked away in an interest bearing account for decades until you political pukes decided to raid the account and give OUR money to a bunch of zero ambition losers in return for votes, thus bankrupting the system and turning Social Security into a Ponzi scheme that would have made Bernie Madoff proud.
4. Recently, just like Lucy & Charlie Brown, you and your ilk pulled the proverbial football away from millions of American seniors nearing retirement and moved the goalposts for full retirement from age 65 to age 67. NOW, you and your shill commission are proposing to move the goalposts YET AGAIN.
5 I, and millions of other Americans, have been paying into Medicare from Day One, and now you morons propose to change the rules of the game. Why? Because you idiots mismanaged other parts of the economy to such an extent that you need to steal money from Medicare to pay the bills.
6. I, and millions of other Americans, have been paying income taxes our entire lives, and now you propose to increase our taxes yet again. Why? Because you incompetent bastards spent our money so profligately that you just kept on spending even after you ran out of money. Now, you come to the American taxpayers and say you need more to pay off YOUR debt.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To add insult to injury, you label us "greedy" for calling "bullshit" on your incompetence. Well, Captain Bullshit, I have a few questions for YOU.
1. How much money have you earned from the American taxpayers during your pathetic 50-year political career?
2. At what age did you retire from your pathetic political career, and how much are you receiving in annual retirement benefits from the American taxpayers?
3. How much do you pay for YOUR government provided health insurance?
4. What cuts in YOUR retirement and healthcare benefits are you proposing in your disgusting deficit reduction proposal, or, as usual,have you exempted yourself and your political cronies?
It is you, Captain Bullshit, and your political co-conspirators called Congress who are the "greedy" ones. It is you and your fellow nut cases who have bankrupted America and stolen the American dream from millions of loyal, patriotic taxpayers. And for what? Votes. That's right, sir. You and yours have bankrupted America for the sole purpose of advancing your pathetic political careers. You know it, we know it, and you know that we know it.
And you can take that to the bank, you miserable ASS .
If you like the way things are in America , delete this. If you agree with what a fellow citizen says, PASS IT ON ! !
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