As suggested here is a post to ask questions of people running for the position of Selectmen for 2011.
Skip Smith and Mike Burns have taken out nomination papers and are the only known candidates.
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Let me start the questions, Skip and Mike where do you stand on the following.
ReplyDeleteRecall ordanance yes or no and why?
What is your opinion on changing from 3 selectmen to 5 and why either way?
Move to an Admin. asst. form of government yes or no and why?
Do you or would you support installation of wind turbines in town?
What can the selectmen do to promote business growth in Newburgh?
What specific changes need to be made at the town office, what would you propose?
In your opinion could the town of Newburgh afford the town office move to the school and what will be the aproximate net cost impact Vs not moving?
If there is lost land value associated with the new state mandated resource protection ordinance should there be operational cost cuts or how would you propose the town make up or share the tax revenue delta?
In your opinion what business and or life experiences make you qualified to be a selectman?
I look forward to your replies.
Sincerely
Jim Hopkins
Oh My God. You didn't mean the current selectman. Stanley ( Skip) Smith did you ? Who is the world after all that has happen would even slightly consider such a thing ? We are in need to bring change and a fresh new look and direction, not the same. Oh My God, we had no idea that he had the gall to take out papers, again. Truly Amazing. Goes to show you that they don't want to upset their own group of 3 blind mice. They gave us Nancy Hatch, now Ricky Briggs although he nows goes by Rick Briggs but his court papers list him as one Ricky Briggs, out of Hampden.
ReplyDeleteAfter all they have gone through and put us through can you imagine the balls it would take to run again.
ReplyDeleteThese three are complete arrogant knuckle heads.
Actually, the selectmen unmitigated stupidity continues to baffle me. I just cannot understand it, Stanley ( Skip ) Smith is going to try a run for selectman, again. Are you kidding ?
ReplyDeleteAs one poster said, OH My God !
ReplyDeleteIt can't be true.
The reason I haven't posted in so long is that I'm feeling very angry and jaded about a lot of things. Mostly is the fact that we couldn't come up with the money to pay our taxes before "the book of shame" gets printed up, so you'll see our name in there and I'm completely embarassed and pissed off about this at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI took a pay cut/reduction in hours to save my job, no employer-paid health insurance and I can't afford the private crap available and some "issues" came up and doctors won't take eggs or BJs in trade for services, truck is on her last legs and every bump causes something else to fall off, and we've sold off everything but the animals, which were the reasons for moving here to Newburgh in the first place. So, if I have get rid of my "kids," I might as well pack up and admit defeat (just in case anyone dares give me crap about why I have horses/chickens/rabbits and yet can't pay taxes). Oh, but I can't even do that because no one can sell their houses in a town this corrupt!
Regarding wind turbines, I hope to christ they set up shop somewhere else. It's bad enough the town taxes/prices our home at way more than we could ever sell it for at this point.
A good read from Denmark:
http://energy.probeinternational.org/gangrene_economy_all
From the article:
"People are fed up with having their property devalued and sleep ruined by noise from large wind turbines," the association's president, Boye Jensen Odsherred, told the Daily Telegraph. "We receive constant calls from civic groups that want to join."
"Energy Probe is a keen supporter of renewable energy. We believe renewable energy has the ability to diversify our electricity supply, while allowing for more decentralized sources of power for consumers. But we’re not in favour of throwing massive subsides at forms of energy that are not technically or economically feasible."
Learn from others mistakes is all I'm pointing out here.
As an aside...I also don't think anyone should be in town government who also draws a paycheck from our corrupt school system either. I think any votes would be extremely biased as far as stuff like that would be concerned.
I mean, what is up with wanting to hold classes in the old Hampden Academy that was supposedly deemed so unfit for occupation that a megacomplex just had to be built or the kids would die a horrible death--and yet now it's suddenly okay? WTF. Grrr...is all I'm gonna say about THAT. To all the people who voted for that monstrosity that will suck us all dry, I still wanna give you a smackin'.
Also, as far as current selectpeople running, I do believe that is part of our democratic right as Americans; to all have a chance to run for an elected position if so desired. We can voice our approval/disapproval by voting for them, voting against them, or not voting at all.
I'm gonna go take a happy pill now.
;-)
Welcome back Kathy
ReplyDeleteJim Hopkins
LOL...I'm picturing you saying it like Luc would, but you're too polished and polite to do that.
ReplyDeleteHe'd say, "Welcome back Kathy. Now shut the hell up and get back in the kitchen where you belong."
:-D
Kathy brings out a very good point Skip and anyone else has the right to run and we as a community should encourage all that are interested to run and help develop a diverse pool to ultimately select and vote for the best candidate. The key should/could be to use this forum to allow the candidates whom ever they are to state a position on specific topice we all can ask them. Questions and issues you find important to you can be asked and the responses would be the basis to form an opinion, understand each persons position, gain trust, and hopefully vote based on these facts as they allign with each individuals specific interests.
ReplyDeleteOur mission is not or should not be to abuse each other or individuals with unsigned personal attacks but to sort through the feedback and when the smoke clears vote for the person that is most qualified to do the job. The days of voting based on name recognition, how many generations they have lived here or who they are related to needs to transition to who can do right by the community as a whole.
Good luck to all the selectman candidates and thank you for running.
Jim Hopkins
Kathy you know better than that, sometimes less means more but just glad to have you voicing again you have a way of getting the digital juices flowing that we all miss when you are pouting.
ReplyDeletePS: You have to be the first one ever to call me polished and polite, try again as I believe there are others that would disagree.
Jim
Welcome back Karen!
ReplyDeleteHi Kathy:
ReplyDeleteIt would of been easier for you to say, your not going to pay your taxes until the town is cleaned up as you cannot afford to have your tax dollars stolen or misued,again. I bet,your sub conscience says, don't give them your hard earned funds until
they can abide by their oath thus the shame list is not a shame list, it is only a list of folks who are not happy with their town government and the use of the town funds. Someone said that Briggs is coming and going as he wants without any regular hours, etc. Of course, our selectmen are not saying anything to him as they still are looking, the other way as usual. So, stay the course and contunie to offer your views and comments. If you really want to, because you feel bad about having to pay your taxes late, run for office to help our community out. This could be your penalty. Think about it. Honesty comes in all forms as does theft.
That's right, 5 new members will be needed sooner or later as long as they are, new. I will be comfortable with that.
ReplyDeleteTHE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, CHRIS ALMY
ReplyDeleteTEL: 942-8552 CALL AND VOICE YOUR OPINION ON CINDY AND HER PENDING COURT HEARING AND THE LACK OF JUSTICE FOR ALAN DUNTON WHO CASHED MANY CHECKS FOR THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS THAT CINDY WROTE OUT TO HIM. ALL STOLEN MONEY FROM NEWBURGH TAXES. IT WILL LET THE D.A KNOW THAT WE DO WANT, JUSTICE SERVED. AGAIN, PLEASE CALL 942-8552 ASAP, THANKS.
I have a couple of questions for Skip Smith. Was it ok, not to check up on Nancy Hatch ? and Cindy Dunton ? What about the appointment of Rick Briggs and his background check ? How do you explain, that blunder ? But there is always the question of how you treat members of the audience at meetings and the belligerent tongue lashing you bestowed upon Steve Porter when you became unglued for the way he looked at you. Mr. Porter had not said a word, when you blew a gasket. Not very professional and respectful for a town official and I don't think that any type of out burst is ever called for in any open town setting. So, I say, please retire as you should of stepped down and issued an immediate apology to Mr. Porter. I personally have never been witness to such behavior and there was never any statement of remorse from our selectmen. A very sad event for our community but we elected them so we have been stuck with them and their antics from this outburst, to wads of gum chewing to, tight and short burmuda shorts waving under the table at the audience. Saturday night live has nothing on our meetings in Newburgh, Maine Just a total complete mess and embarresment for our community. Enough is enough and the time has come, to curb these people with the addition of new members to help lead us in a new direction.
ReplyDeleteMr. Porter is a resident , citizen and voter in our community and deserves respect , as all our citizens do. Time to finally take the high road and just step aside Mr. Smith so the community can come together once again and prosper.
To Anon on January 4, 2011 12:00 PM:
ReplyDeleteYou know, I never even thought about showing up in "the report" might instead portray us as badass/rebels with the unpaid property tax, making a statement without saying a word kind of a thing, instead of feeling like a deadbeat in need of a neighborly flogging only "the report" can provide. Interesting angle indeed! Debt, any debt, drives me insane and actually puts me in a severe depression, so I try to avoid that result whenever humanly possible.
As far as being a candidate for serving our town, I'm afraid that would be a huge disservice to everyone. To put it bluntly, in the non-PC way that defines me, I am a retard.
I know NOTHING about politics, about government policy, about how to run a business in general, and I had to take "special" math classes when I was a kid and still use my fingers to count. I am NOT kidding here either.
No, my forte is simply writing what I'm thinking, no matter how crass or raw, purposely avoiding using any sort of an "edit button", or trying to lighten a tense moment. Court jester would be more up my alley.
;-)
I don't know any of our selectpeople personally, but I really feel bad for them. I can't imagine when they took office that they all said, "Hey, let's all work together to screw our town over." Yes, questions may not be getting answered, but maybe they truly just don't know how to go about getting them answered. It wasn't supposed to be this crooked or complicated.
It's like suddenly needing to use a riding mower to hay a field. It's just not the right equipment for the job, but it's all ya got at the time, so you try to work with it and it fails. Can't blame the mower, can't blame the operator because they at least tried.
I suck at analogies.
Anway, I gotta get back in the kitchen and get coffee on. Hope the new year is finding everyone at least healthy and with something warm in your bellies. Join us for coffee and homemade toast some time. We are a lonely couple of saps with oodles to talk about!
:-)
Perfect analogie, we have been trying to mow a hayfield with a lawn mower and our selectmen are the lawnmower, we need a bigger better tractor with 4 wheel drive, AC, and a 24 foot sickle bar to finish the job and bring in the crop.
ReplyDeleteSo if you want to answer a question candidates what size tractor do you think we need to get the job done?
Should the questions be around something that impacts the town moving forward or is close to you so each candidate can state their position and help people make and informed decission on which candidate would make the best selectman?
ReplyDeleteOr are we going to beat the dead horse some more?
We all are keenly and painfully familiar with the past both recent and distant and the view in the rear view mirror is clear, how about focusing on the future?
It is proven the selectmen are not going to accept any blame for anything behind them so let's not waste any time riding the bike backwards.
Our community is still and will be hurting for a long time forthcoming so, yes, it is the the past but to move ahead we need to bring closure to the past and locking up Cindy Dunton and getting the current batch of selectmen removed one way or another will move us all foward. However, our current part-time town manager is not a past issue so the current batch still does not believe in the oath they have taken and are still taking us down a destructive path, that involves us all. So the past is still effecting our future with pitfalls at least for awhile, longer.
ReplyDeleteI was at a town meeting when one of the selectmen
ReplyDeletegave a Newburgh citizen, a belligerent tongue lashing that was very bizarre to say, the least.
It was the most unprofessional display of rudeness and crudeness ever bestowed upon another member of our community that most had ever witnessed. It was said, it was over the way, the citizen in the crowd looked at this selectman. Not one of the selectmen showed any remorse and no one ever offered an apology. Who was the enraged selectmen that came unglued ? It was none other than one of our current candidates.
Thank you for your questions, Jim. My name is Mike Burns, and I am running for 2nd Selectmen. I would, and will vote yes for a Recall Ordinance. If elected officials do not do the job the people elected them to do (such as was the case with the current selectmen), then the people will have a option of removing them from office. We should switch to a five selectmen board from the three selectmen board we have in place now. This will provide more oversight, and it offers different opinions to be heard. I would also recommend that the pay for these five be $1200 per year so as not to increase our budget. With five selectmen in place, we should then vote to switching to an Administrative form of government. We would only need a part time position that the Selectmen would have more oversight over, not like before, or right now with a manager having all the power in town and telling our three blind mice (selectmen) what to do. As everybody knows, wind turbines are a hot issue when they come into a town. I would like to have them in our town because they offer up a lot of tax dollars, but I feel that when the Planning Board does a wind turbine ordinance, the public will be informed and have a lot of input into its’ drafting. How can Selectmen promote business growth in Newburgh? I think one of the easiest things to do would be to lower the mill rate for the businesses that are here, to keep them here, and to help attract new ones to come to our town. What changes need to be made at our town office? A freeze on all spending that is not absolutely necessary would have been a good start, but these three current selectmen have spent money like it was water. A example of this is putting a window in the new town office space, $2800, just because a Selectman (Buddy) wanted it so Lois could look out into the hallway. Twenty-three hundred dollars ($2300) was spent for a door that was installed to the old library room. They promptly moved the library to a class room, so we didn't need the door after all. This was a suggestion given by one resident at a Selectmen meeting but was shot down because it came from the concerned citizen group. We don't need any more pay raises or bonuses or parties for town employees either!!! I don't believe we can afford the school as our town office. It is at least $15,000 to $17,000 more per year, and they are looking to keep the old town office for the fire department office at a cost of approximately $5,000 per year. This, for a building that was in such bad need of repair that we had to move out. Speaking of that ,who again was in charge of overseeing our town affairs? OH YA, THE SELECTMEN. Jim, your question on the new Shoreland updated Ordinance is a long one to answer. To make it short, there was only a small amount of land added to the resource protection so those people who received letters from the Planning Board should look into whether their land is newly added or not. Then they should check with the town Assessor to see if they get a reduced rate for that piece of land which is in resource protection. To make up any lost town revenue due to this, I think will be small, so, the operational cuts that you mentioned sounds good to me. Actually, ANY CUTS TO OUR BUDGET SOUNDS GOOD TO ME.
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
Mike Burns
Mike: I heard that the old town office froze up as someone turned off the heat ? Next, did not Jeff Brown say he could do a door or window for 1/2 of what was paid ? I know that our current selectmen said they were not interesed in bids and were going with Kendall Davis, regardless, because they like him from the Nancy Hatch days. Well, Etna and his own family doesn't. Doesn't that make one wonder, why ? I certainly believe in 5 board members as I had a long talk with Orrington and they have many reasons as to why they went from 3 to 5, years ago. Thank you Mike for staying the course and doing your best to help your community.
ReplyDeletePack'er up and lets head to town, to Cindy Dunton's court hearing and hope to god, she gets the full 10 years and still has to pay the town back as they took the opportunity and hid the money so they would have a pretty good nest egg as Alan plans to get off scott free. Cindy is thinking 6 to 24 months than its Florida where her mother is and her, money. What a deal . I wonder if she is going to name, any names, etc. Alan Dunton is the only home owner around with his own construction grader for yard work, bought by the tax payers of Newburgh. Thank u so much.
ReplyDeleteconstruction grader, new cars, new truck, big ATV, 14 dogs, 2 of which were bought out of the country for $3,000 each, (anyone here afford to feed / vet 14 dogs?? How about now after 10 months with no job? new metal roof on both homes, 2 homes, one of which they rent out,(remember the BDN article saying they were selling the homes to pay back the town, remember Lois Libby saying 6 months ago, "Oh they are trying to re-finance" (what bank would re-finance a home heavily mortgaged, with 2 liens?) they traveled all over the place the last 5 years, cabinet equipment purchased with the town credit card, just to name a few. All paid by YOU.. She sits there in her Newburgh home (NO FOR SALE SIGN in 10 months) while we can't afford to fix our roads because of it..I'm sure she has banked $$$, remember the lawyer said the town of Newburgh didn't have enough money to continue to investigate or check the out of state bank accounts.. How about checking property purchased in the last year by her parents, brothers?? When and if the town ever forces them to sell the property here in Newburgh, watch the Greenville area, you'll probably see the Duntons having fun at your expense on the lake.
ReplyDeleteOHHHH well how much has the town spent in the last 10 months?? You'd be shocked to know.
The more I hear the more I realize everyone should sign the paper circulating by the Citizens Group to see that Cindy Dunton does the full time (at least 10 yrs) and that she be made to make payments as well. I have signed it and I hope the judge takes this into consideration. She didn't just steal money from one place, she took money from dozens of funds in town. This was planned and she ended up taking more each year for over 8 years. I also feel everyone that can should show up at the hearing on Jan 20th at 8:30 am. I hear there are rides available. I was told to post here if you'd like a ride to the hearing.
ReplyDeleteWho is in charge of contacting her tenant 9 The Bishop's) and telling them to pay the town, their rent and not Cindy ? ( The Selectmen) I know . My god how stupid can we continue to be? Why hasn't the town backed off her taxes as they were paid with stolen money and made them past due and acquired their property for the back taxes, then sold it off and recovered some money ? No one knows, so it doesn't get done. Please someone confront our selectmen who should be doing this stuff and be in control of it, to protect our community and to get some of our money back. This is not genius work, just common sense.
ReplyDeleteSorry, Cindy Dunton's tenants are the Winship's not the Bishops, Duh......
ReplyDeleteMike Burns,
ReplyDeleteAre you the only candidate for the selectmans opening?
Mr Smith, Mr Burns,
ReplyDeleteI have noticed there is no personal contact information for current selectmen or town manager on the town website. I assume the expectation is to call the town office with questions or concerns one would want to discuss with officials or show up at a selectmans meeting once a month. With the reduced office hours this seems very out of touch with the community.
My questions are communication related
1. If you are elected selectman will you embrace the technology's of the 1980's and provide your contact information such as home phone, cell # and e-mail address (if available) to assure you can be contacted by citizens/taxpayers if needed? Will you make yourself more available, same as currently available or less available (if possible).
2. Can you give me your thoughts on high speed internet or cable access in town, I have been told selectmen of past and our current 1st looked into this and there is nothing that can be done. Would you pursue this very important tool for the town and again attempt to make available to all residents and current businesses a technology of the 1980's as an incentive to promote business development and ultimately reduce or hold personal property tax burden in town? Can you tell me in your view if you think this is important to the community or as rumored viewed as just a luxury for a few, not really needed?
3. If you are elected will you push to assure the town crier newsletter is used as a communication tool to assure important announcements for example the sale of town property is included and sent to all 2 weeks prior to a bid date Vs the minimum tiny block add that is hidden in the BDN classifieds? All taxpayers recieve the newsletter not all subscribe to the paper or visit the town office on a regular basis. This will assue we have transparency and a maximum number of bids hopefully with near real value ammounts not just minimal bids from a "select" few inside informed people.
Thank you
Is it true that Dean Beaupain, the town's attorney, when asked, did not know who was in charge of the handling of the property sale of The Dunton's or the collecting of monies due the town ? I don't suppose any of our selectmen have asked for same, as it's only been, 10 months. To date, nothing has been paid or even requested as far as I can see. Would not the custom drill bits that were ordered on the Town's credit card be the property of Newburgh ? Where are they? What about all the other purchases by our stolen money ? What has the town recovered to date ? Do our selectmen just look the other way ? If so, why? Why are we still using a real estate lawyer who does not know criminal law ? What about the back taxes that were paid with stolen money ?
ReplyDeleteNo one can just walk into the Duntons house and start taking things believed to be purchased with stolen money. Until Cindy has her trial and is convicted, no one can get anything from her. If she had any kind of a conscience, she would already have given stuff back, but clearly she has NONE!!!
ReplyDeleteAs far as I know, Skip Smith and myself are the only ones to take out nomination papers. Mike Burns
ReplyDeleteOf course they can get property from the Dunton's, all it would of taken is a court order and had her assets frozen, for one. Next, you ask the court for the return of the town property as she acknowledged her guilt thus there is no need for a trial. Then, she agreed in writing to start making payments and she has not. The problem here is that no one has asked her or her lawyer for any money? The same with the sale, where are the signs etc ? No one is following up with anything ? PS. She is not having a trial as I said , none is necessary as she had plead and the conviction is merely, the sentence.Again, she has plead guilty and signed as such. The only thing left is for the Judge to sentence her, not ask her for the property and monies, this was already agreed upon and everyone has avoided it for one reason or another. Makes one really wonder, doesn't it ?
ReplyDeleteCan anyone confirm this. Is our School Rep Kelly Bickmore's family, the Hartleys of the North Rd and owners of Clewley Foundations employing Alan and Cindy Dunton ? If so, thanks a lot neighbor. Maybe, the loss doesn't mean anything to you but it does to our hardworking community. Please can anyone confirm this ? I am in shock to say the least.
ReplyDeleteIf it is true, at least they are working to pay back their debt and not applying for state aid, right? (Yes, I am deluded.)
ReplyDeleteI sure as hell wouldn't want them working for my company in any capacity where they could do wreak any sort of havoc. Maybe they are shoveling poop? That'd be sweet. Although, I shovel poop for nuttin', totally dig it, and would love to get paid for it.
Don't people get "black listed" anymore? I'm shocked that all these back-stabbing dinks keep getting rehired by other towns.
It's pretty amazing...I have always worked in crappy low-paying no-benefit jobs and yet I have had to undergo background checks, urine tox screens, and have actually had my references and past employers contacted for verification! Yet people in positions of power seem to always get a free and clear pass to play.
It's all who ya know baby, it's who ya know. I call BS on the whole deal.
How can you judge these people. If they decide to legally hire the Duntons or any one else as Americans they have that right convicted or not convicted where do you think you get authority to decide who anyone hires or fires, that is why you people come across as rabid lynch mobsters.
ReplyDeleteIf they did or did not still their business not yours, do you decide who they let hunt on their land, who they buy their horse feed from, where they buy their heating oil or who they have over for Sunday dinner.
Your rights end when you decide not to buy a foundation or horse from them so mind your own business you sound a little crazy.
I didn't see anyone posting about being an authority of who should get hired or fired at a private facility.
ReplyDeleteI read it as nothing more than a vent.
As a free society, and as a fairly basic human emotion, we are free to judge and/or be judged. Our actions define us, for better or for worse. Free will and all that...
These Dunton folks have certainly defined themselves to all of us. I certainly wouldn't take in anything that previously bit the hand that fed it, but I'm not them.
Caveat emptor.
Cindy Dunton legally can work anywhere she is hired, but Alan Dunton is on 100% disability and cannot! Word has it that he has been working for this company for years. He illegally accepted all the checks from the town of Newburgh made out to him by his wife Cindy in amounts from $5,000 to $25,000. I saw copies of these checks. Do you suppose any of that was reported as income?
ReplyDeleteName calling here is very childish as most blog addresses are nationwide. I'm sure the hits on here are 10's of thousands weekly. People posting could be from anywhere so I do not know why you would say such things. Blogs are everywhere. I saw the mess in Newburgh last year and simply went to google and typed it in. This blog comes up almost first, dozens of people around here read and post to this. I myself am from Newport, but have close friends in Newburgh. You'll never recover if you don't get legal help from the towns people to get to the bottom of whats gone on. Doesn't anyone in town know a lawyer or is there a lawyer there in town that pays taxes that could help you?
Sure, The Dunton's are able to work where ever, I believe the comment was for the mere fact, that they stole from the community as a whole, and for someone to show their community that they could care less, is less than a good neighbor. Keep in mind that they have not and are not paying anything back to the town. People, Business or whatever are indeed judged by their deeds. You know, like if you do well in life, you give back to the community.
ReplyDeleteDo on to your community as you want them to do, on to you.
ReplyDeleteMaybe they attend the same church
ReplyDeleteAs with any organization I have ever been involved in communication hold the key to success or failure.
ReplyDeleteMr Burns
1. Currently selectman contact information is not listed on the town website, if eleceted will you list your contact information there?
2. 1st selectman reportedly told a resident that high speed internet access was a luxury and not needed only wanted by some. How important do you view this service.
3. Town Crier has no meat in it, would like to see information such as the town selling property mandatory notification through the crier not just a tiny blurb hidden in the BDN, would you make changes to the quality of information sent to all residents?
The spam filter sometimes catches a comment. If your comment is not showing up after you tried to post please drop me an e-mail : claudemuni@gmail.com.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately the spam filter cannot be turned off, apologies to those that got filtered, it was not my intension.
Claude
Interesting note about that high-speed internet question...
ReplyDeleteBoth my husband and I were at that pizza meet-and-greet a while back, to meet the new town manager. We are kind of a couple of "hard ons" when it comes to getting high speed because how a lot of us earn a living, how a lot of people get/continue education DEPENDS on it. Seems some people think it's only for surfing porn..
Anyway, 2 selectpersons voiced that having access to high-speed internet was a luxury, not a necessity.
One selectman even admitted he doesn't have it and and his daughter makes due, out of necessity, by getting in her car to "catch a signal at the top of a hill on their road" thereby allowing her to do whatever she needed to do with that "free" connection.
Were we quicker on the draw at the meeting, and not simply floored by the blatent lack of ability to look forward, we would have pointed out that what he was indeed saying that it was okay to steal someone else's wi-fi signal. "Theft of service" is the official term.
Does he realize it is theft? Probably not, more likely just ignorance.
Apparently, it is felt that by making high-speed available to the residents at the new town hall (available only during its VERY limited hours of operation mind you) is quite sufficient.
Thus, Kathy, you have come to realize what the tax payers have had to contend with. The only way we can improve upon, is elect new people that have the ability to see the big picture. Please urge everyone you know to get out and vote come election day in March. The town needs folks like you.
ReplyDeleteJan 20 8:30 Am, District Court on Exchange St
ReplyDeletehope that Newburgh will have a good turn out for the Cindy Dunton hearing. We will see if all 3 of our selectmen will show up as it was their duty that fell short so they all need to be there to show town support. We will see how much they really care. I hope that folks have called in to the District Attorneys office to express their concern that Alan is not before the judge too and that Newburgh needs justice to be served. If you cannot call, write a short note to them. Any type of contact will help. Please remember the more the better and we need some answers on the property sale and the collected rent and their back taxes that were paid with the towns stolen funds. We need to get them backed off and claim the property. No one is supplying the town citizens with any answers and we need to change that ASAP. We don't know is not acceptable any longer. Citizens please rally around all this as it is for the good, of all.
MESSAGES CAN BE LEFT ON THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S VOICE MAIL 942-8552 ----
ReplyDeleteTo: All Newburgh's Tax Payers
ReplyDeletePlease be informed that your new Town Manager, Your Selectmen and even as crazy as this may sound, Newburgh's Town Attorney apparently decided that they had better things to do, than show up at Cindy Dunton's hearing in support of the town's tax payers whose money, was stolen. Can you even imagine, the lawyer didn't even show up. How crazy is that ?
When your at the town office, thank everyone for their support and tell them you will show them your support, at election time unless we can get them out before hand. Maybe, Cindy will spill the beans before then. Wait and See, I guess. Don't forget and call the District Attorney Office as suggested above. 942-8552. The more he can see that we do care, the harder he will work to bring justice for us all.
I have to correct you....Skip Smith 2nd selectman was AT the hearing Thursday morning!!
ReplyDeleteIf you watched the news you would have seen him.
Were YOU there???????? If you were, you would have seen him too, he's the one in the wheelchair..
Johnna Smith
Johnna is correct, Skip was there. I associate myself with the concerned citizens group. I am not a member, but I support their cause. Please make sure that you post honestly and that your information is 100% authentic. Honesty is what this town needs, and it also has to come from the citizens. Have a wonderful weekend all!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the poster was in total shock with the lack of support and didn't notice Mr. Smith. So, one out of many and he just happens to be the one, seeking votes and I will add that Mr. Mike Burns and his family were also there. The idea here is that The Town Attorney or the First selectman, didn't bother to show up in support of Newburgh.Not even the part-time or less, Town Manager They are the front people and the spoke person for the town. Why, is the question ? The only people that spoke were The Concerned Citizens and showed the town that they indeed, care. They took time off from their jobs to attend as it is important to them,to support all our taxpaers and that Newburgh gets justice and recovery. Hope that all can see that, now. This in itself, should be a wake up call for the ones who were holding out. Actions do speak louder than words.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I did not see Mr. Smith. I arrived late on the scene and only saw the folks out front and the news. Mr. Smith must of left quickly and quitely as his comrades were among, the missing.
ReplyDeleteI talked with the town group the other night and what a great job they have done. People, if you have not contacted them, I advise you to do so as they have a lot of documented material that everyone in Newburgh should read. Its not stuff that is old its current happenings & such that needs the taxpayers attention.
ReplyDeleteDistrict Attorney Almy (D.A.) spoke with each of the citizens from the group at the arraignment on Thursday giving them a lot of credit for the upstanding support toward their town. I believe they said he has agreed to accept the findings they have on more money taken by Dunton from 2000 or 2002 to 2006. (don't quote me here, I'm almost certain that is what they said) If only the town employee's cared to made a statement also. All agreed that Skip was at the hearing and left before the interviews. As one poster said above, "actions do speak louder than words". I'm getting mighty tired of lots and lots of words now when I go into the town office with nothing to come of it. I hear about the so called parties (private parties) held by the town office staff, the offers for help with Smith's candidacy,(illegal as H **),and on and on. Many people I know got calls from the staff during the last selectmen's election, telling them who to vote for and why. (illegal as h*** again) I have known S. Smith for many years and if your reading this Skip, we have been to a lot of parties together, functions, weddings, you name it, but Bro. if you really want to help the town you need to just take a break from the seat your in. Your a great guy, but that seat is not you. Sorry Bro. the town needs new blood, I think deep down you know this. Do us all a favor, go back to being the person we know you as, the great guy, fun loving, good ole boy that we all can enjoy. (No offense intended here, I like ya bud). Political B.S. I call it shaking my head as I leave the BIG HUGE Newburgh Town office costing the taxpayers plenty for a group of tucked away turtles letting nothing out to the people. Do I think its worse than with the Hatch administration, yes I'm afraid, I do!
Its not worse it's not it's any better either, its the same. It's the same because its the same people that have been there all along. That is why a person like Briggs was chosen.
ReplyDeleteSkip is a classy guy I agree, just does not know how to stand up to some to Leona or Lois.
He's being left out of the loop (Skip)not informed on a lot of things. I hear lots of stuff being done without his knowledge, how's that going to look when he's a candidate and if he's re-elected. You ask the board anything and they have no answers. Other towns the board has the answers, if not they research and find them.
ReplyDeleteI fully agree with the previous poster, Skip go back to your life, your family, stop having to sit around trying to understand whats right and wrong to deal with the town and then only to be voted down by the majority. You've served the town, now let someone else give it a shot. By the way, who is running besides M. Burns and S.Smith?
It appears M Burns is the only one running, or the only one answering questions.
ReplyDeleteCan't we recall L. Beacher and L. Smith and start fresh, oh yea, R. Briggs too ? They, at the very minimum failed to perform their duties that they swore to uphold for their pay. Why can't we just fired them as town tax payers and move ahead with new people ?
ReplyDeleteQuestion: Is Lois Libby working more hours for more pay even after she added an assistant,and the open town office hours were cut? Does this make any sense at all?
ReplyDeleteR.Briggs, our part-time town Manager, what are his hours as he always seems to be gone and I heard from one Hampden resident that he attends Hampden Meetings on Newburgh time ? Is there a hour on the job report that the selectmen have that can be shared with the voters ? Maybe he operates his limo service on Newburgh time, also? Can anyone add to this ? True or false ?
Our mess seems to keep growing and the tax payers need to make it all stop, somehow.
When asked, was told L. Libby was indeed working 40 hours a week @ hourly wage now instead of the salary that everyone assumes. Was also told R. Briggs is working the same. They are there when the office is closed. Seems people have tried to get in on Fridays to do business because they are there, but are turned away. This past Friday someone was allowed to come in and register vehicles. (again, if your going to have a party, office staff, invite all not just choose, if your going to open the office to one, open it to everyone when your there on Fridays). Step up select board and make this right! Skip or Buddy can you set us straight on these hours please.
ReplyDeleteIf Lois and Rick are working 40 hours then the town office needs to be open 40 hours. What is going on down there, we were told by Rick he estimated around 20 possibly 30 hours a week would be all the time he would need to do his job. He either is full of BS or the other possibility is he is full of BS.
ReplyDeleteWas the intention of the town office hours cut back to save money or not? If this 40 hour rumor is true the only thing we have accomplished is the taxpayers have lost services, have had to adjust their schedules and make special arrangements to fit the new town office schedule.
Would be fun to take a look at the history tab of their Internet browsers.
Buddy in case you want to know that is the icon on the tool bar that looks like a sundial, you just left click with the mouse and it will show a list of what Internet sites the user has visited, the tool bar is not to be confused with a tool belt, the mouse is the little egg shaped device that has two buttons (left and right) and a ball that actually moves the cursor around the screen, the cursor is usually an arrow or little hand sometimes an hourglass, the screen is not on the double hung window usually on an outside wall it is the monitor, it may look like a TV to you. This little TV is where the town's financial information will be displayed when you click the cursor on the icon for the program (may have to click twice) that contains all of the towns business transactions.
When you have this figured out take 5 and show Leona how it works.
Often when managers or elected officials are less than gifted and talented they will surround themselves with high end people to assure they are relatively succesful.
ReplyDeleteIm not saying Im just saying.
Again was told because Rick has no experience and cannot do any clerk work or work in the office, Lois is now doing her job and his. Why Lori is there every day with Lois is another thing. We were told when she was hired she would be Ricky's right hand woman, not Lois'. Now she and Lois sit day after day waiting for a customer.
ReplyDeleteOh my god!! truer words could not be spoken in this persons post
Often when managers or elected officials are less than gifted and talented they will surround themselves with high end people to assure they are relatively successful.
But he asks "where are the high end people in this equation"
It is beyond belief that Skip Smith is running for Selectmen, again. After all that has been done against this community. Doesn't everyone remember his outlandish behavior and his public outburst and verbal attack on Newburgh citizen and tax payer, Steve Porter at a Selectman's meeting ? If memory serves me right, his screaming quote was, before Steve even could sit down, " I'm sick and tired of the way you look at me and all your bullshit" Needless to say, all in audience were stunned and in total shock for behavior that was out of control and insulting to say the least. The other Selectmen did not say or do anything they just sat there. My question is, do we want our public officials to act this way ?
ReplyDeleteI THINK IT IS WITHOUT QUESTION THAT EVERYONE WANTS A NEW BOARD OF SELECTMEN. JUST WISH THERE WAS A WAY FOR A COMPLETE EXODUS SO WE COULD START ANEW.
ReplyDeleteNeed to amened the minutes of the meeting to include Skip's outburst to Mr Porter because I did not see it in there.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the other two selectman not saying or doing anything they just sat there, and your point is????? They have been sitting there and doing nothing for years.
My point is from a professional or even semi professional standpoint or even down to common courtesy at a public meeting, at least someone could of taken control and issued an immediate apology for that bizarre outburst by a town official acting in a professional capacity. Skip should of immediately removed himself from the room but he didn't. Then it should of been up to the other 2 selectmen to ask Skip to leave but they didn't. Now, he apparently would enjoy being in that position ,to do it all over again to some other unsuspected citizen. No, I don't think our community will allow this. I think our community HAS HAD ENOUGH. LET US ALL HOPE SO.
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe this town is still full of crooks and criminals....and I'm not talking Cindy Dunton!
ReplyDeleteThe town has always had their share of corruption and misguided activities, never at this level and never this long. A few of the current accusers were at one time the offenders, look back over the years, look at the business transactions, road repairs that ended at a selectmans gravel pit drieveway, look at who did business with the town, look at every piece of town sold property for the past 30-40 years and who bought it. At one time it was pretty much a gimme that if you were a selectman or connected to the town you would have access to town aquired property at greatly discounted prices. Take a close look at the property taxes over the past 15-20 years, (other than dumb asse's mobile home) you can clearly see that the former connected people have been recieveing a tax bill that was far below the actual market value that someone moving in from "away" would be paying, this has absolutely been going on for years. There are many "Long Term Residents" properties in town that have 100-200 or more acres with a very nice home that are town tax valued in the 200K or less range, all of us know some Mass Hole would pay 400-500K for this property (even in this market. These discounted tax properties are all over town, the bulk of the tax increase for the town in the last 15-20 years has been picked up by people who have either built new or bought existing homes while the good ole family has sat back and enjoyed modest increases, everyone else has paid way over their share to make up the difference. If this was not true the old timers would have turned this town upside down with anger and at the voting booth even though most of them were related to the connected ones, but as long as it is allowed we just keep voting in the few criminals that keep it that way.
ReplyDeleteThe reality remaine the Dunton's got the best deal of all, they were at one time connected (to the current selectmen) and paid 30-40% less than peak market value (unlike the out of town scum) and then stole the money to pay their taxes from the rest of us, the out of town scum actually paid twice with this scheme.
So yes believe it the town is still full of crooks and criminals and they are on both sides of the issues debated here every day.
It still amazes us, why the town doesn't reverse the taxes paid by The Duntons as it was with stolen money. Seems quite simple even for them. Then, the town would be in first place instead of 3rd place with no equity. When we have so many problems, why can't someone bring the State of Maine in to assist us out of this mess and go after the people that are the cause. On the nightly news, seems even Egypt is doing it and here we are asking for help time and time again from our State Agencies.
ReplyDeleteIf you have some time and want some good entertainment google "recall ordinance Maine"
ReplyDeleteYou will find some amazing stories and articles about this fascinating subject.
Why are we having such a hard time getting our recall ordinance on the ballot ? Do we really have to bring our selectmen and part-time town manager up on charges to get it done ? We are the tax payers and should be the ones who vote to say what we want for our community. I don't understand the constant and repeated, delay. I understand now they are adding hours to their part-time positions for work that isn't work and for just sitting around or attending meetings in Hampden.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, there are several hundred tax payers out there just waiting for the opportunity to vote these people out and get our recall notice, 5 member board,etc voted in. Seems Nancy Hatch is now causing conflict in Clifton by not abiding by the bid process, again.
ReplyDeletePenobscot County District Attorney
ReplyDeleteChris Almy
97 Hammond Street
Bangor, ME 04401-4990
Phone:(207) 942-8552
PLEASE CALL OR WRITE IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE SO, YET. THANKS
We are having a hard time with the recall ordinance because our selectmen for some reason think they are targeted by the ordinance. They do not believe they have responsibility for nor should they pay for the consequences of their sloppy business management skills.
ReplyDeleteIn the world they live in (I like to call it "the magic kingdom") they are all princes or princesses and we are the peasants or their royal subjects. There are many trouble makers in the kingdom and they are trying to steal the throne and do not want to pay taxes. Prince Leonard, Prince Stanley and Princess Leona are pure and without malice of forethought, they have appointed the Sheriff of Hampden and his entourage to oversee the counter assault and try to beat back the evil black knights known as "the concerned citizens" terrorist group.
Least ye charge in haste ole mighty dragon of concern and toil. Tweedle dee, Tweedle dum and Alice shall boil, not by your torch of hatred and shame, not by your nonstop calling of name.
Thou can try and best the one they call Buddy but a slick one he is he just looks like a duddy. He rides the cloak of power through lightning and thunder whilst leaning on MMA you'll not reveal his blunder.
Prince Skippy it's said has a mind like a trap, he used his memory to avoid all the facts, hence old Skip you sly fox like fellow I expected you would have turned on them and exposed that your yellow.
And the sweetest of all princess Leona, beautiful blond hair, nice smile a real classy persona. How shalt we venture down your path of wit while you bob your head and repeat "I agree with it".
Well, I would have to say someone is using this blog for some mental problem and not addressing or issue informing. Sad
ReplyDeleteI did as suggested google "recall ordinance Maine" and was stunned at the number of towns that have recently or are currently gong through this process. When you think about it and read the different struggles/justifications online as examples it does not surprise me that we too are trying to implement a process to protect the town, our assets and taxpayers.
ReplyDeleteRegardless of what has happened to Newburgh, who did or did not do their job etc. a recall ordinance makes perfect sense. Even if we had never experienced the thefts, corruption and cover-ups over the past few years we still need this tool/protection going forward it is just good business.
Think of our town as any other public company that you/we are invested in, if management under performs, commits a crime or behaves in an unethical or illegal manner the board of directors (taxpayers) needs the ability to remove them from office to protect the stock holders and their assets, the residents of Newburgh in this case are the stock holders. Only a private company would be set up like the town of Newburgh where as the president/owner of the company can do what ever they wish, when ever they wish and not ever loose their job.
In my humble opinion Newburgh is supposed to be a public entity not a private one. Please support this recall ordinance effort and assure we all have the ability to make sane business adjustments to protect ourselves in the future.
Jim Hopkins
Great write up Jim. You are absolutely correct in your overall assessment. The only thing you left out, is that Newburgh did and has suffered for the lack there of and this is something that should of been adopted long ago. However, as you pointed out,this is just good business practice. The problem will be, that those seated are worried and will do everything they can to see this fail for as long as they can. Hopefully, the voters will be able to " get er done" at the next town meeting or special meeting. Thanks for your insight into this and good for you, to make it public, with your name.
ReplyDeleteOH BOY, WITH FOLKS STANDING UP FOR HONESTY AND TAKING A STAND, MAYBE EVEN WRITING LETTERS AND MAKING PHONE CALLS, SEEKING TO MAKE NEWBURGH A BETTER COMMUNITY, IT JUST MAY WAKE SOME OTHERS UP, THAT WANT TO ASSIST BEFORE ANOTHER MESS TAKES PLACE, IF IT HASN'T ALREADY.
ReplyDeleteDear Anon February 4, 2011 1:52 PM
ReplyDeleteI am not convinced that is the case but if true that "those seated will do all they can to see this petition fail" then I am sorry to say we need it even more than I imagined.
Buddy, Skip and Leona
Not sure anyone has asked you so here we go, please weigh in on this. Keeping in mind that many if not most of the towns in Maine either have passed or are in the process of trying to pass a recall ordinance/provision do you or will you support a Newburgh recall process that would allow a majority of citizens, voters and taxpayers to remove an elected official for just cause?
I look forward to your replies.
Respectfully
Jim Hopkins
Citizen, Voter, Taxpayer
Newburgh Maine
Interesting approach Jim. From past comments and defense positioning ,we are all aware that all 3 selectmen plus our part-time town manager are readers of this blog. I will be watching the replies if there are any forthcoming and reserving my comment. Footnote, I see on the Clifton town blog that they are experiencing the wrath of Nancy Hatch, first hand.
ReplyDeleteHi, Skip here. Just so everyone knows all three of the petitions will be voted on on March 8, the same day as the selectman's vote. I support the recall ordinance although MMA says that as written it leaves the town open to lawsuits by the recalled official. I would liked to have Mike and the planning board look at before we had to vote on it. but anyway as far as I now knowwe will vote on the recall ordinanceon MARCH 8
ReplyDeleteNow, that is the democratic way.....Thank you very much. We need to realize that we are one big community and work toward the betterment of all not just a few. And above all, the town officers needs to address the total needs of our community and be open and totally transparent which it is NOT and it was a promise that was made time and time, again. The community accepted and trusted, it would be so, only to be let down, yet once again. Why can't we get it right and honor our word and promises ? Is that so hard to do and be accommodating to each and all of our citizens. You selectmen are the supervisor of the part-time town manager and control the hours of operation of our town office and his hours on the job. We need to revisit this and obtain voter approvel or not. It seems that people in office keep forgetting it is ....by voter approvel and that again, is the democratic way.
ReplyDeleteAs with any written document that would be used as an governing article, an added amendment to protect the greater good is always an option. I believe the key here is to get it adopted for our town than tweak it ,accordingly . Most all other towns employ this act and it is certainly, the right thing to do and I am sure it will easily win, voter approvel. FINALLY A START IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, LET THERE BE MANY MORE TO
ReplyDeleteBRING THIS TOWN BACK, TO OUR COMMUNITY. PS. I HOPE SOMEONE IN OUR TOWN OFFICE IS DEALING WITH THE DUNTON'S PROPERTY ISSUE INSTEAD OF THINKING SOME ONE ELSE, WILL.
Hey Skip thanks for your reply I do appreciate you taking the time to respond, identifying yourself in the post and communicating your position.
ReplyDeleteSincerely
Jim Hopkins
Hopkins you may be on to something, asking for selectmen to respond to direct questions is a neat approach to finding out facts Vs. the other method of insult and assume. The key will be to get them to answer.
ReplyDeleteNot to be negative but with caution,as we certainly have our community reasons to be.
ReplyDelete1. Skip, you say, as far as you know ? That leaves a lot to chance. Can we not obtain something, positive that the community can count on ?
2. MMA says. The truth is that every document can be challenged in court by any one with the funds.
Skip here again. I say as far as I know because I have not seen the ballots yet. Also I am in no way speaking for the selectboard or the town manager. I am only trying to the best of my ability to answer a question on this blog As far as the MMA they are who we turn to for advice That is their job and their advise has been sound Jim I would like to thank-you and any others who sign your names to your posts.
ReplyDeleteSkip, I thought the ballots were turned into the office, some time ago? Your in no way speaking for the selectmen ? You, are still a selectman, are you not ? At least, your not avoiding and saying, move on. Can you hear the snap of gum and Yep, in the background? ? Why would you specify a thank you for only the people who sign their name and not , the community as a whole ? Many people have questions and all citizens deserve to be treated, equal. Just because they don't leave their name is by no reason for them to be slighted. They are for the most part, not public officials and as such, remain behind the scene but they still deserve and need to be heard and accepted.
ReplyDeleteWho are you or who do you think you are?
ReplyDeleteIf posters do not leave their names how would anyone know they are actually citizens of Newburgh or this community as a whole you mention. Why do some choose to remain behind the scene and expect they still deserve and need to be heard and accepted when there is no proof they are even part of the community. Anyone can get on here and claim they are from town and write anything they want. Remember what happened to your newsletter when it first appeared with no names the feedback was very negative from many and this early cloak of secrecy actually forced the concerned citizens group to step out of the closet and let others know who they were. Why would you think it would be any different with this blog, if you continue to post negative comments or even facts and then do not identify yourselves you loose most of your credibility with those sitting on the fence. The sad part is you need the people that are undecided to vote for Mike Burns to assure a transition of power but risk loosing again because you just do not seem to understand your blind posts appear to be shady and way to repetitive, I would guess the number of regular blind posters is actually very small and probably could be counted on one hand, if true your risk is real.
Best regards see example below
The Newport observer.
We were hoping someone could give us an update on the last selectmen's meeting and the petition meeting as we both work and don't get home until after 6:30PM. How did they go ? Did we finally get the petitions on for voting day ? Any news on recovery from The Dunton's or the sale of their house's ? Any yelling ? Can't expect our meetings to be professional, can we ?
ReplyDeleteWent well
ReplyDeleteYes
No
Yes
No
Hello,
ReplyDeleteThe polls will be open for the citizens of Newburgh to vote on 4 very important issues on Tuesday, March 8th at the Newburgh School. These citizen initiated petitions will be voted on:
1) Recall of officials ordinance
2) 3 member selectboard to 5 member selectboard
3) Town manager/selectboard/town meeting form of government to an administrative assistant/selectboard/town meeting form of government
I have decided to vote yes on all the petitons. I have considered the pros and cons on the 3 petitions and my list of the pros won out in all 3 cases.
In regard to the recall ordinance, as stated in previous posts, I feel it is only being prudent for our town to have this ordinance. In almost all workplaces, there is a process to fire somone who is not doing their job. In Newburgh, we have no recourse presently to do this until the end of that person's term.
I will vote yes to go from a 3 member selectboard to a 5 member board.
I compared other towns of similar size to Newburgh and quite a few have changed to the 5 member board and some stated these as reasons:
1) There is a more democratic process
2) There is more diverse representation for the townspeople
3) There is more diversity on the board with more opinions and ideas for decison making
4) It keeps 1 or 2 members from controlling the board and can help break up the good ole boy network
5) Two members can meet without a quorum or posting
5) It can help to spread out the workload and make the job easier
The reason I will vote yes for the administrative asst. form of government is because this form of government will give back the job of appointing and over sight of town positions (code enforcement officer, animal control officer, plumbing inspector, fire chief, board of appeals, sexton, registrar of voters, asst. fire chief, admin. assistant/deputy treasurer, cemetery committee members, deputy town clerk, tax collector, and deputy registrar of voters)to the selectboard. In a town manager form of government the appointment,hiring and firing of all of the above is done by the town manager. I believe that the chance of abuse of that power is greater. As an example of my reasoning was when testifying to the auditor, one town employee reported that a $10,000 payment had been received from the former deputy treasurer in repayment to the town. When asked why she did not go to the selectmen to report this, she stated that the town manager had told her not to and that the manager (not the selectmen) was "her boss". I am not bringing this up to open old wounds, but to give an example of how I came to my decision on this.
The administrative assistant form of government is less expensive and is used successfully by numerous towns in the State that are the size of Newburgh. The assistant reports to the selectboard and receives his/her duties and instructions from the board.
I served on the budget committee and there are several articles that will be presented to the people that will make changes in our town. Some of the changes in the budget I did not agree with but majority rules (as it should). One of our committee members suggested that the budget committee continue and have part in the oversight of the 2011 budget. I believe that this a a good idea and I hope the manager and selectmen agree to this.
PLEASE attend the March 12th town meeting. The decisions made at this once a year meeting will guide the direction our town follows for the next year.
This is your town. WE can make a difference!
Respectfully,
Rosanna Libby
Hello,
ReplyDeleteMy second posting is to voice my choice for second selectman.
I have decided to vote for Mike Burns for second selectperson and this is why. Over the last year, I have had the opportunity to see and hear firsthand Mike's knowledge of town affairs, decision-making methods, character and integrity. I have observed and seen the work he has done as the planning board chair, have heard him at numerous select board meetings and worked side by side with him as a member of the concerned citizens group. Does this mean that I agree with Mike's ideas and opinions all the time? No, it does not. We disagree on several matters. For example, Mike and I are at odds on the issue of whether to continue with our recycling program. He believes we should stop our program and I believe we should continue. He believes it would save the town money to discontinue the program and I can't disagree with that, however, I believe it will help save our ecology to continue the program. He is thinking about the money it will save to discontinue the program and I am thinking about the planet it will save by continuing the program. Who is right and is there a way to compromise with Mike on this? I don't know but one thing I do know is that Mike will listen to me and then research the issue before making his recommendation to our town. I don't believe that he will be influenced unduly by other board members but rely on his own fact finding to come to a decision. Mike and I have talked several times abut the importance of surveying the residents of Newburgh to get their feedback on issues and hear their ideas and opinions. I believe he will keep the town informed of issues before they are enacted; not after the fact. I believe my vote for Mike Burns is a wise choice and a good one for the town.
The following is my opinion only via conversations with the office staff and member of the select board of the town of Newburgh or strictly my feelings.
ReplyDeleteI fully agree with you on this one Rosanna except for the fact about the recycling. I believe Mike Burns was trying to find a way to save money in this area at one time but after talking to him I believe he had the wrong figures, all he had was figures that came from Cindy Dunton on the recycling. It showed we spent way to much money for our small town to be able to handle recycling. I believe since we have heard monies were being taken from accounts like the recycling. Am I right? If so I believe Burns would get a program going for recycling, get more info out to the towns people and support it. When R. Smith promoted the recycling program it was great. Getting someone on board to do that again would help.
I was involved in town business back some time ago way before you served Rosanna and during the time you were a select person for our town. Since I have slacked off, but plan to try and get fully involved now. It's done nothing but go down hill. Today I am so upset, angry and disappointed with the current staff that I refuse to go into that office unless I'm forced too. Not only are we way in over our heads with taking on that school building at this time, my opinion is the staff presents themselves to me as holier than thou, always right, arrogant, secretive, shifty & uncaring. I need to make myself get out and go to the selectmens meeting every month.
Each one of us can make a difference and need to. I'm not sure where the current town manager gets off telling me I don't know what I'm talking about and making me feel like I am a stranger in my own town office. Not only did he make me feel that way, but he shifted back and forth the entire time I tried to get a matter taken care of, never getting anywhere. He didn't know what he was talking about, didn't bother to get me the information and that's all he did was talk talk talk for an hour about "nothing" to make me think he knew what he was saying. I sat with him once and not sure I could again. Is he even a qualified town manager? Was he a candidate we paid MMA $5,500 to find? Hey there Mr. town manager, I have been around longer than you have and I do not need air space that's empty when I want to conduct town business in my OWN town building. As I sat there in the managers office looking around at all the decorations with the electric fire place running I thought to myself, is this all this is about, looks? Don't get me wrong I don't mind paying taxes to provide you with a nice comfy place to sit in if your doing the job I'm paying you to do, but I don't believe you are doing that job! What exactly IS theis town managers job? Procedures / ordinances is that it? Can he even do the clerk job? He is our clerk, he is our treasurer, why do we now have 3 clerks and a treasurer? His salary is $25 an hr. Lois's must be close to that $23 or so, the dep. clerks has to be $12-$15 x 2. Add that up people for 3 days with all 3 in there working everyday. Now their asking for 10 more hours for Lois and 10 more for the manager. Are we able to get the daily receipts to see exactly how much is taken in each day and compare that to the number of office staff that work those days? continued ....
continued:
ReplyDeleteNot only do the taxpayers OWN that building we have a right to go in there and feel COMFORTABLE. How do you get that back? I say, get that recall ordinance passed and remove everyone of them! I cannot understand why S. Smith would even consider running again for the position of selectman, he told me his family doesn't want him involved, he also said he didn't plan to run but was more or less pushed to do so, I have tried to talk to him about this situation where he has absolutely no say in anything for the betterment of our town with a 3 board select board, he's voted out every step of the way. He is frustrated with all he tries to do and all he knows he should do and should have done, yet finds no support from the board to even debate anything or change it. Now I hear he is left totally out of the loop and most times knows nothing about what is being done or said regarding town affairs. (this was a conversation between Skip and I only and is not speculation) Is that someone we want to sit on our board and bring this town back as it should be, no this is someone (Skip) we want to invite over for dinner and a good old bon fire outside with laughter and fun! If the people of Newburgh elect someone again that cannot do the job, then they deserve every thing they've got coming and believe me it will be worst than the last time. I myself plan to talk to Skip again and ask him to withdraw his nomination like a man, let Mike Burns have the seat and get on with the job as it should be done. Everyone get out and vote, step up, make a different, I say: vote for Mike Burns, change what needs changing, help your town by knowing what is going on. Yesterday I printed out the audit report that is now on the town of Newburgh website,these 3 selectmen have had ONE YEAR since the corruption was discovered to show us they could make a change, work for our town and do what is right. This is what I think and my opinion only, but I honestly believe that the 3 selectmen do not know how to do anything different than to let the town manager direct / run / and have the full say of everything! That happened before with Nancy Hatch and I fully believe it is happening now to a bigger degree. In case you don't know, the 3 select men are over the town manager in town management form of government, they are the governing body, they are the ones that are responsible for everything. When the audit and town report is out, they are totally responsible for that information and must be able to fully report to the citizens why and what all of it means. The select board only gets the info from the town manager now and my understanding is are told what questions to ask at the board meetings. Is this true?
Are you 3 selectmen involved in putting together that packet of information I am told you have at the meetings or do you just receive it from the town manager? When do you have time to go over it and discuss it with the manager to fully understand it and be able to find out it what is presented needs your changes if you just receive it on Friday before the Monday night meetings?? The office is closed Friday, Sat, Sun and Monday. This truly confuses me here. Other towns do not work this way.
Do yourself a favor folks go read and study that audit report, you will see NOTHING has changed, not only that, but I myself see things are worse. I have to make myself go to the office this week and get copies of the last 3 years audit reports and I will bet you money the same problems will be in there that are in the one I just now read for 2010.
continued:
ReplyDeleteI was also told from the office staff that it now costs fifty cents a page to be able to get any information we need from the office. Don't we already pay for the wages of the staff that is printing out this material we may need to acquire? We pay for the paper, the copier and everything else in that office to keep it running with our tax dollars, now we are asked to pay for it a 2nd time? I haven't asked for anything yet, but believe me the first time I need to get copies and they tell me it will cost me AGAIN, I will get someone to get that taken care of.
UNREAL this is all unreal, where would our parents and grandparents be in this? What would they do to stop this?
Here is the site to find the information www.newburghmaine.com print off a copy of your audit, your articles for the town report and the agenda for the selectmens meeting this coming Monday night Feb. 28th at 6 pm. Attend and make a difference.
I just read the letter to the citizens of Newburgh posted on the town website regarding the petitions, there is allot of "I" and "We" in there but there are no names attached. I would like to see any letter/publication on our town website that takes a position and offers an opinion such as this have at a minimum the authors name on it.
ReplyDeleteWho at the town office is taking this position, is it Mr Briggs, does it include any of the selectmen, Lois is that your letter?
Is anyone who wants able to post anonymous letters on the town website stating their thoughts and opinions about pending town business?
Please sign your name, whoever you are you appear to be hiding something or have a secret agenda when you do not identify yourself.
Jim Hopkins
Will you people just get over it and leave the town office alone. We have really smart people here and they know what to do. There is a lot of work and thinking to do and people coming in and bothering everyone does not help. This is only a part time job for Rick, he has his Limo business to take care of too. Susan has Hampden to deal with and everyone else has to deal with the problems and public. Just stop bothering everyone unless you need to pay for something.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Jim Hopkins concerning the letter on the town website...
ReplyDeleteIt seems that it is ok for our town officials/manager/clerk (singly or collectively) to try and sway the vote on the petitions. In all fairness, the citizens should also be allowed to post on the town website their facts, findings, and opinions. It is obvious that this is not possible, because they are all one sided.... for themselves, definitely not for the townspeople. They need to protect their own, not our wonderful town folk.
In their letter on the town website they state... "None of us are schooled in the dos and don’ts of
hiring, firing and managing municipal employees". It takes common sense, and that is something none of our current selectman have. If you read that sentence I copied and pasted from the letter itself, it is obvious they need to go to school and learn how to spell/write/proof read. They are right that they are not "schooled" (educated) enough to do the hiring and firing, but they did forget to add in there that they are not "schooled" enough to be selectman or a town manager.
This town is still spiraling downward at a very fast clip. We ALL need to change this pattern! Make sure to vote!
I also question the dubious intent of incorporating one's own opinion in our town newsletter that is paid for, by the tax payers funds. This is not fair and not democratic. I had thought it was outlawed many years ago. Not a fair playing field is it ?
ReplyDeleteIf the people running this town are so smart, please answer this. Why did our selectman hire a town manager who filed bankruptcy in June of last year? Could it be because Buddy felt a closeness to him because he, too, is on the verge of filing bankruptcy? Great way to run this town!.......hire someone who can't even keep his own business or personal finances afloat! I would suggest that you don’t sit behind your computer and spew crap about how smart the town officials are, because frankly it makes you look as “smart” as they are. To allow theft of 200k+- of town funds is what you call smart? I don't! And if Sue is so busy with her Hampden job, why did we hire someone so stressed with her workload that she can't do her Newburgh job?????
ReplyDeleteAnd.....we pass along the town checkbook to folks sho cannot run their own lives and business. Makes sense if you enjoy the world without a thought in your head. And..we elected them or had them , hire ? Same as Cindy Dunton, just they use the system to steal. Folks, we need to stop this craziness and change directions. VOTE,VOTE, VOTE
ReplyDeleteRick can sell you some snake oil if that would help?
ReplyDeleteI will vote for Mike Burns. I really would like to see Skip Smith let Mike have it by withdrawing his nomination like one poster above said, then run next year against Leona. That would be a no brain-er. That way Skip and Mike would really make 2 good selectmen side by side for our town.
ReplyDeleteWe need new people not Skip again. Regardless, he was on board wen everything took place and again when nothing is taking place. He put Briggs into office, added to Lois's hours, agreed with it all however, alone he claims he was only one and was out voted. Bull crap, Skip speaks with fork tongue. We need new replacements, in total.
ReplyDeleteCould not make it last night but have to ask.
ReplyDeleteCan anyone imagine Rick giving a simple yes or no answer to anything? I have never met a more long winded person he can put you to sleep trying to make a simple point. Every time he starts speaking out comes a gone with the wind length novel of a response.
I always wonder if Leona is going to nod herself off the edge of her chair when Rick starts in too, she appears to be mesmerized by his radio voice with that wild hairdo bobbing with excitement, gum smacking glasses sliding up and down her nose as she pretends she has a clue, often repeating what others or she says. What an animated little bugger, right out of a good cartoon.
The concerned citizens have never made comments of bodily injury to any selectman nor to any citizens of Newburgh, nor has Mike Burns. It goes to show which "side" or "group" wants to keep this town torn apart. We certainly know which side you are on, and your true colors are definitely coming out.
ReplyDeleteComments advocating physical violence between members of our town will not be tolerated. Comment has been deleted.
ReplyDeleteClaude
PLEASE CALL THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND VOICE YOUR CONCERN 942-8552 . THE HEARING IS ALMOST HERE,
ReplyDeleteMARCH 14TH......
To date, Newburgh has not rec'd any money from Cindy or Alan Dunton and we assume that they are still working for our so-called neighbors, The Hartleys on The North Road and their company, Clewely Foundations in Bangor.
What is the process if you are not able to attend the meeting next Tuesday and want to vote for selectman ahead of time?
ReplyDeleteIn reply to the previous poster on voting early. You can go today ask for an absentee ballot, anyone can get the absentee ballots, you don't have to have any reason to do so. Because the office is closed tomorrow (Friday) and Sat / Sun and Monday, today or Tues is the only days you can get the absentee ballots.
ReplyDeleteIf you are picking it up for yourself or a family member, just go in ask Lois for the ballots. You can fill it out right there in the office, seal it in the envelop that comes with it and give it back to her. You can get the ballots for you & spouse or family members, take them home, fill them out and have someone that is going to go vote on Tues. return them for you or return them today before 6 PM. I really think more people should take advantage of the absentee voting. Most do not know it is available to anyone and everyone, not just people that can't get there to vote on Tuesday. Today the weather is good, get the ballots and VOTE.
I DID....LET US HOPE. I HOPE YOU CAN CALL TOO , THEY HAVE AN ANSWERING MACHINE SO CALL ANYTIME.
ReplyDeletePLEASE CALL THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND VOICE YOUR CONCERN 942-8552 . THE HEARING IS ALMOST HERE,
MARCH 14TH......
To: Newburgh Citizens:
ReplyDeleteI was absolutely astonished at the gigantic annual report. It seems big for our little town and a wasted expense. That being said, ,noteworthy was the fact that Cindy and Alan Dunton have not paid any taxes and our first Selectman, Belcher who obtained an adjustment on his taxes, still did not pay them.
The biggest slap in the face of Newburgh's little people ( hard working tax payers) was the display of Hartley's farm on the front cover. These are the same folks that employ Alan and Cindy Dunton and lack the decency and moral conviction to do what is right toward their neighbors and community. Our town office apparently supports that attitude or why would they rub the little peoples
face in it with a picture of their property on the front cover ? This is an absolute disgrace and really lends credence to the idea of an overall conspiracy that has and maybe still is going on. Obviously , our town could care less but now they want to show us, how much they do not care and make a mockery of it. Well done.
If anyone that works hard for their tax dollars has an ounce of pride and wants to send these folks a message that we are tired to being walked on , make your concerns known. Otherwise, it will remain the same. I will also add that we have the Hampden folks in our town office and if you do not think that they are going to take away our independence, I believe you are seriously mistaken as time will expose it but than, it will be to late and the damage done. You just don't open up your books to the next town as you wouldn't to a competitor ,in the same business. You don't give the check book to someone who cannot manage their own house and business and files for bankruptcy but our selectmen, did both. I have never heard of anything like this before and find it totally unethical and destructive to town government and the hard working tax payer's, self worth. It's a SHAME.
We object to using the town newsletter to insert any town official's, own opinion.
ReplyDeleteThis is offensive and constructively wrong in any form of town government. Opinions are a separate issue and the town needs to allow any of our citizens to put their opinion in order to offset any opinion and time to address it or keep it out, period. Don't we want and need a level playing field and to reside in a democratic society ? This is wrong, and needs to be corrected or outsourced to an independent agency. Is there not any one with plain common sense ?
The selectmen in this town have lost all sense of right from wrong. They all need to be replaced. The town report is the most offensive piece of material that has been put out to date. The cover page is of a farm that is close friends with the Duntons. The fact that the first selectman and the second selectman both owe taxes to the town but still have recieved all of there pay as well as the first selectman received his abatement with the taxes not paid yet. This type of things makes the public wonder what is going in that office. The Boston Post Cane was given to a resident who is not the oldest resident with the full knowledge that it was being given to the wrong person. Regis Tivinan is the oldest resident. It was express as an excuse for Regis not getting the Cane that she was in a nursing so she had moved and lost her resident status how lame is this. Please make a change for the better and Vote for Mike Burns as Leona Smith has said she would resign if Mike Burns gets elected. We will do a good thing for the Town if we have her resign. She talks so much I bet she will not keep her word and resign. Please make it a date to remember March 8 2011 @ 8:00 O'clock in the am to 8pm on this date to go to the new named Newburgh Community Center and vote. There are People who are giving free rides and picking up absentee ballots for anyone who cannot make it. Please come to the Town Meeting make your voice heard. Our town needs new faces and changes to move on for all the things that have happened and what is going on still. Please put a smile on your face and come to town meeting with a positive attitude it is important if our town is ever going to join together and make our Town whole again.
ReplyDeleteIf this is true about Leona then it becomes vital that Mike Burns gets elected. I find it hard to believe that she would not quit when her incompetancy was exposed by the Duntons theft fiasco but now when faced with having to serve along with someone that helped uncover and stop the theft her stomach starts to turn? That is some messed up thought process that reveals her true lack of concern for anyone but Leona and some stubborn streak possibly fueled by pride but not by awareness of what the community wants and needs to get back on track.
ReplyDeleteLeona please take your ball and go home now, nobody wants to play with you anymore, do it for the children of the town that you ramble on about so often (funny missed you at Newburgh childrens day). You are holding back the community and you are directly responsible for helping keep the open sores that will not heal.
You will not be thought of as a quitter because you never were a player lets be honest and act like adults, pretent Burns already won for all concerned. Oh yea and take the baratone tax dodger with you we need a clean speep of this whole mess.
Why didn't Mike tell the police or the selectman that Cindy was stealing? He did know before anyone else did, as per his comment to Heather Rhines.
ReplyDeleteI believe Mike was one of the original group members of The Concerned Citizen Group of Newburgh who were trying to uncover discrepancies within our town office. They were met with road blocks by the selectmen and Nancy Hatch all along the way. Finally, they moved ahead with undeniable findings thus the exposure and the selectmen had to sit up and take notice. So, as far as I have heard, yes he indeed did. I cannot comment about his comment to one of Leona's relatives but that in itself would be somewhat limited, I believe after reading some of her past comments and her bias opinion coupled with questionable educational skills for a meaningful dialogue. I'm sure you could give Mike a call and he would be happy to answer all your questions again, Heather.
ReplyDeleteIf Mike Burns gets elected, Leona promised the community that she would resign ? Wonderful, what a great opportunity for our community. I can only hope that the entire community will hold her accountable,as a person is only as good as their word and we certainly do not want any town official that cannot keep their word. Please vote.
ReplyDeleteI find it ridiculous that every time someone has a different view or opiniion from any of your "fixers", that you feel a need to belittle them or contradict their view. I for one would not vote for someone who retaliates against another person for not agreeing with them! Seems to me there are some anger issues that you might want to address! As far as your comments about the Selectmen not paying their taxes and calling them tax evaders, does that mean that you feel that way about all of the people on that list that were not financially able to pay on time? I for one do not want someone making decisions for my town that is so demeaning to a large group of its' citizens. Skip you have my vote!
ReplyDeleteTo the previous poster: I find it ridiculous that you accuse the group with out knowing and I find it just as ridiculous that you say such stuff.
ReplyDeleteAre you 100% sure its one of the citizens group that would post such a thing? The group put the blog site up, maintain it, but do not have time to sit and post to it.
This blog site address has been handed out to every citizen in Newburgh, has been on the BDN site many times, as well as all the tv channels. Officials from all around have addressed this blog site.
Look outside of the box.
In response to Anon @ 9:34
ReplyDelete“Why didn't Mike tell the police or the selectman that Cindy was stealing? He did know before anyone else did, as per his comment to Heather Rhines”
Mike made this comment
“All the other information we have is public knowledge at the town office. "We" even had the back up disk of ALL financial info from 2002 to March 2010. We knew she stole before anyone did. And I, or we, would be happy to share all of these facts with you.”
This comment was made in June of 2010. Nothing had been made officially public yet. The lawyer had told the Selectmen to be silent. The comment was made in context that the information had not been made public yet. We know this since we were the source of his information. Mike, or anyone else, except possibly the Selectmen, did not know and could not have known definitively that something was wrong until mid-March.
The financial information was accessed on March 15, after Buddy stood up at Town Meeting and said they were investigating. At that point we immediately knew that something was dreadfully wrong with the books. This was the first definitive proof of wrong doing that the public had access to. Prior to that time all that could be seen were numbers not adding up correctly, missing checks numbers, varying and inconsistent explanations. People suspected that something was wrong but had no proof.
Immediately after we accessed the information and realized that something was not right, we contacted and met with Buddy and Skip. We met with Buddy on March 24 and gave him all the information we had.. We told both Buddy and Skip that we would provide any assistance necessary to get the town back on track. We also asked them to commit themselves to getting to the bottom of this.
It is sort of irrelevant who knew what when during the last year. We believe a better question is who knew what (or didn’t know) during the last eight years. The selectmen knew in 2007 Cindy had used the Town credit card for personal use. Nancy Hatch has stated that she knew something was wrong in November of 2009. Lois Libby has stated that she went to Nancy Hatch in December of 2009 to discuss her concern that something was going on. Why didn’t Nancy and Lois go to the Selectmen or the police? Why did they let Cindy continue to steal until March of 2010?
Kudos to Mike and Chris for persisting in their efforts with limited information. We believe that without their efforts nothing would have been brought to light.
The public should not have to be the gatekeepers for maintaining financial order. That responsibility was clearly that of the town treasurer Nancy Hatch.
We continue to review the events that allowed a conservative $320,000 to be taken from the town coffers (including lawyer and accountant fees) . We do so in hopes that we will hold responsible all parties that failed in their duties. For us that is when the healing can begin. As we said one year ago we intend to get to the bottom of this. We’re not there yet.
Lou/Claude
“Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Sir Winston Churchill
I did the posting and I'm not a member of any organization, group or party. Although I do believe in such a undertaking as someone or some parties need to check on the chicken house to try to protect our community from theft's and other crimes. With your outrageous posting and accusations you clearly are suffering from delusional thoughts and of course, I would suspect that you would desire to continue on with the wayward ways of our town office and have trusted town officials that just come in, to pick up their checks. This election, I hope we can get 2 removed for one, vote. Now, I call that a great trade.
ReplyDeleteI will be voting for Mike Burns.
hmmmm. The drama of politics and all that it offers. One must call upon themselves and elicit the call for , what is right and what the outcome of increased insight may be and our need for , complete honestly with desire to fill the oath that is taken, to heart. Our selectmen need to address our community
ReplyDeletewith openness and truth and allow our citizens to become more involved to make Newburgh a better place. I just cannot imagine that our selectmen as they currently are, not paying their own taxes. They are the power behind making sure others in town, pay their taxes so they can draw a check and spend the towns funds. This does not make any sense. Out of pure conscience and morals , they should of excused themselves to allow time for them to get their own house in order, but no, they wouldn't do that because as far as I can see they do not know right from wrong, and need to delegate themselves to their own sense of being, not trying to influence and govern our town. My final thought is , Cindy stole our money and some people will use the system to steal. Is there much of a difference ?
I too, will be voting for a change on Tuesday.
Nancy Hatch, town manager and Lois Libby, town clerk knew in 09 that Cindy had been stealing. They admitted this.
ReplyDeleteCindy still wrote checks to herself and paid her taxes with our money in 2010. When the selectmen dismissed Cindy and Nancy, what was the reason they let Nancy go? Because she knew about the money!!! So did Lois, yet the selectmen put her in as town manager! Please explain how Lois was given the town manager job after this? If I was driving the get away car and you stole the money would I not be involved and guilty?
Why did they let Cindy continue to steal until March of 2010? This has always been a question I have wanted answered!!
Of course, if completely investigated it would be conspiracy and a crime.
ReplyDeleteMy contexy is the explanation of a labor law, it says that no severance pay is appplicable if the employee is derelict in duty or is terminated within the probation period due to incompetence".
Why not check with The District Attorney and see if any additional charges are forthcoming ? if not, why?
942-8552 Do you feel that anyone else should be considered for " Derelict in Duty " ?
This is all very interesting to say the least, I have to take a position of change would be good for the community, now that said this does not mean I have any personal issues with Skip, Leona or Buddy.
ReplyDeleteI do have experience with Mike Burns as a member of the planning board and from what I have seen Mike is up to the task, he has done his homework and knows (as well as anyone from outside could) how the town has operated in the past. Mike will use the past as a tool to guide and suggest changes for the future. In my opinion Mike will seek out and accept input from others to foster an open environment, Mike is a good listener and acts in a trustworthy manner.
Win or loose Skip I thank you for serving and wish you luck either way.
Sincerely
Jim Hopkins
Jim:
ReplyDeleteWhile I do enjoy your insight and comments I do have to challenge you when you
want to say thank you to any selectman that didn't do their job , violated the community trust and did not live up to the oath that they swore to uphold. After careful review and thought, confirmed by facts and documents, I have reached my own conclusion of the following, Cindy stole the funds. Alan is as guilty as Cindy.
The mentor seems to have been Nancy Hatch is all of this. All of the selectmen are guilty of conspiracy or derelict of duty, at the very least. The latter being if they all suffered the same mental defect or could of cared less about their position as a guardian for our town. You would have to choose on this. So to thank someone who was ultimately responsible for the amount of stolen tax dollars because of the time frame and not asking questions I believe, to be a mistake in judgment or certainly an unnecessary courtesy bestowed upon someone unworthy of said gesture. Other than this, I totally agree with you and wonder what happen to Kathy P and why we have not heard of her position in all of this. For we all need to weight out, all that has taken place and the burden that has been placed upon our town and to decide if we really want more of the same or proceed in a different ,more positive direction that will hopefully include some safeguards, accountability and responsibility and more community involvement so nothing as we have experienced can ever happen to our town, again. The choice will be with the votes, I hope that everyone of voting age will exercise their right and vote, tomorrow.
Hi anon @ 1:20...
ReplyDeleteI read this blog site religiously and that was very sweet of you to mention me. I can't imagine anyone remembering me, never mind specifically asking my thoughts on ANY topic because I have zero self-esteem and think I'm an insignificant speck. ;-)
I haven't said anything because I'm trying really, REALLY hard not to go all pottymouth in public...either in written form or verbal. That whole, "Don't have nuttin' nice to say, don't say nuttin' at all" is echoing faintly in my head.
My criticisms are just that, and I don't feel they are helpful in any way at fixing our problem. I can see what is wrong but I have no clue about how I'd personally go about fixing it, therefore I don't feel qualified to give any input. No one wants to hear white noise, and that's all I am really.
What happened in our town, what is still happening...man it is just bovine feces.
Drive around Newburgh. Look closely at people's residences. Look closely at the roof lines. See the rot they need fixed but maybe can't afford to have it done? See the places that look like they should be abandoned but there is someone living there? Hear the damaged cars struggling to get their drivers to and from work without completely breaking down?
People are HURTING and all I see are total bitch slaps to our faces every time something comes our way from our town office. BUT I believe this to be the case in all forms of government, so I can't say I'm surprised that crap is still happening, special favors being done, indiscretions being overlooked/swept undr the rug, and I personally don't ever expect it to really stop, no matter who is at the helm.
Just pay your taxes, keep your pie hole shut, and maybe you'll get rewarded with a quick and painless death before the hospital/town/state takes away everything you've worked so hard for all your life.
As a friend of mine says, "Kathy, you are just a f'n ray of sunshine."
:)
It's ok Kathy P, at the very least you do sign your name so all know who you are. That in itself states something. You are on the right page as if you went door to door and found people home they would tell you that coming up with their tax dollars is very hard work and to see them taken and spent for someone's toys is so wrong. Our town lawyers main focus is on Real estate so he doesn't known what to do and he didn't ask for help. Didn't want to have to split his fee. We need change and the only way we can accomplished it, without a charter is by ballot. If Leona keeps to her word and Mike Burns get elected, as he should, she will immediately resign thus we will have another open seat on our board. Two for one, not a bad trade. Bring your ray of sunshine to the polls on Tuesday. I've said this before, I seriously believe Jim H or you would be a good asset to our board as you both have showed,good insight and common sense.
ReplyDeleteYep, I always sign my name because I think it's just the right thing to do. So far, no one has threatened to punch me or torch my joint, so that's a bonus I guess ;)
ReplyDeleteIt stung to read in the town report, the note from the selectmen, that in order to heal our wounds we need to move on. I don't agree with that at all. I think the only way a wound can heal is to cut out the infection...until then, the wound still lingers.
Current selectmen, maybe other staff members, ya frigged up, plain and simple. It was your job to balance the books, to bring to light any discrepencies, and that didn't happen.
I'm not judging...I mean, hell, I've frigged up myself, royally, and as much as it was a blow to my pride, I recognized that someone else needed to do the job that I was assigned...it was simply over my head. I could've kept plugging along and flailing, but in the end it would've made me and, more importantly the company, look totally incompetant and who wants to do business that kind of situation?
(Long story short, I'm a great laborer, take and follow orders beautifully, but can't manage/assign/be the heavy for squatola...I'm NOT management material in the least.)
But the fact remains that Newburgh is a company. It needs to be run by competant people. It has been proven, several times now, that the current people running things are simply not fit to task. I'm not trying to be mean, it's just how I see it.
I'm definitely NOT one of those people either. It would be WAY over my head. All I can do is vote and hope the person(s) I vote for live up to my expectations.
I hope everyone is safe and warm today.
:)
Hey Anon, March 7, 2011 1:20 PM
ReplyDeleteI have know Skip for 33 years, I just informed him through this site I would be supporting someone other than him at the election in an effort to promote some change in the town government, and I thanked him for his service.
I am truly sorry you have problems with who I thank or do not thank, this was not a judgemental statement or validation merely a thank you, very common practice within the business circles I travel in.
Much like signing your name to a letter or post in this case, it is actually proper message etiquette you should try it.
Jim Hopkins
Today is the day to VOTE. Tues. March 8th 8 am to 8 pm. Make your vote count.
ReplyDeleteDon't let those ballots out of your sight, elections can be won and lost by a trip to the bathroom, or a push into the trash.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Mike on the win for 2nd selectman! Good job.
ReplyDeleteWell done Mike
ReplyDeleteHas Leona resigned yet as she promised ? She needs to keep her word to the community and immediately step down.
ReplyDeleteI find it quite funny that I haven’t been on this very unnecessary blog in going on 10 months but yet you are all still talking about me…Since I am so uneducated and can’t carry on a conversation I will keep my post fairly short. But I do find it funny that I’m the uneducated one but I wrote my name at the end of every post yet Mike STILL can spell my name right, go figure. Mike I will not congratulate you on your win because I do think our town is in trouble now that you are in the position. As for those of you that think its such a big deal that I am related to Leona…yes I am, I am her niece and I am very proud of all that she has done for this town, and would be even if I wasn’t her niece. I am not related to Buddy or Skip and I think they both have done a wonderful job. If you all have nothing to do beside belittle and put down someone that doesn’t even read this blog such as me all the power to you I guess… I have thick skin I can take it, better me then someone else. As for all commenting on Buddy not paying his taxes before books closed go ahead and pull out last years book… YOU WILL FIND MIKE BURNS NAME IN IT! How funny I guess it depends on who you are around this town. I don’t plan on coming back on for quite some time so please carry on with your bad mouthing and ENJOY, whatever makes you feel better.
ReplyDeleteHeather Rines
Were going to miss you Heather and your witty little notes. The rest of us poor souls are looking forward to the trouble you predict as a result of Mike Burns being elected.
ReplyDeleteBig trouble coming with a balanced bank account, Big trouble with reeling in our costs to a level supported by the "other" taxpayers ability to pay, Big trouble with open communications and transparency in our local government, Big trouble for anyone riding the gravy train in town, hopefully big trouble for our current legal council, Big trouble all around, you are a regular Nostradamus with your predictions.
I am not surprised you feel this way since you are as you point out certainly uneducated especially when it comes to town business which is detailed in your assessment of the last three selectmen and their past performance.
We can only hope you are able to keep your word and avoid this blog for some time but I think you may be a bit of a big talker much like your aunt and her idle threat to quit if someone capable is elected, imagine the big trouble that would create.
Goodbye Ms Rhines
Well done Mike. You must have them a little scared as they wasted no time putting you down the day after being elected. Thank you for giving us who think theft is wrong a voice in this town again.
ReplyDeleteNow your grasping Dianna, how far back do you really want to go you must remember some others that served years ago that perhaps took advantage of their positions to their benifit.
ReplyDeleteI moved to town a few years ago, can someone please bring me up to speed on what Mr Burns did that has caused all this negative feedback?
ReplyDeleteHe won.
ReplyDeleteQuestion for Mike burns what do u plan on doing about the little field rd bridge the state Will come in and shut it down if not taken care of 2011 was the deadline to fix it and to Helen Mogan the the kennebeck rd bridge project is a DOT project not town and its and state rd so they own the work area and if they would like to push snow across the road they have the right to keep it clean by any means necessary so if u would like to complain again call the DOT not the town. See what u have to look toward to mike people calling and complaining about things that are not town problems because without a town manager it will up to u to deal with people like that
ReplyDeleteIf that certain select-woman runs it would be up to the registered voters to decide if she is fit for service or not.
ReplyDeleteWhat everyone does not seem to want to address is if the towns citizens became more active in town business then the amount of special interest groups and their agendas fall off and the town overall becomes more healthy.
338 votes were cast, so we think this is a pretty good turn out for Newburgh but you go to a selectmen's meeting where the towns day to day business is discussed and decided you may be lucky to see 30 people there even with some hot topics on the agenda.
Get involved, get more people involved and the diversity of thought processes will prevail, the special interests will not win out and the town will become more healthy.
If you do not vote, write letters, sign petitions or attend town meetings you do not have a say in anything that goes on in town. You at that point have an opinion but you are powerless to make change, that is the truth.
THESE COMMENTS ARE NOT HEALTHY FOR A TOWN THAT IS TRYING TO MEND ITS PAST AND MAKE THE TOWN BETTER. IF YOU DO NOT LIKE US LEAVE US.
ReplyDeleteAfter a very good turn out for the election yesterday, with a great new face on board, why would you people be so bitter? Please those kind of comments are not called for.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Skip is happy for Mike.
This is a turning point for our town, 200 people saw we needed a change. I myself like Skip, but I thought it was time for a change also.
Very, VERY well said anon@3:57 03/09/2011 :)
ReplyDeleteShut down/discontinue the Littlefield road bridge and the north county road extension both are not worth fixing for the amount of Newburgh traffic and the number of residents they serve.
ReplyDeleteHard choices but we need to make decisions based on reality, in these two cases the majority of the road use may not actually be from Newburgh. If we do not have the resources to fix the roads and bridges correctly we should take a good look at what closing them would do instead of pouring money into these pits.
You will find many miles of discontinued roads in Newburgh and the surrounding area, these roads were closed for a reason.
Take a ride across the extension and let us know what you think about putting any more money into this swamp hole.
Thank you Kathy! Well said yourself about the North Road extension. Wow, that road would need extensive research to even begin to get that one ready for paving. Its been that way for 70+ years. It would cost a fortune to get the foundation down. Anyone in their right mind would never approve tax $$ for such an undertaking. Make sure you come to the Town Meeting this coming Sat. and vote that one out. Times are tough, hard decisions NEED to be made by the townspeople NOW.
ReplyDeleteI understand we probably should have and need the 1st responder program, but the way it was forcefully done is another issue. It was not approved by townspeople nor does even 1/2 of the town know its in effect. Not ONE mention of it in the Town Crier.
1st responders are now housed at our fire department on 12 hour shifts waiting there for the call. What funds were approved for all the oil they have used, what funds are used for the uniforms they now have, the upkeep for the ambulance they have put on the road, lettered and rolling? Where does the gas money come from? Says in the town report they have 20 members, some licensed, others drivers etc. When will this stop without the taxpayers approval, we are the ones PAYING for this and paying for stuff we do not even approve or know about!!!!!!!! STOP! What happened to the town taxpayers approval??
Anon @ 5:17 03/09/2011: The post right after mine, about the roads, wasn't my post. Just want to make sure credit goes to the right person...which is yet another anonymous poster.
ReplyDeleteI sure wish people would create "handles" if they don't wish to sign their real names.
I think being anonymous is fine, sometimes a necessity when it comes to politics/personal safety, but choosing a standardized nickname or something would be easier on all us readers :)
These messages have gotten too personal, and I have removed them. Please folks maintain a minimum amount of respect for your fellow townsman.
ReplyDeleteThank You
Claude
Thank you Claude!
ReplyDeleteLeona promised to resign at the end of the year not immediately, where are you guys getting your info from?
ReplyDeleteI made the voyage across the extension 2 days ago it is as bad as ever, I am not a road expert by any means but I think I have some common sense and common sense tells me this road would not be a good candidate for paving and do not drive on it again until June. The bad part is it is not only the section through the swamp that is destroyed it is also the end from Tanglendz hair salon to the point where it meets Sibleys property. This road is a good candidate for an "open space" walking/bike path only, put up the barricades at both ends of the swamp and move on to other roads that make financial sense.
ReplyDeleteWhat I don't think people realize about the north rd extension is the reason it is in such bad shape is the amount of traffic that crosses it daily. In my opinion it would be a great loss if were to get shut down
ReplyDeleteHampden traffic crossing over to I-95! Ask your town manager (Rick Briggs)from Hampden, the real reason why they want to pave it.
ReplyDeleteI agree. They asked for over $200,000 last year of which we approved, to pave the Lindsey Road. They used about $50,000 to patch the bad spots. Then tabled it. That money should have stayed in the summer roads fund to use this year, and Skip Smith said that was what would happen, yet at the end of the year they swept it right into the general fund. Now they are asking again this year for another $200,000 from our taxes to pave the North County Road extension. Why would we approve MORE tax dollar $$$$ for them to play with? There is $500,000 in that general fund of which they can use anyway they want to. Some of this money should be stated in the town report to be used instead of ALL our tax dollars!! EVERY article in your town report asking for $$$ is coming from taxes this year. 1.8 million!!!
ReplyDeleteCOME TO THE TOWN MEETING Saturday March 12th, 9 AM, ASK QUESTIONS, CAST YOUR VOTE, if you don't vote this stuff down you taxes will go sky high in the next several years!
Can anyone explain why we as a community voted but now must wait until next March for these issues to take effect ? Seems like a big delay as I would believed they should of taken effect immediatley. My concern is that the office and the folks that these changes will effect, will run amuck. Maybe the delay has something to do with that ? If so, we really need to police the activities and control.
ReplyDeleteTwas the week before town meeting,
ReplyDeleteAnd all thru the place.
Papers were being shred,
To make room for a new face.
The Fixers were tired of the status quo,
Possibly, even the sacred cow would go.
Ctizens were angered,
For their abused blind trust.
Who could have known
The Dog Catcher would be such a bust.
It seems once the Sparrow eggs began to Hatch,
Even Bernie Madoff couldn't make these books match!
Edgar 011
Mike Burns:
ReplyDeleteI hope you will help establish some logical town office hours that can assist the working person. As it is, its all for the office staff , not a compromise for the tax payer , Employee's work for the town tax payers not the other way around.
We agree. Come to the selectmen's meeting Monday night 6 pm @ the school March 14th and voice you opinion. We have been trying ever since Briggs made the decision to have the office open just 3 days in the middle of the week. He established these hours before he was even hired. Its all for him. The selectmen do not question anything. Selectmen have dumped everything into his lap just like they did with Nancy Hatch. Open checkbook with no one even looking AGAIN.
ReplyDeleteLeona wont run next year? Gee I wonder why!!!
ReplyDeleteNow is the time to act in good faith Ms Smith, we sincerely need you to bow out so we can move forward with some new blood the longer you hang in there the longer we hang as a community.
Time for a new poll, how many people in town would like to see another new face in the mix. Not a big deal to run a special election to fill that seat.
Don't forget the town meeting tommorrow. If you want change, then there is the place to start. The doors open at 8:00 AM and the meeting begins at 9:00 AM.
ReplyDeleteI was just wondering Mike Burns waited until the end of the town meeting to be sworn into office instead of doing it prior to the meeting shouldn't he have been there with the other selectmen
ReplyDeleteNo, as you saw the plaque up front with Skip Smith's name. It was Skip's place to be there at the table, he official was our 2nd selectman. Last years budget is his responsibility and his signature is on every thing in the town report. They swore Mike Burns in after the town meeting. Mike is now officially the 2nd selectman, but was not before and during the meeting.
ReplyDeleteOk thanks for the clarification
ReplyDeleteIn reponse to the question just asked. By what authoriy do you speak? MIke Burns should have been sworn in prior to the meeting, as has been the custom of this town for at least 40 years, maybe more. Perhaps you didn"t know that, being new to the town. Are you the man we just elected or not? By not sitting at that table, you lead me me to question your ability to lead and answer questions in front of the town's people. You sat anonymously in the back of the room making ammendments to most of the budget, but didn't have the guts , like Skip has for years, to speak face to face with the town and give them your opinion. Footnote: I hope you understand as town selectman, that legally you can no longer be affiliated with this private organization, nor can you dicuss town policy with a political organization, which this is .
ReplyDeleteMike Burns was the official second selectman if you would have noticed it was said several times "our FORMER 2ND selectman Skip" Mike asked not to be sworn in until after because didnt want to sit up there and face the music! Well done today Buddy and Leona I appreciate all you have done and all your extremely hard work!!
ReplyDeleteTo Edgar 011 How true that poem is. It all started with selectmen who did not know there jobs. really funny thanks.
ReplyDeleteHuh? You have to be joking ? Skip was there joking around. Mike was attentive to the issue's. well done Buddy and Leona, yep, letting the town be stolen from , for years and to Buddy for bringing his friend, Ricky Briggs on board. We all are so please with them for not doing their jobs.
ReplyDeleteThis is confusing. Is this the official town website?
ReplyDeleteNot doing their jobs Cindy started stealing on other selectman watch what about them, and what about Helen Mogan she got away with lots of illegal activity who do you blame for that?
ReplyDeletenewburghmaine.com
ReplyDeleteto anon @ 5:35 regarding:
ReplyDelete"Footnote: I hope you understand as town selectman, that legally you can no longer be affiliated with this private organization, nor can you discuss town policy with a political organization, which this is. "
If true there are a lot of illegal politicians in this country. Our First Amendment rights guarantee us the right to associate with anyone we choose to.
Granted many things are confidential in a town office: general assistance, bid negotiations, personnel, legal proceedings. However the town is a public institution that exist for the betterment of its citizens.
I would think that policy is something that all citizens should be aware of.
_________________________________________________________
Apologies for comment being delayed it got caught in the spam filter.
That happens now and then and is unfortunately out of my control.
Claude
Cindy Dunton hearing that was scheduled for tomorrow at 2 pm has been postponed!
ReplyDeleteHope your all happy...good luck Mike going it alone and only doing what the whispers in your ear tell you to do. Man are we in trouble!
ReplyDeleteFYI, The so called whispers are actual full length discussions weighing the pro's and con's on any given subject as any meeting should entail. I'm sure the town will be fine as we bring on additional board members that will be held to their oath, this time. Yes, Good Luck Mr. Burns as you try to bring our community back together and in a new direction that will benefit everyone and not just a select few. Hopefully, Briggs and Kendall will follow their friends, lead.
ReplyDelete