Thursday, November 4, 2010

Two new petitions

We have gotten enough signatures for two more petitions, one to increase the number of selectmen form 3 to 5, the other is to change from town manger form of government to administrative assistant. It was a great team effort to get these signatures election day.


Thanks!

Claude

143 comments:

  1. The idea of increasing the number selectmen is to get greater representation on the board. Another benefit with more selectmen is that this will allow the a broader scope of oversight and specialties.
    We did not state how this would be implemented; we merely stated we wanted it to come to a vote before the townspeople
    Claude

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  2. First of all a change to 5 can not cost the town more money, as you move ahead with your thought process please make sure the current stipend for three selectmen is divided by 5 in any future proposals brought to vote. If any of the current selectmen has a problem with reduced pay they should probably not be selectmen to begin with. They only need to look at their adminstrative performance over the past few years to understand the value of what they brought to the table has gone down and forced the town to look at doing business in a different manner. Their power absolutely needs to be diluted to assure all citizens are represented and any real or percieved selectmens special interests are kept in check and or eliminated.

    Second there needs to be 100% turnover every 3-4 years minimum, that will keep the vision and direction fresh and avoid the stagnation we seem to currently have.

    Sorry Selectmen, the reality is if you do not do your job in the real world you get demoted or terminated, but I guess you would have to be part of the real world with a real world job to understand when to toe the line and be accountable for your actions or in this case inactions.

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  3. I was torn on this issue (2 more selectpeople) myself, still am I guess, with me being one who favors smaller government, not bigger.

    I can definitely see the benefits of having an extra set or two of eyes looking at things, but are there truly people who are going to want to do this job for the piddly amount it offers? Are there already people waiting in the wings (members of the Fixers maybe?) to step into the positions if they are created?

    I still haven't done my homework regarding what exactly an "administrative assistant" form of town government is. That doesn't even sound right for some reason...because I have that written on my own resume. Is that the wrong term?
    :-D

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  4. I agree the selectmen's term should remain 3 years.
    The stipend of the selectmen is decided at the annual meeting and would be whatever the townspeople vote in. I'm not to worried about their pay, greater oversight for roads let's say could quickly pay for itself by having a selectmen that would oversee contracts and the work at it proceeds.
    The dynamics change from a 3 to 5 board. With a 3 person board one personality can more easily dominate the board. Furthermore with a 5 person board there are more life experiences brought to the table, such as financial, managerial, engineering, legal skills. Anyhow one would hope
    Claude

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  5. Do you not understand the true issue, or is it just too sensitive to discuss?

    Three selectmen would be more than enough if the townspeople carefully considered who they were electing and what qualifications they had instead of the current trend to vote in relatives or friends regardless of experience and skills. If you carefully look at our three selectmen there is really not much management, professional or educational experience/qualifications they can draw from, in fact they are all pretty much the same. Might be OK to have one "good ol boy" on board to keep the multi-generational interests covered but two or three leaves us extremely vulnerable. If the town would wake up and vote with their brains instead of their DNA or relationships we would be OK with our current system.

    It is real simple, if we as a community continue to set our standards low we will continue to flounder around with our tax burden firmly mounted on the shoulders of the residential property owners, we will continue fill these elected rolls with incompetent people and finally we will continue to be the laughing stock of Penobscot county.

    The choice is yours.

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  6. To: Nov 4th 8:53 Am comment. You truly have a great understanding of our issue, and I would hope whomever you are, that you would considering helping your town out if the opportunity would arise, and it may on or before our next town meeting.
    To Kathy P. You would be wise to call some other towns and see why they have gone from a 3 member board to a 5. I sort of remember that we went over this before when you said you didn't understand. Also as far as Lois and her PR, yes she comes across very well, however it is without question and she has admitted as well as Nancy Hatch did to Sheri Dennis. She took and accepted net monies in her pay check for looking the other way or as some say, she accepted ' Hush Money" for keeping her mouth shut and not informing the selectmen when she knew the theft's were going on. Is she not as guilty as the thief, herself ? I think the facts speak very well for themselves as well as the admissions. My next question, is why Alan Dunton was not charged, he signed the checks and knew he did not obtain this kind of money, legally? People need to voice their concerns to the District Attorney, Mr. Chris Almy as fast as they can so he will know we have many concerned citizens who care and are upset that their tax monies were stolen, what, almost 1500 residents, lost money. Oh Yes, what about the Interstate Credit card fraud, for the custom made drill bits for Alan's woodshop that were ordered on the town's credit card ? Time for our citizens to stand up and be counted. Please do not take the position that someone else will do it for you ? We are all involved and involved we all need to be.

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  7. Small Town 101

    Kathy Perin, and other Newburgh residents that do not understand.

    A selectman’s role is not a job it is actually community service, the town manager position that you have in Newburgh is a job, the "piddly amount it offers" is much more than many communities pay with many more citizens, additional miles of roads, schools and numerous businesses etc. to satisfy. If you have selectmen that are in it for the money then this is where you typically start to run into ethics issues, favors from contractors, special deals on private services, discount pricing for personal gain from vendors, contracts awarded with no bidding process and many other forms of corruption. You are correct you can not buy a home or car with what your selectmen are paid but you can or should be able to cover most of your incidental expenses associated with serving the community. If you have selectmen that depend on their "piddly" pay to make ends meet you most likely have low caliber selectmen that would not qualify or be successful in a competitive job environment. The only qualification you need in your town to be a selectman is to have enough of the 10-15% of the community that votes for local issues support you. There has to be a flaw in the system when 7% of the community elects 100% of its representation, even worse when as I suspect 20% of the community is somehow related.

    Hope this helps, class over

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  8. That condescending tone is just awesome there anon @ 10:18. I am going to stop contributing to this blog because people like you refuse to sign their name to such snippy hit-and-run posts. Have a great day.

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  9. I to wonder whats up with the tone and attitude, here? When folks are only asking questions and making everyday comments. You need to take some meds and get on to something that is fun in your life. Please stay on board Kathy P. we all enjoy your wit and we all can learn. I for one have learned a lot in that Newburgh, being my home sure can use some help and I will never turn down the opportunity to vote, ever again. That is, if I'm not voting in Hampden, in the next election. I just have to wonder how long Newburgh as a town will be able to stay afloat. Are we not just about out of tax money? Didn't Mr. Briggs bring in Susan to assist him because he has no idea about accounting ? or town management? If we are just about out of money than maybe we can be rid of Kendall Davis, his home town of Etna got rid of him too. Check out why ? It just never ends with our adminstration, does it ? We need a neighborhood watch on the town office but they continue to be closed and not the open door as Mr. Briggs promised.

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  10. Not sure what the bruhaha is all about the major thing I found condecending in that message is the fist line "Small Town 101" and the last line "Hope this helps, class over" and I am sure with all I/we have read in this blog over the past few months I/we can or should be able to handle this rhetoric with our newly developed thick skins. The poster may be out there some and is perhaps drawing some of the tone from reading other posts but from what I am seeing there may be some actual validity to the points he/she is attempting to make.

    Nobody want's to keep Kathy engaged any more than I do but if I had quit reading and writing here when I felt the comments were personal I would have been done months ago when I was accused of only moving to town because my kids were grown and gone (brilliant). There are some deep dark posts here and sorry this does not seem to be one of them only twisted a little on the edges.

    Jim Hopkins

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  11. agree, what about u Kathy P ? will you come back so everyone can now discuss the merit of having 5 Selectmen verses 3 and the problems with 3 that display limited, lets say, viewpoint. But we cannot have their immediate friends or family be on the board either. To change the subject a little, I understand that Briggs just hired 2 of Leona's Smith relatives, way to go and your going to make a change and show some leadership ? Suppose that is why Susan Lessord, Hampden's town manager is there now, so that there is someone to call upon,to answer questions and give instruction ? Maybe we now have 4 in the aminstration without much of a clue. I will watch to see if I may be wrong but to date, I believe I am dead right. Sad as that may be. And, I am seeing that the open door policy is really a closed door as usual. In March, I sincerely hope the voter will march on our town office, for major change.

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  12. I really get a kick out of some of these posts on this blog and usually I just stop by to read them but today I have to add something. The comment about paying the selectmen got me thinking. I have lived in this town long enough to remember when Helen Mogan was the first selectman and was at the town meeting when she voted herself in a raise from the original stipend amount of $2,000 to $6,000 per year. I was also in attendance at the following years town meeting when the town voted her out and voted Gene Sparrow in. Mrs. Mogan promptly got up and walked out of the town meeting, not even having enough integrity to preside over the meeting and answer questions regarding the town report and so on. What I usually see/hear on this blog is a lot of judgemental attitudes. Maybe our selectmen got complacent with the town manager in place. But I really believe that that's about all they are guilty of. The simple fact that people direct mean and unfounded comments at our selectmen is shallow minded and immature. How about the comment on this blog about "someone" heard one of the selectmen was filing for bankruptcy - is that really anyone's business at all? I think not. But don't mind me - I just stop by for the entertainment.

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  13. Thanks for stopping by

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  14. You bring up some excellent points, they are not guilty of micromanaging or even managing for that matter, as you say they were only complacent for years not jsut months.

    What is a very sad fact is Cindy Dunton never had to file for bankruptcy and the reason she did not is most definately the towns business, and to take it a step further if the selectmen had been slightly alert we would not be in this mess at all (talk about shallow minded).

    Not surprised you are entertained observing the three jesters keeps us all amused.

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  15. If a public Official committ's a crime, files for divorce or anything else, it certainly is the public's business. Rememeber, they asked for the voters support to be placed in the public eye and be their " trusted " official and took the oath to guard the towns money. They have let us all down, period.

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  16. I'm sure that Cindy and Alan Dunton' filing for Bankruptsy is on the table. I'm also sure that it was always part, of their overall plan.

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  17. TO:November 11, 2010 12:37 PM

    that's a nice back handed swipe at Helen. Just HOW did she "vote" in her own raise? Was it like the Christmas bonuses the theives got the last few years? If I remember corectly the towns people voted on that raise. No money was stolen under Mrs Mogans watch. You want to take swipes at people who served this town 13 years ago? You talk about Helen not answering about the town report? Has Nancy been here at all to answer about her town report? NO. Has Nancy been here to answer about why the money was taken under her watch? NO. I guess we let Nancy slide huh? Helen was not the one in charge when a quarter million dollars was STOLEN from this town.

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  18. Hmmm well lets see..... We had Helen doing tax accessing, the town manager's job and first selectman's job for 6000$. We paid about 50,000 for those jobs last year. I'd say we had a pretty good deal before Mr. Sparrow hired Cindy and Nancy to run things. You know the two with all the integrity.

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  19. I agree Anonymous @ 1:43 post,
    Cindy Dunton and Mr. Sparrow were neighbors and close friends. Cindy Dunton and Nancy Hatch knew each other before being hired by Mr. Sparrow! Interesting that any adult would go back to "Helen Mogan's time! The previous poster can remember the town meeting 13 yrs ago word for word! If only you knew what is going on today, but maybe 13 years from now you'll get it!

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  20. How are we ever going to find ANYBODY new to be selectman? I know I would not touch that job. People are putting down selectman from 13 years ago who did nothing wrong. Let alone what the current selectman are going through. Talk about a thankless job. How do you defend the current selectman? Well by putting down the former selectman of course. To quote anon 12:37 pm:"The simple fact that people direct mean and unfounded comments at our FORMER selectmen is shallow minded and immature."

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  21. How about something like this, for the March vote ? To : All Residents of Newburgh
    We are in need of someone who is honest, has compassion for their community and fellow man. Who may or may not be retired ( retired would be good) and who has experience managing people. We are in need of someone to help the citizens re-establsh trust in our public officials and help carry out, the wishes of the voters. Relatives of anyone now, an town employee, need not apply. We need independent judgement and leadership. We need someone who will use the bid process so all is on an equal footing.One who would and could answer all questions without delay and who would be above board on all town doings. The future of Newburgh would be in your hands so, this can be a very rewarding job. 1400 residents will be depending on you and your integrity and would perfer a local resident who would have a stake, in our/their own community.

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  22. I like it. I'm sure there are residents that remain in the background who will be able to step foward when the time is right. I also believe that we need to focus on removel and than, replacements. One would of thought that they all would of all stepped down instead of making a mockery of our town.

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  23. It's all that integrity.

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  24. You people do really need to get a life, our selectmen did nothing wrong and were victoms just like the rest of us. How can you really expect them to step down in the middle of our mess and walk away like quitters, guilty of nothing but not being accountants. Heck even the town hired accountants had trouble finding the details of the crimes, you saw Dr Almays statements in the paper he did not think they were at fault. And why does it matter to you that I may be related to one or more of these fine people, is that against the law too. Very easy to sit in the backseat and drive you should try it up front some time I can tell you it is hard and until you have done it you can only guess if you should take a left or right at the fork in the road. So get off these peoples butts and find something good to work on that will actually help the town out like fixing our road the Lindsey road once and for all.

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  25. Well I guess you better talk to the road commissioners about the problem. Oh wait that would be the selectman. I guess we have to stay off their butts so we won't ask about the roads anymore either.

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  26. How about fixing ALL the gravel roads? Or is it only the Lindsey road that should have this done? Lets try some work on the other roads in town as well.

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  27. Should be able to get the "Friends and Family" discount on the Lindsey Road. This town has a long history of fixing the roads the selectmen live on first. The North County road is barely passable 6 months out of the year and the bus often refuses to travel down it but nothing gets done. I would guess there is much more traffic on the N County Road than the Lindsey Road too.

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  28. There must be someone on the North County Road that would be a good selectman (or better than what we have now) then the road would get attention.

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  29. The Lindsey road has been paved before. Lets try paving one of the other gravel roads.

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  30. Anonymous said...
    You people do really need to get a life, our selectmen did nothing wrong and were victoms

    CAN YOU IMAGINE THE DENIAL AND BEING TOTALLY BLIND AS THIS ? YOU MY FRIEND, NEED TO GET A GRIP ON THE REAL WORLD. THEY DID NOTHING WHICH IS THE PROBLEM. VICTIMS ARE YOU KIDDING ME ? NO THEY TOOK AN OATH TO BE THE WATCHMEN FOR ALL OF US.PLEASE DO US ALL A FAVOR AND GO TAKE A CLASS ON TOWN GOVERNMENT AND HOW IT IS SUPPOSE TO WORK.

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  31. Heck even the town hired accountants had trouble finding the details of the crimes, you saw Dr Almays statements in the paper he did not think they were at fault.
    FIRST, THE TOWN HIRED ACCOUNTANT IS RON SMITH AND HE DID INDEED FIND PROBLEMS, FEEL FREE TO CHECK IN WITH HIM AS HE WILL TELL YOU SO. HIS INFORMATION TO THE SELCTMEN WENT WITHOUT ANY ACTION BEING TAKEN AND THAT IS A FACT. IT IS DA ALMY FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND HE DID NOT SAY THEY WERE NOT AT FAULT, FEEL FREE TO CHECK WITH HIS OFFICE ALSO. WHAT HE DID SAY WAS THAT HE DIDN'T THINK THAT A CRIME WAS COMMITTED BY THEM, HOWEVER, HIS COMMENTS WERE MADE WITHOUT COMPLETE REVIEW OF THE FACT FINDING AND HIS POSITION IS STILL OPEN AS EVIDENCE IS REVIEWED AND PRESENTED.

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  32. The above writer neglected to comment on your relationship, as you stated, you are kinfolk so your unfounded, unsupported and foolish comments about them being victims is beyond belief and only rests in your own mind. Yes, they should of stepped down, quite, walked away to have saved Newburgh from being the mockery of our entire state as it is, for unbelievable as it is, they stayed on and brought on one, Ricky Briggs from Hampden to join their crew,

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  33. When a man assumes a public trust he should consider himself a public property.
    -Thomas Jefferson

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  34. “These ballot initiatives remind us that America is the land where people are free to dream whatever they want, so long as that dream doesn't make Midwesterners feel icky!”

    -Lewis Black

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  35. We are Northeastern so it doesn't affect us, I guess. We can dream and set our sights on goals to achieve and apply the education that will allow us. The problem is when we go it with ego and without education and or experience. We end up like this with all the tax payers losing. Trust is a terrible thing to have " Destroyed" and break apart a community. Newburgh needs a fresh start with new town officers. As a town without experience we are losing many grant opportunities and state and federal assistance that no one in our office knows how to find, request, etc. So it just goes on day by day with all in their own fog of denial and belief that they have done nothing wrong and everything is fine. Will Newburgh have to lower themselves to file for Bankruptcy and have a record of non paymenet of obligations and contracts, failing to live up to our given and signed word. What could be worse than that ?
    That would be something, wouldn't it ?

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  36. I don't think our town will have to file bankruptcy, it appears that the town did not spend any money this past summer and hopefully we have enough to pay our bills. I would agree that we need a new start, but who in the world is going to come forth to run for an office with this group of people just hammering on the selectmen still? I think they dropped the ball with Nancy in place, and I will say that I think Nancy knew a lot more than she admits to. And yes the auditors did find things they questioned but the info was given to nancy and Cindi - from what I understand Lois was not present. And what two relatives of Leona's were hired? I haven't heard anything about this. At some point though people, we have to start making some positive comments. If you want grant writing done (and the research and follow up that goes with it) that requires someone in the office more than 3 days a week. My point is that there is need for a nearly full time manager position. I think we have got it good with Rick Briggs - he is willing to work part-time no benefits/holidays from what I understand and he has a lot of mangerial experience. He has brought in HA's town manager to help with the clerk position, hired a part-time custodian (again both with no benefits) and started to get the office back on track. Selectmen positions are not meant to be a 20 hour a week job no matter how many you have. Most people work to pay the bills and taking a selectmens position is more a community service than a way to make a living.

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  37. Do you have a point you will be getting to soon?

    Sounds allot like Rick Briggs self promoting again.

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  38. A part-time manager or Admin Assistant is just fine, the hours need to be tweeked, to make it more available for the tax payer and not just comfortable for the staff as it is now. This should be a tax payer choice not the employee even a compromise but we were not informed or asked. we were told.......that behavior needs to stop.......

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  39. How about we go outside the box, capable people (that do not have to work for the town or for that matter live in town) research, write and submit the grant requests to the selectmen for no pay and if we are succesful in landing them and the selecetmen accept them we pay them a set percent of the grant from the general fund as a consulting fee. You get us a 500K grant we give you 5-10K, no results no pay. The last time we had a full time person tasked with this we got little for our investment and in fact it cost us a ton of money that we will never recover.

    Let's ask Lesko

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  40. Yes, we had Nancy Hatch, who when she applied for the job, lied and said she had experience writing and researching grants. However, no background checks resulted in her hiring and the loss to our community. When one is reviewing they need the education to know how to accomplish and what a reference is. I certainly hope that the lesson has been learned but I have reservations with our current selectmen. I wonder if they checked out " Briggs" as rumors are beginning to fly around and they are from Hampden....

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  41. People on the Kennebec Rd who live near The Briggs said there was some mighty strange going on's at their place and that he couldn't even run his own business much less a towns. Can't wait to hear what else ? I too wonder, who the selectmen got his references from and his background check ? Maybe, The Concerned Citizens
    can help get this information and share it with the tax payers ?

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  42. Does the MMA offer assistance with identifying possible grant opportunities?

    Jim Hopkins

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  43. Likely there is something strange going on at many houses in the area over the course of the year.

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  44. §2607. Neglect of official duty
    A municipal official who neglects or refuses to perform a duty of office commits a civil violation for which a fine of not more than $100 for each offense may be adjudged, when no other penalty is provided. The fine shall be recovered on complaint to the use of the municipality. [1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); 1989, c. 6, (AMD); 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]

    SECTION HISTORY
    1987, c. 737, §§A2,C106 (NEW). 1989, c. 6, (AMD). 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD). 1989, c. 104, §§C8,10 (AMD).

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  45. Several people from Newburgh and adjoining towns will be going to Augusta in January to increase the penalty for these violations and others. To bring them more in line for year 2011. $100.00 violation needs to be raised to at least, $1,000 for each offense. We need to thank our selectmen for really bringing this to the forefront so that action can be taken to update this old law and put some teeth into violations

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  46. Why bother we just experienced some of the worst neglect of official duty violations in state history and nothing was done. 100 or 1000 or 10,000 does not matter if the violators claim they are innocent (or in our case ignorant) it is not a problem.

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  47. It's OK Deb Plowman and Andre Cushing have got our backs now, we are well represented in Augusta already so you are correct it is a waste of time for any of us to go.

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  48. It is Not OK...The bills need a sponser and a co-sponser plus there are questions, so it is always a continuing group effort. We are not talking about being represented, oh boy, ( some folks really need some guidence ) we are talking about drafting new laws for 2011.

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  49. Hey, I just heard that Kendall Davis almost ran over a kid on a bike on the Kennebec Rd this afternoon and apparetly his snowplow did not have back up lights. So, the saga continues on and only his home town of Etna was wise enough to call it, quits.

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  50. Arraignment: Cindy Dunton 8:30 A.M. tomorrow December 9th, Bangor, Maine. Show your support for getting her sentenced & restitution for your town! BE THERE!

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  51. Cindy's arraignment has been postponed due to her lawyer having a medical emergency Skip Smith

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  52. Daniel Sprague For President?

    Former selectmen/chair for Palmyra is the kind of leader every town should have. Knowing that there were excessive costs associated with moving the town office to the vacated school he showed great integrity by resigning. He was more concerned with doing the right thing rather than accepting and supporting something he knew the community could not afford. He would rather walk away after 14 years of service than be part of something that would surely burden the whole community and add to the taxs of many who likely could not afford their current tax load in these very difficult times.

    So does this make Mr Sprague a looser or someone that should hang his head in shame? No, he is a hero in my mind that obviously looks at the community as a whole and regardless would rather walk away with pride then support something he knows is wrong, we could use some of this integrity in our town government.

    I wonder what Daniel Sprague would have done if 200K was stolen out from under his nose in Palmyra, I have to believe he would have likely said he was sorry to the community, admitted he was to blame at some level and then promptly resigned.

    Daniel Sprague, I do not know you but I salute you, I am sure you would be the kind of man that would jump on the grenade in a crowd rather then run away and make excuses while pointing fingers at who was responsible for throwing it.

    We need more heros Like Daniel Sprague.

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  53. I did read the article about Mr Sprague, what I found interesting in there is that the town was given the school, they did not have to leese it from the School district. Seems odd to me that this was not also the case in Newburgh, how can it be so different from town to town or SAD to SAD? Did we really get the best deal overall, why are we different than Palmyra, why were our options limited to leese only with a threat to bring in others if we did not take the deal? I remember when the AMMO dump and hundreds of acres was removed from service by the military it was sold to the town of Hampden for I believe a dollar. The property was valuable but the military did not leese it to the town they gave them the option to purchase it for a buck. What did we do wrong?

    Jim Hopkins

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  54. Jim
    You ask some good questions that many of us have been wondering for over a year now. The short end of the stick is and will always be available to Newburgh residents when dealing with anyone with an ounce of real world business skill, experience and or education, our leaders are limited at best. It is a shame but for us any town deals or business transactions will certianly be taken and accepted at face value every time, add a little bit of double talk and the selectmen will have to fold and run "they just do not know how the rest of the world operates". We as a community currently lack the leadership skills to negotiate in our best interest everytime regardless of intent, size and type of project. We will be a long time winning any debate team awards our town trophy case much like our wallets and checking account will remain near empty. We all have to face it the selectmen are not qualified and every day along with every deal they remain involved in we probably will loose some value, end of story.

    TCH

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  55. Aint that the truth TCH, look at the patch recently added to the North road, people that visit our town must really wonder what a collection of bumpkins we must be. The last time I saw a bump like that was in the middle of a motocross track, has to be the most unprofessional road patch job ever. What will happen when the snowplow hits it, or heaven forbid someone looses control and gets into an accident?

    That was authorized, approved and I guess paid for by our selectmen?

    You have got to be yankin me!!! I see what you say about the value loss on their watch.

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  56. What is the difference a bump one foot high or a hole 1 foot deep, there is just no pleasing you people.

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  57. What's up with the above saying, you people instead of accepting that the tax payers do have a legit gripe and are very concerned and the hidden agenda still is, going on. There is no selectmen's watch, trusted officials, are you serious? Then there are comments like above that someone is still in denial. Hopefully come voting time, the tax payer will show that they are not, any longer. We have placed our faith and was let down and instead of helping our community they let their own ego take control instead of an oz of brain use and stepping down. We all need to face the truth, our selectmen just don't have the brains to be useful to our town other than to keep it in turmoil for mistakes time and time, again.

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  58. What happen to Kendall Davis in his home town of Etna ? Did they fire him ? What did Mr. Briggs do on or around June 8th of this year ? I believe the selectmen gave him the keys to the town around that time also ? What did his background check, show ? What it does show is that , our selectmen are trying to take Newburgh down the tubes, check out what I have said for yourself. Go B's

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  59. I give up, what did Mr Briggs do on or around June 8th of this year???

    Do you know something of value or again are you just P---ing in the wind like all you wannabee's do???

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  60. Something of value huh? Why don't you ask the town manager yourself as it has been a well guarded secret. But it is public record and on file, apparently even you have not been told, maybe it just may open your closed eyes up as to what is really going on, in town behind the closed doors. The people you refer to as wannabee's are the only ones that are looking out for the greater community and not for the few, who benefit. Seems like you may be the wannabee and Cindy Dunton may be your hero. Facts do speak for themselves but it does take, a closer look and not just, acceptance.

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  61. ARE YOU SAYING WE ALL HAVE BEEN SUCKERED IN, AGAIN ?
    WILL SOMEONE LOOK UP THE FACTS AND REPORT BACK TO US, THE VOTERS WHO DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIND OUT THIS INFORMATION OF PUBLIC RECORD ? I REALLY WOULD BE INTERESED IN KNOWING IF ANYTHING IS GOING ON WITH RICK BRIGGS AND KENDALL DAVIS THAT WE HAVE NOT TOLD ABOUT. THANK YOU

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  62. All you have to do is check with the town of Etna regarding Kendall Davis. How he snookered in our selectmen, is another question but not much of a surprise. It will just continues on until the voters take a stand. Briggs, I don't know much about, only he isn't operating as he said he would with everything being open to the tax payers. If he is hiding something from us, I hope we find out soon what it is.

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  63. So you do or do not have knowledge you can share? Quit beating around the bush tell us what you know about these two everything has to be a mystery with you and your well guarded seceret rumors.

    Or are you worried about the Sopranos again?

    TCH

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  64. Come on how can anyone take any of this serious, both sides talking in riddles, well riddle me this batman.

    What is the big conspiricy theory this week, how do you tie in the relatives, haul in and lynch Mr Briggs, throw Lois under the bus, accuse everyone in town except your gang of being corrupt and still expect others to believe in what you are doing or what you would do in the future.

    There has to be a better way to motivate and organize the citizens to the point of being considered a real good option for the town's future and not just a bunch of devisive back stabbing snipers!!!


    Tom P.

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  65. Trouble makeers from away

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  66. LOL, you have got to be kidding me!! He is right, you accuse everyone in the town office of exactly what you are doing! Your innuendos and hints are childish and simple. If Newburgh is the laughing stock of Maine, it is because of comments and people like you anonymous of December 21, 2010 at 10:29 AM.

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  67. I would also like to know what we supposedly did concerning Rick Briggs on June 8.I don't beleive we had even interviewed him at that time for the manager's job. As to Kendall and his problems w/Etna that's between him and the town of Etna and I have heard both sides. I still support Kendall. I also believe we need to put more of our work out to bid in the future. I also wish Iknew what our "secret agenda" is because I sure as hell don't have one. I have never lied or been secretive to ANYONE who took the time to call or stop at my house to taik to me.I don't like this format because if you don't have the nuts to talk to me personally I don't put much credit in what you have to say about me. As to replacing me with a smarter more business wise selectman I haven't seen any of you people who apparently are much wiser than myself flocking to the town office to take out your nomination papers which have been out for a week now.I don't even see one person in this town willing to do my job. Skip Smith

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  68. LOL, I made the comments and have nothing to do with the so called groups or soprano's etc. I voice my own opinion only and it seems there really is a group that wants to group everyone to some other group or gang but it appears that group is from within or family. Maybe it is good that everyone is looking over their shoulder as it certainly would of helpped with The Dunton's and the office, if they had. I think we will have some devoted citizens that want to help take out papers, soon. What people that were born elsewhere are not as good as you guys ? What a comment to make to our taxpayers.

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  69. I agree Skip you are certianly the cream of the crop.

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  70. I don't appreciate riddles either. Rick Briggs filed for Bankruptcy on or about June 8, 2010. Was it so hard to just come out and say that? Skip, you stated that you had not interviewed Rick at that time, sooooooo....... When you ran a background/credit check (because he was going to run to our town which needs someone with good accounting skills) that should have come up. Or.... Maybe it did come up and you just didn't read the report, because after all Skip, you have a history of not reading anything that is put in front of you concerning our town. Rick appears to be an adopted part of the "family". Open door policy my ass. Can you imagine... Hiring someone to manage our town when they couldn't even manage their own!!! What has Rick accomplished since he was hired? SPEND, SPEND, SPEND, SPEND.... Facts are Facts.

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  71. Hey, would you put a child molester in with children? Of course not, so how in the world can anyone in their right mind justify giving the town's check book to Briggs after he took his own company and himself down the tubes ? You can't make this stuff up and it just continues on. Just amazing. Thank you for bringing this unknown fact to our attention as it does make a difference after all, that was promised. Someone said, secrets behind closed doors, what about that Mr. Skip Smith,Belcher or the other Smith ? Why wasn't the tax payers told up front instead of having to find out, this way? I guess the tax payers are a worthless lot that don't need to know these things.

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  72. If anyone has the time to spare, go to Dysarts, the coffee cafe or any other group having early morning coffee and discussions and you will hear, why Hampden has been laughing at Newburgh and why the total distruction of your town government is near. As you can now see, it will come from within, so the non voters will be blamed, again.

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  73. What a bunch of absolute misguided fools trying to blame hard working concerned citizens for their lack of trust in town government and wanting to help protect crimes from happening again. How many people are involved in this underhanded deal with Briggs and company ? If you read the comments and the folks that are still in denial and always placing blame on the groups of interested citizens, you will see how even they have been mislead and they believed everything they were told without question, apparently. I hope that everyone can see now the need of each and every vote and taking a stand to protect yourself and your neighbors from more misdeeds. You all need to hold the selectmen accountable for their actions this time verses their inactions, with Hatch and Dunton.

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  74. Do you think this "total destruction of your town govenment is near" prediction has anything to do with the Myan calendar.

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  75. How about this one? I was at the town office today and presented with the "Town Christmas party" going on there noon to 4 p.m Think about who's even around that time of day. INVITED only. What the h*ll is that all about? Who is paying for this? No wonder its not posted on the Town of Newburgh website nor was it in the Town Crier. It's for people that work for the town & or volunteers, not for the 100s that have volunteered all their lives for this town. Is that a slap in the face to towns people or what? Why not an open gym invitation to the town folks wishing EVERYONE a Merry Christmas? Haven't we dealt with enough already? Remember Rick Briggs saying "my door is always open, I'll never lie, I'll make sure this place is transparent, nothing will be under my table and so on"? So the games continue. Bigger play house at OUR expense.

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  76. I, myself,do not care who paid for the party, even if all the food was donated free of charge its not right for customers to come in (taxpayers of your town to do business and hear of this 2nd hand) and see a town party going on at your office. Christmas party for a select few? Aren't we teaching our children a lesson on this everyday by not letting them invite just one or two or their choice of children out of their classroom, showing favoritism & making hurt feelings etc? I feel this is not a good idea in this town after the mess you have encountered. Dividing the town even more is not what is needed.

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  77. IS THIS WHERE THE SECRET CHRISTMAS BONUS COME INTO PLAY ? WHO HEARD ABOUT THIS PARTY AND WHO IS PAYING FOR IT ? THESE PEOPLE JUST WILL NOT STOP. I DON'T REMEMEBR THE TAX PAYER VOTING FOR THIS ?

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  78. ITS ABOUT TIME THAT NEWBURGH COMES UP WITH SOME VIGILANTES TO TAKE THE TOWN BACK AND LET THE TOWN OFFICIALS KNOW THAT THE VOTERS ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANY LONGER OR DO THE VOTERS WANT TO WAIT, UNTIL THE NEXT ELECTION? HOW MUCH DAMAGE CAN THEY DO IN THE MEANTIME? SEE WHY YOUR VOTES ARE SO, IMPORTANT. BELIEVE ME, THE SELECTMEN HAVE IT GOOD AND THEY DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP THEIR EGO JOBS, TO MANY BENEFITS AS ONE CAN SEE, NOW. THEY OPERATE WITH ANY TYPE OF APPROVEL FROM THE TAX PAYERS AND THERE IS NO SHAME.

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  79. Attn: Skip back to your comments where you said you side with Kendall Davis, that is strange as Nancy Hatch had said she caught some double billing also but didn't do anything about it. This was not the first time with Etna either, they gave him several chances plus there was the issue of the gravel, sand etc. Sorry, but his Spots don't change. Then, comes this major issue with Briggs. What kind of explaination do we have for this one ? Boy oh boy, what a continuing mess and believe it or not, it keeps getting worse for the trusting tax payers.

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  80. You know i have been silent and this entire thing is totally gone beyond what I would have expected from our town. I guess now the cards are on the table, we do need a complete new office staff, from the top on down.

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  81. I totally agree Anonymous, have not said much either. I do check out things that are said here and 99% of the time they are correct. I made some calls and the poster about Rick Briggs filling bankruptcy in June is correct. Filled in June over $800,000, chapter 7, only paying back around $150,000. This is just way to risky to hand someone the town checkbook when no one knew anything about the monies our town had / has. What Cindy had done was not reliable. No one received a financial report that was anywhere near correct from the previous treasurer Sherri Denis.
    Nancy Hatch had a history of fraud when she was hired, Cindy Dunton had been fired from Bangor Daily News abruptly, what about serious background checks? What next? This town needs help.

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  82. Is there a poster up on how to file the paperwork to be up for the selectman position ? Is it on the town's website ? If not, why ? Why wasn't this information in the last town newsletter. Where do people pick up the forms and how many people need to sign them ? Why isn't this information at hand for all to see and use if they desire ?

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  83. I want to know if there were any bonuses approved by the tax payers and put into the budget by the votes ? Seems like someone at the office is spending and spending on themselves so it makes me wonder, what is up next ?????

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  84. The nomination papers can be picked up at the town office. You need 25 signatures to be placed on the ballot for the March election. The other questions are just a continuance of the past. Nothing is told, you have to ask. Can I hear you say transparency?

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  85. Been sitting back watching this all unfold, I knew we were in trouble when I heard the current selectmen made sure the recall petition vote would not appear before the taxpayers anytime soon. I wondered why, what was so important with being a selectman that you would not want to do all you could to assure this got before the people, if you really cared about the town at all would you not want to know and support the voters regardless of how it turned out for you. If you were truly concerned with being recalled would that not be a slight clue you should probably resign???

    We have two extremes in play, the current staff and family of elected officials are extremely incompetent and operating with ignorance and denial as their only ace in the hole while the fixers are percieved as arogant, over critical, likely a little insane and removed from the majority of the taxpayers.

    The selectman we need is a level headed socially mature individual that first of all can add and subtract, has compassion for all others but can be firm when required, understands right from wrong and has a proven ability to lead. In addition this ideal selectman should be well organized with some "successful" business experience as well as enough balls to take and keep control of the town manager.

    An ideal selectman would have marched the town manager out the door the day he decided to not give the selectman keys to the town office. This person would have also sent him packing the day he decided to turn down a town family greiving from the loss of a loved one that wanted to hold a service in the gym. The ideal selectman would assure the Kendall Davis's of the world or any other contractors hired were safe, competent and qualified to perform work in town and if not fire them on the spot. This person would not allow the town to be overcharged for services year after year. This person would not follow most questions with a statement about how he or she will have to check with MMA to make a simple decission or respond to an issue.

    The ideal selectman WOULD HAVE CAUGHT CINDY THE FIRST YEAR PERIOD, WOULD HAVE RUN NANCY OUT OF TOWN LONG AGO AND WOULD HAVE RESIGNED THE DAY THEY REALIZED WE CAN NOT AFFORD TO OPERATE FROM THE SCHOOL NO MATTER HOW MANY VOTED FOR IT.

    This person is curretly living in town I am sure of it, I am also positive all of you know someone that fits the bill perfectly, it is up to you to convince them help us out and run, and then it is up to you all to actually show interest and vote them in.

    If only the radicals and or incompetents take an interest in town business (that is exactly how it is now) we will continue to struggle and be devided as a community.

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  86. You know Fraud can take place at any level. The citizens as a group can, if they desire to, sue the town officials in court proceedings, the filing fee's are climbing all the time however, you really should obtain the services of an attorney. Maybe, you should get an attorney to take it on and get his fee's paid seperately by the town funds, if you are sucessfull. Keep good paperwork and think about all that has been done and how it has effected you and the community and proceed accordingly. It's to bad and it may cost you to get rid of your past voting mistakes but you can do it. As a group or as an individual and collect on their errors and omissions. I would recommend that you do so as it appears that you are not making many improvements in the town settings and whom ever promised , transparency, outright lied to everyone that heard him or her. Merry Christmas

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  87. Talk about fraud, the above post is pure fraud, do not pretend you are not one of the radical, arogant, over critical, likely a little insane and removed from the majority of the taxpayers P heads.

    You are a fixer wack job, you know who you are we all know what you are. The only things transparent is your post and you.

    Merry Christmas my a-- you phony .

    Who do you think is willing to fall for your line of BS and pay for your suggestions, you need to put up or shut up.

    We have paid/suffered enough while the knuckle heads continue to run our town, time to expose both your non-productive groups and move on with some decent/civil people representing the town of Newburgh.

    You all need to step aside.

    TCH

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  88. I have noticed that the exposure of the town manager's bankruptsy has quieted down family and friends of the selectmen and office. Seems, this was a big secret that was not suppose, to have gotten out to the taxpayers and voters. Transparency promises were only made to confuse and held no real truth. Now, everyone knows how this current staff operates and no wonder they want to keep Kendall Davis who has another set of problems. You will not keep the voters at bay, any longer and I bet they will show their voice at the next town meeting and I hope that the BDN is there, too. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to the town voters. I sincerely wish for a fresh start for our town with new faces and a new direction and I really don't care that they may be from, away. Almost, anything is better than what we have, now.

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  89. You've got that right Anonymous Dec 25 9:46 am. post. If you should have a copy of that bankruptcy notice why not post it on the concerned citizens website, I forget their site url, but sure you can find it. These are not things our town folk need hidden at this time. This also may be of interest, while talking to someone the other day she mentioned the Christmas dinner the town office put on for town employees and volunteers, apparently not all employees were invited nor were the volunteers. Why would the selectmen let the town manager invite a choice few? Why wouldn't they go over the list making 100% sure everyone employed and volunteered was asked to attend? Does this show more of the "I don't care what you want or think" policy we've seen posted here? Skip can you answer some of these questions? Why do you allow this? You are the GOVERNING body of this town, OVER the town manager!! Here we go again with Nancy Hatch days!

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  90. Doesn't make any sense at all but than again, what does with this group. Without knowledge and unable to see the bigger picture. However, to enhance their own ego, they certainly can show the taxpayers how they can benefit themselves and pick and choose whom ever they want in their own grouping and without any shame. UNBELIEVEABLE

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  91. SHAME ON THE FOLKS THAT ATTENDED. THEY, THE PEOPLE WHO DEVOTED THEIR ENERGY AND TIME SHOULD OF SPOKE UP AND FOUND OUT, WHO WAS INVITED AND WHO WAS NOT. JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE THAT THE FIELD IS NOT LEVEL .

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  92. Newburgh's current town officials just do not care who they offend or what the town government laws are. They just do not care.....Think about it.

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  93. On the subject of Kendall Davis and Skip's desire to stay with him and believe his story, I add this. Besides the town of Etna ,ask his sister Polly or his twin brother, Kurt why they refuse to have anything to do with Kendall and it has been that way for many years. As someone else said, Kendall's spots do not change. It all add's up to the overall mess our town is in and when we think it can not get any worse, it does.
    The only way out, is for everyone to Vote to Remove. There is a reason that they do not want so called, outsiders involved or even honest insiders that voice their own opinion.

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  94. is it really honest to goodness true that the new town manager filed for bankruptsy just before the town hired him to manage our money ? this seems to far fetched to believe that our board would be that stupid after all we have been through.

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  95. Its true, check at the court house in Bangor. I did, its all there.

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  96. You know it might not be a bad idea if the taxpayers of Newburgh called your own special town meeting before your regular town meeting in March. Get the people in town together and sign petitions to remove the whole bunch in that office. I don't think anything has gotten better out there, sounds worse to me, way worse.

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  97. Need to make sure that the stay at home folks, make their votes count and put an end to the thefts and stupid decisions that have been forced upon our entire community. We need a new direction and that is without question if you just read the above comments.

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  98. How many petitions will we need to sign for the removal\recall process to actually be real.

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  99. Because there is no town charter for Newburgh or a recall ordinance it may not be possible to remove anyone with a petition. You would think one of the first things on the town managers agenda would be to see that the town adopts a charter like other towns and gets a recall ordinance article in the town report to be voted on. Anyone can be voted in and without a charter or recall ordinance there is no way to remove them. Think about it voters! Something is seriously wrong with all these pictures like the previous poster stated!

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  100. So why do you think the town manager needs to push for a town charter and adopt or draft an ordanance to likely have himself and the incompetents removed?

    If it is an ordanance that is needed why would you not have the planning board draft one based on the last recall petition and submit it to be voted on at the next town meeting like any other ordanance? What really is the difference between a recall ordanace or a dog ordance, both deal with protecting the taxpayers.

    There definately needs to be an ordinance to control selectmen and town employees allowed to roam at large, or taking a bite out of our bank account.

    Mike Burns, it is up to you to take the lead on this one.

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  101. That is an obvious understatement that anyone can be voted in. Below is Palmyras recall ordinance simple and to the point, perfect, change the name to Newburgh and submit it, why is that so hard?

    http://palmyra.govoffice.com/vertical/Sites/%7BF84353CE-5E34-4FAA-85EE-EA4D340BB2D2%7D/uploads/%7B36E3DE1D-2260-4040-9675-FBF13D9994D7%7D.PDF

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  102. There will be a warrant article at the next town meeting asking residents to approve a recall ordinance that was drafted after reviewing several others from other towns. Over 150 people signed the petition to have the recall ordinance put before the voters in March.
    All that is left to do on that one is to go out and vote next March.

    Lou

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  103. WONDERFUL, CALL YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS AND PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IN NEWBURGH IS ON BOARD TO VOTE IN MARCH OR USE AN ABSENTEE BALLOT. WE NEED A NEW DIRECTION WITH TRUST. SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN MISSING FOR SUCH A LONG TIME.

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  104. OK good sounds like we are making progress, would be nice to have selectmen candidates in place if this all goes through and it turns out a majority of the citizens have lost confidence in the current selectmen.

    Dear Blog admin. can you start a conversation here to perhaps identify candidates and explore their interest. They could tell us if they are in fact willing, able and available and if so give us some feedback on what they would like to change, keep the same or modify. Do you think you could come up with a list of town business related topics that each person could respond to, or even open up the blog to all to ask questions of the candidates.

    Would be good to get to know these people and where they stand ahead of the election. The more we all know the less likely there will be surprises after the election and the less likely selectmen will be elected based on relationships or name recognition alone.

    Some suggested topics I can think of would be public service background, political affiliation, education, life and or business experience and where they see the town going in regards to growth and taxes, maybe some personal information etc.

    This would also allow the current selectmen to respond to the same questions/topics to help people on the fence decide if they want to continue down the same path or move toward a new direction. My feeling is if the current selectmen decided to not respond the message would be clear they do not want to continue.

    At a minimum this should be done with any new candidate that takes out nomination papers for the selectmans opening this coming year.

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  105. you would think with as much snow as we have that the plow man would plow this road,(Chapman Rd), he only went down it twice today, what is with that no wonder people are going off the road plow man (Kendall Davis) sucks

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  106. CALL the town office 234-4151 and the selectmen to let them know you are not satisfied with the plowing. Do not believe he plowed anything over night to keep the roadways open in case of emergencies. Our road was not touched until after 8 am. yesterday. How was your town road during this storm?

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  107. Great Idea!!!

    The town is full of qualified candidates that woud give us experience and diversity with a mix of education, business and life experience in place of the same old same old cookie cutter approach we have elected in the recent past.

    Below just to name a few ideal people that live in our town, if you know them or someone else qualified ask them what they think, tell them we need them to get involved, tell them we need a fresh start. If you know of others list them, the more people get involved the better for us all and the better chance we will have to move forward. They are all over the place in this town might just need encouragement to get them motivated.


    Dr William Deighan
    Audrey Oclair
    Richard Bartlett
    Tim Dysart
    Terrence Whitcomb
    Renee O'Donald
    Mike Burns
    Scott Clements
    Randy Bryant

    etc. etc. etc.

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  108. Jim Corliss
    Jim Barnes
    Dana Dubois
    Martha Bankston
    Dennis Bradley
    Steve Whitcomb
    Chris Yountz

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  109. Would like to watch the debate on these match ups.

    Buddy Belcher Vs Dr William Deighan

    Skip Smith Vs Jim Corliss

    Leona Smith Vs Audrey Oclair

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  110. I just noticed a potiential problem with the names you have thrown out there.

    IS POSSIBLE NONE OF THEM ARE RELATED.

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  111. Who is Audrey Oclair?

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  112. I like Dave Little, who has been the full time tax collector for Bangor for some 20 yrs and resides in Newburgh and Dennis Babcock for honesty and fairness. If we could poke them to run. What about Amos Kimball or Malcolm McDuffie?

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  113. Need to find someone that lives on a state road we can not afford to put all our road repair money into one town road because of a new selectman living there.

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  114. We certainly have the people, we just need for them to give something back to their community that is in desperate need of a fresh and honest, open direction. We cannot have it without the right people so please everyone, ask them to help, us. When we thought it could not get any worse, we were shown, it certainly can. We need it, to stop.

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  115. Lou Chamberlain
    Roland Crooker
    Ron Darlin
    Lynn Butterfield
    John Miller
    Bonnie Henderson
    Sherri Ross
    Jan Rines
    Heather Miller

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  116. Let us have an 8th grader come in, to debate our selectmen and no , you can't call a relative or the MMA.

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  117. What no life lines?

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  118. Now look what you have started, all sorts of qualified names are coming out of the woodwork.

    First question we should ask anyone interested in running is how they feel about a recall ordianance.

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  119. Who is Audrey Oclair?

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  120. Can we pick three that live on the same road and save some repair money that way?

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  121. Roland Crooker is still kickin? I had him for a teacher 45 years ago and he was old then.

    He was awful proud of Newburgh though, if he heard anyone say Newburgh farmers he would make them write some goofy line over and over on the black board, no lesson of value but made him feel tough overpowering a 4th grader, bet he went home and bragged about it at night.

    Always thought about the day I met that man again as an adult, grabbed him by the neck and made him write over and over how sorry he was for being a meat head.

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  122. LoL on the 3 living on the same road to save money. I remember Roland Crooker from school in Hampden, he was the nicest, caring teacher back then. He also has a son that would be a good candidate. Does the selectboard have to be from Newburgh? Not sure what the difference would be, the board doesn't take things into consideration about the town now, or the townspeople, I think an "outsider" would at least give it some thought and care. What's up with everyone saying the select board cannot function or answer anything without MMA, 8-9 years on board and still depending on MMA?

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  123. Hey this seems sooo productive, here are a few more names of "Very Qualified" people in my neighborhood, any or all of them would be fine additions to the "Select-team".

    Traci Martin
    Chris Martin
    Jeff Brown

    Who is starting the spreadsheet and Who is this Audrey Oclair? Other than seeing her name here 3 times this morning it sounds so familiar.

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  124. Jim Hopkins
    Thomas Raye
    Kathy Perin
    Maria Baeza Miller
    Angela McQuilkin
    Ryan Ward

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  125. People to help out, hard workers.
    Harlan Stillman
    Honey Bartlett
    Helen Mogan
    Deb Clauderwood
    Connie McDuffy
    Leroy Dewitt
    Roy Dewitt
    Robin Lindsey

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  126. Other Solid, honest, hard working and experienced choices

    Wayne Arbo
    Rick Grace
    Rick Odonald
    Robin Faulkner

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  127. Looks like there has been quite a bit of activity here today, no serious smashing with many people interested in the future of the town.

    I know most of these people and would agree there is a deep pool to fish in and with the right bait we should be able to pull out at least one keeper.

    Jim Hopkins

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  128. Jim, any way you could help organize a special taxpayer town meeting? This blog is good, but what is really needed is all taxpayers to know the difficulty we are facing here. We need serious intervention by someone.

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  129. A note to all that read this blog:

    I have picked up my nomination papers and I will run for selectman again in March, 2011.

    I would like for you all to know that I will not put up with all the bologna that has been and still is going on in our town office. The current staff is very secretive and keeps way too many things/issues from public view. The selectmen need to be sent a message that we (the tax payers) do not support them and want our town back. The cure is simple! It is called logic, something that is non existent within our current town government. With your vote and your help, I can bring logic back to the table. Those who have seen me in action know I will do it. I can answer all of your questions better than our current staff can. Knowledge is power, and I can deliver. Please vote on March 8th! Get your friends, family and neighbors out to vote. We need each and every taxpayer in the Town of Newburgh to come to the Annual Town Meeting on March 12th and help us stop the outrageous spending. We also need to pass the recall ordinance, administrative assistant form of Government, and to switch from the current three selectmen to five. With your help WE can do it!

    Mike Burns
    Call if you have any questions. 234-4415

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  130. Some hard more hard workers
    Deb Jordan
    Linda Hamilton
    Noreen Reed
    Linda Davis
    Rosanna Libby
    Steve Burgess
    Lois Whitcomb

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  131. The previous post should have read:
    Here are some more hard workers in town:
    Deb Jordan
    Linda Hamilton
    Noreen Reed
    Linda Davis
    Rosanna Libby
    Steve Burgess
    Lois Whitcomb

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  132. Mr. Burns,

    I am glad you have decided to take another stab at it.

    Until I joined the planning board and we met for the first time I must admit whenever I heard your name and or saw your signs around town my thought was "who the hell is Mike Burns". Now I know you and my interaction with you as Chair of the planning board has been very positive. You are thorough, fair, organized and detailed with what I perceive as a genuine concern for the community as a whole.

    This may be a kiss of death for you but I want to be clear on this, you would have been one of my first choices for selectmen and I will be glad to help in any (reasonable) way. I will make sure people who do not know you (like me 7 months ago) and care to know my opinion will get a very positive report with a solid endorsement.

    The trick will be to get the people who do not normally vote on board and involved this time.

    Good luck and thanks for not giving up on us.

    Jim Hopkins

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  133. Just called the D.A's office, Cindy Dunton's arraignment has been re-scheduled for Jan. 20th, 8:30 am.

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  134. What do you suppose will be the next emergency that delay's the process???

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  135. I, too have been very impressed with Mike Burns. I have found him to be very articulate in nature, with a helpful personality and demeanor. He is diligence in his duties and seeks facts to offset rumor. The last election, we voted for the other guy as we were called by Cindy Dunton the day of the election ,who indicated to us that Mike had a ax to grind and would only be trouble within the town office. She also said that he didn't even have a telephone listed so how could he help our citizens.
    Needless to say, all this was wrong and she was one of culprits behind the trouble within the office. Mike's phone was indeed listed in the Bangor book and with information. Mike also was one of the first people to know that something was defiantly wrong in the town office thus one of the largest cases of town government embezzlement, in Maine history took place in none other than Newburgh, Maine on the shoulders of some of the lowest paid workers and retiree's.
    I sincerely hope that this is enough , to bring Mike a seat at the table. With the acquisition of Mike, Newburgh would be on the right track to implement some very needed change and accountability to town office. Believe me, Mike's ultimate goal is to bring responsible town government back to the people of Newburgh.

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  136. IT'S A DAM SHAME THAT ALAN DUNTON IS NOT GOING TO BE CHARGED TOO. HE CASHED MANY OF THE CHECKS THAT CINDY WROTE OUT FOR SEVERAL THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. HOW CAN THAT BE, SEEMS LIKE JUSTICE IS NOT WORKING FOR NEWBURGH......THE TAX PAYERS / VOTERS NEED TO CALL THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND EXPRESS THEIR CONCERN.

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  137. You would of thought that the selectmen would of wrote and called the District Attorney about Alan and not collecting any money from the rental property but they have not. Makes one really wonder what they do, do and how much they want to protect the towns interest. Of course, we know its all about the $2,000 that they collect each year and to hell with every thing else. What a sad case of affairs, we have, currently.

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  138. No one wants to "rock the boat"! I believe they "all" know more than they want anyone to know. It will eventually surface, you can't hide this much forever. I've been involved with the office a lot since they moved to the school and holy smoke, what exactly are their big secrets? Even keeping a lot from the selectmen it appears. They add more and more and more to the stirring pot to keep it internal. One day the pot will boil over and then the truth will be known. Only then will the taxpayers open their eyes. At the time Newburgh is doomed, but stay tuned. It won't be long.

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  139. Isn't anyone confronting the selectmen about appointing Mr. Briggs as our town manager when he filed for bankruptcy as that is admitting that he cannot manage, money but then again that was his, now its ours. How can our selectmen sleep at night ?

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  140. FYI

    If you are for or against Mike Burns or anyone else it does not matter if you do not sign your name there is a certian amount of wasted effort.

    The message as always will be diluted if left blank.

    Jim Hopkins

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  141. We all have an axe to grind, if you paid taxes in Newburgh for the past 5-6 or more years you should have an axe to grind.

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  142. From "As Maine Goes blog"
    Do towns give a 1099 for the losses to the person once they admit to the theft so they can claim it as unearned income? Wondering if they could do so, much like credit card companies now issue 1099's when people walk away from credit card debt.
    Great idea!!!

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  143. AMG (As Maine Goes) is a phenomenal resource. There are some wicked smart, pretty famous people behind those monikers. Professor Frary is a frequent poster, as is Charlie Summers, Mary Adams, lots of business people, and attorneys...and of course average schmucks like myself. Tax-and-spend libs really don't frequent that site though--leans more towards the R side of things, which is why I wicked dig it myself.
    :-D

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please be couteous!

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