The "John Burtis" project (aka the lets get Ann Evans a new street project so that bad truck drivers who make deliveries to her store don't have to make tight right hand turns project )keeps getting distorted as the voting comes near. His latest letter to the Derry News certainly shows how desperate these project participants have become.
Yes, this post is about Manning St proposed roadway!
Two Months ago it was Mr. Burtis himself who claimed that there were no traffic studies done in the area and that I was simply making this up because he wants to paint a picture of a councilman who should not vote because of a "perceived" benefit. ( What that benefit is I would like to know? The claim is I don't want extra traffic in my pristine neighborhood)
After I located the study and posted it on this blog did the Burtis team start to create new reasons for putting in the road. reasons that don't focus on facts from the study. Stay tuned as the reasons are getting more and more outrageous
I stated from the very beginning that I do not want this project because it is an absolute waste of taxpayers money. Did I know about this study? Yes. I had read it the first time around when it was first discussed. Did I read it? Absolutely and this is how I knew it would have NO IMPACT on traffic flow in the area. Did I come to the conclusion that it makes no sense building the road because no traffic flow improvements would be had and that spending 80K is a waste come from reading the report?
The answer is YES. However the "burtis project" members want you to think otherwise.
Mr Burtis wants the street to alleviate Rte 102 traffic which he compares to the Sana Monica freeway in California
Mr.Cooper wants the street so that downtown air pollution will just dis-appear
Mr Dimmock wants it because he's tired of having only two additional choices to get to town hall instead of three from his home around the corner.
and finally Ms Evans wants it so that her delivery drivers are happy- she even used that old tried and true tactic of she already knows how the vote will come out and that she holds out no hope of getting what she wants.
Lets all recap the facts:
1) Study makes no recommendation to do this road from a traffic alleviation standpoint
2) It will cost 80K to pave this extension and additional costs every year thereafter for maintenance
3) The bike path runs down this proposed street and there is not room for both. The feds gave us fed funds and they must approve this or will have to give back funds possibly
4) It is not an approved street via RSA law. Its an old rail way corridor and was never officially laid out according to law.
Now I ask you the readers- do you want facts or do you want smoke and mirrors? For the Burtis project members new mantra " desperate times deserves desperate measures and that last letter to the Derry News takes the cake!
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33 comments:
It’s pretty clear that smoke and mirrors have served John Burtis rather well for quite some time now, and his latest letter seems to show no indication that he intends to deviate from his MO by trying to obscure his rhetoric with any relevant facts.
And why would he? Fact’s have to be backed up and can actually be debated and/or disputed and certainly Mr. Burtis wouldn’t want to put himself in such a vulnerable position. Why else would he choose to do nothing more than write a weekly diatribe on what he thinks is wrong with Derry and its people.
BC has posted an objective engineering study on the Manning St. issue, and yet rather than attempt to refute specifics, Mr. Burtis wastes our time and insults our intelligence yet again with some kind of grade school story about statues of Jack Dowd and other scary sights that fill his rather active imagination.
The FACTS clearly show that opening Manning St. will do little or nothing to alleviate downtown traffic and to the contrary may actually increase the gridlock. If Mr. Burtis and his cronies would like to dispute that, why don’t they present their FACTS in this forum or any forum for that matter? Let’s find out how many cars will benefit and at what time of day. Why don’t we get some real numbers on the air quality in the downtown?
Maybe it’s just that the people of Derry lack the intelligence to understand all the intricacies that appear so clear in Mr. Burtis’ mind? Or maybe we should all simply line up like another sheep in the herd when we see traffic in the downtown and someone points up Manning St.?
While I really don’t expect a lot of actual facts out of Mr. Burtis and his crowd, I’m quite sure the rhetoric will prove amusing. It's unfortunate the real joke will be on the Derry taxpayer if Manning St. is opened.
I usually agree with you Brian, but not this time. I see a benefit to the street opening. If it helps truck traffic to The Derry Feed and Benson stores, then it helps all of us in gatting around the downtown.
I do not fault you for defending your neighborhood, but I think this time you are voting with your heart instead of your head.
I for one do not support spending the money to pave and to open Manning Street.
The only expert and professional study available does not support the position that it would alleviate traffic.
Certainly all of us have the right to express our opinions. We the people also have the reasonable expectation that our Councilors will give proper weight to the expertise of those people. In this instance that expertise is in the area of traffic impact studies and traffic management evaluations.
So, it is Mr. Burtis vs. CLD Consulting Engineers.
Mr. Burtis, so that we can weigh your opinion, your credentials please?
anonymous 2:08,
I respect your opinion. Just want you to know that this road extention will not at all help Benson's. Benson's trucks use Martin St and then enter the yard and exit out onto Rollins but not from the proposed extention. It will only benefit Derry Feed. I appreciate your comments about protecting my neighborhood, however my dislike of this is because the study says it will do nothing to offset traffic and i don't want to waste your taxpayers money on something that is considered a waste.
BC, why is this even an agenda item? This money was appropriated and approved in the budget long ago. Do you seriously expect Derry residents to believe that this issue would have received the delay and debate it has, had it not been for your political maneuvering?
Honestly, the ethical thing for you to do BC is to present your case (which you have done) and then recuse yourself from any vote should council chair Bulkley cave in and allow one to occur. But then again, we all know how he feels about recusing himself from votes where he has a vested interest and the unsavory precedent he set.
Some paving was just finished on Kendall Pond Road a few hundred yards from Fairbannks' home.
I'm quite certain she didn't recuse herself from that road improvement which adds value to her home.
The last post may have a point, but lets not pretend that Coyle and Fairbanks haven't had similar situations. It's just that the rationally minded people haven't cried wolf.
Anon 7:03, Coyle and Fairbanks? Through what sort of twisted thought process did you managed to work them into your response to my post discussing Manning Street and its being handled differently than any other approved and appropriated road project?
For a self described "rationally minded" person that does not cry wolf, you surely are acting as a typical Derry political black sheep incable of staying on point.
Mr. Burtis' letter in todays Derry News is over the top. He accuses you, BC, of doing the "devils work".
Is this guy for real?
anonymous 9:05,
AH yes Mr Burtis and his creative ramblings. First as a so called journalist the number one rule is to verify your story. Mr Burtis does the classic political attack by stating "rumors have it" or the " buzz around town" and then goes on to add rumor and innuendo. I have never once spoke about a memorial and using ANY TAXPAYERS DOLLARS to create a parkway. If Mr. Burtis simply picked up the phone and asked me straight out if there were any truth to this story he would of gotten the truth- instead he goes on to dramatize a slanted untruth. If anything I was the only counicilor who recommended taking the 80K for Manning St and giving it to our Senior Citizens as a tax credit and also increasing the Vetrans credit. No other councilor backed me on this but for Burtis to insult and spread rumors is just par for the course- They want thier way on this issue. I say let the facts speak for themselves.
Sir,
I did stay on point of your 11:47pm post - on ethics and when a Councilor should consider recusing himself or herself.
It's clear that you do not care for where your points take you. Unless of course "staying on point" means that we must agree with everything you say.
Here's an idea. Forget the road, and just finish the bike path portion. The end of the fake red-brick sidewalk where there's a big boulder in the direct path is actually somewhat of a challenge for non avid bikers to navigate. Also, paving the bike path section would open this section up to roller bladers (good exercise for a bunch of big calorie burning muscle groups in the legs).
Personally, I travel along this unpaved section of road all the time as it is the most direct route from my house to the town hall, state farm, depot square steakhouse, etc.
Madame,
You are formally invited to point out exactly where you spoke to the "ethics" and questions that naturally arise due to Manning street.
What you did speak to amounted to no more than an off topic, poorly reasoned attempt to politicize the issue by dragging in two other councilors that have nothing to do with my original post.
So, in an attempt to refocus your attention I rephrase my point; given that BC has a vested material interest in the outcome of Manning street which some have concluded is at odds with and will serve to work against the public good, BC must "ethically" recuse himself from any vote.
Furthermore, why is this approved and funded project even open to any further discussion let alone a possible vote?
Finally, under what circumstances has this been allowed to drag on for so long and does this in and of itself not raise serious ethical questions about the operation of our local government?
anonymous 1:36,
Please enlighten us and tell us what "vested material interest" would come by NOT having a road extention put in or for that matter if one was put in?
The question is Do you want to spend 80K of taxpayers money on an proposed extention that a non-biased professional study says will not accomplish a thing on.
By voting on this question- There is no conflict of interest or unethical issues. And please back up your answer with facts.
Sir (Anonymous 11:47 PM,
4:11 PM, & 1:36 PM),
You wrote "the ethical thing for you to do BC is to present your case (which you have done) and then recuse..." Re-note the words "ethical" & "recuse".
The fact remains, sir, that Coyle and Fairbanks have had issues come before them with a similar threshold of conflict of interest. I sighted one example and you haven't refuted the accuracy of that point.
BC's question to you leads to the more constructive question: Under what circumstances should a Councilor recuse himself or herself?
Anonymous 1:36,
I commend your strategy. You suspect/expect that if Manning St. loses, that it will be by a 4 to 3 vote. So by pressing the issue of BC recusing himself you have already set up your next position/complaint, that corruption runs rampant through our town government.
The fact remains that BC has no more of a vested interest in Manning St. than Coyle (developer)and Fairbanks (works for a developer) had in slicing and dicing the well ordinance which will directly save developers money. In fact I don't see where BC has a vested interest at all one way or the other and the whole recusing issue is little more than a feeble attempt at a smokescreen.
Why don't you show a little of the transparency that you always clamor for. The real issue is that BC (and a good many others) are opposed to something the so-called "council minority" wants, it's really that simple.
There's not a single shred of hard evidence that points to the opening of Manning St. as being beneficial to anyone in town, so instead you choose to ignore objective fact and raise the age old specters of "appearance of impropriety" and "ethical questions about our town government".
Those arguments are getting old and tired and they've been used on everyone and their brother. A quick review of the list just in the last 6 months:
Police chief;
Fire chief;
Fire dept.;
2 previous town administrators;
The sitting town administrator(before he even had the job);
Conservation committee;
Road committee;
DEDC;
Jack Dowd;
Council Chair Bulkley;
BC as Council Chair;
and now BC as councilor;
I'm sure there were others I missed, but those come to mind pretty quick.
All bad apples? I think not. And people are beginning to see that it's always the same people making that same argument, with nothing more than innuendo and rhetoric to back it up.
I would agree that it's time to end the rhetoric, look at the facts and take the vote. I for one believe that BC and most of the council votes for what is best for the entire town and while I may not always agree with the outcome, I try to do what some in town find difficult. Accept it and move on.
Okay, taken in order that your respective posts were made, first I want an honest answer from BC. If you were showing a home on Manning street, say... like your own, would it be more or less desirable if the street was a throughfare as proposed or a de facto cul de sac as it is now?
While you're figuring out how to spin that one, I will say that YES I do think that it should be reconfigured to allow another option for drivers to navigate through the congestion downtown. BTW there are many town employees that agree with this opinion as well. So it is not a waste of taxpayer money, though there sure is plenty of waste to go around.
Finally BC, it is your reputation to sully. If you are not clear headed enough to comprehend where your "proximity" to the issue could "materially influence" your vote and hence compromise the welfare of the community as a whole then I suggest you recuse yourself from ALL future votes.
BC, why is there even talk of a vote and how is approved and financed project has dragged on for so long? Consider these BC and respond truthfully and consider yourself "enlightened."
Now Madame, your reference to what I assume is a repaving hundreds of feet from a councilors home is too ridiculous for me to take time to respond to. I hope you'll understand why I chose not to respond to foolishness, I bet you do.
I do find your question, "Under what circumstances should a Councilor recuse himself or herself?" extremely important. I am astonished but not really that surprised that Derry's elected officials have failed to draft such a code over the years. But keep the faith, I have heard councilor Fairbanks calling for a code of ethics to be defined by the council for quite sometime...now let's see if you can bring yourself to get behind her call for such a code.
Finally, good old anon 3:48, due to current time constraints I will have to put you on the back burner, but rest assured I will get back to you as well, soon.
anon 5:56,
Where do we start? #1) I don't live on Manning St #2) Lord knows I don't live on a cul-de-sac.
3)What does the town employees have to do with a traffic study that was professional done. ( have you read this study? Download from this blog web links if you have not) Big Point now! The traffic study says it ( proposed extention) will not create more/less traffic so how in the world does knowing this fact and the fact that it wastes 80K make any sense. You may spin as you will and you may ignore all the facts of the study. Please don't insult the intellegence of the citizens of Derry
BC, great try!! but did you notice that I used the word "proximity" in addressing the point?
In addition, did you notice that for illustration purposes only I took the liberty to get you to think in terms of your own home's value to a potential buyer/seller situated on a cul de sac vs. a throughfare? Where did you read that it was stated you live on Manning street?
More importantly, once again BC, I really want to hear your take on two things. First, how does it come to pass that the Manning street extension, which has been approved and in the budget for years now has taken so long to get done? And two, why is there any need to discuss, let alone vote on this approved and budgeted improvement?
As for your contention that my questions have somehow insulted the intelligence of the citizens of Derry, I guess that is a risk I will have to take.
Sir (Anonymous 5:56 PM),
Thank you for acknowledging that my point is "extremely important” but your background is befuddling.
Does Fairbanks really want an ethics commission when she regularly violates the Council Code of Ethics? Here is one of many, many examples:
As published, she met with the Police Union President to discuss the fictional morale problem. Council code of ethics #2(b) states the following: "Recognize and support the administrative chain of command and refuse to act on complaints or requests as an individual outside this administrative chain."
Again, she bestows us with a plethora of other examples.
As far as BC is concerned, I think this situation like many, many others is worthy of the question, but I fall on his side because I don't see a personal gain for him. In fact, a reasonable case could be made that his opposition acts against his personal interests.
He would get new pavement very nearby; I wish I could get that done near my house.
And yes Sir, I believe that if BC needs to recuse himself for nearby street paving, why shouldn't Fairbanks?
anonymous 6:10,
heres something to ponder. Ask David Gomez if the value of my home would go either up or down if this extention goes in? After you hear the big chuckle-you will realize how foolish that arguement is. Now i will grant you this, If there was a major highway about to go through my back yard, it may turn away potential buyers. The only person who would even make the same comparision is Mr. Burtis ( who thinks rte 102 is the same as the sana monica freeway.)
You also confuse the general public becasue you know the real Manning st dead ends when you say I would live on a cul-de-sac and most know that you are trying to pave over an old rail road corridor. ( BTW- never officailly approved) And if you think that I have held this project up for so long I will say you give me to much credit- I am but one councilor out of seven. The seven have to look at the facts not rumors when they make a decision. Have you looked at the report? Maybe this is why it has not been done ( the powers that be know its a waste of money and the truth will be told once its put in)
Anonymous 6:10 here.
To be clear BC, I think the question of rescuing yourself is a legitimate one. There's enough there to respectfully ask the question.
I also support your answer and your position to that question for the reasons that you give.
My advice to you is be prepared on this subject - their ethics guns will be aimed at you.
Brian, In regards to your latest poll:
I like the the idea behind it and that it can clearly show what some people consider to be priorities.
However, you need to lose the "lower property taxes". That's a given. Who in their right mind would want to raise their own taxes.
Just food for thought.
Thanks and keep up the good work.
d3,
I actually thought the same thing about the property tax issue when BC first put this poll up. I figured evryone would choose to lower their property taxes and ignore the other issues.
However, I've been pleasantly surprised. I think people are starting to understand that the town is only responsible for less than 1/3 of your property tax bill.
And while this poll is quite small and unscientific, it's interesting to see the open space ordinance with the most votes so far and the aquisition of conservation land (which in turn helps keep property taxes down) on an even keel with lowering property taxes.
It seems to indicate people are equally interested in preserving the quality of life here in Derry as in lowering taxes, and further, that people understand our town government can have more of an effect on the quality of life (i.e. all of the other actions in BC's poll) than it can on lowering our tax bills.
It is refreshing to see that 'finally' people are recognizing the fact that the town is only responsible for less than 1/3 of your property tax bill. The majority of our tax bill is to support the schools. Why, I ask don't more people, like the Dimmmock's,the Rose's, the Coopers in this town attend these School Board Meetings and 'voice' their all to familiar concerns regarding seniors and veterans. Seniors have to pay for schools too.Whenever a school building is built, up goes our taxes. What about the top heavy salaries of the School Supt. and her administrators.People always look to the town and staff to cut, cut, cut.And yet the public still expect the roads to be plowed, and others municipal services not to be changed. It's time to consider paying more attention to the next school budget season. It's worth considering at the very least.
ps...FYI..I attended Pinkerton so I am not anti Derry School Systems. I just feel with some serious consideration to the taxpayers they could managed their finances better.
Anonymous 9:18,
Agreed - All the money we give to any of our government institutions should be scrutinized.
But you question the "...top heavy salaries of the School Supt. and her administrators." Where are your facts to support that assertion? Have you looked at what other superintendents in this region with similar responsibilities are getting paid?
Like it or not, just like my job and your job, it's all about supply and demand.
"Like it or not, just like my job and your job, it's all about supply and demand." says Anonymous
9:21A.M.How do you think that will go over during the Town's Budget Hearings for FY '09.
I can see it now.... Town Council Chair tells a member of the public...welp, take it or leave it...It's all about supply and demand. Now just pay up! Sounds pretty cold if you ask me....
Annon 8:32 PM,
If I understand your perspective correctly, you believe that some of our public officials are overpaid. Since you do not offer any detail with your complaint, we can only assume that you are not interested in what comparable positions pay. In your mind, we should hire McDonald's night shift Managers to run our town/schools and save a bunch of money.
To address your hypothetical - the professional and appropriate question at the FY '09 Budget meeting would be something like this - "What salary range would attract a person capable of fulfilling the responsiblilties of the position?" In order to determine that salary range, "comps" are needed.
Perhaps you think we should also cut the pay of our cops, fireman, and teachers - their pay is also determined by free market supply and demand.
If is NOT about supply and demand as you say ---- how would you go about determining what a position should be paid?
Anon 12:13, You must have a very low self-esteem. What kind of insensitive "dolt" would denegrate the difficult work and obvious sacrifice that a "McDonalds night shift manager" makes for themselves and/or their family?
I'll be glad to take a stab at the answer to my question for you. You're the kind of "dolt" that knows you authored this overt display of stupidity and yet can still look in the mirror and not see that it is YOU that occupy the bottom of the food chain...so to speak.
I don't expect a coward like you to admit what you do for a living, but it's a certianty you are not particularly accomplished at whatever that may be.
BTW, just curious, what is a class act like you doing eating at McDonald's?
Hello Anon 6:36,
As all have noted, I made no disparaging comments about you or even McDonalds Night Shift Managers (other than the implication that they - by the nature of their current position - are not qualfied to run our town or schools). It is clear that you believe differently.
Also, your name calling speaks volumes about the weakness in your position. And your lashing out does not distract anyone from your failure to defend your position re: the determination of salaries for the leaders of our town and schools.
It's apparent you think it should be based in something other than supply and demand. Explain yourself, please.
Hey BC,
The annonymous in last post calls an annonymous a "dolt" and a "coward" with "low self esteem" who "authored this overt display of stupidity" and ocuupies "the bottom of the food chain."
Your blog rules state that posts "will be edited only if the content is harmful or non constructive to any individual.
Why did you let that post through?
anonymous 6:27,
You are correct! I did let that comment "slide-by" because we are dealing with anonymouses and no individual was named. However, you are again correct in that the rules say non-constructive-which that comment was not and I should have rejected from this blog. I will keep a better eye on some of those comments. BC
Anonymous 12:13 pm has asked a question . How would you you go about determinig what an individual should be payed?
When in the real world, not the Derry Official world, or the union world, there is this thing called performance, leadership, and keeping to your budget.
If the manager at MY McDonalds is making me a ton of money without me having to stop by everyday to check the books, cleanliness, and employee/customer satisfaction, He will be paid more than any official in Derry.
You need the power to hire and fire any time when it comes to non performers. UNIONS STOP YOU FROM DOING THAT.
Thats why manufacturing has moved overseas,and kids are coming out at graduation from our schools that can't read. You have to go thru a long painful process to get rid of someone who is taking your firm down the tubes.
How about an old idea? Here is the RANGE of money you can make when you take this position. You are on a probation for 90 days. If you do not earn your salary, you are history. The supply and demand garbage don't have much pull with successful people.
WH3,
I agree with many of the principles in your last post.
Two exceptions:
One, there are no conditions in which I would accept a MacDonalds Manager (as the sole experience set, no matter of his/her performance in that position) as a Town Administrator.
And two, how does the "real world" determine the "Range" you speak of?
It's supply and demand
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