Lets open it up to anything you want to talk about?
Will KC and JF run for their seats on the city council? And who else may run?
How will the 0% upcoming budget effect town services? your thoughts?
Or anything else that is on your mind. Lets hear it.
The opinions expressed are of my own individualy and are not to be interpreted as official of any governing body. Comments from readers are also of their own opinions and will be edited only if the content is harmful or non constructive to any individual. It is important to share information and thoughts on political process so that we may discuss issues that effect us all.
96 comments:
Brian, did Brent Carney get a job with Jeanne Sheehan? If this is true, did the fire union and his fire vote play a part in this?
I hope not. He seemed honest enough.
Its so easy to complain and look at the negative side of issues. How about a few positive observations. Here is one: freedom of speech, even on blogs.
anon 9:47,
I'm not sure...This is the first I have heard of that if it is true
I am expecting to hear about how police, fire and other essential workers will be laid off. This is the typical rhetoric we get when there is a threat of loss of revenue to a government agency.
I propose we lay off the extra non essential workers in the town administration first.
You know the ones, when you call a dept. and the person you need to speak to is out of the office for the day. If you can leave a message you may get a return call. If you can't then try again the next day.
These are non essential workers, in my opinion and usually the first to go in a layoff.
I know, I know, its cruel.
They will lose their health insurance and pension however there are many tax payers with no health insurance or pension.
Looks like I found out the answer to the post. Looks like both KC and JF are running again according to the NN.
brian that post you approved regarding
3:38 & 2:29 was sent to you in error on my part. some how it was in memory on my browser and it got reposted.
can you delete it?
thnx
GM
What is going on across from clm
looks like there was a tire place going up but looks like it stopped
also the lot next to it has the tree cutters there??
One more day to throw your names in the hat. Only one person has added thier name to run against a councilor!? All I hear is complaining on this thing, and not enough doing. Everyone on here seems to have solutions, so pay the $1 and get your names added to the ballot. Councilor? School board? Library? Trust funds?
Seriously, I you think you can make some positive change for the town, do it.
It’s a disgrace to be honest! All you ever hear about is people complaining, but when it comes time to step up and actually DO something all you hear is crickets.
All the complainers will get what they deserve. More of the same. Enjoy!
Just a head's up that the School Board Deliberative Session is this Saturday at 10:00 AM in the West Running Brook gym.
Since we live in a town, and the school budget is independent of the town council, this is a really good time to come out of the woodwork. This is a good time to see if the school board is freezing pay or not, and to see how else the school board can save money.
Additionally, it should be noted that the default budget is actually more than the currently proposed budget. This means that, should the voters reject the school board's budget, the default budget will force the town to pay more.
Anyone who has posted ideas on this forum on how to lower taxes (including BC) should be there this Saturday.
Attended a council meting when the Fire Contract was approved. At that time our town administrator said something to the effect that we kinda have a hiring freeze. Then we hired 3 town employees. Reading in the paper yesterday it loks like we have up to 6 postions for discussion next Tuesday. QUESTION . Does the town of Derry have a hiring freeze or not. Looks like we dont scine hiring is now a topic. Doing this type of financial planning in the private sector i can tell you we grew about 10 headcount in one goup i support in 2008 only to LAY OFF 6 other workers in last week. Where does the council stand on HIRING>
Some of us have to work 3 jobs to stay above water, we have no time to run for anything.
It's a good thing we got BC's blog to voice our opinions on things going on in town.
Thanks
Today was the School Board Deliberative Session where would all you nah sayers? It took less than 15mins.for the whole session with one person getting up to ask a question...Kevin C.
If you aren't a part of the solution (lowering your taxes)you are a part of the problem.We beat up the t.c. what about the school board? It doesn't make any sense people.
Oh, and by the way KC has put his name in for School Moderator as well as councilor. What could possibly be on his agenda now?
Brian, Can you tell the people of wards 1 and 4 who is responsible for clearing the Grinnell School Rd?
I have been calling the town and the school department for 2 weeks and they keep saying each other is responsible for sanding the hill and the sidewalk. Maybe you can tell all the parents of the children who were in the bus that almost tipped over on Thursady morning who is responsible. The bus ended up perpendicular accross the road into a snow bank, the children were screaming in horror when the bus was sliding backwards down the hill. Luckily no one was hurt. All the other busses had to unload the children at the bottom of the hill and walk up an ice laden hill, with half of them falling continuously. Bottom line it is the TAXPAYER who is suffering. These internal department wars are becoming dangerous when the lack of concern for the peoples safety goes to the wayside.
I challenge anyone to drive by the Grinnell Rd this weekend and see for yourself If you are real imbitious try to walk up and down the hill yourself and imagine you are a 6 or 7 yearold carrying a backpack filled with books, lunch and your shoes and snow stuff for recess.
anon 3:47,
If its town road then the town is responsible. If it is on school property then its the schools ultimate issue. I know that sometimes the school and town will work together on certain things and not sure if the school dist has arrangement w/the town in this case. Childrens safety should be foremost in everyones mind here and bottom line is that this needs to be addressed. Please if this stays an issue, write an e-mail to the town administrator and CC myself and this way we have a written record of this issue and can be addressed right away..
Anon 1:17, at least Kevin Coyle has an agenda. The mindless Derry "well, that's the way we've always done it" management style has to stop.
Thank goodness for the critical analysis, initiative, transparency and backbone Kevin and Janet Fairbanks give this traditionally half baked town council.
Imagine where we'd be otherwise. Seriously, all you past and present politicians that created this mess, (you know who you are), stay out to pasture.....stay, as far away as possible for the good of the community.
From Dictionary.com :
in⋅i⋅ti⋅a⋅tive /ɪˈnɪʃiətɪv, ɪˈnɪʃə-/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [i-nish-ee-uh-tiv, i-nish-uh-] Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. an introductory act or step; leading action: to take the initiative in making friends.
2. readiness and ability in initiating action; enterprise: to lack initiative.
3. one's personal, responsible decision: to act on one's own initiative.
4. Government. a. a procedure by which a specified number of voters may propose a statute, constitutional amendment, or ordinance, and compel a popular vote on its adoption. Compare referendum (def. 1).
b. the general right or ability to present a new bill or measure, as in a legislature.
–adjective 5. of or pertaining to initiation; serving to initiate: Initi-ative steps were taken to stop manufacture of the drug.
Nowhere in that definition do I see the words "Pursue your own personal vendettas" or "What's right for me is right for... ME".
I must have missed them. Unless of course, I was looking up the meaning of the word "Puppeteer" and "Puppet". Then I may just find those meanings along with pictures.
“An ostrich with its head in the sand is just as blind to opportunity as to disaster”
12:06 Was there some point you were trying to make?
BC do you screen this blog for some minimum levels of coherency?
Anon 12:06
Thrilled to see that you are resourceful enough to use a dictionary! Here's one for you to consider:
Artistic license (also known as dramatic license, historical license, poetic license, narrative license, licentia poetica, or simply license) is a colloquial term, sometime euphemism, used to denote the distortion or complete ignorance of fact, ignoring the conventions of grammar or language, or the changing of an established fact that an artist may undertake in the name of art. For example, when a highly politically partisian Derry resident, such as Anon 12:06, engages in the willful distortion and/or omissions of facts in order to support their erroneous or self serving view, said resident is certianly part of the mess.
Just curious there sport, what exactlly are you referring to with regards to "agenda's" ,"vendettas"? Please be specific, no "that's the way we've always done it" excepted here.
Finally, I love the colorful literary inclusion at the end of your post. Here's a terrific though somewhat hackneyed one for you. It's meaning is clear even for the transparency challenged," to thine own self be true."
Brian, have you checked with Brent whether or not the first post was correct?
If this is how things went down, the public deserves to know about it.
Thanks.
Hey there,
Mr dictionary.com could you please look up what "guaranteed lifetime employment" means in a contract and tell us dumb folks that let this happen. Maybe we can try to keep it out of future contracts and back room deals.Now somebody was talking about layoffs.
A salute to Anon 1:17. A true Coyle/Fairbanks Bum Kisser. Maybe you should look a little closer for their true agenda.
Looks like we have some contested races for our March election.
From the Eagle tribune:
Derry: District 1 Councilor, three-year term, Maureen Herd, Janet Fairbanks*; Councilor-at-Large, three-year term, Joel Olbricht, Alfred Garron, Kevin Coyle*; Trustee of the Trust Fund, three-year term, Doug Newell, Grant Benson*; Supervisor of the Checklist, three-year term, Renee Routhier, Judith Strakalaitis; Derry Public Library trustee, two three-year terms, John Connolly, Phyllis Howard, Paul Hopfgarten, Kathleen McPherson; Taylor Library trustee, three-year term, Joan Crimlisk, Pamela Otis*.
guaranteed lifetime employment was brought about to ensure that the people from East Derry Fire had a job when the two merged. Don't kid yourselves, if the town didn't have any money they could all be laid off. You can't get blood out of a rock. I would think that the last two groups to be involved together are the firefighters and carney.
lol...LOL!!! Anon 11:49, maybe YOU should take a closer look at Anon 1:17's post. You both are actually on the same side of the "Coyle agenda issue. " It is the wrong side, but that's not surprising.
So might I suggest, before you go off half cocked again about "bum kissers" and "agendas", that before you take your cap gun out of its holster and draw another wrong conclusion, not only read but comprehend the post your attacking. That way you'll be less apt to shoot YOURSELF in the "bum" next time.
After watching tonights t.c. meeting....I'm a little confused. KC stated that this board never accomplishes anything and tonight proves it. Than why oh why did he sign up for a possible second term if he feels this way?
What does it say, that for the most part, those posters that attack Kevin Coyle and Janet Fairbanks can't spell at an elementary school level and have the grammer of a moron?
ALL KIDDING ASIDE, this is TRUE, check it out.
Conversely, what does it say "'bout dose dat dey sue-port?"
Use your heads ding-bats, from now on, vote for those that actually think; stop voting for those chowderheards that are as dumb as door nails and choose to go along, to get along.
Stop settling for small town political retreads. Raise the bar!!
Well, well, well...look at who's running for a seat for the library board! Is he serious?! He did such a wonderful job representing us in Concord...especially with that school vote that could have ended up burdening Derry tax payers with millions. I thought I'd never see his name on another town ballot; would "nerve" be the right word.
Brian, again i ask you the question "does Derry have a hiring freeze ?? " as of this writing. me thinkit not. So how are we going to curb spending. Keeping residents from getting sand and salt at the town barn wont help. Please an answer. ps where is our "resident Town administrator on weekends".
6:08 pm "if the town didn't have any money they could all be laid off" This is simply untrue. I'd love to see your legal opinion on this...don't have one, just your opinion? What a surprise. The town will always have money because there will always be taxpayers to take it from. That fire contract is binding and enforceable. The firemen who are protected have jobs as long as a taxpayer still has a last dollar.
KC,
Yes the town has a hiring freeze in place. The town Administrator can reccomend hiring someone but it will take a majority of the council to approve any positions. Hope this answers your question
thank you Brian for clarifying. Best to ask the council than to rely on the media whi can stir things up.
9:56-
Perhaps saying they all could be laid off was a bit too strong on my part. There are however X number of firefighters hired after or as a result of the merger that could be let go. Consider that X number of people will leave the department or retire, those positions will not in most cases be filled. If you the town cut the X number of people hired after the merger, that would be a large total. Not ALL, but a large amount.
Where was Brad Benson last evening?
He is a councilor at large, but that doesn't mean he can roam around at the expense of attending meetings. Maybe it's getting tougher to sell plywood?
BC,
Why did the town's negotiating committee reject a two year zero percent increase contract proposal from the Police Patrolman’s Union? If I understand what I read, the Town’s counter proposal included a pay raise when the union didn’t ask for one???
Didn’t we just go through the opposite situation with the Fire Union?
The Fire Union refused to sign without a raise and everyone in the town was up in arms but they received a pay increase anyway. Now we have another Union that proposes a two year no raise / no cost increase and the town rejects it?? What is going on? Can you please get to the bottom of this?
It looks like we need to get on the same page.
BC that's not a hiring freeze; that's simply having to ask permission... and you will give that permission (voting 4 to 3) because your friends tell you to vote that way. Become a vertebrate.
Hiring freeze? What a joke! We laugh at you and you so called hiring freeze.
anon 2/4/09 1:32. Hope you filed for a slot on the council election. Pretty easy to critize. Be part of the solution and not the problem. Armchair complainer
anon 9:47,
Yes its true.. Carney I heard is now working with Shaheen's office.
anon 1:32,
What are you laughing about? Did we hire someone since the hiring freeze???? Did I miss something???
anon 1:25,
Lets put it this way... You are hearing 1/2 the story. Think about it for a second. Do you really believe the town would turn down a 0% contract for 2 years? The old saying? The devil is in the details.
1:42 Think about it. Why would I run against one of the people that bring sanity to the council? Perhap next time.
BC You pass the hiring freeze and shortly thereafter the administrator (who I think everyone will admit has an attitude) puts a bunch of new hire requests in your face. He's going to show you who's running the place. His next trick will be to give you the most painful no tax increase budget possible. (How about taking all the cuts out of welfare so that we have the poor dying in the streets?)
Ms. Fairbanks attitude and public rebuke of Mr. Weatherby at the recent council meeting was disgraceful and in-appropriate for a Public Official. If she doesn't like another Councilors position that's fine, but he has the right to his position as well; She showed him absolutely no respect, and SHAME ON HER. This is the "caliber" of representation we have to expect from her. I think not! Her under-the-breathe comments to him at the end of the meeting was also picked up on the microphone and shows that she is incapable of maintaining a professional demeanor commensurate with the Council position she holds.
Mr. Coyle was right. The two of them ARE wasting the staffs and taxpayers time as they continue to stifle any attempts for teh Council to make any strides forward...
Anon 11:05 talks about raising the bar and supporting Kevin Coyle and Janet Fairbanks in almost the same sentence. I think anon 11:05 needs to spend a little LESS time in the BAR.
Dear Fedup and 2:19--- please name the major accomplishments of this council. Can't blame the minority... the consistant "4" in the 4-3 votes have the power. What have they done? How's that economic development coming? (and don't blame the national situation over the last 6 months. Some of these majority buffoons have been in office two years (and more) and the people who pull their stings have been running Derry for about 20 years.
9:56 No you are still wrong. The number hired after the seizure of the EDFD plus the retirees in a given year do not make up "a large number" and they make up an even smaller part of the fire budget (they are mostly lower paid young guys that the union is willing to toss under the bus).
Have you ever considered finding out what the facts are before you speak?
Anon 3:56
Clearly you do not "know the facts" either. There were about 18 people that the EDFP either terminated or transferred. They all came to work for the Town. 18 is a "large number" of employees, given the total number of employees in the fire department. Employees of the EDFP kept their rank and pay. Therefore there ranking "officers" make the same pay they did in the EDFP as do the other firefighters. They are not by any means the lowest paid individuals, lest you forget they have all been employed since before the merger.
I have to agree with Fedup. Her behavior was uncalled for.
If this was a one time occurrence then maybe I could give her a pass. But this behavior is displayed meeting after meeting after meeting.
If she is re-elected as my district councilor, I will petition the other councilors to band together and have her removed from office for reason of misconduct (per Section 5.6 of the Charter).
Oh, and for all you defintion lovers out there...
Misconduct:
1.Behavior not conforming to prevailing standards
2.Dishonest or bad management, especially by persons entrusted or engaged to act on another's behalf
3.To behave (oneself) improperly
If you are TRUELY fed up I hope you all will get off your couch and help Maureen Heard,Joel Olbriecht and Roger Konstant get elected. Volunteer!!! I'm sure they can use the help.
Celtic, you are dreaming. Fairbanks will not be removed from the Council. I distrust and have lost resect for her but what has she done that all the other councilors have not?
BC,
The Patrolman's Union contract is at impasse. What are the “devil in the details” you are referring to? Please explain and stop hiding behind ambiguity. I’d be interested in hearing ONE!
anon 4:10,
I want you to know that I am a police supporter. I think the do a great job in our town and I'm happy to support them when I can. As a matter of fact, police men and woman are, in my opinion, the most important public servants we have. Now, I will not go through talking points in the media. It should be done at the table... However, think about it for a minute. Why on Gods green earth would seven councilors reject a 2 year 0% increase????
I huess that 1 year deal the PD signed wasn't so good after all.
Ms. Fairbanks has done a terrific job for her district. She has done far more than the previous councilor for her district. This is something that I have heard from many of my neighbors, some of which have been directly assisted by her.
Although I have never met her I think that those that have posted negative things about her I know all to well. They are the same crew that resist and resent the accountability and energy Ms. Fairbanks has brought to the council.
It is good that Ms. Heard has decided to run, although I don't know anything about her, I hope she has not thrown her hat into the same ring as the circus actors which traditionally is Derry's council majority.
I think it was a fair deal.
8:30,
Be nice or you won't be getting a library card!Even though it's only the library board, and doesn't effect my life one bit, I still can't vote for him after his last term as state rep.
Are we talking about the same Janet Fairbanks? Energy and accountability? How about Energy Draining and Negativity?
Mass is getting ready to layoff 400teachers....... How many is Derry laying off?
BC
Why do you think we need such a large police force ?
We have a lot of young guys with little experiance that need more training that I think we can do without.
anon 8:11,
I think we have the right amount of officers for a community our size. Remember that we are the fourth largest in NH. As far as young guys on the force, I welcome the younger officers as they seem to have lots of energy and typically eager to do a great job to move up the ladder. As far as experience, you are correct, we lost some great officers as well however, going forward the town saves money.
ANON 7:10, YOU HAVE PROVEN THE ORGINAL POSTERS POINT WITH YOUR TYPICAL CYNICAL DOG EARED RESPONSE.
MRS. FAIRBANKS HAS DONE A GREAT DEAL. NOT ONLY IN MY DISTRICT, BUT FOR THE TOWN AS A WHOLE. YOU BE SURE TO KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!
IT'S THESE TYPE LIES AND DISTORTIONS OF PEOPLES RECORDS THAT DISAGREE WITH YOUR AGENDA, THAT PEOPLE SEE THROUGH. SO PLEASE, BY ALL MEANS, STAY REAL CLOSE TO THOSE YOU SUPPORT, IT'S A BIRDS OF A FEATHER KINDA THING.
MRS. FAIRBANKS YOU HAVE DONE A WONDERFUL JOB. PEOPLE ARE NOT FOOLED BY THE DISHONEST WORDS OF JOKERS LIKE ANON 7:10, BUT THEY DO RECOGNIZE YOUR CONSTRUCTIVE EFFORTS FOR OUR COMMUNITIES BENEFIT.
BC
it is not simply the SIZE of the community that determines its police staffing requirements, there are intrinsic characteristics that make the needs of two hypothetical towns of similar size as different as night and day.
same thing holds true for two different fire departments in the same hypothetical towns. in derry the fire department is clearly running the town council. what does it take for you to say no to this abusive union?
giving you the benefit of the doubt BC, why don't you apply your stated understanding of staffing levels to our fire deartment. does the DFD actually need what it demands based solely upon the towns population when compared to a densely populated urban town of similar size?
assuming you choose to tackle this question and actually draw the correct conclusions, why did you approve an $880k fire union increase as ALL other towns and cities are cutting out of necessity?
BC,
It seems as though Derry isn't the place to be for WalMart.
For those of you not following the economic growth in So NH, Walmart is moving forward with its plans to build a new supercenter in Plaistow on the Sanborn Candies property.
Not having a new Walmart is not a big loss for Derry, it's that we aren't receiving any other offers for the site on Ashleigh Drive that has me worried.
BC, do you know if the town is actively in pursuit of developers for this and other properties in Derry?
I'm not a huge fan of this new bailout/stimulus plan that Obama has, but if congress is going to put it through, shouldn't Derry be submitting a list of infrastructure projects that need financial assistance? Rt 28? Exit 4A? I know Salem and other communities have put together lists, and even made public comments about their projects.
If Town officials just sit on the sidelines and wait, other communities around us will get a piece of the pie while we sit back go hungry. What is Derry doing to obtain some of this money?
At first I thought it was the tone Janet uses when making a statement, but she could be saying the sky is blue and she would still come across confrontational.
Remember this when you go to the polls. Do you want another term of sarcasim, arrogance and 'I take offense to that comment'....?
We need CHANGE!
BC - I heard today that some local bankers are red-lining Derry because they say the current and future tax rates will lead to more foreclosures. I think you have poisoned your own well. That's justice. Too bad you took the rest of us with you. That's unfortunate especially for me since I never voted for you.
It's not too late to stop voting for fat labor contracts and pet projects for the cabal that runs Derry. (BTW, how's that 4A coming? We have gotten such value for the million dollars the towns dumped into that pile of paper.) Maybe it might get funded with the stimulous package, by-passing the downtown should cure local unemployment (unless you work downtown).
12:36 Yes I need change, but even better large denomination bills. I could pay my staggering local taxes with change but how much does $10,000 in quarters weigh?
Oh, you weren't talking about that kind of change? My mistake. What sort of change would you like? How about an Exit 4B? Maybe we can give the firefighters' children lifetime employment (sort of like the Queen and her family has.)
Please elaborate on the change that the present Council majority can not deliver because of a vocal minority.
While I read these comments, I still cannot beleive ther are people out there that still complain about the police dept. and the fire dept.
Lets all focus on the future and let the past be! Enough already!
BC Is it true that the fire chief is also holding down another job?
What's up with the prices in the Derry Shaw's they went up when gas went up but have not come down.
Does anyone know what formula they are using to set the prices in the Derry store , is it our tax rate?
I was in there Saturday morning and it was empty , how long will they stay in town?
My point here is that I can leave town and go to another town almost any other town and buy what I need for less then what I pay for it in Derry, so why would I countinue to shop here.
Its Sunday and 51 degrees out and the side walk plow is driveing around town on the sidewalks with his blade up. I saw him at 10, 12 and 3 in different parts of town just driving around on the sidewalks. The last time it snowed was over 10 days ago! So my question is how much did this guy make on a Sunday to do nothing? And maybe, we get this guy to come around when it actually snows!
Can start saving our tax dollars with accountability and COMMON SENSE?
BC,
I am a former police officer now retired. I lived in town my whole career and still do. I have no stake in what happens at the PD anymore but do have a stake as a town taxpayer. I’m telling you and everyone who reads this blog that the Patrolman’s Union has offered up a zero percent cost to the town 2 year contract. In return the Union is asking for 3 – 4 non-cost, betterment of life items. They are items that work for every other police department around us but for some reason our Chief of Police says can’t work in Derry. An example is shift bid by seniority. As it stands now, the Chief of Police, at the drop of a hat, can reassign on officer to any shift he chooses and uses it as a revenge and intimidation tool. For people reading this, imagine in your job, your boss decides for reasons known only to him to reassign you from your current shift / position to one that causes great stress for not only you but your whole family.
In my case, I filed a grievance over a contract issue and won. I was then reassigned from the 3-11 shift to the 11-7 shift. I had requested the 3-11 shift because at the time, I had a 2 week old son and being on that shift I was able to limit the time my children had to be in child care. I went from very limited child care to full time child care for two children and it created havoc with my home life, my wife, and my sons. I could care less if the Chief was mad at me for filing a grievance but to use this contract provision to exact revenge not only on me but my wife and children is something I will never forgive him for. Believe me this stuff happens. Just to clarify, my son that was 2 weeks is now age 16.
As a taxpayer we have a town union that is willing to take a two year, no cost contract we should be jumping on this. The union also knows the town can not afford a pay raise. A pay raise means more costs and possible less staff. (They most likely will lose staff anyways) They all know the hard times everyone is going through and are willing to do their part for the taxpayers in the town.
On another note, we do not need to continue hiring more police officers. We are very capable of handling the safety of the town with the current staffing levels. I’m saying that as a 20 year veteran of the police department. The Town Council seems to think we can hire and hire until we’re broke. Where is the fiscal responsibility? It’s time to take a good hard look at the finances and do whatever we can to lower the budget and tax rate.
Brian, I do not know if you’ve actually looked at the union’s proposal to the town, but I do not know how the town can pass it up. Zero percent pay raise, they pay more towards their health care, and the insurance buyback is capped. What is the downside??
Joe Bennett
(I don't have a blogger name)
Shame on you who have to criticize those members of the town council who week after week subject themselves to negativity from the council majority, obviously you don't want them there watching what you are doing and calling you out on it. Janet Fairbanks and Kevin Coyle have truly made a huge difference since their election. As a resident of District one this is the first time I can remember actually being represented, because of this I do not have to attend meeting after meeting since my representative on the council is doing her job. All districts and all residents should be represented as well. These council members are looking out for the taxpayers who put them in office..... and are not there for their personal gain for themselves as we have seen time and time again. I want to thank them for the job they have done tinking of the residents and voting on their behalf. Please vote for Janet Fairbanks and Kevin Coyle on March 10th they will represent you the taxpayer.
Maureen Rose
District One
Re: Joe Bennet
I am not going to say thank you for your 20 years service because my view of work is different then most.
You worked 20 yrs at a job and got paid well for it. Its only a police job not a scientific job and that pay you got was fair for what you had to offer.
Let me be up front, I do not like unions. They just voted for a closed union shop where I work and I did not join. I used a little known federal law that allows anyone not to have to join a union. (nrtw.org)
The union said everyone had to join and I informed them I do not. I never joined and still have the respect of my fellow workers.
Some of the other workers are angry with the union as they were did not disclose this choice when paper work was presented for union membership. It was "join or get fired". Yes they all joined.
I smelled a rat with the offer by the police union and I am glad you informed us of at least on thing about it. The ability of the Chief to do as he pleases. This is important.
If an employee has a problem with their boss they should be able to iron it out between them amicably. If not then find another job. The bosses hands should not be tied.
We do not know the Chief's reasoning about changing your shift around when you patrolled but I can tell you, just from your union attitude alone, I would have just fired you. I wouldn't care how good you are at your job either. You either like working with us that way we do things or leave on your own, period.
On BTW many everyday workers at priviate businesses, have to pay full child care fees, why are you angry about having to pay only "some"?
Maureen,
Just an FYI.There is no council "majority".
Brian - I thought I would take this opportunity to give your readers some information about me and my candidacy for Town Council, District 1. I'd be happy to chat with anyone who'd like more information about my vision for Derry's future. Thanks for the opportunity. If you click on my name, it will take you to my blog - the top post is my bio and resume. I'd be honored by your vote on March 10th.
Joe, I want to thank you for your service. It does sound like you got a raw deal because you made a few waves for the Chief. To the person that didn't want to join the union and made the choice to work outside of the group, best of luck when your shop looks at lay offs! As far as the Chief ever having his hands tied, the management rights clause in the contract covers that.
anon 2:59, mr bennett constructed a concise and candid post. i was left with a clear understanding of what he saying.
on the otherhand, what the hell are you trying to say? what did you not understand about mr bennett's refreshingly upfront discussion?
BC , there sure is a council majority. there are the few that want to mindlessly hold on to the old failed way's and union voting blocks, and the "majority" that simply vote along to get along, as dumb as a bag of rocks.
8:59
I don't care about layoffs. I do not let a fear like that force me to make decisions I am not comfortable with.
9:18
I agree, his post was clear and concise, but yours is very confusing to me. Is there something you mis-understood about my post?
I was impressed with Maureen Herd's website. She is certainly far more qualified to serve as councilor.
Union buster, you talk tough, so...why not include your name?
As far as not thanking a PO, which no one suggested that you should, would you thank him/her is they stopped an armed burglar breaking into your house? What if the PO got shot doing so? Would you thank him then, or would you figure your paid taxes are enough? Do you share the same view as the soldiers dying in the Middle East...they get paid enough for what they do, so you don't have to thank them? Pure ignorance.
anon10:09 why don't you reread your post and then tell us what you were trying to say. it would be much more natural this way, because as i said, it makes no sense to those that read it as it is. put another way without the benefit of a prior understanding of what you tried to express your first post failed to convey what your point was.
best i can tell, you don't like labor unions, abusive ones like dfd, agreed.
you don't think that a superior can be questioned for their behavior short of leavig your job?
you think the same bad manager can arrange shifts without regard for the impact upon a family?
you smelled a rat? please elaborate?
what "union attitude" did you pick up on?
once again, what the hell are you talking about?
So the Derry PD will take a 2 year deal with no raise. To all you people out there that think the DPD Union will do anything for nothing do you all live in FANTASY LAND.
Maybe they want more road details at $45.00 / hour. So that can go toward the last 3 years of their retirement. Even Massachusetts has smartened up to that SCAM. Yes I said Massachusetts. If they think it's bad it must really be horrendous because as you know they just love to give away taxpayers money!!
Joe B thanks for your post, and information contained in it . When the union buster's co workers get a raise in the contract what will you get. Better yet who will they lay off first. but as you tell others "He can go find another job." Good luck
K C Derry District 1
Union Buster pretty clear reading. Your out the door when layoffs come if you don't choose to leave first. AHHH. PS You are somewhat of a confusing writer. Dont send letters to the editor.
Nice job on the new website... I just can't seem to find a sample ballot for the upcoming election.
What I'd like to know is who is running for each position. The Derry News published a list but I heard there are more names.
BC can you help?
BC --- "Just an FYI. There is no council "majority"."
What on earth are you talking about? The most casual analysis of voting records shows a strong 4-3 voting pattern with you being in the 4 (except when you are flipping out about some minor paving issue).
You are either not paying attention or... willfully misstating the facts. Even your dumbest supporters are not going to buy that there is no consistent majority.
anon 5:02,
You believe only what you want to i guess. Hiring Freeze? how'd that happen with your majority?? How about the hiring of economic dev position? Private roads got shot down the first time and it was not a 4/3 vote.. come on now, only when you want the public to think a certain group is the underdog and want them to back that certain group do we see this " majority" minority" issue come up.
anon 4:02,
Let me get the whole slate of people running and for what offices. Right now I'm not 100% as to who's running yet. I'm working on it.
Someones already the people running. It's somewhere in the middle of the 80-something comments.
Anon. 5:02,
Clearly it is YOU who is either not paying attention or misrepresenting the facts. Or perhaps you’re just too intent on hanging on to tired old Derry political dogma.
The fact is, most council votes are 7-0, look up the record. There have also been various splits of 4-3, 5-2 and 6-1 with no particular councilor or group going consistently for or against.
As for BC “flipping on some minor pavement issue”, need I remind you that he was the one who initially proposed a hiring freeze, and part of the 4-3 vote that brought it to reality. Does that make him part of the minority or majority?
Fairbanks initially opposed the hiring freeze and then “flipped” by moving to reconsider, probably after deciding to seek reelection. Which side does that put her on? Both? What about Carney’s vote in favor of one of the fire contracts? Minority, majority or just trying to do the right thing?
I could go on but as BC already pointed out, there are those that see and hear want they want to. Its old school Derry politics at it’s finest. We can only hope that those who want to continue age old political battles will one day see the light.
No, BC and 6:03 the fact that there is not a perfect correlation (always 4-3) does not demonstrate that there is not a clear majority position on major issues (blowing money on 4A, Tiffs, etc.)
Yes, 6:03 there are 7-0 votes (commending some member of the community for attaining some award etc.) You are a poster boy(girl) for the term disingenuous. I'm afraid that if you don't seen patterns in the important votes you are either not paying attention or not too bright. Do Fairbanks and Coyle tend to vote on the same side of an issue? When was the last time Wetherbee and Benson voted differently?... (of course Benson and Wetherbee are both given direction by the same person.That makes it easier for them)
Metts, Benson, Wetherbee, and BC tend to vote together and Carney, Coyle and Fairbanks tend to vote together. That is a demonstrable fact. You really look foolish disputing obvious facts.
As I a first time visitor to this blog, and a caring citizen of the town of Derry, I find it ridiculous that grown adults, especially those of whom in positions of power, use this blog to bicker back and forth like a group of teenage girls. If your going to repeatedly attack council members/ employees of the town I find it would be at least useful to use your name. How much can you believe anybody to take your opinion seriously if you refuse to even put your own name to it. Quite frankly, I see this blog as a disgrace to this town, and that more bad than good comes from it.
12:15
you forgot to put your name to your post. :-)
Could not find a suitable section so I written here, how to become a moderator for your forum, that need for this?
Could not find a suitable section so I written here, how to become a moderator for your forum, that need for this?
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