Sunday, November 8, 2009

From The Desk of John Keenan

We received a request to post Mr. Keenan's open letter to the Board of Selectman and to the citizens of Winchester in it's entirety and without edits. Mr. Keenan is a citizen of Winchester and is concerned with a number of issues going on in town, especially the lawsuit against Margaret Sharra and the Planning Board ...

From the Desk of John Keenan :
re: Malfeasance, incompetence of Margaret Sharra, chairperson of the Planning Board. Sharra causes town $20,000 in legal fees and asks for a raise??

The following is uncontroverted;

1> Through Margaret's extreme rudeness and lack of fair play, (allowing people to be heard in a calm and professional manner) the Van Dyke legal bills ( billed and paid through October 26th, 2009) are: Van Dyke $2,480.00 and Towne/Homan $17,219.00. This alone totals $19, 699.00 so far. This type of unnecessary spending increases Winchester property taxes. Margaret is almost totally at fault for this extreme malfeasance.

2> Recently, a judge ordered Margaret to recuse herself from any hearing re:Towne ... Her previous seperate inquiry to DES disqualified her from participating in the boards discussion of Towne's motion for Reconsideration. Her improper involvement invalidated the board's previous decision ( see Judge Tucker's ruling August 28th, 2009 ).
She often improperly seeks to advocate for a developer like in this case, or, when after a Planning Board is over, the public, including abutters and their attorney, are told to leave and yet the developer, his engineers and attorney stay on chatting with the board after nearly every meeting. This is absurd and wrong and yet has happened time and time again.

3> One of her tactics to control the flow of information the board receives is to interrupt whomever she doesn't feel sees eye to eye with her, in this case, Mr. Towne who she has rudely interrupted several times and she has threatened to call the police, on at least two occasions, after she got into a " hissy fit".
Her position on this board requires professionalism and calmness and fairness. It may have saved the town $20,000.00 if she had remained calm, professional and allowed both sides to testify without censor. If she had done this, we would not have $20,000.00 in legal fees over this.

4> She should also not be allowed to be calling attorney Barton Mayer all the time, or so she says she does, to get his opinion and if she does, he should answer in an e-mail so that ALL PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS have a copy and make an informed determination based on this information; not just relying on what Margaret interprets his meaning was. In addition, all planning board members should have access to all information and any weekly updates before the meeting ... Even Boy Scouts are prepared !!

5> The Planning Board has done very little correctly in the Van Dyke case from what I can see.
a.) There has never been a completed application submitted to the board by Van Dyke to this day.

b.) He needs and does not have a Joint Use Agreement from PSNH, applied for in March of 2008. Margaret Sharra keeps insisting it will be issued any day every time this point is brought up.

c.) He needs and does not have State approval for his community water system or his septic design. In fact, though the public hearings are closed, according to the minutes, he still hasn't fully designed them yet !!

d.) The board has given him a final approval with conditions; though he has yet to meet the conditions of his conditional approval and has given him another year to do so.
How is this being fair to the abutters and other townsfolk ??

6> A Conflict of Interest: She works 32 hours in the Land Use Dept. as chair of the Planning Board, she presides over and takes the minutes of these meetings despite the board having an assigned secretary, she also was formally employed by Earl Beamon as a real estate agent. That is ridiculous and should not be allowed, the secretary must take the minutes !!

7> Recusal; Both her and Dean Beaman must recuse themselves when Beaman matters are heard, this is the law .. and yet at one meeting when Kathy Beaman approached the board for her"green elderly subdivision", Margaret remained sitting at the head of the table and under the guise of taking the minutes, directing the meeting indirectly by instructing the board and asking questions for them ... This is what she calls recusal?? She should have stepped down and possibly left the room, not remained seated on the board !

8> She should be sanctioned for her incompetent conduct in the amount of 1/2 the legal fees, $10,000.00 that the town has incurred due to her conduct. I suggest that $10,000.00 be divided among the police patrolmen in an attempt to keep them on our police force as they are the lowest paid in the area.

9> She is also the secretary; but not an appointed member of the ZBA ( or is she?? ) She should only be allowed to on one board and not a secretary on the other, too much conflict!
This is also true of Ken Cole, he sits on the ZBA and until recently also on the planning board where is still remains as an alternate. In any case, she should not be allowed to take the minutes for both boards and definitely not for the planning board.

10> The Planning Board has been referring to Carl Hagstrom as a he is Certified Soil Scientist, not! According to the State of New Hampshire, he is a Wetlands Specialist and according to what I read on the DES site, he does not have the authority to do wetland delineations on this Van Dyke project; yet when board member Jack Marsh brought this up before the board; it was stated that this information was irrelevant?? ( check the minutes of 10/05/2009 )

11> Due to Sharra's malfeasance in the Van Dyke matter, the case will now be heard in the State Supreme Court and because of the lack of response at the recent BOS meeting, there exists the possibility of a Contempt hearing in Keene at Superior Court.

In Conclusion:

The Planning Board at the direction of Margaret Sharra is bull headed and stupid. Winchester does not want these exorbitant legal fees. So Do something about it !!
In my opinion the town would be best served if the board would start over; get themselves a calm, professional chairperson, hear all sides ( abutters and developer )
The key to all this is: DO IT RIGHT!

You know, with someone besides Sharra taking the minutes we may not end up getting alternate versions of what happened at these meetings from the town's version, to the newspapers to the actual transcription of the recorded audio. Margaret's slanted untrue version has fraudulently slanted these minutes to make her look better after her unprofessional conduct -- see October 5th minutes page #6 and August 3rd minutes and the June 15th minutes in regards to the Kathy Beaman project.

Just Do it Right for everyone .....

117 comments:

Anonymous said...

I understand Mr. Towne asked them to remove her and they did nothing, do you expect a different result?

Bob Davis said...

To answer anonymous' question;
I would like to speak for the others; there is a process to follow before you can enter into court. The complainants didn't expect any other answer from the selectmen. Would you expect anything less from these arrogant reprehensive of us tax payers? An ex-cop, a druggist, an ex-railroad laborer, a secretary and an ex-co-pilot, who all have an ego problem which clouds their judgment and common sense. There is a legal process to follow and going before the selectmen and getting the answer we knew of which was coming from these ego trippers. “We will take it under advisement”! Now they have implicated themselves as becoming part of the process. DAH! If I was setting up there and couldn’t come up with a better answers than that, I would have excused myself just before the vote and retire to the men’s room or the nearest closet.

Anonymous said...

Someone give Margaret a towel...she has dodo on her face!

Anonymous said...

A thought struck me this morning. Perhaps you have the answer. When someone goes before a Board, is it a question that they are seeking? Or do we as residence have the right to speak an opinion?

Because, when I read this transcript - the impression I am under, is that Margaret didn't want to hear from Mr. Towne, unless it was a question.

[Transcript of August 9, 2009 Planning Board Meeting]

MS: Go ahead Mr. Towne.

Mr. Towne: Seems lately every time we come to a meeting this changes. Every time. In April, Mr. Van Dyke agreed to the 23 or 27 conditions that you set. In June he came back in because of the economy he asked for waivers on that. He doesn’t have a driveway permit. It has run out. He doesn’t have a site alteration permit. We’ve talked to the people up there. Construction starts with the first shovel full of dirt. He has constructed a berm to hold back erosion and water. He’s dug a well. He constructed a temporary road. He put in test pits for sewer and water. He actually drove his excavator underneath Public Service of New Hampshire’s power lines. Went up in the back and put up about 20 test pits up in the back. And now he is asking permission to come in and put in another temporary road and another who knows how long stall until they can get their permits. The problem with this whole process from the very beginning, your own rules and regulations state, a completed application must be submitted. And there is a check list for that application…

[he spoke for 1 minute and 14 seconds]

MS: Mr Towne.
MT: May I continue please before you interrupt me?
MS: No.
MT: Please?
MS: I’m not...
MT: NO?
MS: Mr. Towne do not be so rude.
MT: I’m not being rude. You’re
MS: Is?
MT: …being rude. You interrupt me every time I get to this microphone
MS: Mr.…Mr. Town
MT: …to talk. I want this on the record.
MS: Fine. It’s on the record.
MT: And not when you say when Mr. Towne is being very rude and disrupted …
MS: Mr. Towne, Mr. Towne
MT: like you have done before. Go ahead Margaret.
MS: Now who is being rude?
MT: You are. You gave me the floor and I am talking to the board.
MS: Mr. Towne do you have a question in regards to the septic or the well?
MT: I am trying to ask this question.
MS: Well it’s been a long time coming.
MT: You asked me the same thing..
MS: Do you have…
MT: …at the last meeting, Margaret when I got up to speak.
MS: OK, Mr. Towne ask your question.
MT: These people can ramble, but you don’t say a thing
MS: (yelling) Mr. Towne ask your question or sit down or I will ask the police to remove you.
MT: Why are you…
MS: (yelling) Period.
MT: …being so rude to me Margaret?
MS: One,
MT: Yes.
MS: Two. Who has a cell phone?
MT: I just asked a question. Why are you being so rude to me?
MS: [yelling] Mr. Towne please leave.
MT: I am going to sue to personally, Margaret.
MS: Thank you for the threat in public.

[entire segment/conversation took 2 minutes and 14 seconds from when Mr. Towne took the floor]

One would get the impression that she didn't want to hear a single thing Mr. Towne had to say - whether it was a question or a comment. Does it appear that way to you?

Anonymous said...

Thank you Mr. Keenan for pointing out where I should look to find the minutes of the meetings. After reading the minutes, I now understand why you have your letter posted on the blog. You did the research and pointed out the incompetence of the BOS and Ms. Sharra. I wonder what they will gain from all of this fiasco. It seems to me that at this point it would be marvelous if Ms. Sharra and company did us a favor and resigned. It also seems to me that this project was rejected in 2007. I always thought that no meant no. Oh, I get it this is Winchester and if you have friends in high places you pretty much can do what you want until you get caught and even then you have the audacity to flaunt your actions.I want to see how they (BOS and Ms. Sharra) put the spin on this letter to wiggle out of any wrong doing. Must be the dog did it when no one was looking.

Thanks blog. Keep it coming we may win yet!

Mr. Towne said...

I was simply attempting to lay the foundation for my question to the board and refreshing the memories of the members when Ms. Sharra began to interrupt me shouting my name and threatening me with arrest if I attempted to continue. In fact, she asked for a phone and member Larry Hill gave her his cell phone; yet not one member spoke out, not one word in regards to her rudeness to me. Are they that afraid of her or did they not consider her conduct offensive and out of line? My question to the board in keeping on track with the subject raised was how could the board even think of giving Mr.Van Dyke a final approval or even permission to conduct more testing ( that was supposedly done twice already ) when he didn't have a Joint Use Agreement from PSNH, giving him not only permission to disturb area under the power lines; but also allowing him to do any construction? The board has a letter outlining in detail what has to happen before they will consider giving him a permit and stating exactly this same fact, NO CONSTRUCTION, NO DISTURBANCE. It was obvious she did not want this brought up before the board as she has been stating for over a year each time this subject isbroached; that it is only a matter of "a couple more days", "maybe another week" until he gets this permit. Despite this and the fact that he hasn't complied with all of the conditions of the Conditional Approval they gave him in April of 2008, the board voted to give him a Final Approval with conditions ..

THE EXACT SAME CONDITIONS HE HAD NOT MET FROM HIS CONDITIONAL APPROVAL .. several which are conditions of precedence, meaning they HAVE TO BE MET BEFORE A FINAL approval can be given.

Is this NOT the same thing? Is this why Margaret Sharra is attempting to now change the language in our Subdivision Regulations to include a section on Final Approval with Conditions?

There is a lot more going on here than meets the eye and that is why I have gone to court over this matter.

Regulations have been ignored, procedures ignored, submitted information has been incorrect and we abutters and neighbors with legitimate concerns have been ignored or censored .. This is your Planning Board at work, treating each side fairly and following procedures set forth in town regulations and ordinances and state statutes .. NOT!

That's why this whole mess has ended up in Superior Court and will now be proceeding to the Supreme Court. Our rights to be heard, to participate in the process and to be treated fairly and afforded the protection of the town have been cast aside by Margaret and the board for reasons only they can explain. They surely haven't acted very professional nor have they considered the ramifications of their actions.

If this were the ramblings and actions of just a couple of malcontents, nimbys or whatever they call us today, ask yourself why this complaint wasn't thrown out of court in the beginning; how two men with no legal experience or schooling in the law, could be successful in their arguments against not one; but two certified lawyers in Superior Court and why the Supreme Court has accepted the filing .. Must be something that caught their eye that isn't right ..,

the Winchester Informer said...

In support of Mr. Towne and Mr. Keenan here are some facts that may or may not shed a little more light on the doings of the Planning Board in regards to Mr. Van Dyke ...

fact..

Mr. Van Dyke and the town went to court several years back over another of his projects that was approved by the board that wasn't legal .. The town is no stranger to the fact that Van Dyke does not go by the book.

fact ..

Mr Van Dyke has a mess out on Route 119, that the board has ordered he keep up and yet he hasn't and they have not revoked his approval, though it has been several years and they have not revisited the matter as required by law .. why not?

fact ..

Mr Van Dyke's application was denied in Sept. 2008 for this project for not complying with town regulations and ordinances.

fact ..

In October 2008, Margaret Sharra took it upon herself to overturn the board's denial of his application; not because of any rule, regulation, or improper procedure; but simply because she stated "the board could" .. period.

fact ...

This process has been flawed from the beginning; abutters were not notified to be able to attend important meetings with the ZBA and PB when waivers were discussed and granted.

fact ...

As Mr. Keenan has pointed out, the Land Use Dept. has gone way over budget already on legal expenses because of the numerous lawsuits filed against their decisions this year and the BOS has recommended adding another $35,000.00 to their budget ..

You've got to be kidding!!

Anonymous said...

I'd say Mr Keenan and Mr Towne have done their part in explaining what has been going on that we all didn't really know about and it sure puts a different slant on things now doesn't it? I would think that knowing about this blog and probably reading it daily that Ms. Sharra or some other board member or even one of the select board would have commented. I know Roberta reads here as evident by her past comments. Silence does speak volumes especially when it's the truth your trying to rebuke.

Anonymous said...

That's exactly why none of them involved has replied to anything posted on this blog, they don't know how to tell the truth.

Abigail said...

A wise man once said " A fool and his money are soon parted". Doesn't look like we have any wise men on any of these boards now does it? Of course it's our money they are spending defending people with questionable morals and no ethics. I wonder would they be so quick to defend if it were their money they were putting out?

Anonymous said...

Great idea Abigail! Mr. Davis and the Budget Com. should propose that the legal bills be footed by the current BOS and Ms. Sharra. If they should continue to waste money at least it will be theirs; not the town's.

Can't wait for the elections.

Only In Winchester said...

Speaking of wasting money, the 11 th is a payed holiday for the employees of Winchester and the pay for the day will be 10 hrs. I have never heard of anyone in any town or business that got 10 hrs holiday pay.

Anonymous said...

A prime example of who the select board really works for, themselves and their relatives; the town employees. Even the town's own employee policy states 8 hours for holiday pay. This practice will continue until enough town residents say enough and get themselves to the polls, until then it will continue to be more of the same.

Anonymous said...

It appears that our Board of Selectman do not realize/comprehend that by listening, and respecting it's citizens and their rights they could avoid all of our lawsuits.

We have elected our officials to act on behalf of us. When we inform them of our needs and concerns, we would hope that they are willing to listen. They have got to stop shooting the messenger.

If they would be willing to hold one of their "private sessions" and talk with the abutters to Robert Van Dyke lawsuit, but they refused. To listen to the FACTS, that they presented with an open mind and unbiased heart - this could have been avoided.

Instead they used their standard, "We'll take it under consideration" - which we all know means. HELL NO.

This Board does not represent this town and their needs. Unless we the people see a change in attitudes and agendas, they won't be reelected or supported.

Anonymous said...

The BOS protect themselves and the corruption they have continued to allow to infiltrate this town. Their motive and incentive is to listen to no one except those they continue to protect. The way they think and conduct business is abnormal.

I'm Jealous said...

Only In Winchester, in a couple of weeks its thanksgiving and the day after, 2 more 10hr days. When you add up 2 extra payed hrs. per employee every holiday your looking at some serious time.

Food for Thought said...

I'd say it's time to go back to a 5 day - 40 hour week. Can't conduct any business with the town on a friday, or two week days in a holiday week. That's less than convenient for the majority of us. How much has been saved by this 4 day week?

How about going back to a THREE selectmen board now that we have a very capable Administrator?

Anonymous said...

It appears that in the case of #5 on this post, if the Board did not proceed with a hearing until the APPLICATION is COMPLETE, then a LOT of time would not be wasted - for the Board, the Applicant and the Citizens waiting to be heard.

There should NOT be any WAIVERS submitted in this process. Not until the application has been COMPLETED. This insures everyone involved.

This would also save the Board any further/future litigation. Follow the Town's own rule & regulations and protect those of us footing the taxes. PLEASE!

MY THOUGHTS said...

Food for thought, I agree, these people are public servants and in Winchester it pays pretty good. Some of these jobs, town clerk, possible road agent if it passes, get voted on, and if you've lost your job ,on short hours, and believe in service, and think you can do a better job and save the town money, think about it. Imagine making a good living 4 days a week, quite a few 3 day weeks, no commute and no one cares if you show up on time or not.

Anonymous said...

Our main problem as I see it now, is that those we have elected to the these boards think that they have powers beyond what our town regulations give them. That they do not follow these rules and regulations to the letter has resulted in wasted tax dollars, time for both the applicant in this case and the neighbors and our over stressed court system. It is obvious that there is something much more deeper going on in this matter and that Margaret and other board members quite possibly have something else up their sleeves. I think it is the best interests of everyone in town to start looking into the real reasons behind these lawsuits and not take anything you hear for granted. I also agree we need people in office who are going to be fair and just and follow all of the rules all of the time.

No Conscience said...

Its a shame that, in a nice little town like Winchester, there is so little trust in the people that make this town work, and even worse they don't care.

Anonymous said...

question for you bloggers, do any of you people work in the real world? where do you come up with all this information.

Anonymous said...

Most of us do work in the real world. That's why we are concerned.

Anonymous said...

Most of us work in the real world so that we can pay our taxes to the town. That is why we want our officials to be honest.

Anonymous said...

To Anonymous 12:47, where do you work and what information posted do you find so unrealistic that it should be removed or clarified?

Anonymous said...

I believe its none of your business where I work, and further more you people are very cruel, if you have all this extra energy, do something better with your time, seems that you people are the ones that are ruining our community!

fishercat said...

Sounds like someone is worried about being thrown off the gravy train...

Anonymous said...

Seems like the phrases "YOU BLOGGERS" and "YOU PEOPLE" are a bit hostile....no??? As far as the "cruel" remark... oftentimes the truth hurts. I would like to remind the BOS, Town Employees, Boards, ETC. that "we bloggers" and "we people" pay exhorbitant taxes (def. Webster's: "exceeding the bounds of custom, propriety, or reason, esp. in amount or extent; highly excessive")in the Town of Winchester. It is our right and our duty to oversee our elected officials and their apointees. People who object to this blog or website, and question whether we "work in the real world", need to understand that many of us are tired of high spending from our governments, either National or Local. That we do indeed work in the real world and we live in the real world. Quit abusing our tax dollars and our hard work in the real world.

the Winchester Informer said...

In the real world people punch a time clock, they show up when they are scheduled to work, work the hours they are scheduled and go home at the end of their shift each and everyday. In the real world they are held accountable and are responsible for doing the best job they can for their employers; or they soon find themselves outside looking in. In the real world people get paid what they are worth; not what someone else makes in the next town over. In the real world people get a raise, ONLY when they deserve one; not because they are entitled to one year after year. In the real world, hardly anyone ever gets a bonus for doing an exceptional job, or performing above or beyond; never for failing to stay within budget or performing poorly and causing a company to lose money. In the real world, people pay a lot for their own insurance, clothing, footwear and even required safety glasses. In the real world people are very careful and frugal when it comes to spending and in the real world people treat others with respect and common decency and don't go out of their way to be hurtful to others. In the real world people follow all of the rules with no exception or face the consequences of their actions. In the real world, people who are put in charge make sure that everyone follows the rules, that things go by the book and complaints are dealt with swiftly and properly; not taken under consideration and never acted on. I could go on; but you get my point don't you?

The people blogging here understand this and most work in the real world, unlike some people we know.

The information provided here is 95% public information you can gather yourself from public records, the rest is provided from some form of personal experience by people willing to share.

That you do not like problems and serious issues being exposed and discussed is sad and your comment about the concerned people posting their opinions and ruining your community are ludicrous. We live here too and it's just as much our community as yours and therein lies a big part of the problem in Winchester. A certain group of you think that this is your town and your town alone and that you can do and say whatever you feel and act anyway you like and if someone doesn't like it, speaks up or goes against the grain, you narrow minded people get your panties in a bunch. Too bad, we don't like what you've done to our town, we want better for everyone; not just a select few. So get used to it. The people posting here will put their efforts into making a better Winchester for all of it's citizens. There will be changes, whether through voting or the courts, but it will happen. People are fed up with being treated as the cash cow and going without, the clock is ticking.

Anonymous said...

Re: Winchester Informer, 4:42..Words, well and timely said. Good job. Thank you for an appropriate summary.

Time Clocks said...

The bottom line, if you owned a business would you hire any of our town employees. There may be a few but most have forgotten what it takes to survive in the REAL WORLD. Its human nature to get by doing as little as possible and most of our selectmen apparently think its OK.

Bob Davis said...

This out burst of anger from Margaret Sharra towards Mike Towne is nothing new; take when the Boisverts from the motocross tracks was seeking a variance to race snow mobile in 2004. Dennis Whitcomb and several neighbors from Forest Lake Assoc came to show their disapproval to the planning board. A intentional Margaret Sharra provoked fiasco broke out when Margaret Sharra allowing one of Gary's Power Eq. lawn mower repairman as the only expert on noise levels for the racetrack by making this totally stupid statement, "snow mobile racing makes less noise then motocross because you have snow and snow adsorbs all the sound."

Fact; Dennis Whitcomb became upset when another stupid statement came out from another so called expert and supporter of the races. Margaret Sharra in her attempts to silence the opposition and change the focus, started yelling at Dennis and was told to shut up, leave or she would call the police. Just like she did to Mike Towne. Silence the opposition change the focus.

Her history demonstrated that the fact, Sharra has personality control problems when someone challenges her authority to run her agenda of fixing thing to be one sided toward her friends.

See.... we need people like Mike Town and Cope Homan who are willing to take a stand against people like her who are elect officals who take it upon themselves to have an agenda out side the best interest of the citizens.

I strongly support Mike and Cope because like the Van Dyke condo project the racetracks where put there illegally in a flood zone, on top of our aquifer, no proper wet lands, no completed plan. At the time Sharra screwed every one of us people who once enjoy their property on weekends. Sharra let the racetracks get away with saying the racetracks are grandfather with the blessing of our elected selectmen.

Ask me why I am mad as Hell at all of them. This must and will stop.

"Clean out the sesspool at Winchester town hall one at a time."

Anonymous said...

Sounds like Mr. Whitcome and his neighbors would make good witnesses for Mr. Towne to show the court that Sharra's previous conduct against others coincides with her treatment of him in this matter. That there is a pattern of abuse of power and bias on her part towards other. This surely can not be allowed to continue any longer. Why didn't our selectmen act on behalf of these people previously either, are they too as indifferent to everyone who disagrees with them?

Bob Davis said...

Question was asked in previous post: Why didn't the selectmen act on the behalf of these people previously?....The track owner made a statement at a BOS meeting. "We were invited here to look at the track by Selectmen Gus Ruth".

Gus Ruth and his wife now deny the statement and even knowing these people prior to buying the track. hummm

Now you know why nothing was done to help the Dennis Whitcomb! Now you know why nothing will be done to help Mr. Towne and Mr. Holman...influence, power, control and money!

Anonymous said...

Remember your bible, David, who came from a poor village, slew the mighty Goliath with just a stone. These foolish souls are far less a formidable foe and rely on bluster and lies to support their deeds.

Anonymous said...

From what I have read on this blog and from documents I have seen, it doesn't seem that anything being said from those involved downtown can be substantiated. This is clearly an abuse of power allowed to go on unfettered by a board so indifferent to the needs and wants of the citizens of Winchester that it borders on the criminal. Shame on those that allow this fiasco to continue, we voters will remember your non-actions and your lame excuses.

sound familiar said...

Checkout the Union Leader on line today, topic Hooksett police.

Anonymous said...

Isn't this the same town that the BOS or town manager fired four town employees for having a private conversation while on their lunch break in a restaurant? Looks like they have relatives working here in Winchester or maybe it's something in the green mountain coffee they drink. Too bad enough people here wouldn't come forward so we could hire the lawyer they used to straighten out that mess.

Anonymous said...

go back to where you came from Mr. Keenan, you are not welcome in this town.

the Winchester Informer said...

Very nice, very nice indeed. It is really your attitude that is not welcome in this town. That someone wasn't born or perhaps even raised here should make no difference when it comes to qualifying for citizenship here in Winchester. That you either have a personal dislike for the man or are afraid that information he may uncover under the Freedom of Information Act could affect you or someone you know, shows us all just what kind of person makes remarks like this. Careful, your ignorance is showing.

Anonymous said...

My question to Annoymous at 2:00 is "Why should Mr. Keenan leave town because he wants things done correctly to avoid any more law suits?" We are talking about additional funds that none of us have. Oh-that's right none of us that participate in this blog work to pay the high taxes. Forgot about that.

It seems that Mr. Keenan could shed some light on this situation. All he wants is for the BOS to do their job correctly. I think that that was in the oath that they all took when they became select people. If they are unable to do the job at hand then it is up to us as citizens of this town to elect people that will.

May I suggest Annoymous that perhaps you out to rethink you outlandish request of Mr. Keenan.

Anonymous said...

Or perhaps this person has met Mr Keenan, as I know I have, and he is a arse. He believes he is the town mayor or something and he has stepped on way to many toes including his own while he has both feet in his mouth.he has tried to force himself onto almost every organization and they send him packing, he has harrased many individuals and he really has something against anyone who is trying to make a difference. I know he sent in a letter supporting your cause so now he is your golden boy, but if you truly ever had any dealings with him you would realize he is a lonely old man with no friends or ties to our community. and dont let him fool you into believing he is a retired lawyer. and why does a person living at sunrise village (who they are trying to get rid of him) act like his taxes are being wasted, he doesnt pay any? Mr keenan loves to act important and gives the impression he knows what he is talking about but at the end of the day he is disturbing individual....so good for you
Anonymous said...November 17, 2009
2:00 PM you are someone who truly knows John should I say wayne Keenan

the Winchester Informer said...

Mr Keenan, like anyone else who wishes to voice their opinions and comments on this blog, is no one's "golden boy" as you suggest. He's another individual who has concerns with the way things have been done to individuals and the town itself under the current management and other boards who have shown a total disregard for the citizens of Winchester. That you have a personal axe to grind with Mr. Keenan is your business; but please do it someplace else if you don't mind. You're entitled to your opinions and he his, leave it at that or I'll remove any posts that contain personal attacks... this goes both ways. Let's act like the adults we are all suppose to be.

Anonymous said...

Don't even go there with personal attacks this is all this website does is attack people, how does it feel to have one of your own attacked.. not so good does it.. just trying to prove a point to you.........

Anonymous said...

John Keenan is a retired tax attorney who worked for the US Government catching criminals who thought they could get away with cheating on their taxes. Do you think that perhaps his only fault is that it is ingrained in him to investigate wrong doings? It's not the kind of profession that one just retires from. You're programmed to examine everything.

Have you ever met a RICH government employee? I would hope not! Especially one with his background? You are pretty quick to judge someone with no more than your hunches and assumptions. Just because you have heard or perpetuated a rumor does not make it a fact.

Did you ever consider the fact that perhaps he is lonely because the people in this town aren't willing to take the time to get to know their neighbors? Willing to take the time to listen? That a good majority of the people in this town are quick to judge and assume rumors are FACTS, instead of finding the truth out for themselves.

Perhaps you were one of those persons he offered to volunteer his time too and you weren't willing to be kind in return? Or perhaps you are one of those individuals he has caught doing something illegal!

Anonymous 11/17 2 PM & 6:22 PM, you are the kind of individuals that we label as BIGOTS and HYPOCRITES. The kind of individuals we DON'T want running our town organizations and governments. Or sitting next to us in church claiming to be a good christian.

This attitude is a prime example of why Winchester has a BAD reputation. Considering how your criteria for judging an individual is rather twisted, we recommend that you leave the judging to GOD.

These quotes come to mind -
“Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes."

"You never really know a man until you understand things from his point of view, until you climb into his skin and walk around in it"

John Keenan is a TRUTH SEEKER.

Anonymous said...

John is a very sad man.... thats it

Anonymous said...

and by the way you all have axes to gring so point out the difference...Truth hurts doesnt it

Anonymous said...

The comment walk a mile in his shoes.. think about that next time you put down a town employee.. you people are the one's that are giving our town a bad name. If you have so much energy clean your yards..

my yard is clean said...

Speaking of lonely people, you must be very lonely yourself to come here and start a one sided conversation with yourself. You're so intent on being heard, how about providing some proof to your statements other than just rambling on. As for putting down town employees, if the shoe fits wear it. Your comments about those of us concerned about the direction our town has been going in for the past few years and us people commenting on the subjects here giving Winchester a bad name is really funny with someone like you running your yap.

Anonymous said...

Do your homework folks. Mr. Keenan has a checkered past and may be a disbarred attorney. Check Florida, Conneciticut, New Hampshire(factual WPD and local citizen issues) and Virginia regarding his past. "Seek and ye shall find". Not saying that his past makes him any less credible, it just pays to be informed before anyone speaks before they know what they are talking about.

Anonymous said...

Are you from the Winchester Police Department? Hope not! Even so, why would the police be sharing information like this with you? And why does the police have information like this in the first place? If you did find this information out in confidence, why are you spouting it off in a public forum? Your actions & comments are very disturbing!

What kind of information would we find out about you, if we were to "seek". No checkered past? Anything you might not be too proud of? And if he was disbarred, how does that affect you and the town?

Anonymous said...

We Got Your Back (unless you are a lonely old man)

We Got Your Back (unless you expect the rule of law to be followed)

Reading the court logs in the Sentinel one would get the impression that Winchester (moreso than many larger communities) welcomes alot of different types including domestic abusers, drunks, drug dealers and child molesters.
Sad, opinionated old men, apparently, not so much.

No Keenan ? said...

Keenan or no Keenan, it doesn't change the facts. Its would appear to most of us who are struggling to get by , that most of the selectmen, dept. heads, and some of the town employees could care less. In the real world you live with in you means, in Winchester we make sure all the employees are happy first and worry about the taxpayer second. Even the country club supporters will run out of money sooner or later. When the selectman on the budget comm, tells the group he will see that any cuts they make get reversed at deliberative it doesn't give me much hope for the future. Anyone who was thinking of running for the budget comm. next year has got to know there is no respect for you in the town and if you don't vote the way they want it will be changed and you will be ostracised.

Paul said...

To Anonymous, who commented at 2:32 am this morning; You tell us to check the facts before any of us speaks and yet you sit there hiding behind your keyboard, spouting off about someone who you obviously have issues with, yet really do not know. You provide NO FACTS, just your suspicions in your character assassination of Mr. Keenan. I'm sure I am not alone in thinking you are nothing more than an instigator attempting to discredit this blog, anyone who comments on it and/or anyone who stands up to those in town and calls a spade a spade. Go away, there are enough serious issues to discuss regarding our town. We don't need your childish ramblings about checking facts and checkered pasts; especially when you provide no proof to your statements.
Why don't you provide us with your name so we can check you out so that we may make an informed decision on whether to give any credence to your comments? At least Mr. Keenan was not ashamed to put his name to what he stated and provided us all with facts to back up his comments.

Judy said...

Show you just how lonely and alone this fool is, sitting behind his keyboard at 2:30 in the morning and posting more nonsense on this blog. If you're going to attack someone despite being asked not to by the people who run this blog, at least have some credible facts to back it up. I hope the Informer removes your comments and bans you from posting again.

Anonymous said...

You dont have to be in the police department to check someones background. I welcome you to use the computer it looks like some of you may know how and look for some history on Mr Keenan yourselves dont forget to look for his other name "wayne" also. He wrote a letter to you and you posted it that opens himself up to scrutiny no different then the way you guys attack everyone else on here. When the informer post things that are fact or scans actual papers in here that is a good thing but 90% of the things that are written come from "anonymous" with no proof or facts behind them. you say your digging for the truth but seriously read the anonymous postings, most of them are rumours personal vandettas and hear say.You guys keep bringing up Winchesters bad reputation but dont you realize that this sight is responsible for most of it!
We will never change things for the better drawing lines in the sand it will only change when people drop the anonymous crap and work together. this Include compramising and meeting in the middle, Its the key to all relationships. if you want credability drop the anonymous stuff so people have to be honest and you will be taken more seriously.As long as you hide behind anonymous then we will also. As long as you personally attack people we will also.
This sight has the potential to do good things and bring change but the way you people go about it it will never happen.go to meetings, show your face, vote, work with the community, these are the things that bring change not hiding behind a computer screen.

Old timer said...

Look who's calling the kettle black, someone who hides behind the anonymous option to comment, yet berates others for doing the same. Mr. Keenan is not a problem in this town, high taxes for foolish expenditures, bonuses for employees who waste taxpayer dollars and raises for people who do not deserve them are. Officials with no accountability to anyone but themselves are our main problem, board members who show no respect for the public they swore to serve and those who continue to back them, despite cold hard facts, are as equally at fault. That you chose to come here and personally attack someone who is obviously concerned enough to comment on these issues and sign his name to it, despite as you reminded us he's not from here, shows us all that you have no credibility at all. When called out you blame this blog and it's proven facts for dividing the town and call for everyone to work together to promote your agenda, what exactly is your agenda? It may surprise you to know that many of us do go to meetings, keep up on the goings on in town by talking with Bob Gray, a selectman, Ellen or others who work in town hall. It may also surprise you that several groups of us discuss what goes on at town meetings and read the posted minutes; when they get posted and can form our own opinions as to what really was said and what went on. What truly divides this town is the attitude that there are some people entitled to do say and act any way they want while the rest of us are suppose to tow the line and not speak up about it. Fools like you, pointing fingers at people, attempting to discredit those of us who come forward and attempt to bring change for all are what's dividing this town. Say what you want this site, it is and will continue to make a difference. As for posting anonymously, look what has happened to those who came forward and made themselves known in the past; a campaign was started to get them removed from office, raise their property taxes with bogus evaluations, denied rebates because they had the stones to stand up for what the believed was right and called attention to those who wronged them. If you knew anything about the past history of this town, you may be someone worth listening too; but it's obvious you don't know squat and are just blowing your own horn.

Anonymous said...

This site ruins Winchester's reputation? What a JOKE. Ask any of our high school students what the prevailing attitude is there about Winchester - I don't believe anyone at Keene High even knows this blog exists, let alone draws opinions or conclusions from it. Winchester has been the armpit of Cheshire County since long before there even was an internet, mostly for the reasons stated by previous posters...

Anonymous said...

Things can't get better if you guys can't admit you have a problem. Winchester has been the armpit of cheshire county for many many decades.

Bob Davis said...

Maybe we should leave our town’s destiny to chance, let everyone do or say as they please. Turn our faces away as our trusted town officials and employees runs rampant with corruption, then we all might be closer to the sort of happiness that comes with ignorance.

Anonymous said...

Hear, hear, Bob! Ignorance is BLISS! That's the reason "us illegal aliens" moved here...thinking it was a quaint place to live! Ahhhh, to be that naive again. That would be heaven!

Anonymous said...

If you mean the definition of "Quaint" that includes backward and anachronistic, you're not far from wrong

outsider looking in said...

Winchester's problems stem from the lack of it's own citizens to see the forest through the trees and act. Most think sitting on their thumbs and doing nothing and letting others (like those commenting and running this blog who are sticking their necks out for everyone) do the fighting for them, will solve everything, really need to get a swift boot in their arses and get with it. This blog isn't responsible for giving Winchester a bad name, it's own people are until they do something about it.

Question ? said...

Sounds like the 7:52AM blog is a town employee on co. time. Hard to believe.

Anonymous said...

Question said, AH! now I get it…… they (the town hall)wants us to believe we are dealing with John Wayne (Gacy) Keenan "the clown that kills". Lets see I goggled Wayne Keenan and got a state rep, an artist, American jazz artist.

I goggled John Keenan and got a judge, a web site designer, a state rep from Salem.

No mass murderer there ……………….web blog-ger November 18, 2009 2:32 AM you insomniac. Tonight take your meds before bed time as the doctor prescribed and get a good night sleep. This site will still function without your input. Nothing personal but a good night sleep will make you have less tension

Anonymous said...

Looky here, alot of people log in and post things on here about the town that are based on rumours and half thruths, Then someone like John Keenan send a little full of bog words and when the people who have dealt with him before point out the FACTS of how wierd and off keel he is, you guys get very upset, This to me speaks volumes about the ignorant people who call this sight change, I have actually come to find it entertaining like a soap opera. its a good thing that the people who do like our town get out and vote the people you dont like in and pass the warrant articles that you dont like.again this speak volumes there must be very few of you or you cant come out from behind the computer to vote yourselves

thanks for the chuckles said...

Half truths and rumors you say, now that is funny and you are very entertaining in your childish attempt to defend your ravings about John Keenan. Name one person in this world who doesn't have their own special quirks or thinks a little bit differently than the mainstream all the time, including yourself. Your obsession with Mr. Keenan and the letter that was posted for him in regards to issues in this town could be construed as the drivel of a lunatic, no? What has gotten some people upset is your wasting space on this blog with your juvenile attack on someone who voiced his opinions and backed them up with fact; something you have failed to do since you started your little tirade. Do yourself and all of a favor and stop making an ass of yourself and find something else to occupy your little mind. How ignorant you really are when you call people that are the root of most of the town's problems good people and those that voted for them know better than the rest that don't like how this town is being run into the ground and how certain people in authority have used it for personal gain. With supporters like you, people like us have nothing to fear come March when we go to the polls and vote for change.

bottom line said...

Our employees don't like scrutiny and the people who see problems don't want a target on there back. Ask our former town manager if people will get out to vote.

Anonymous said...

Fighting fire with fire does work.
Look how you all are drying now

the Winchester Informer said...

This is to the Anonymous poster who continues to ignore our few simple rules of conduct that even a 5th grader would understand.

You have made it quite clear that your sole purpose for visiting this blog is to be as disruptive as you can and to upset as many people as you can with your nonsense. It is obvious to all of us that you have a terrible dislike for Mr. John Keenan ( Wayne is not his name .. we checked ) citizens who comment here and this blog and it's owners in particular. You have had your 5 minutes of fame and we thank you for your comments and will take them under advisement.

If you continue in the manner you have previously conducted yourself, you will leave us with no other options than to remove your comments. You have the right to comment on any subject matter put up on this blog and we have allowed you to do so; however you do not have the right to just post to be disruptive and attack anyone who does not see things your way.
Fighting fire with fire as you say, does not work here. This is not a debate, it is your first and last warning.
If you do not like how we run this discussion forum, may I suggest you start your own and do as you like there; perhaps you may find others with with similar attitudes who will follow you.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for proving yourself how 1 sided you intend on keeping this blog sight. you are admitting that people can post anything they want against the town and its fine, but the minute someone tries to turn that around and do the same about your posters you will delete them. This speaks volumes about the unfairness in the way you choose to do business. sounds something like M Sharra would do. Thank you again for proving your ignorance

Bob Daavis said...

Let us all work to build an informative forum where everyone can make a contribution where everyone opinion will count which will lead to changing the opinion people have of us and of our town. On the way to change there will be saboteurs of the process of change, they’ll satisfied with complacency which upsets there quid pro quo. We can not expect them to give up their perks over night.

Yes, there are many concerns worth worrying about with the way our town is run, Margaret Sharra and the planning board has a lot of explaining to do and the selectmen defending their actions. We have a powerful tool here that will help us overcome what’s wrong. Yes, we will take some criticisms, we will give criticisms on the way and we the citizens will win, because we do not have to memorize the truth, they have to memorize their lies and deception .

For certain said...

THEY WALK AMONG US.......

the Winchester Informer said...

We are not preventing anyone from posting information on this blog, nor are we one-sided. We welcome both sides to any issue; however we will not put up with people who's only purpose in posting here is to attack others personally and be disruptive. That you have made this a personal matter, have provided no credible input to the subject being discussed and continue to whine about fairness, all the while attacking someone personally lends no credibility to your comments. That you are dismayed at the town being the subject of many negative comments and only want to attack others in it's defense, shows that you are someone intent on just being disruptive, despite us asking you not to continue this behavior. If you continue to ignore our request to comment in an adult manner and stop this nonsense you leave us with no choice but to disallow you to continue.
As stated before, 95% of all subject matter posted and commented on on this blog is public record, proven fact, mostly provided by the town itself. Comments by posters about how they have been personally treated, or spoken to by members of town boards can be backed up by either the minutes to those particular meetings or copies of the audio recordings of those meetings. Personal observations of town employees committing infractions of the employee handbook or other such conduct, backed up by facts, are not innuendos or personal attacks, they are also fact.
You and some others who have posted here have provided no facts, no documentation or anything concrete. I personally think you comment just to see your own words in print. If you don't like how things are done here, then as I have suggested before, start your own blog. You have come into our house as a guest, try acting like one and conduct yourself in a responsible manner and you will be treated with respect and fairness. If you have evidence that something posted here, whether it be a comment or document is wrong, false or otherwise misleading, by all means provide us with the proof and we will correct it. If that's not being fair to all and does not satisfy your complaint then I don't know what to tell you, other than you are being unreasonable.
These will be my last comments on this matter, pay heed.

Anonymous said...

A lot of things get posted on this website that are fact and facts that are substantiated no less, so if you are weird and off keel you don’t tell the truth and can’t post a fact? That to me speaks volumes for the ignorance of people who make such statements. It speaks volumes for the lengths some will go to in order to maintain the smoke and mirrors veil and the denial of reality by some in the town of Winchester. It also speaks volumes about how some nerves have been hit. The truth will prevail and it will not be forgotten, nor will it get lost in rhetoric.

the Winchester Informer said...

Some people just never learn and that their bad manners will not be tolerated.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
a friend said...

I personally know John Keenan and have for quite some time. John is a personable man, though sometimes he can come across as being a bit gruff; but he's harmless and would never physically or verbally harm anyone. He was married, has an ex-wife, two children and is very active in the Boy Scouts of America where both he and his boy are Eagle Scouts. John also worked many years in the Justice Dept of our Federal Government. This is fact and can very easily be verified by simply speaking with and asking the man. If he isn't someone who would be considered credible what does that say about those in office downtown? That this person, and I have my suspicions about which selectman/men it is posting, wants to continue to attack John, why don't you meet him face to face and discuss your concerns? Are you too much of a keyboard coward to do that? Let's all get back on subject discussing our concerns with what John brought to us in his letter.

Anonymous said...

I do not know John Keenan but it's obvious the poster(s)don't want to talk with John Keenan because they are afraid of him and the reason is simply because he speaks the truth while they do not.
It's also obvious that they can only attempt to discredit him with words as a means of disrupting what he has to say without providing any proof to the nonsense.
This is how the town hall operates and those in power now, as well as those in the past, have a history of this exact type of smear campaign.
It’s their MO.
Discredit then they will not believe.
Look around this blog and you can see for yourself.
Those in power like to target people who don’t abide by their wishes and support their agenda.
Now for the first time there are some who have decided enough is enough and are challenging the small minded, hypocritical thinking that has infested itself in the minds of too many in this town.
When you do illegal things or things to hurt people, sooner or later you get caught and you have to pay the piper.
That’s what has happened here, they got caught and now the time has come to pay the piper and they don’t want to.
Accept the fact you made bad decisions pay the consequences and move on or move out.

Anonymous said...

Blog-I have a question and it is off topic but if someone knows the answer it would be great. Last week we all had a holiday. It is my understanding that some employees work 4 10 hour days while the highway deparment works 5 8 hour days. My question is "did the highway department only get paid for 8 hours and if so how is the town going to compensate them for the additional 2 hours?

I have no problem with holiday pay I have a problem with equitable. If someone could explain the accounting that was used during this transaction I would appreciate it. We all need to know where our tax dollars are being spent.
Thanks for the help.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
the Winchester Informer said...

You really don't get it do you, your personal issues with John Keenan, or anyone else for that matter, are not something that belongs on this blog, nor will it be allowed. This blog was set up to inform citizens of Winchester of the problems and issues plaguing our town. You continue to attack him despite being asked several times to stop. You provide no documentation to back up your accusations, and Mr Keenan is not part of the problems we are discussing on this blog. He doesn't owe any back taxes, isn't a member of the town government that ignores it's citizens, doesn't vote on a board to spend our money, doesn't treat people at meetings like second class citizens; in fact he has nothing to do with anything other than posting his opinions on the facts he has provided here. Unlike you, he doesn't pose a threat to anyone. I'd be careful showing your true feelings for this man as you have done, hate crimes are taken seriously and your rantings in regards to this man reflect your hatred for him. Perhaps it would be wise for you to seek help with your anger issues.

Anonymous said...

you guys attack everyone else in town with no proof or documentation. Joohn is a problem for our town many people feel this way. You cant owe back taxes when you dont pay taxes. getty a little worries are you? you removing blogs just proves that point. Winchester informer intends on keeping this sight 1 sided

Anonymous said...

I don't see this blog attacking people so much as showing the proof we wanted. That seems to be something the people who don't want change, don't want to see. Why would that be? Send the blog all your proof that this man is the problem.

FYI a renter does pay taxes - they pay it to the landlord who then pays taxes on the property the person(s) lives in. Just because their rent check doesn't go to the town doesn't mean that they aren't the ones payig the taxes.

That's the kind of nuts and bolts proof that makes a statement make sense.

It sounds as if some in the town are too close to the problems and can't think straight.

Statements that can be backed up by documents or credible people go far.

Whining doesn't.

Anonymous said...

Get real anonymous anybody who doesn’t agree with the hierarchy in your town too many of you perceive as a problem.

Anonymous said...

You guys have let anonymous posters attack most our Police officers all the selectman Dale grey and everyone else inbetween. So when people who Know John Keenan would like the chance to use your own tactics you remove the posting, I am very glad you do this it just shows that you will only let info on your sight that supports your goal of helping the town self destruct. again if you guys get rid of the anonymous posting more truth will come out on this sight, If you are reporting truthfull stuff you shouldnt have to worry about backlash and whole deal with peoples property taxes rising on them for speaking the truth is so asanine its almost funny.

Anonymous said...

hats off to you anonymous 11/20/09 9:55 am...YOU ROCK..

Anonymous said...

The police officers that have been pointed out to be less than honest and of questionable integrity have also been shown through documentation that the posts were correct.

So unfortunately that doesn't really fly in this case.

As to backlash, there already has been backlash to innocent people so that doesn't fly either.

Disliking people doesn't make them bad.

Bad behavior is what makes people bad. And the town of Winchester has a lot of people in power with bad behavior.

Why not show the proof like others have had the courage to do instead of continuing to put your feet in your mouth?

You seem to confuse issues.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous of 9:55 tell us your name or are afraid of being retaliated against?

You have no right to criticize anonymous posters when you won't tell the world who you are.

You must be afraid of someone or something.

Stop trying to intimidate, we know what people like you do!!

the Winchester Informer said...

How funny it is, that someone who complains about people posting anonymously, when they themselves comment the same way. As I have said many times before; evidently falling on deaf ears, provide the proof with your statements to back it up and we will put your information on the blog. It's real simple, all you have to do is email us the documentation. To sit behind your keyboard whining away about how we are protecting one of our own is really juvenile. Mr. Keenan is not a member of the staff on this blog, he's just like you and the rest of the citizens in town that we allow to post their comments here. He provided facts in his emails to us along with documentation he received from the town itself. You on the other hand and the others attacking this man for speaking out have provided nothing, just verbal attacks on someone you obviously have personal issues with. As someone else stated, this is just how those at the town hall and their small legion of supporters conduct themselves. Attack the person commenting personally, muddy the waters with innuendo and rumors and keep the spotlight off of the subject being discussed. Someone also mentioned we attack everyone in town with no proof or documentation, evidently someone here has a real hard time reading and understanding the English language; documentation has been provided time and time again in support of statements and allegations. You also accuse us of being one-sided, which is not true, we have posted and allowed to be posted both sides of issues raised on this blog. All we require from you is that you provide us the proof to back up your accusations before you post and if it's truthful we have no issues with it being on our blog.
However, personal attacks on someone just for the sake of attempting to discredit the information that they asked to be posted will not be tolerated. Your attempts to shoot the messenger are obvious, evidently the information is what you find harmful, not the man.

Anonymous said...

Maybe some people are afraid that Mr. Keenan, with his vast wealth of legal knowledge and intellect is a very real threat to the (up until recently)closed door policy the town has operated behind and that has some very worried.

Anonymous said...

To Anonymous: all we want is for our elected officials to do their job. If it means removing some from office then so be it. These elected officials took a fiduciary oath of responsibility to the town. Most of us in this town have had to balance our budgets and cut back. We expect the same to happen with our town finances. After all we went to a 4 day work week with the idea that it would save the town money. Now, if it means we have to cut back on hours for employees then so be it. Cutbacks are happening every where. Winchester should not be any different. Our Budget Com has suggested cutbacks or even level funding. How should we feel when a select person says, "don't worry about it we will get it all back." I wonder who is going to pay the taxes. Obviously we have citizens struggling. These citiznes have to make choices either to buy food, medicine or pay taxes. Susan Newall enlightened us about arrangements that can be made for paying taxes. However, the interest capitalizes and the bill is overwhelming for some people.

You need to step up to the plate and understand that we have to make adjustments. When we say no to a new cruiser we mean "NO".

The people that make comments on this blog have given careful thought to the finaces of this town.We all deserve fiscal responsibility. That does not mean frivolous law suits becasue people can not follow the instructions of the judge.

Sorry blog for the soap box but enough is enough. Do your job and everyone will be fine with the consequences.

PS I am an accountant by trade so all the debits need to match the credits.

Anonymous said...

Your feathers are the ruffled ones not the other way around. Get your facts together before you rant. You sound pitiful and ignorant.

Anonymous said...

In response to anonymous of 5:50:If there are so few why waste your time worrying about what others are saying or doing? They can't possibly have any impact if what they say is meaningless. Go find a good book to read or go out to a movie. It will probably satisfy your hunger for the novel you apparently seem to want to write.

Anonymous said...

I said before as long as you allow people to post anyonymously "we will" as long as you use the sight to personally attack people "we will" a little taste of your own medacine really seems to ruffle your feathers, you reap what you sow. you people know there are so few of you you have to do business this way because voting wont work for you. and it still doesnt change the fact Mr. Keenan has a checkered backgroung and googling him or goggle as you say is only going to tell you if he has a web sight you need to dig a little deeper than that, but I know you wont because he is your "golden boy" at this moment. does it make you wonder why no one can stand him? and you need to change active in boy scouts to was active but not around here !Mr Informer when sunrise village is finally able to evict him you should offer for him to live with you on rt 10 then you both can watch the condos being built

Anonymous said...

Obviously we are getting to the other side. This group is smart enough to understand information when it is presented the first time.

Way to go blog! Mr. Informer, please inform the opposition that they need to learn how to play by the rules if they want to play in our sandbox.
Thanks for the help. Keep up the great information.

Anonymous said...

Keep up the good work informer - looks like the word gets out to more and more every day.

Anonymous said...

Informer...Now that post from "anonymous" re: "I said before as long" is on this page repeated SEVEN times. What can cause that to happen, or is the one posting repeating his/herself on purpose? thanks.

the Winchester Informer said...

To answer the question asked above about duplicate posts. It seems our childish, narrow minded little boy, has learned how to cut and paste and likes seeing his rants over and over again, either that or he has multiple personalities and thinks by doing this he can convince us that he is more than one person. Ok, we're fooled, there are just too many of you for us to make a difference, you win.

Anonymous said...

Again, I thank you for proving how 1 sided you intend on keeping this sight. when your own tactics are used against you you delete the blogs. this in itself removes all credibility you think you have.
we who like out town and work everyday to make it better will do so by voting and going to the deliberative session. You few who are against the town will hide behind your computer screen. There is safety in numbers and we have that. I dont understand why if you hate the town so much how come you dont move to a different town

Anonymous said...

Thank you informer my guess is that whoever decided to repeatedly post the same thing over and over was trying their darnedest to annoy those who participate in and manage this blog to the point where they hoped all would abandon it.

Around here if you believe in fairness and transparency from the leaders or if you have a mind of your own and speak it, you are the enemy of the state, in this case those who run the town.

Thank you for coming up with an excellent solution to the problem.

the Winchester Informer said...

To the misinformed Anonymous poster above, as you can see we haven't deleted anything except the many childish duplicate postings you made during you little rant last night. That you keep returning and posting nonsense and veiled threats is a reflection of just how one sided your twisted views of this town are. To set your mind straight we do love our town, we just don't like the way it's being run, how it's citizens are being ignored and treated and how simple minded people like yourself support the status-quo of runaway spending and are so dead set against change for the betterment of all of Winchester's citizen's, not just those like you who figure they are better than the rest of us or entitled to what they can glean from the town tax-payers. Don't you worry your little mind, we'll be there at the Deliberative Session and we'll get out the vote, isn't that what you and your cronies are afraid of and why you keep attempting to discredit and disrupt this blog with your inane comments? Keep posting, it reminds us all of the real problems we face here in town, thanks for all of your help.

Anonymous said...

I see our pest is back running their mouth once again with nothing constructive to say other than blowing his/her own horn again. Must make this person very angry knowing that they can't play their stupid games here any more.

To Anonymous poster @ 9:31am today,
As the Informer has said, we'll be there and we'll make changes that you and your little circle of friends won't like. We will weed you out like garden pests one at a time if we have to; but changes are coming and for your information, we are many and growing daily and getting the word out to our neighbors and friends and their neighbors and friends, the movement has started thanks to this blog and the tiresome people who continue to stand up for the rest of us.

Anonymous said...

What's all this we stuff, I don't see anyone commenting in support of your ravings only you. You claim you have the numbers to do whatever you deem you want to do in this town, well we'll see. The days of deception and lies are over. The people you support have a lot of explaining to do and their bs that it is just a couple of disgruntled people trying to start trouble is bullcrap. Look around fool, many people post their concerns and comments on this blog, hell there are over 100 comments just on this one subject here not counting your drivel. Wake up, we have and we're learning and seeing the proof with our very own eyes. Hard to cover these facts up now that they are out in the open. Good job blog, keep the information flowing.

Anonymous said...

anonymous and 1 bob davis = about 6 disgruntled people

laughing at you said...

Anonymous at 6:13 pm, you really need to find yourself a hobby. Your vague and really silly attempts to be the voice of the town hall is a joke at best. Gotta tell ya fella, you should give it a rest and go visit some of those good friends of yours downtown and leave the posting and commenting to people who have real information and something intelligent to say.

Anonymous said...

I agree with the fact that M Sharra runs the board bad and has been unfair with you with the way she does things. My big problem is you giving John Keenan a platform to let his head swell. I know this man and he is trouble, now because you posted his letter he is going to start believing he is the towns mayor. I have had many dealings with this man and he has a checkered past and has been forced to move many times and it will happen again. because he supports your cause "at the moment" you just assume he is all that, but seriuosly if you want him to represent you and speak for you you need to dig a little deeper like all the other boards and organizations have then sent him packing. there is not a single parent in town that wants him around their children and there is a good reason for this. keep up your campaign to rid the town of Sharra but be carefull about who you use to do this. some people here seem very computer savy so do some checking and dont forget to look for Wayne Keenan in you checking

Anonymous said...

Suggestion - How about making a new blog somewhere down below these informative blogs and call it the “Newest posts from the childish poster with no agenda other than to waste time blog” or something like that and then move all of the posts from this idiot over there and then whoever wants to read them can and whoever doesn't want to, won't have to. Then this idiot can think they’re having a real conversation with someone and won't be able to say you are being selective. This idiot sounds like they have some big things to hide and is being very persistent in showing a fear of exposure.

the Winchester Informer said...

To Anonymous who posted at 7:01 this morning and continues his personal attack on John Keenan;
First off, I have warned you several times about posting detrimental comments without providing any proof, other than you saying so. This is not a blog on who's got a spotty past or who is or isn't good for the town, I've attempted to make that very clear to you. I will not allow any more of your comments on Mr. Keenan's personal life; that is not the issue here. Nor will I allow anyone else to do the same. I have been very lenient with you; but you have gotten to the point where it's past time for you to either comment on the issues being discussed, either pro or con, or find someplace else to voice your displeasure with Mr. Keenan. Your accusations are beginning to border on slander and libel and I will not allow that kind of posting here. I hope I have made myself perfectly clear to you, you'll not get another chance.
You comment you are upset that we have given Mr. Keenan a platform to speak from by publishing his letter, haven't we done the same for you? Haven't we allowed you, despite your efforts to be very disruptive, a chance to be heard also?
You state Mr. Keenan has a checkered past and has been forced to move many times. First off, who amongst us can say with honesty that there isn't something in their past they are not proud of, that if given a second chance would not go back and do things differently? Would you be willing to give me your name so that I can search for your past and then publish my findings? I didn't think so; but be assured I do know who you are.
Mr. Keenan is not a spokesperson for this blog, our cause, or any other thing having to do with me personally or the staff of this site. He is simply someone who sent in a couple of letters to our email and asked us to publish them for all to comment on the concerns he raised. That he does or does not support this web site made no difference in our decision to publish his letters, everyone is afforded the same courtesy, providing your information is truthful and can be verified.
Also, we are not using Mr. Keenan to promote this blog, our cause or anything else you have suggested, we simply published his letters. Period.
Lastly, you have made some very disturbing comments about Mr. Keenan, accusations that could land you in a world of trouble, if he were to take legal action against you. Think before you post again, it could be your last on this blog.

the Winchester Informer said...

To the Anonymous poster above that suggested we give Mr. Disruptive his own private blog area;
I see no reason to feed this person's ego or give him a separate platform on which to spread his innuendos and allegations towards Mr. Keenan or anyone else. He has made his point, he does not like Mr. Keenan, we all get that. If he does not stop his foolishness, heed my last warning and drop this line of commenting he'll no longer be afforded the privilege of voicing his comments here. As administrator of this blog, I have the right to moderate content I find offensive to my guests who comment on the subjects we publish here. Enough of you have complained about this person to justify my decision.

Anonymous said...

Just send that fool packing and don't allow him to post any more.

lots of questions said...

I've been reading over all of the planning board minutes in regards to this Van Dyke case and it seems to me that no matter what evidence or concerns the abutters and their attorney had they were ignored time and time again and yet this Carl Hagstrom and Van Dyke guy were allowed time and time again to give what I feel is untruthful information to this board and they just went along with it despite evidence to the contrary. How is that being fair to these abutters and the town? Looks to me like there's quite a bit going on that has nothing to do with rules and regulations.

the Winchester Informer said...

This isn't the first time or the first town to have issues with this Van Dyke. If you've been following the postings on this blog, you'll find this information to be very interesting;

http://www.town.rindge.nh.us/PB_05_02_06.cfm

How much more can we take? said...

The ironic thing about reading the "minutes" is that Margaret slants them, so that she looks good. They rarely reflect what took place and for you to still see that she is pandering to the developer is miraculous! It goes to show that she hasn't done a very good job of covering her tracks.

We are talking about a developer/contractor who has done nothing but create ciaos wherever he goes. He LOVES lawsuits. He seems to thrive on conflict. They are fed up with him in Rindge and Jaffery (have you followed those lawsuits?).

He built two houses on Burt Hill without any building permits or subdivision approval and was taken to court by our town over the issue. Then he started buying up property ALL over town. We became his new victims and Margaret has allowed it to continue.

The issue of the property behind Shamrock was settled two years ago when the Planning Board denied the subdivision. But Margaret wasn't pleased with the decision and reopened it. She is the one that perpetuated this mess and should be the one to deal with it. Instead, as a town, we are left with legal bills and residence who feel ignored and blindsided. Who is going to LISTEN?

NO MORE! If Margaret decides to run for office again, we need to give a resounding NO!

time to go Mags said...

Wait until you see all the changes she has proposed for the planning and zoning board regulations, she's made Winchester a wide open town for anything goes. We have it on good authority all of these changes are to help Van Dyke get his approvals and open more protected steep sloped and wet land for development. She most definitely needs to be taken out of office and sent packing. How come all of her aerial photos were of one side of main street and the race tracks, why not show people what Winchester really looks like, abandoned businesses and homes and open excavation sites from loggers and developers all over town. What a mess, thanks Margaret, your a peach.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.