Middletown Lawsuit #2
"In May, 2007, then Finance Director Shawn Brown received a wirrten request, under the Freedom of Information Act, seeking copies of town owned cell phone and/or land line telephones of the Director of the Senior Center [Arlene Kaull], who at the times of the request, happened to be the sister of the Defendant, Paul Rodrigues. Upon learning of this request, Paul Rodrigues arrived at the office of the Plaintiff [Kempen], and inquired as to why he was not told of the freedom of Information request, as the records being sought involved his sister. The Plaintiff informed Defendant Paul Rodrigues that requests of this type were regularly received and responded to, and that is how this particular request was handled. The Defendant directed the Plaintiff to discipline Shawn Brown for releasing the records requested without having first told the Defendant PaulRodrigues of the request, telling the Plaintiff that he was "sick and tired of his (Shawn Brown's) bull---!" The Plaintiff refused to discipline Shawn Brown as direted. At the direction of the Defendant Paul Rodrigues, the Plaintiff was caused to write a policy regarding future Freedom on Information requests, making sure that the Council President would recive copies of any such request;"
AMAZING!! It was Councilor Ed "The White Knight" Silveira who asked for these public records and more re: the senior center. Like, y' know, how many or.members they have (which he never rec'd). When you're discussing budget issues, it's relevant. It was also of concern to him that much of the Senior Center's budget is run through a PRIVATE checking account controlled only by the Director. Hello, problem here.
Oh, you naughty boy-0's, you. The new Town Admin. (Shawn Brown as well as Kempen] were evidently was on a "hit list" & marked for more than bad spankings. Witness the efforts NOT to have him (Brown) appointed Interim Town Admin. later that year. Ooops, that did not go all that well, did it?
"Hit lists," yeah, they still exist in government a la Nixon. Keep in mind that the Dem. Town Committee leadership consists of the Sr. Ctr. Director and reflects the de facto current town leadership. Silveira was marked, Sylvia more recently, and li'l ole me. Yeah, we retired school teachers are VERY SCARY. Seems that I'm viewed as "stupid." Now, you mightly not like me for any number of quite valid reasons; and yet, still I live. But "stupid" ain't one of them. I've got some sheepskins just like "the scarecrow" that says otherwise.
This information notification policy is still in effect, as far as I know. It applies to ANYONE requesting information, not just Councilors (hello, press- what little is left). Silveira asked for the Council to request the Att'ny General to rule on this policy, but his request never went anywhere. Go figure. This makes is even more important for the town to adopt a stricter freedom of information act such as the one vetoed by the guv & enacted in Portsmouth. This whole debacle proves the value of "open records," along with a free & involved press. More not less! Easier not harder! As much on-line as feasible. We have an information tech committee in Middletown. Let's use them!!
AMAZING!! It was Councilor Ed "The White Knight" Silveira who asked for these public records and more re: the senior center. Like, y' know, how many or.members they have (which he never rec'd). When you're discussing budget issues, it's relevant. It was also of concern to him that much of the Senior Center's budget is run through a PRIVATE checking account controlled only by the Director. Hello, problem here.
Oh, you naughty boy-0's, you. The new Town Admin. (Shawn Brown as well as Kempen] were evidently was on a "hit list" & marked for more than bad spankings. Witness the efforts NOT to have him (Brown) appointed Interim Town Admin. later that year. Ooops, that did not go all that well, did it?
"Hit lists," yeah, they still exist in government a la Nixon. Keep in mind that the Dem. Town Committee leadership consists of the Sr. Ctr. Director and reflects the de facto current town leadership. Silveira was marked, Sylvia more recently, and li'l ole me. Yeah, we retired school teachers are VERY SCARY. Seems that I'm viewed as "stupid." Now, you mightly not like me for any number of quite valid reasons; and yet, still I live. But "stupid" ain't one of them. I've got some sheepskins just like "the scarecrow" that says otherwise.
This information notification policy is still in effect, as far as I know. It applies to ANYONE requesting information, not just Councilors (hello, press- what little is left). Silveira asked for the Council to request the Att'ny General to rule on this policy, but his request never went anywhere. Go figure. This makes is even more important for the town to adopt a stricter freedom of information act such as the one vetoed by the guv & enacted in Portsmouth. This whole debacle proves the value of "open records," along with a free & involved press. More not less! Easier not harder! As much on-line as feasible. We have an information tech committee in Middletown. Let's use them!!
12 comments:
The Director of the Senior Center Arlene Kaull needs to go along with her brother Paul!!
I always wondered how Arlene could drive an expensive Audi sports car. NOW I'm beginning to understand!
ARLENE HAS TO MUH POWER -NO KNOWLEDGE -NEEDS TO LEAVE AND GO FISH
Wasn't it Mr. Silveira who wanted to punish town employees for placing his name on the tax sale list which was in the Newport Daily News? And wasnt' it Mr. Silveira who had inside knowledge of all the violations of town charter by Kempen but refused to reprimand him?
And as for you "retired teacher" you must really be enjoying your free health insurance coverage while my husband and I have to pay 80%!
What on earth are you thinking or am I exaggerating here? I pay for family health care coverage montly-substantially more than you do, I might add.
I also will never have any Medicare or Medicaid except through my husband & he's a tad younger than myself.
Where on earth do you get your info or do you just not want to let facts get in the way?
Eileen,
I think this is the first time I have actually posted on your site, but when someone posts(anonymously I might add) and is misfactual of information directly regarding me - I'm happy to clarify. I did speak with the Administrator regarding a tax sale on a property that I had sold in Jan. 07 and there was a notice stating that I was delinquent and the property was being scheduled for tax sale. My concern was that I strongly feel there is an issue with this process; The owner who is delinquent is the one that should be advertised as such. After speaking with the TA I learnt that it wasn't a mistake but was the process under state law- if the property was sold prior to Dec 31st the year prior. I think this needs to be changed, not just to protect myself- but all of the residents. I did not/would not interfere with the TA or staff. This is obviously someone trying to spread vicious rumers about me- something we have seen much of from the people that are/were involved in corruption for many years in this Town. Eileen-Thanks for all of your efforts and your support, we need more good people to get involved to flush out the evil in this town. Best Regards,
Ed Silveira
Eileen-
Part two- whoever wrote this should look at the suit filed against the town, maybe they should read your post a little better.
It clearly appears that Mr. Kempen wasn't the one who was "violating the charter"
I'm sure we will see more from these people playing the "VICTIM" they do this well. Diverting the attention from the real issues. It is comical.
Get your facts straight please.
Thanks to Ed Silveira for setting the facts straight. I alternate between open responses & sign-in. It's always interesting to hear rants which often pervade & distract discussion from the main point. Getting the facts straight & some degree of civility are important to discussion; otherwise, you get what we've had from our Council AND a lawsuit.
Mr. Silveira knows quite well that the town charter was violated, as this was brought to his attention by numerous people. Hopefully the TRUTH will come out in court or elsewhere if need be.
Mrs. Spillane, the information regarding retirement health benefits came from the Middletown School depts contract which is available online. It states that retirees will receive fully paid health insurance for the 1st 7yrs of retirement and then the retiree will start to pay a portion. This may be different from your retirement, but I assure you, we too are paying monthly and it is costly
Mr. Silveira, since you feel too much money would have been spent to upgrade second beach which would ultimately generate much needed revenue for this town, what are some ideas that you have to increase revenue(besides constantly increasing fees for services) and decrease taxes on the taxpayers of Middletown?
I retired 6 years ago. That's not my contract.
Both my husband & I have testified at the State House regarding affordable health insurance costs. We're marched with signs, written letters, lobbied, spoken to our fed'l legislators & I've given speeches on it. And you've...complained about me regarding??? my paying for my family's health insurance insurance?
I also pay for my sons' health insurance & associated costs, & help my mom with her bills- health care & living. I have a disabled family member whom I help support. Boy, do I know about health care costs!
So we're disagreeing about ????
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