Every tax is a pay cut.  Every tax cut is a pay raise.
Citizens for Limited Taxation

September 18, 2003
I submitted a series of questions (shown below) on George P. King, Jr's allegations of being involved in a strip poker game.

I also brought up the issue of the article written by Craig MacCormack where our our police chief Steven Carl was using Nevins Hall to advise a group of Brazilians on their rights concerning bounty hunters that are pulling illegal aliens out of Framingham.  He was quoted in the article as saying that even the police pull over an illegal for driving without a license, they will not turn them over to the U.S. Immigration department. This is in violation of U.S. immigration laws .  Thus our chief may be a scofflaw himself. If there was an illegal alien in the crowd of 50 Brazilians, the law stipulates that Nevins Hall can be siezed by U.S. law enforcement officials.

Questions to the Board of Selectman (09/18/2003)
-----------------------------------

 1. On what date was Karen Potter hired and at what starting salary?

    A: Karen Potter was hired to work in the Board of Selectmen's office on
       October 2, 2000 at an annual salary of $35,000.

 2. When Karen was hired, was the position posted thru regular channels
    according to town hiring policies?  Was the position available to
    anyone who applied?

    A: The position was posted several times in 2000. She was the third
       person to fill the position that year.

 3. On what date was Allison Potter hired and at what starting salary?

    A: Allison Potter has worked for the Town since 1996. She assumed
       the position from which she was laid off on May 8, 2000. Her annual
       salary at that time was $45,000.

 4. When Allison was hired, was the position posted thru regular channels
    according to town hiring policies?  Was the position available to
    anyone who applied?

    A: Allison Potter assumed her position by way of an internal transfer from
       another town hall office. The position was posted internally.

 5. How long was one Potter sister reporting to the other?

    A: Neither Potter sister ever reported to the other.

 6. On what date did the incident in the ethics complaint occur?

    A: No response

 7. On what date did the Board of Selectman find out about the ethics complaint?
    A: No response

 8. On what date did Karen Potter get her big $40K to $52K raise?

    A: Karen Potter was assigned to her latest position on July 1, 2003 as a
       result of an office reorganization brought about by a reduction in
       staff.  This reorganization was fully detailed in a presentation to
       Town Meeting on June 4, 2003. The details of the reorganization of the
       office, proposed at the time, were included in a powerpoint
       presentation and delineated all salaries in the office. You may
       request a tape of the meeting from the Media Services Department.

 9. What extra responsibilities did Karen Potter assume in order
    to get the $12K raise?  Be specific.

    A: The presentation referred to above contains all of the details related
       to the job duties and responsibilities.

10. On what date did Allison Potter get laid off?

    A: Allison Potter was laid off at the end of the fiscal year
       (June 30, 2003).
 
11. On what date did Allison Potter assume her new duties?
 
    A: Allison Potter is currently a temporary minute taker for the Board of
       Selectmen until a person can be found to fill the position permanently.
 
12. When Allison was rehired, was the position posted thru regular channels
    according to town hiring policies?  Was the position available to
    anyone who applied?
 
    A: The permanent position of minute taker is currently available.
 
13. Did you ask the town manager any questions face-to-face
    concerning the allegations?
 
    A: No response
 
14. Was there a poker game on the night of the allegations and was
    George P. King, Jr., Allison Potter and Karen Potter present?
 
    A: No response
       

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