I am sorry, but do the city a favor and take the next 2 years off Kim. I know, I know, innocent until proven guilty, but lets get some one on the council that has never been brought up on charges for larceny. GRAND LARCENY!!!!

Is this who we want to lead our community and make finacial decisions with our tax money?? I wouldn't trust her with the cash box at a bake sale!

Law abiding citizens do not get indicted.
Even a not guilty finding does not mean innocence.
Just the fact that this is still lingering should be enough for Kim to step down.

Can you not see that this is the same stuff and a political move by Mr. Bowles. Indicted doesn't mean anything its one sided. In the country we are innocent until proven guilty. Ms Allard I am sorry for what this must be doing to you and your family I find it unjust. You cared for this elder person even while being put through this never waivering don't waiver now.

Kate
i think that you mean well, but you need to be careful of what you are accusing Mr. Bowles of - it would seem that you are accusing him of conspiring with or influencing a Grand Jury. Mr. Bowles has no influence or contact with the Grand Jury - nobody does, except the District Attorney. This District Attorney conducted a year long investigation of his own - with other officials from the court system and various Elder Service Agencies. Nobody, especially Mr. Bowles, was allowed to interject themselves into the investigation ..... The District Attorney gathered enough evidence to convince a Grand Jury that something unlawful had happened. That is not easy to do.
Secondly..indictments DO mean something in the American legal system . They exist to protect people from crime. If anyone ever commits a crime against you - I hope that they are indicted and punished.
So....it is not a good idea to accuse someone of somehow manipulating a Grand Jury, which is in itself a crime.
If you wish to support Ms Allard , then do so, but do not accuse other people of crimes as you may end up in trouble, yourself. Ms. Allard will have her day in court and if she is found innocent, then so be it.. If she is found guilty, then she may go to prison. Just remember - you have no idea what evidence the District Attorney presented to the Grand Jury - nobody does. There could be a lot more
or less to this then anyone knows.

Senile old men with money/assets and younger women are always a bad combination.

I'm not a gambler, but once I get the time to do some research about the percentage of Grand Jury Indictments that result in guilty findings VS. not guilty findings, I'll consider the odds, and BEGIN to form my opinion. In my limited legal knowledge, my mind says that the Grand Jury does their homework and won't indict without positive proof, but the other side of me says that a Grand Jury only hears the prosecutorial side of the case. This is going to be interesting, to say the least.

Does anyone know what city counselors are paid and what expenses they are reimbursed for? I assume this is a matter of public record and can be found out easily enough. Just curious if anyone has a ballpark figure.

so far all I hear are alleged one sided stories, Im sure there is another side to this that we have not heard yet? Are the people of Attleboro that blind that they just assume somebody is guilty? I dont understand this...if she is so bad why did the family leave him there so long?

Jerome R..thats what I am trying to say. An indictment does NOT mean guilty. It is one sided and trial is where the facts from both sides come out. I met with Ms Allard and she was very open and showed me a lot and I heard her side. I believe in her. YOur very right in saying if she was so bad why did the elder get left in her care. The timeline shows these accusations where made about 6 weeks BEFORE the elder was moved in with her where he stayed until the end of June this year. Clearly there is another side.

As far as the above comment that innocent people aren't indicted that is not true. Again it is one sided. My hope is the residents of Attleboro see this for what it truly is that they see Ms Allard cared for the elder alone around the clock while being accused of these same things. If I believed someone had done these things to my family I would NOT have had them live with that person and in their complete care. This tells me the family of the elder knew he was well cared for. Innocent until proven guilty is Ms Allard's right as an American remember that! Also look at the source of these accusations and the agenda that the individual has publicy stated....says all I need.

Back in 1999 I served on a Grand Jury which took up 2 months of my time and every other week to goto Fall River. "Cases" were brought into the room where 12 of us were and a person rambled on about particulars and such. They left the room for about 2 to 5 minutes and came back....if we had questions we asked and if not we just said Yes or No. I really don't care who it is or what was done, we have a legal system for a reason and unless you are a Lawyer, a Judge or a Jurur on a specific case then we as the public everyday person only hear one side and that is the side the media or the legal system is only allowed to share. If we could only take the energy that so many people seem to have and put it towards something positive Attleboro would be a much better place.

With all due respect, Ms Penque, and I do respect what you do, you should not be so quick to judge the lives of the other people who comment here, I for one put my energy in many good places, in hopes that this very sad world will become a better place. I co-chair a group for battered women, am very active in environmental issues and was instramental in implementing a wetland protection ordinance for Attleboro. I work with battered and homeless animals 24/7 and do hospice for dying animals. I am active in city politics and support candidates that I feel have a worthy moral compass. In fact I am in the midst of starting an "Operation Clean Government" group - right here in Attleboro. I also founded the volunteer group at the Attleboro Animal Shelter - which has allowed you to carry on the good work that you do. Dont be so quick to judge the lives of the other writers here - their lives and energies and opinions are just as important as yours .
As Kim Allard seems to be your friend, so you should continue to support her as such, but maybe you should leave yourself just a little wiggle-room "just in case."
Alienating other people and minimizing their importance will not help you attain your goals, some of which are the same as mine
Thank you for what you do. Dont let one person who may not or may be guilty of things that you know nothing about hurt your future goals. At some time in our lives, we all get surprised by thinking that we know someone that we dont.

This was nothing personal Roxanne, sorry you seem to have taken it that way. Just stating in general if people took the energy and geared it towards something positive we would have a better Attleboro. I did not pass judgement on others, I simply shared my opinion. It is obvious you took this personal and for what reason I am not sure, but again just stating my opinion on the negativity and the energy that it consumes. It is time to focus on the positive and make wise investments and a wise investment is to take the energy that consumes negativity and focus on the positives one is capable of being a part of. I did not say that you are not involved with anything, actually I didi not mention you at all. nor did I state all the things i am involved with, once again a general comment stating my opinion on the wasted energy that negativity consumes.

Also re: Alienating other people. What are you talking about? How did my comment suggest this? When did I state my goals and what do my goals have to do with my comment? My goals are pretty simple when it comes to my personal goals and my professional goals, but neither did I state here. Why am I so confused now? LOL

These comments have lead us so far away from the story up top. Lets re-direct. How many of you are comfortable with a City Councilor who has questionable moral standards (the courts have called them into question and thats a fact)? How many of you are willing to forgo common sence to elect this woman?

Lets use and example: Say you want to put an additon on your house. Would you use a contractor who has complaints with the BBB? Probably not. Then why on earth would you elect this woman to help run our struggling city?

There are 9 people running for the 5 "At~Large" City Council seats. 8 of them HAVE NOT BEEN CHARGED WITH 2 COUNTS OF GRAND LARCENY". Pick one of thoses guys/ gals instead of Kim Allard.

Lets see we have heard one side state things in the media yet I met with Ms Allard and listened to her side. Based on what I know to be fact I believe Ms Allard has a great moral compass. She took care of the elder all by herself through everything she was put through. She gave her word to the elder and never broke it. Most would have run from the fight mounted against her she didn't. She has still not waivered from her promise. Ms Allard I will say it again you have my vote.

Ms Houghton I have no interest in debating with you regarding Ms Allard. Isn't she the one who won and knocked you out of office? The answer is yes. You are on the Bowles side of this issue so debating with you is a waste of time for me. To be clear Ms Allard said she wants to continue to move the taxes closier to appeal to more business which helps residents. You have your opinion and I have mine. I respect your right to your opinion respect mine. I will support Ms Allard and you can not.

Tax hikes?

http://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8#sclient=psy-ab&hl=en&rlz=1R2ADRA_enUS342&site=webhp&source=hp&q=BILL+BOWLES+ATTLEBORO+MA+GET+BLASTED&rlz=1R2ADRA_enUS342&pbx=1&oq=BILL+BOWLES+ATTLEBORO+MA+GET+BLASTED&aq=f&aqi=q-w1&aql=&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=56609l63890l0l64140l16l9l1l0l0l1l2578l6484l0.2.3.5-1.9-2l8l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=25853e4a0bb2dad8&biw=1280&bih=546

Do you really think the job is done all at the meeting? Im thinking no...as I know i have called my councilor at night and weekends including sunday for problems in my area, so im sure she gets calls as well and has whatever project that she may be working on as well as other councilors work on thru out the week on

Well said Jerome. At Jane you don't know what the personal reasons were or her surgeries either unless your medically involved and violating privacy rights. Ms Allard answered those questions for me when I asked. Again people if you aren't going to ask her don't assume you know.

As Jerome said there are many hours the Council works that we don't see. It is not just a Tuesday night meeting. Important to note most of the Council works full time as well some more than 1 job plus the Council and their families. You haven't asked Ms Allard what these personal reasons are have you because I did and I got an answer that I am satisfied with. If your not willing to ask you shouldn't pass judgement. Just my opinion.

She was always out around the time all this negative press was in the paper. That was why I thought she was out. No I have never even met her. Just started hearing about not paying taxes and duping an elderly person. It gets to citizens after awhile. i think the people like me who are not chummy with all these political figures take it more seriously.I will wait till November before I decide if I am being too grumpy here. But you do run for this office knowing you
"work full time or more than one job" Stop and think "Do I have time to help these citizens" No then don't run.

Kate I agree people are way to ignorent to ask the questions that would "answer the questions" at hand.And its really funny as somebody stated in a post before..people waste more time and effort focusing on the bad and have no energy left to find the truth

Jane well maybe you should take it serious and call her instead of just sitting here not knowing the truth and just bashing her...hows that sound?

Jane I asked all these questions directly to Ms Allard it would benefit you to do the same. As to the dumping an elder I don't know where you heard that. She cared for the elder 24/7 alone until it was determined by a professional that he needed to be moved if more help wasn't provided to care for him. That help wasn't given and a decision was made that the elder would be moved that wasn't Ms Allard's decision/ choice or desire.

It's all about attendance. Getting paid for a job you are not doing.

And on the Do I have time question can you predict or commit to your schedule 2 years in advance and be sure nothing will come up. Tuesday was a very difficult day for Ms Allard she didn't miss the meeting if fact she walked in and up to the media she didn't hide.

Its really funny how people only hear about the negative ...im quite sure if you actually check all of the positive you would be surprised at all of the good things she has done in her time on...once again...people waste SOOOOOOOO MUCH TIME AND ENERGY ON NOT KNOWING WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT THAT THEY DONT HAVE ENOUGH ENERGY LEFT TO FIND THE TRUTH...

good idea...November...why waste any energy

" you believe everything that you are toldaretold?" HAHAHAHAHAHAHA NOW THATS THE SAYING OF THE DAY ALICE!!!! people that read the paper and listen to all the garbage around town believe it...thats why you are here to bash her right? because of what you heard? and you wont ask her face to face.....right DUH... signed the president !!!

@Jerome...not sure the residents of Tiffany St. would agree with all the good things that Councillor Allard has done especially when they showed up at a public hearing to voice opposition to the rezoning of single family residential land to multi-family to settle potential ARA litigation and 40 multi -units could be built. Zoning Chairwoman Allard voted for the change and said that it fits the comprehensive plan. Now that is funny since the City's comprehensive plan hasn't been revised in 10 years even though a draft was presented to the Council months ago. So what is the vision here.... an administration going around in circles repeating the same mantra about revilitalizing downtown with new sidewalks, an industrial park with one tenant - a seafood company, businesses still leaving downtown, and now an indicted Councilor. Something got to give... .

sorry..was laughing to much i forgot to comment on bowls....think i'd believe the paper before i listened to his horse*%$#

Alice at the candidates night Ms Allard offered to speak to any resident that wanted to ask her questions. I took her up on that. She was very upfront and open. I have listened to what the other side has said as that's all that's been printed. Ms Allard always said no comment out of respect for the elder. I did not push on surgeries as I believe that's private but I did question attendance and was satisfied with the answers. I ask you this if the family or anyone in control thought any of this was true then why after she was accused by Bowles did they move the elder in with her and allow her to completely care for him for over a year. Ask her yourself she is very open. I called her then met with her in our face to face she answered all my questions. I just saying people need to hear both sides not believe rumors or headlines it isn't fair to anyone. Imagine if it was you wouldn't you want that chance.

penny lane....penny lane ..penny lane so you are telling me that all the other councilors make perfect choices that please the people? if so maybe you should be living on half dollar blvd

Also I am not Ms Allard incase you haven't noticed she posts rarely and uses her full name. Funny no comments posted on the Chronicle where you have to verify your id by using a credit card.

HI Penny Lane
Very nicely stated. You might want to check on the one Seafood Tenant. Looks like that is not going in. No one working on the building, no equipment on lot at all. I think they are gone.

I don't know Ms Allard or Mr. Bowles. I am a new resident to Attleboro as of Sept 2010.

What I do know is that I want representation that is beyond reproach and being under indictment certainly does not qualify. Someone else said (maybe in another thread) Ms. Allard should step away while she manages her legal issues. I couldn't agree more. Withdraw and come back for another run when you have exonerated yourself.

Just so everyone is aware all candidates already certified on the ballot have no way to remove their name at this point. I support Ms Allard continuing to run as she is innocent until proven guilty in America. I don't know if I could withstand what she has been put through. Like Linda Lange said Ms Allard is open and sincere and has taken more than any of us could imagine. She has remained loyal to a friend. Very well said Linda!

I'm new here lol

According to this the family was NOT OK with her actions.
Sounds like a few here have been conned just like the elderly judge was.

http://www.thesunchronicle.com/articles/2010/04/08/news/7217455.txt

OK another 100% true fact from the paper...HA let me think....think....think...im not sure but i think "the family" let him live with her for well over a year...i dont know...poo bear but if she was that bad wouldn't you think they may have pulled him out of there and cared for him? Good point Tigger!! maybe she was taking good care of him...and just maybe.....the paper is only saying the lies its being told.

Michelle, precisely whom do you mean when you use the word, "elders", here? Did
you mean, "elder's", as in, the retired judge; or did you mean somebody else? Please forgive my not perceiving this immediately.

I wonder how Bill Bowles got appointed as conservator in the first place?

Yes, the "timing" is rather suspicious. Did not the retired judge enter a facility for special care last June? So, why did the state wait until now? Sure, "justice moves slowly"; but that in and of itself should not have slowed the initiating of the indictment, if there needed to be one. Doubts, doubts, doubts.

If I were to wager on the eventual outcome, I'd bet on Kimberly being declared NOT guilty of the charges. But, of course, after one removes the nails from the wood, the nail holes remain. Does conscience still exist?

Thus, it's fair to wonder a lot about this sad 'soap opera'.

Maybe Steve Scott is right on target!

With all of this happening, seeing 2 City Councellors at each others throats like this, and all the other hate and discontent in our city hall, I think that come election day, I'm going to vote against every incumbent there is and try to get in a whole new, fresh outlook. Maybe then this fine city can move forward. I'm not happy with what's going on in this city, are you? How can you change the direction of a ship when the captain and crew are happy with the course they're following? They know they're steering us toward rocky shores, but they're ok as long as they are standing in the lifeboats.

Another thought, with Allard and bowles in this deadly battle, can we expect any fair and just decisionmaking from the current City council? I'm willing to bet that Allard has fellow councillors on her side, and Bowles has councillors on his side. How can 2 opposing factions like that ever truthfully put those indifferences aside and get on with clear minded city business? Even if one or both of them leave the council, there will still be lingering animosity in the City Council. I think it's time for a total and complete clean sweep of city hall. This has gotten too ugly to not leave scars on all concerned

You people (above) fight almost as much as the school committee, and now our illustrustrious municipal council. Now I know why the Sun only lets you post a comment if you sign over your firstborn. How much for the streets lined with lollipops and the 10 mile river made of chocolate? We'll need at least that to soothe the tense nerves all these stressed out people in this city. Calm down, people....seriously. Term limits are WAY overdue...start with that and things should improve dramatically.

Great point Michelle ...I'm sure they have everyone they need to bury Ms.Allard in there pockets.Oh and lets not overlook she is being tried in their district.. I dont understand why this is even being done in Bristol County..(ohh maybe thats because of who they are)..they are a powerful name and Ed jr is as crooked as they come ..

Michelle,Kate,Kim and Jerome,
I am trying to see this as you do, please allow me a quick recap to see if I follow
1st we have the VICTIM: Kim
The sweet selfless caregiver who was paid $600.00/week and GIVEN a house for her part time work by the elderly gentleman with questionable mental faculty's

Then we have the VILLAINS: A whole court room full of lawyers,judges,District attorneys a Grand Jury,State Rep. and the Sun Chronicle all plotting against her to ruin her good name!

Sorry folks, can't see it !!

RICK GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT...the indictment would come out of Plymouth on account shes a city councilor...it's being done in Bristol...and 2nd...looks like you only have half the story like most other people in here about the time line of events leading up to this mess..do a little more research and get back to us instead of reading head lines

again steven sounds like you have half the story...do a little more research on her contract...i bet theres more to it that your not telling...hint its not in the headlines

I dont feel its my place to say what it is not trying to be a smart &%# but there really is more to that contract that just didnt seem to become public..and i assure you it would address the house.

Rick, do you know anything about Bowles. He was chosen by sons as they can control him or so they thought. The ELDER chose someone else long before his mental faculties started to fail. If you look into the many public records in New Bedford courts the elder had to hire his own attorney to fight to try and get Mr. Bowles removed as conservator. What did Bowles do? He USED THE ELDERS MONEY TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY FOR HIMSELF, to fight the elder! I think you'd find the records very interesting and eye opening. That the courts would allow this and many other POOR rulings is just one suspicious act that should be investigated. Also suspicious is Bowles selling the elders waterfront condo on Thames St. in NEWPORT at a huge lose, brining money to the table in fact, is not the responsible act of someone I'd want in charge of my finances! AND DO YOU KNOW WHAT BOWLES IS BEING PAID to help his friend????? Glad he no longer represents the city or state!

I thinkthere is some misunderstanding of Grand Juries here. The purpose is to prevent the DIstrict Attorney from bringing frivolous charges. It is an acknowledgement that they are wont to do this. Notice the "charge inflation" of criminal defendants in an election year. In any case, the District Attorney must present sufficient evidence to the jurors to convince them that an indictment is appropriate. The charges may not "stick", but the Grand Jury is intended to prevent free rein on the part of the District Attorney. One may deduce from an indictment that sufficient sufficient evidence was produced to move the Grnad Jury to indict.

How creative that Tisiphone chooses to comment using this name....being the name of one of the Furies in Greek mythology who pursued criminals and drove them mad!!

I have a question for Michelle since she seems to know alot about Councilor Allard's work ethic. Has Councilor Allard worked for any one else as a caretaker and been names as a Trustee on this person's Trust???

Rick, thank you. There is always a desire to believe that a situation is "new". Documented disputes over inheritance and "family money" go back to Greek mythology, and probably earlier. Notice the number of characters in Shakespeare killed off for reasons of inheritance. There is rarely anything "new" here, almost everything has already been tried. I suspect that the law of inheritance, conservators, executors, etc is as "down pat" as it is possible to be.

The whole system of appointments, inventories, accounts, etc is centuries old and is designed to make everything "transparent". Genealogists regularly dig these out from the 17th and 18th centuries.

I am hard pressed to believe that a relatively huge number of people would be prepared to but their careers on the line to protect Mr. Bowles.

As the "Elder" was once required to "avoid even the appearance of impropriety", I think the same should apply, in some degree, to Ms. Allard. I would consider it ethical of her to withdraw from the election. While it is unlikely to draw the national attention of the "one cent tax bill", it has a potential for infamy that will not benefit the city's reputation. I expect the voters will repudiate her.

Hmmmmmm? I think it's time to introduce myself to Mr. Bowles.

Since no one else has mentioned it, anyone who knew the "Elder" knows that he had an "eye for the ladies" and a "weakness for the fair sex". This was long before the onset of any dementia. This is not "evidence", but I am sure that this may have influenced Mr. Bowles view of things.