Various people have been calling for the town to put the recent controversies behind us so we can move forward. But . . .
After Chief Gancarz got the town involved in a lawsuit and later resigned, we put it behind us and moved forward. After Chief Heim left under a cloud with a hefty cash payout, we put it behind us and moved forward. Now, after Chief Svoboda’s behavior was ignored by the board for years resulting in two more lawsuits (so far), we should put the whole thing behind us and move forward?
I suspect that the people who want us to move forward feel that Chief Svoboda was the sole source of all the problems, and now that he has resigned, the town’s problems are solved. But the select board’s handling of the entire controversy points to some serious, systemic problems in Town Hall of which Chief Svoboda was only a symptom.
The most disturbing of these problems that has come to light so far was the willingness of two select board members to rig John’s hearing behind the scenes, violating the open meeting law in the process. I’m also disturbed by the willingness to sweep harassment in the Assessor’s office under the rug in the name of moving forward. Then there are those missing e-mails, which must have been deleted for a reason, and the police department’s handling of the record keeping for confiscated weapons. We currently have a complete inventory of all the weapons the department currently has, but there is no way to tell how many weapons were confiscated in the last ten years and what became of them.
Some people even think that moving on means ignoring Massachusetts state laws with regard to elections, handicapped access, and even fire safety.
But the most serious systemic problem is that a small group of people has been deciding behind closed doors how the town should be run, then implementing those decisions whether the town wants them or not. Anyone who disagrees is called a liar or a troublemaker.
Unless we acknowledge and address these systemic problems, we will be right back where we are now. That is not moving forward.
David King
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Dave, I am one hundred percent with you. The town, as I see it, cannot move forward, when some are willing to forgo the integrity we all deserve in our town. Not one person, except John Svboda, has apologized for any of the mistakes??? they have made. The issue was not if one liked/disliked Chief Svoboda, but fair hearings by the selectboard were a right due him. Many decisions made by a few are made to be self serving and not for the benefit of the townspeople. Harassment, theft, breaking the laws governing the Selectboard, granting favors and now the accusation that during the voting at Sanderson where the police were supposed to be watching and protecting the children, marijuana was exchanged from a residents truck into a police cruiser in the parking lot. Just what is going on that some feel they are so entitled to do such things? Don't laws apply to all or are some so indebted that they will turn their heads? There are still improprieties that have not been dealt with and I would like to know why, after the Park Commission agreed to give the town monies, they are rescinding their offer? Does fear lurk in the hearts of our residents? Are they afraid of lash back, increase in taxes, being stopped by our police for no reason? Uncomfortable to go into Elmers as "the king" holds court there daily? I know that I was when I heard a group laugh at someone's expense who wasn't there to defend themselves. They could have the decency to do such things in private. And rumors, rumors, rumors???? I ask more people to attend the select board meetings and ask questions that you may have so that you can make a judgment from information that you have gathered yourself.
ReplyDeleteAh, Karen...well said. I have been MIA for some time and wondered often (while caring for my dying mother) what was happening at home. And it finally seems possible that folks understand we need to address behavior/choices/actions...and leave the judgment out of it. How will we ever rise up out of the cesspool if intelligent adults feel bashing someone is acceptable? Or that rumor is enough to label someone guilty? We can and SHOULD do better...we owe our neighbors, our children, and our elected officials---and ourselves. As I know too well, we indeed will reap what we sow. Plant that garden with compassion, knowledge, understanding, and a little acceptance. If we can't do it here folks, there's no hope for the planet. Kudos to everyone pushing for fact, accountability, and integrity. It's about time.
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