Oh no, Gus. Say it ain't so! [UPDATED]
Does anybody really believe that the proposed free speech restrictions for Gilford people serving on the various boards and committees, disguised under the innocent-sounding moniker of "Code of Ethics" (C O E) , is NOT rooted in the proactive nature adopted by this year's budget committee? Especially given the results of the election and the outspoken nature of certain members? If you believe otherwise, then I have a nice bridge I'd like to sell you.
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Anybody who understands the strong-willed nature and tendencies of the Town Administrator would only have been surprised if he HADN'T reacted as he has. His track record as Chief and member of various boards and committees in town provides a history of his wanting control over the situation at hand. With elected persons speaking out and taking action, it would be expected that he would use all tools at his disposal to counteract such insolence. Certainly the proposed C O E is one such measure.
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Kudos to Selectman Grant for taking up the fight against such Draconian measures. Reports Cutter Mitchell in the Citizen:
Selectman Connie Grant felt the policies were attempting to control behavior which could be a matter of opinion and the standards of enforcement might vary from board to board.."I just see a lot of this as being subjective," said Grant.
She's exactly right. While the article doesn't report a position for Selectman Alice Boucher, you can be sure she didn't stray too far from the Administrator's back pocket. The other Selectman, in his first action leaves me worried and extremely disappointed. Again, from the Citizen:
Newly elected Selectman Gus Benavides defended having codes of ethics and conduct, stating that, while he saw Grant's point, he feels it is important for the town to lay out a manner of acceptable and ethical behavior for all public employees.."I think it would be important to have teeth to this," said Benavides, furthering his point and advocating for a town adoption of the policy.
Comments
I would love to know how he based his decision on since he has yet to have been a part of the Budget committee. He has no experience in town government and is willing to let Powers that be push him around.
Another puppet for the puppet master.
Good Luck to Grant thank you for at least showing some common sense.
Posted by: Pricilla | April 3, 2007 12:45 PM
RE: "I think it would be important to have teeth to this,"
I am so suprised that GUS you are making a rash decision without having witnessed any meetings.I am extremely disappointed.
Perhaps an extraction might be best. It is hard to be a leader when you have NO experience. IN the future I would appreciate your perhaps doing some research about issues before you rubber stamp.
Posted by: The Dentist | April 3, 2007 01:11 PM
I'm not sure but you all might be a bit confused. It looks like Gus said that there should be a code of ethics for town employees. I'm okay with that. That would mean that Evans and some of the fire fighters wouldn't be able to be totally rude to elected officials as they were last year.
Is that correct?
Terry S.
Posted by: Terry Stewart | April 3, 2007 02:30 PM
You're right, Terry. However, I think that's a typo, or not fully accurate on the part of the Citizen
Posted by: doug | April 3, 2007 02:35 PM
Do we have an imposter in our midst or just an appeaser.
Posted by: Mike H | April 4, 2007 10:42 AM