GilfordGrok

To the Editor:

          The agenda for the Gilford Selectmen’s meeting today (March 26) includes, under “Appointments”, the item “Alice Boucher – Petition”.   I haven’t seen the petition, but I gather that it asks the selectmen to re-instate Town Administrator Juris, to hold a public hearing on the subject, or both.   Perhaps they should hold a public hearing, but it should be solely for the purpose of allowing citizens to speak on the record on the subject.   The selectmen should not reverse their decision and should not make any attempt to explain it.

          The Town Administrator (“Administrative Assistant” would be a better title) is not like a department head, with a well-defined job that lends itself to objective performance evaluation.   Rather, he or she is the alter ego for the Selectmen when they are not in session, which of course is most of the time.   The Selectmen have full authority and responsibility for whatever happens.   It is absolutely essential that a majority of the Selectmen have full and complete confidence in the Administrator and comfort in their relationship with him, both objectively and subjectively.   This is what serving “at the pleasure of the Selectmen” means.   Without it, the person in question must go.   There should be no explanation because the reason may be simply a clash of personalities with no fault involved, no malfeasance or misfeasance.   No shortcoming need be proven, or even suggested.   The Selectmen are our elected representatives, subject to removal by not being re-elected, and they must be free to choose and to un-choose their principal agent.  

Richard H. Campbell
Gilford

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