|
The government
is not just the elected officials. It’s all of us. We each must play a
role in our self-governance if we are to remain a free society. This role
can be played out in many ways. As watchdogs of our freedoms we must be
ever cognizant of the powerful and effective abuses by some who have been
given the responsibility of public office.
Burr Taylor is a respectful, inquisitive, thinking man. He has served and
continues to serve our community honestly and well in many capacities. He
took on his duties with the Harbor and Waterfront Committee with
thoughtfulness and zest…Too much zest for some. At Harpswell’s 2005 Town
Meeting the Harbor and Waterfront Committee’s proposal prevailed over the
wishes of some of the selectmen. One Selectman in particular did not
forget this sting and has undertaken retribution. Selectman Gordon Weil,
specifically citing Burr’s role in the course of events, refused to
reappoint him to the Harbor and Waterfront committee and seemed to
chastise Burr for daring to speak at Town Meeting, so much for diversity
of ideas and the freedoms of speech and expression. Selectman Weil
surrounds himself only with those who agree with him. Not a healthy plan
for a free and open society.
Dave Chipman.
Burr,
Selectman Weil handled his “displeasure” of
your re-appointment to HWC disgracefully. The courteous professional
thing to do would have been to discuss his
perceived
problems with you privately. You both could have agreed to disagree,
aired your differences, you could have presented your position on what was
said and done (as you have here on your website), or you could have even
requested the withdrawal of your application for re-appointment if that
was what you decided. But no, Selectman Weil took the
low road and personally
attacked you publicly.
The HWC Selectman lead/liaison has paid you
and the HWC a huge disservice by not getting to the bottom of this unkind
act immediately. I believe a major apology from Selectman Weil is in
order.
Selectmen’s Meeting minutes from March 17,
2005:
5. Selectmen
Announcements: “….Acting Chairman Weil…In regards to
Public Comment portion of the meetings, invitations are extended to the
public for questions, comments, or compliments, not for personal attacks.
Public Comments should be limited to the operation of the Town government
and also limited to one five minute session.”
While I agree to a certain extent that
public comments should be limited in time and content. We have all seen
how the rules apply depending on whether or not the Chair wants a public
discussion on a particular subject. I guess “public attacks” are reserved
for selectmen to issue.
You stated that you expect to respond to
Selectman Weil at the next Selectmen’s meeting. I think you should be
given the opportunity to defend yourself and present facts against such an
unreasonable personal attack…I wish you luck.
I agree with your comment, “…it is a very
dangerous precedent for a public official to be allowed to ‘punish’ or
target a citizen for what they said at town meeting.”
Could
our town meetings go the way of attendees consisting of only
participants approved by the administration?
Dee Williamson
May 21, 2005
|