It's not what you know, it's who you know.
• July 1, 2010
To the Editor,
The results of New Gloucester's recent Special Town meeting - to buy a new piece of machinery AND to keep the full-time assessor - were as much a surprise to me as anyone. There were a whole lot of open mouths and shaking heads at the end of that meeting, and opinions on all sides. Who would have predicted?
What happened next, however, was all too predictable. Jean Couturier - who polled more votes in his bid for selectmen than the deposed incumbent Pam Slye, and who conducted himself with decorum and respect for both individuals and process, and who listed a resume particularly appropriate to the tasks of a planning committee - was passed over in his bid to be appointed to the Planning Board, in favor of Pam. There was not even the pretense of discussion as to whose talents might best serve the town: the ONLY thing the selectmen said in favor of Pam was that she had been on other committees and "knew the town."
Knows it,perhaps, but doesn't respect the voters. Did the selectmen not note that:
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1) When Pam ran to the podium at the end of the Selectmen's meeting the night before the election, totally ignoring that the time for public comments is at the beginning of the meeting; and that the regulations that govern our Government Access TV station, which are in place till Sept. 1, specifically forbid political speech?
2) The voting public put her out of office and dead last in the selectmens' race - which was not a vote of confidence?
3) After losing the election and being on the losing side of the Special Town Meeting Assessor issue, she erected a sign on her lawn that "congratulated" town voters for, according to her, voting themselve higher taxes?
And haven't they been listening to themselves, month after month, mouthing their supposed invitation for new people to step up, get involved, join town committees, because they really value citizen participation?
Good thing our children don't pay much attention to local politics. If they did, they would have gotten the Selectmen's "Do as I say, not as I do" performance, concluded that poor sportsmanship and rule-bending are rewarded in New Gloucester, and been convinced that the old adage is true: It's not what you know, it's who you know.
Jean Couturier's abilities, experience, and good character are too good to waste. I hope he applies for another committee, and that the selectmen respond with a bit more character, intelligence, and grace themselves.
Penny Hilton
New Gloucester
It's not what you know, it's who you know.
