By now, anyone living on the North Shore that has a pulse has likely heard about the letter of reprimand handed down to the Hamilton Board of Selectmen by Assistant District Attorney Grimes for violations of the Open Meeting rules. The news broke in two separate front page articles in the Salem News, followed by an editorial in the same paper a day later.That's a lot of press for a small town, but then Hamilton has had more than its share of front page breaking news over the past year. Unfortunately, most of it has been unflattering.
So much has been written in the "Comments" section of the online versions of the three articles mentioned above that this writer feels there is little to add. Instead, I offer the following links to the articles for you to review and form your own opinion of the issue:
In the order in which they were published:
- http://www.salemnews.com/punews/local_story_005222435.html
- http://www.salemnews.com/punews/local_story_007001645.html
- http://www.salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_007234327.html
And if you'd like to read another local blogger's take on the issue:
Let's all hope that we can keep our small town out of the headlines for awhile.
Even a week would be nice!
Uh oh!...We did not escape for even a week! Here's what was on the front page of the Salem News on January 12th:
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It would be interesting for someone who knows, how should the HBS have talked about an officer who is developing a rep for aggressive or improper conduct?
ReplyDeleteKW: They should have provided him, as is his right, the opportunity to be present during any such discussions. And/or his attorney.
ReplyDeleteThe Open Meeting Law is clear on this and allows an executive session:
"To discuss the reputation, character, physical condition or mental health rather than the professional competenece of an individual, provided that the individual involved in such executive session has been notified in writing by the governmental body, at least 48 hours prior to the proposed executive session. If an executive session is held, such individual shall have the following rights: (a)to be present at such executive session during discussions or considerations which involve that individual; (b)to have counsel or a representative of his own choosing present and attending; (c)to speak on his own behalf."
It could not be much clearer or simpler. It was a witch hunt, full of false accusations and innuendo, orchestrated by town counsel. Even now, based upon your comment, "improper conduct", it tells me that you believe what certain people wanted you to believe. You need to read the Pomeroy Report.
Jay...That says it all...
ReplyDelete