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To the editor:
The most positive outcome after Mr. Docker’s statement at the Select Board meeting this Tuesday evening contrasting Mr. Haley’s behavior at the February 17th Select Board meeting with standing Select Board policy did not happen. A sincere apology from Mr. Haley coupled with a renewed commitment to observing Board policy would have helped our community recover from this very divisive incident and begin to move forward on a better foot.
Instead Mr. Haley opted to dig in, first attempting to excuse his behavior by saying “I didn’t have time to process…” (this statement was unfinished, but clearly referred to his conversation with previous Select Board member Ms. McCarthy). Then Mr. Haley proceeded to lodge a more specific, albeit a second-hand and still unsubstantiated, allegation against Mr. Dockser.
I, for one, found Mr. Haley’s allegation to be illogical, bordering on ludicrous. As someone who has known Mr. Dockser through our shared civic activities for more than 25 years, it is implausible to me that Mr. Dockser would ever put himself in that position. At the February 17 Select Board meeting when Mr. Haley made his first vague accusations, Mr. Dockser stated clearly and firmly that his conscience was clear.
There is no place for second-hand, unproven allegations against any Board, commission, or committee member in a public setting. If Ms. McCarthy is unhappy about something, she has every right to communicate with the Select Board, town manager, or town counsel in person, via phone, or by email. The same holds true for Mr. Haley.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, some speakers called for an investigation by the Board into this situation and into the reasons for Ms. McCarthy’s resignation from the Select Board. Both are unnecessary and unwarranted. An investigation by any Board of one its own members is not a wise step, but rather a step toward further divisiveness. Both Ms. McCarthy and Mr. Haley are entitled to the rights described above if they want to proceed.
With regard to resignations, several members of the Select Board, RMLD Board of Commissioners (myself included), and the School Committee have submitted their resignations from their elected positions over the past two decades. All for deeply personal reasons. Ms. McCarthy stated, when she resigned publicly, that her resignation had nothing to do with her recusing herself due to what she described as her open meeting law violation. She clearly stated that she was resigning for circumstances she did not want to go into. That’s where the buck stops – with Ms. McCarthy. It is her prerogative to share or not share with anyone why, when or how she chose to resign.
Comments were also made during the public comment period that it was still not determined who had released information about town manager applicants withdrawing their applications.
This issue is totally being blown out of proportion. The town manager application and interview process was a public one, nothing was being conducted in executive session. And it was a totally reasonably anticipated outcome when only two of the four candidates were actually discussed. In fact my husband and I talked at home right after the Feb. 17 meeting, agreeing that this was going to happen.
As a town we have many challenges and opportunities ahead. Let’s do our best to focus on these tasks at hand and continue to build a vibrant, thriving community.
Mary Ellen O’Neill
Summer Avenue
