Conspiracy Theory Is Implausible

To the Editor,

I would like to take this opportunity to respond to the most recent attacks upon the members of the Police Commission over the termination of James Lysaght. It is time for the town and its elected officials to put this ordeal behind them and carry forward with the business of local government. Unlike a hot-house flower, I need not the spotlight of this public forum to either sustain or justify my existence, so I would like to offer some final comments on the matter.

I would have thought Ms Beres more careful in her choice of words (“About the Police Commission,” March 24) as she continued her attack upon the Police Commission in general, and upon the members of her own party which sit on that commission in particular. Her most recent accusations paint Mr Lysaght as the blameless victim of “a personal vendetta” carried out by the members of the commission. Disregarding all of the facts contained in the evaluations and arbitrator’s report, she has taken this latest opportunity to cry conspiracy. She alludes to secret political agendas, the nature of which she fails to explain or lend evidence to.

If, in fact, Mr Lysaght’s termination resulted from such political machinations, they would have been worthy of Machiavelli himself in their scope and conduct. From the time of Mr Lysaght’s first negative evaluation, this insidious plot would have involved seven Police Commissioners with three different chairmen. All of the commissioners would then have been either explicit collaborators at worst, or unwitting participants in the least, for this sinister plan to have been carried to completion.

However, the list of those parties involved would not end with the membership of the commission! The funding for this plot needed to be approved by not only the Board of Selectmen but by the Legislative Council as well. Once again, the fact that this approval occurred would seemingly implicate the membership of these boards, the very core of our town government, as either willing collaborators or simple pawns in this treacherous scheme against Mr Lysaght. Furthermore, the three town attorneys who presented the case on the town’s behalf would again be either co-conspirators, or in the least, mere dupes. Finally, the Robespierres behind this political vendetta were even able to deceive a respected member of the American Arbitration Association into supporting their designs! Such genius! Such evil genius!

If Mr Lysaght has been the victim of such treachery, I will gladly join Ms Beres and whatever supporters she has in calling for the resignations of the whole lot of them. Perhaps we shall even seek to have the three attorneys disbarred for their part in this whole plot. I would gladly join her in her crusade, save for the fact that her allegations lack any credible justification whatsoever. Such unfounded accusations are not even worthy of contempt. The worst charge that may be leveled against such accusations is that of mere silliness, and of this, they have long been suspected. Admittedly, though, what these allegations do lack in any semblance of a factual basis, they more than make up for in entertainment value. I myself have had a good chuckle over them.

In conclusion, as previously stated, it is time for the Town of Newtown, its residents and its elected officials, to move forward from this affair with the lessons that we have learned. In short, Newtown faces serious challenges, and it requires the participation of serious individuals to provide constructive criticism and positive solutions to meet those challenges. We have cursed the darkness long enough. It is time to light a few candles.

Sincerely,

S.E. Reilly

8 Grays Plain Road, Sandy Hook         March 24, 2000