Newtown’s Clown Act

To the Editor:

A couple of weeks ago I wrote a letter to this paper under the heading of “Hope He’s Right” [Letter Hive, 4/24/09] with regard to the termination of Ms Mason. After reading your article about the recent hearing, I am now convinced that Mr Borst is utterly and completely incompetent.

First of all, it appears to be the most incomplete and shoddy and rushed-to-judgment type of investigation I have ever seen. Mr Borst indicates that chief of police Kehoe requested Ms Mason be terminated? I was particularly amused by the supposed sworn statement used as evidence against Ms Mason, the one by Ms Henderson that she apparently refused to sign? I think this begs the question to Chief Kehoe as to how he proceeded with an unsigned statement? I think he knows how worthless that document would be in a court proceeding. So how could he even consider using it as evidence against Ms. Mason? It’s not signed because Ms Henderson is no fool, she was more than likely advised that a false sworn statement is a criminal act.

Then you have to look at the statements by Ms Ross! “I had to accelerate the process.” No Ms Ross, you had to follow due process at its proper speed; that’s what you were supposed to do. This clown act has gone on long enough and has caused several people enough grief. I think that so far the unbelievably incompetent team of Borst, Kehoe, and Ross have shown this was a travesty from day one. No paper trail, no attempt to correct any deficiencies, nothing. What an absolute disgrace. I think the only option the “Selectmen” have is to reinstate Ms Mason and hope she doesn’t file a civil rights lawsuit against this joke-of-a-government we have been stuck with.

Michael Marsalisi

3 King Street, Newtown                                                    May 22, 2009