Reader Still Has Questions

To the Editor:

On October 2, 2003, The Bee published my letter which expressed my concerns regarding William Sheluck’s previous employment. This concern has been prompted by a Bee article, written by Jan Howard, which disclosed that the New York State Banking Department had taken over Mr Sheluck’s failed former firm and had paid off its creditors. Further, the article noted that published reports in The American Banker had questioned Mr Sheluck’s leadership of that firm, and that he and other officers had been threatened with a suit alleging negligence, gross negligence, corporate waste, and breach of responsibility.

In my previous letter, I called on Mr Sheluck to clear up these allegations by providing a disinterested party (Jan Howard) with all necessary information to do so. The facts thus obtained were intended to be published in a future Bee article.

I have learned that Mr Sheluck has not made any effort to contact Ms Howard, nor in any public manner sought to clarify these serious questions concerning his prior employment.

These are serious allegations with answers to be obtained now. The situation unfortunately brings back memories concerning the candidacy of former First Selectman Rod Mackenzie in 1985. At that time, questions of Mr Mackenzie’s prior business dealings similarly existed before his election, went unanswered to the voters, and were eventually resolved only on the occasion of Mr Mackenzie being later convicted on federal felony charges.

I therefore call upon Mr Sheluck to immediately contact Jan Howard or any member of the Bee staff so that all facts in this matter might be clarified in a Bee article to be published before the November 4 election.

Gerald Finnegan

2 Driftway Drive, Newtown                                        October 21, 2003