NEW HAMPSHIRE’S FASTEST GROWING ONLINE NEWSPAPER

Selectmen appear to have violated open meeting law

Comment Print
Related Articles

To the editor:

In recent weeks, we have seen some questionable, unexplained actions by our local officials.

Recently, some of our selectmen held a meeting (s) that appears to have violated the open meetings law. NH RSA: 91-A

Do as I say, not as I do, meaning "don't imitate my behavior but obey my instructions."

Should elected officials be held to a higher standard than ordinary people? And if so, who should decide?

These questions are central to a dispute that has been simmering in Milton for years.

Every elected official, is required to take and sign an "oath of office, when he or she is elected. There is no excuse for such a violation of this oath. It appears, they showed poor judgment, if not disdain, for the people who elected them to office, and for the very law designed to allow the public to know what our elected officials are thinking and doing.

Secrecy, and the appearance of impropriety, are not what builds trust. Trust is something earned, not awarded.

If we can't trust our elected officials to follow the law, to publicly state what they believe, or to act responsibly, perhaps we have the wrong people in office. We're not there 24 hours a day to police their personal ethics or to make sure they follow the law; instead we have to trust them to do it.

Given these past actions we're now left to wonder if our elected officials are up to the job. Our town will be facing some major decisions in the coming months and years on issues that will affect our daily lives. Actions speak louder than words, and we need to watch even closer how our officials act. Words like trust and accountability still have meaning, but they'll have to be earned back, and that can only be done if our elected officials show honesty and accountability in office.

By ignoring the appearance of impropriety are we condoning it?

- Les Elder

14 Casey Road

Milton NH 03851

Read more from:
opinion
Tags: 
None
Share: 
Comment Print
Powered by Bondware
News Publishing Software

The browser you are using is outdated!

You may not be getting all you can out of your browsing experience
and may be open to security risks!

Consider upgrading to the latest version of your browser or choose on below: