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Do You Remember?

Opponents to the proposed Town Charter argue that change isn't needed because things have worked well for 150 years! Apparently, people in town have short or selective memories. Do you remember when Westbrook faced monumental adverse publicity due to the antics of a former first selectman? Unfortunately, I remember quite vividly when there was a self-proclaimed "new sheriff in town!" I remember residents saying that he disgraced himself and should resign. Unfortunately, it was clear that he was not going anywhere because state statutes allow the removal of an elected official. Following that, certain residents and officials expressed a desire for a town charter with a provision that gives voters recall power.

Eventually, the Ad Hoc Charter Study Committee of 2009 was formed and it studied the recall issue only to learn that a charter which permitted the recall or removal of an elected official would not be legal or enforceable. Thus, the only way to remove a town official would be to make the position appointed as opposed to elected. A town manager is hired by and serves at the will of the elected Board of Selectmen, and therefore, can be removed from office. This is an ancillary benefit to having an appointed official as opposed to an elected one whose disruptions to town operations we are forced to endure until the end of the elected term.

Aside from this ancillary benefit, the primary benefit is that we are able to obtain the services of a professional administrator. The laws, regulations, and issues that a chief executive is required to address in running a municipality are dramatically increasing in complexity. It takes a qualified professional who has the education and experience to do this in a proper, complete, and timely fashion.

Pat Labbadia IIIWestbrook