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Should Be Ashamed

Last month, Clinton Police Commissioner Kim Neri-Simoncini was arrested on charges of sixth-degree larceny. Her mug shot was seen several times in TV news reports. I had filed a complaint with Clinton Police following her stealing our Clinton Taxpayer Association (CTA) sign notifying residents of an important public hearing. Our signs are paid for through generous donations from our members and supporters. Neri-Simoncini’s theft violated our right to free speech.

Equally disturbing was the celebratory photo posted on Facebook of Neri-Simoncini, Selectman Lynn Pinder, Selectman John Giannotti and their spouses drinking, displaying the stolen sign like it was a trophy. That’s available on the CTA website, gocta.org. These town officials should be ashamed of themselves, not proud of the crime.

There’s apparently a group of contractors in Clinton, holding town positions, attempting to alter regulations for their own personal gain. I can see why they’d like to prevent residents from becoming aware of these attempts, but stealing our CTA signs is criminal. The court ordered Neri-Simoncini’s arrest.

At a recent Police Commission meeting, another selectman, Carol Walter, chastised the Police Department for arresting Neri Simoncini, calling it an embarrassment. Chief Vincent Demaio responded appropriately that everyone must be treated equally, to uphold the reputation of the department. Neri-Simoncini certainly deserves no special privilege for being a police commissioner. If anything, she should be held to a higher standard. Of course, the real embarrassment is that a police commissioner would commit this stupid crime in the first place, then post it on Facebook.

Neri-Simoncini was caught stealing property belonging to the CTA, then essentially bragging about it on Facebook. She should be required to resign from the Police Commission to preserve the integrity of the commission. Selectman Walter needs to apologize to the department immediately.

Vincent Cimino

Clinton