This commentary is written by Howard F. Hoye, a resident of Guilford.
The information reported on this subject in the Brattleboro Reformer article printed on Aug. 10 is relatively one-sided with some context and details left out. Did the Reformer reporter read the “anonymous letter?”
Here are a couple of important questions: If the state police said the “anonymous letter” was not “threatening,” why is the Selectboard saying it is? Also, why is the Selectboard so focused on the letter’s anonymity rather than what the letter says?
The Guilford Selectboard says the “anonymous letter” is “false information without sharing the contents or refuting specifics.” Why not just post “the letter” for everyone to read, so people can have their own opinions and assessments? Why is the Selectboard hiding the contents of the letter? What happened to the Guilford Selectboard’s commitment to transparency?
The Aug. 10 article also reported that the conflict of interest questionnaire documents sought by Guilford resident Jason Herron don’t exist in Guilford town records. Why are the required documents missing?
While the Guilford Selectboard admits to some irresponsibility, they deny any lack of compliance with Vermont’s conflict of interest statute, Guilford’s conflict of interest policy, or Vermont’s public record retention laws.
If their statement is true and the documents do not exist, what will they do to resolve the situation? Couldn’t the Selectboard members just fill out the missing required questionnaires retroactively? That would provide for some of Mr. Herron’s record requests and rightfully place a portion of the missing documents in Guilford’s town records where they belong.
For instance, two of the present Guilford Selectboard members, Richard Wizansky and Verandah Porche, have been Selectboard members for all five years the questionnaires are being sought, 2018-2022. They both helped draft and then sign the Guilford conflict of interest policy into existence. The policy they implemented requires the conflict of interest questionnaires to be filled out annually. Richard was the Selectboard member who made the motion to accept the document as town policy.
Both Richard and Verandah could easily provide their missing conflict of interest questionnaires. Why hasn’t the Selectboard offered this as a simple solution?
Instead, the Selectboard has hired an attorney at Guilford taxpayers’ expense. Several thousand dollars have been spent on legal fees as of mid-August with ongoing accruing legal costs.
The Selectboard has not offered an admission of wrongdoing, an apology, or a resolution or remedy for their shortcomings and mistakes. How long will the Guilford Selectboard continue to spend taxpayer monies on the needless costs of lawyers to defend their actions in this matter?
The Guilford Selectboard is aware of Richard Wizansky’s ongoing conflict of interest as are some members of the Guilford community. That fact needs to be acknowledged and resolved regardless of what the court determines on the specifics of Mr. Herron’s appeal.
These simple questions remain: Will the Guilford Selectboard members make the simple choices necessary to remedy this costly court appeal situation? Also, will they choose to acknowledge and follow their own directives and enforcement procedures laid out in the town of Guilford conflict of interest policy?
Read the story on VTDigger here: Howard Hoye: ‘Threatening’ anonymous letter discussed by Guilford Selectboard.