Letter: Finance Board Member Starke Should Rethink Serving Town

To the editor:

During the question-and-answer session of a public Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance and RTM joint meeting held on Jan. 18 to hear an update on the fill pile remediation, that also touched upon FEMA violations created by the construction methods used at the Penfield Pavilion, newly elected BOF member Kevin Starke addressed the First Selectwoman using vulgar, misogynist language that many would find offensive in a private conversation, and most would say is definitely not appropriate for a public meeting of elected officials.

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To insinuate the town, or the first selectwoman as their agent, “would bend over” for a federal agency is plainly stated, gross. While this is the first time Mr. Starke stepped out of bounds at a public town meeting, there were two other letters to the editor this past fall, where each of the authors described separate, but similar personal encounters with Mr. Starke and his choice of words when he interacted with each of them.

If Mr. Starke is unable to interact with others without following the simple standard of polite, professional, business decorum, perhaps public service in Fairfield is not the right role for him. He should consider issuing a public apology, or just stepping down from his role.

Sincerely,

Hannah Gale, RTM member, District 6, Public Health and Safety Committee

Melissa Longo, RTM member, District 1, Finance Committee