Refusal to Hang Mandala Project is an Abuse of Government Power

The main objective and reason for obtaining the grant (as stated by Oxford Great Oak Middle School’s Art Teacher, Karen Giannamore)  “was to come together and share an art experience as a true representation of the diversity, abilities, and supportive community that in unity we all create in the environment of Great Oak School.   Karen also stated that the children would extend that sense of unity to the greater Oxford Community by interacting with community members and sharing their knowledge with them in order to create a greater sense of unity.   Karen’s goal was to complete two Mandalas and hang one at Great Oak School and one at Town Hall to create two symbols for the community that would represent the unity of the town – a sense of one community coming together for our children.”   at Town Hall because one of the dolls has KOG written on it inside a heart.    MADR has decided that this is against Oxford’s Code of Ethics.   After reviewing such Code of Ethics, it seems that the MADR/McKane/Calabrese Administration (Editor's Note: Joe Calabrese, first selectman candidate and aide to Drayton-Rogers, is not part of the political administration) has a double set of standards.

The Mandala Project is not the first time the MADR/McKane Administration has tried to stop the Oxford Community from expressing their point of view. On October 26, 2009, the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union of CT) came to Keep Oxford Green’s (KOG’s) defense and sent a strong message to MADR/McKane not to interfere with the Carver’s or with KOG’s supporters in regards to display of their signs.   Stating “We strongly caution against any attempts, on the Town’s part, to interfere with the Carver’s displays of their signs”…“the controlling First Amendment principles are so clear that town officials who flout their principles could forfeit their qualified immunity against individual liability and perhaps expose themselves to punitive damages as well”.     

In October 2009 during a press conference, MADR/McKane went as far as calling the Carvers and KOG liars and made 3 complaints which were filed on October 28, 2009, by Town Attorney to SEEC (State Elections Enforcement Commission) against KOG. On April 14, 2011, the SEEC denounced MADR/McKane and backed KOG and agreed that KOG did everything right. Chairman Stephen F. Cashman stated: “31. In light of the facts and circumstances of this case as detailed above, the Commission concludes that allegations of violations of General Statutes 9-602, 9-605, and 9-620 are not supported by the evidence, and that any violation of General Statutes 9-611 and 9-622 was sufficiently mitigated and remedied to warrant no further action.  The Commission therefore dismisses this complaint with no further action.  During the 2009 Elections, MADR/McKane Administration worked overtime in deceiving Oxford Residents of their intent for the future of Oxford making false statements such as “This administration has not proposed low-income, high density housing.    I do not support it, I have not approve it”   They even convinced the “CT Post” to print the following on Nov 1, 2009:  “The Affordable Housing issue is an invented controversy basically made from thin air.” 

On October 5, 2011 during a Board of Selectman Meeting, prior to signing the IHOZ MADR makes this statement:  “I stand firmly as I have for FOUR YEARS for the commission (P&Z) to take that action.   I applaud them for what they are doing”.   MADR admits that she has been working on High Density Housing for four years, admitting she mislead the Oxford Residents.

KOG used independent legal counsel to confirm, there is no reference in the Oxford’s Code of Ethics why the Mandala Project should not be hung at Town Hall, but what it is abundantly clear that MADR has a double set of standards.    Since September 22, she has allowed her Administrative Assistant, Joe Calabrese, and Selectman Dave McKane to use the Town Hall to promote their platform for Selectman in November’s election.   It is very clear that Calabrese and McKane are in violation of the Code of Ethics:

 3.2.1. Town-owned … property …and other Town resources will be used only for the conduct of official business except when such resources are available to the public generally or the use is publicly disclosed and approved by the Board of Selectmen.

3.2.2. The abuse of town property or resources in an unethical practice.   Town property which is legitimately placed in the trust of an official or employee will be preserved and cared for to the best of his or her ability.

 4.2.4. Officials and employees will refrain from granting preferential treatment to any person.

 5.2.2. Officials and employees shall not offer or render preferential treatment to others on the basis or such factors as family ties, financial interests, friendship or political consideration.

  So what if an individual felt positive enough about Keeping Oxford Green.   It’s in the Mandala Project “It’s a Community Project to express your personal feelings, the doll as I understood represent who you are and what you like."  The Mandala Project should be proudly hung at Town Hall as a representation of Oxford’s Unity regardless of race, religion and political affiliation.