Responding to the Letter from Rick Crocker

It is really very interesting that Mr. Crocker has finally summoned the courage to speak out about anything. 

In his endorsement of Mr. D’Angelo he suggests that a "new voice" is reason enough to elect him and maybe it is or maybe not. 

Now that Mr. Crocker has spoken it is time for the citizens to know that is Mr. Crocker that has the agenda.   Ever since he was forced to resign as Fire Chief, he has held a grudge against the BOS no matter who was on it.   He carries a grudge against the Fire Department itself.   Year after year he has tried to undermine their budgets and warrant articles and unfortunately he has gotten others to agree.  In Mr. Crocker’s day, he lobbied for everything and anything for the fire department.  In most if not all cases the Board and the Ways and Means agreed and the Fire Department got what they requested.  Sometimes they even found ways around a request.

It would be great if it stopped there but it doesn't.  He has relentless disdain for the DPW.   Mr. Crocker's dad was a fine public servant.  He served with dignity until the day he retired.   However, what was good for the roads for the thirty years was not good for the roads since.  I remember another Crocker arguing against spending more money on roads.   It is the will of the people that determines what monies are appropriated.  It is the BOS that is charged with presenting the budgets for approval.  Often the choices of what goes into those budgets are a balancing act of present needs and future needs.  But sometimes things get put off until the citizens demand something be done. 

Money for the bridge was approved by the town.   The BOS was ready to proceed based on a promise by the State for an 80% reimbursement.   Then the State decided they did not have the money to send us and on top of that they closed the bridge.  We either use tax dollars to fix it or wait until 2018 the date the state listed the bridge for repair.   How many citizens would like to wait?

 Mr. Crocker is correct in pointing out that that the roof structure of the town hall was identified as needing repairs.   The BOS had architects and engineers look at the building and proposed a Warrant Article to bond 1.2 million dollars to repair, refurbish and restore the Town Hall.   It included meeting the Federal guidelines for handicap accessibility by raising the building to expand usable space, adding an elevator and ramp, redoing the electrical, plumbing, and HVAC and making it a suitable place to work in and conduct the town’s business.  Again Mr. Crocker fought strenuously to defeat the bond.  He suggested tearing it down.   But instead, the work was done piecemeal and the roof repair was delayed.  Now it is an emergency and must be repaired.

Finally, the Town Administrator might have convinced Mr.Crocker that he is a hero,  but he may be the only one he convinced.  

Perhaps Mr. Crocker was once had some standing in the community.   But, it is sad to say that his need for vengeance is terribly unattractive and counterproductive.

Marilyn Peterman