Return candidate to the board
Feb 16, 2012 | 560 views | 2 2 comments | 9 9 recommendations | email to a friend | print
To the Editor,

This March in Wilmington there will be a contested election for a two-year seat on the selectboard. Bruce Mullen, a former selectboard member, is running for the seat.

Over the years Mullen, a local business owner, has volunteered for many Wilmington and Deerfield Valley organizations and has been honored for his contributions to the community. After being elected to the Wilmington Selectboard in 2008, he resigned in 2010 in order to protest the direction that he perceived was being pushed by part of the selectboard to change the form of town government by diminishing or eliminating the position of town manager. Now, after the appointment of a fourth different town manager in a year-and-a-half, he believes it is time to utilize and populate the selectboard as it was intended; a policy-setting and pro-active board devoted to the recovery of the town and directing a fully qualified town manager and staff.

His opponent for the two-year seat has a full-time job and elected position as Wilmington Town Clerk as well as being a member of the Wilmington Selectboard. This is a circumstance that has required frequent recusals from votes whenever a conflict of interest arose. I believe that at this critical time in the restoration of our town it is essential that our selectboard devote their time and full attention to the work at hand so that we can maximize our limited resources and rebuild the Wilmington of the future. I urge Wilmington voters to cast their vote for Bruce Mullen for a two-year term on March 6.

Andy Schindel

Wilmington
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WVP@1094
|
February 16, 2012
After reading this letter it was obvious to me that the writer needs to get a copy of Bruce Mullen's resignation letter.The town was in crisis Bob Rusten had resigned, our police chief had a heart attack, our road dept head was out for 6 weeks with knee surgeory. The voters were in charge of changing the form of government not the selectboard. Under democratic rule we kept the form of government status quo. Mr Mullen did not only resign from the Select Board he had other hats he wore like many town officials in a small town, he resigned from them all. Sue Manton Haughwout as been an excellent town employee and an extremey knowlegable select board member which has stemmed from her Town Clerk experience and training.I would like to see on paper not only the very few times she had to recuse herself but also how many times other board member had to do the same because of conflicts due to their other official appoints She has a great ability for problem solving one example is getting up gathering the troops and saving our town records. Mr Mullen aided the town in many ways and does deserve a thank you However this voter wonders why is he not running for the seat he resigned? I find this puzzling. I wish many more people would through there hat in the ring but with all the things ahead of us I think I'll stay with the person that has been there through thick and thin. When her towns people needed her the most.I say on Tuesday March 6th you should cast your vote for Sue Manton Haughwout. Good luck to both of you and may the best person win.
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chap914
|
February 16, 2012
Bruce Mullen has contyributed to various area non-profits and to the Town of Wilmington as a Selectboard member, and he should be thanked for his service.

To me, however, is the fact that previously, when on the Board Bruce didn't get his way on a matter which he deemed important, when it became apparent that his position wouldn't prevail he, like the proverbial "spoiled" kid took his football and went home.

Suzy, on the other hand, has consistently shown she has the ability to handle both of her elected positions and do both jobs exceptionally well.In addition, she devotes her time to non-profit service. True, in rare instances, she may have to recuse herself as required by law, but to me past performance is the best judge of a candidate.

What with everything that needs attention in Town to me and others, the choice is clear on who to re-elect and the name isn't Mullen.
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