The Standish Town Council’s 4-3 vote not to renew Town Manager Gordon Billington’s appointment of Martin Jordan as public safety director is a disgrace, and councilors Pomerleau, Stack, Newbegin and Thompson owe the citizens an explanation. It’s ironic this took place just before municipal elections at which three of them were up for re-election.

Their vote without explanation was, and is, an embarrassment to their fellow councilors and especially to Billington. This was a complete surprise to them since it apparently had never been discussed privately or publicly with them or with Jordan.

On June 3, Stack and Pomerleau bought a full page ad (one half each), running as a team as they have been doing on the Town Council.

In it Pomerleau stated “Our department (Fire and Rescue) is second to none. Can’t say enough about the professionalism in this department.” Further on as it relates to department heads and their employees, he said “The most dedicated, honest workers I’ve ever met. Hopefully we can continue to keep all of these people for a number of years.”

Is it any wonder morale is low and a degree of uncertainty exists in the Municipal Center?

That same evening at the Town Council meeting on the order to approve the Twon Manager’s annual department heads, Pomerleau suddenly asked to vote on each appointee individually rather than the customary group. This was a complete surprise to the councilors who supported the appointment. They were not told in advance nor were they aware of any problems with Jordan or his department.

When asked by Councilor Biegel as to his reasons, Pomerleau refused to reply only stating he didn’t want to be sued for anything he might say. Did it ever occur to him that the town insures him for professional liability? Maybe this is not professional.

Further, does he or the other three realize they have a moral, ethical or possible legal obligation and responsibility to tell Jordan and all Standish citizens “Why?” Maybe Pomerleau should realize what he doesn’t say might be more problematic than what he might have said.

Apparently four councilors wee not surprised by the motion and did not hesitate or discuss their vote, so was this a secret telephone decision outside the chambers? You guess. The evidence is there although they’ll deny it.

After a series of typical Councilor Lou Stack blunders in parliamentary procedure, he brought it to a vote supporting Pomerleau. (Remember Pomerleau stormed out of the last Council Meeting shouting he was tired of certain councilors not allowing him to violate council rules to reconsider, and because he didn’t get his way he was resigning the next day. Stack the admonished the Town Council for not considering Pomerleau’s demand.)

The vote on each appointee individually should follow the rules of order just like any other order. It didn’t. Stack did not ask for public or Town Council discussion on any of them including the public safety director. So four got off the hook, and three were denied their rights.

So why did Pomerleau do this? One can only guess. However, it should be noted that he has a serious conflict of interest in this and several other issues before the Town Council. His son is the deputy chief, and his daughter is the secretary to the Town Manager. And he wants to remove the chief “without cause?”

Once again it’s time for the four councilors to publicly address their decision at their next public meeting. The citizens have just become aware of this, and they want to know. A better solution would have one of the four move to reconsider their action thus putting it back on the table for complete discussion and vote.

Maybe they’ll realize their error in judgment and confirm the appointment of one of Standish’ finest public safety directors it has had.

Larry E. Simpson

Standish