The views stated here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the editors of this newspaper. We welcome supporting or opposing views on any published item. Received October 18, 2021.
Dear Editor:
This letter is in response to recent letters casting aspersions upon the integrity of and legality of several candidates for office on the Killingworth Republican ticket this November.
Eileen Blewett, a current Selectman and member of the RSD 17 Board of Education, is running for re-election to both positions, which she has held in tandem for the past two years without complaint. I notice none of the attacks on her have addressed any of her many substantive actions as a Selectman or member of the Board of Education. She is a tireless volunteer who has given nearly innumerable hours to benefit our town and our regional school system among many other worthy causes that benefit our town and residents. One would hope that more residents had her drive, time and dedication to our residents.
The Town of Killingworth Charter clearly states that no Selectman may also hold a simultaneous position on another town board, THAT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED BY TOWN ORDINANCE OR CHARTER PROVISIONS. The RSD 17 Board of Education is NOT a town board, was not established by town ordinance or charter provision but rather was instituted through the Connecticut General Statutes and referendums of the respective towns. This fact was pointed out by the insightful letter of Attorney David Cutillo to the Town of Killingworth and town counsel who, nevertheless, desire to continue this charade of attempting a legal maneuver to deny Ms. Blewett the opportunity to serve in both positions should the voters of Killingworth desire to re-elect her to both. Sadly, this will now cost the Town of Killingworth more money to fight to impose their errant view upon Ms. Blewett and the Town of Killingworth.
Why not let the residents of Killingworth decide Ms. Blewett’s membership on both boards at the ballot box? If she is re-elected to both positions, as I sincerely hope she is due to her tireless dedication to this town, then we have let the people decide the issue. If she is not re-elected to both positions then once again the people have decided the issue. I only hope any potential replacement has half of the energy, dedication and drive to serve our people as Eileen Blewett has shown over the past two years.
The timing of the raising of the issue of Eileen Blewett’s dual service is also suspect. Why was this not raised two years ago? Ms. Blewett herself asked the Board of Education two years ago if there was any conflict in holding both positions and was advised that there was none. This summer, Ms. Blewett, was advised of a problem and raised the issue of the make-up of the charter review commission as an unfortunate clear violation of Connecticut state statute. This violation would likely have voided all of the work of the Charter Review Commission. Her suggested remedies to the illegal composition issue were rejected. Only after this Charter Review Commission issue was raised was an “investigation” urged of Ms. Blewett’s dual service, which the charter’s own terms do not prohibit. This is very curious timing which smacks of retaliation.
As to Graig Judge, he also is a local resident, businessman and long-time volunteer on the Killingworth Fire Department. He also loves and has served this town well for many years and is eminently concerned with the governance and safety of the people of our town. The charter would prohibit him from holding both Killingworth town offices to which he may be elected but does not prohibit him from running for both positions and then choosing to serve the town as selectman if elected to both positions.
It is high time for the people of Killingworth to decide these issues at the ballot box rather than resorting to legal maneuvers.
Sincerely,
Andrew J. O’Neill
Killingworth Resident
