Sick and Tired

To the Editor:

…of the onslaught of “woe is me,” “bully government,” “employee victimization” nonsense that only tells one side of a tragic story — as if it were balanced and factual. We readers are not that naïve. Just because the silent majority refuses to stoop to name-calling in the paper does not mean we agree, or enjoy this tawdry scandal shoved in our faces every week.

Anyone with a modicum of labor law or human relations experience knows that personnel matters are confidential. One public revelation from an employer would be an immediate lawsuit. So, why portray the town’s “no comment” mode as something sinister, other than highly appropriate. Kehoe and Ross have excellent records with the town: 33 and 17 years, respectively. Anyone who works with these two people knows of their integrity and professionalism. Even Carolee agreed with me on this. In her own words, she is highly embarrassed by the attention brought on by her husband, attorney, and the paper.

Carolee is obviously a warm-hearted, friendly, animal lover with many friends. But she broke state statute and town policy, which endangered our citizens. Falsifying state records with the chief’s signature is not okay. Doctoring rabies certificates for families is not okay. Waiving state rabies vaccination requirements for pound staff is not okay. Allowing unvaccinated dogs and cats to vacation and weekend with unvaccinated citizens is not okay. Some say that $48K is a lot of money to spend on this… Think about the cost (and devastation) from a single rabies infection fatality lawsuit! Big picture people!

Carolee admitted under oath that department head responsibilities of writing policy, managing budgets, and supervising staff were beyond her scope and preference — she just wants to work with the animals, and we all agree that she is good at it. And she was offered that option more than once. And yet, after every offer; her husband, lawyer, and Kendra [Bobowick] mounted a righteous indignation defense in public.

Anyone who visited the pound before and after Carolee’s term there, as I did, saw a difference like night and day; from dozens of feral cats, sick and anxious dogs, mountains of dirty trash and unfiled papers; to a tidy, organized, quiet working environment. Every animal there is now healthy, properly accounted for, and/or adopted out.

So, where does The Bee get its “facts”? The Masons? Their friends? Their attorney? Facebook? Are these balanced sources? This is low-brow sensationalism and bullying. The context presented and conclusions drawn are egregiously wrong, and it has spurred an angry mob mentality in our town. Further, it has slurred the reputations of town employees who work on our behalf every day. It distracts from the very real business of Newtown — Mangiafico suspended the critical board agenda items last Monday [August 31], to provide a forum for Mason’s family to shout profane insults from the audience!

Please give us a break! We consider ourselves an educated, sophisticated citizenry, with the ability to discern facts, and behave with grace under pressure. Let’s give Carolee some peace and quiet as she tries to make amends for some embarrassing mistakes, so she (and we!) can all move on to the next chapter of town life.

Kaia Fahrenholz

5 Sycamore Drive, Newtown                                   September 2, 2009