The Town Discussion That Wasn't

I finally watched the part of the Board of Finance meeting dealing with the supplemental forensic investigation report and whether it was officially authorized, generally agreed to without a vote, or wrongfully authorized by Michael Hallahan.

Two very important things were said there that were ignored by those attacking Hallahan and the Democrats on this blog.

One, Hallahan and Piccirillo said that they would be willing to pay for the supplemental report if it turned out Hallahan acted wrongfully. I can see why this was ignored. Has any North Haven Republican politician offered to pay for a mistake? Has any North Haven Republican politician even admitted to making a mistake?

Even if Hallahan, mistakenly or not, wrongly authorized the supplemental report, which might lead to more insurance money for the town, the town will not have to pay for it. This is a major difference between at least some elected North Haven Democrats and elected North Haven Republicans, and I’m proud of Hallahan and Piccirillo for making this unusual and responsible offer.

If the former administration had admitted, apologized for, and done its best to correct what it did, I would have supported it. But from my first conversation with Kevin Kopetz in 2003 until the present day, he has denied everything, apologized for nothing, and corrected things only to the extent his hand was forced by the fear of losing the 2007 election.

Two, Hallahan did not illegally appropriate any money, as suggested by William H. The original appropriation for the forensic investigation had not been spent yet. But this minor fact would have gotten in the way of angry accusations.

It was my understanding, as well, that everyone on the BoF wanted the investigation extended back a few years. In any event, the real issue wasn’t about this minor extension, but whether the investigation will go beyond the Community Services Department, an extension I have supported from the beginning.

But the real subject of this blog entry is my decision to act on my recognition that the discussion here is not about the issues confronting our town, but about political animosity. And that it doesn’t look like it’s going to change. This is a town discussion that wasn't. It's psychologically fascinating, but of no value to the town, and probably of some harm.

Every time I try to steer things toward issues, with the exception of the Rabina Properties development, others steer the blog away, and often with no respect for facts. They are driving the good people away, and sadly I think this is their goal.

This blog is not something I want to put my efforts into anymore. The election is over, and we have a decent, responsible administration. It will certainly make mistakes, but nothing that deserves the bile that has been poured out on this blog. So this is my last blog entry, and the blog will no longer be open for comments.