To the editor:
As regards to Ashley Saari’s newspaper article, dated May 26, reporting the disreputable remarks made by Gail Cromwell toward our esteemed Temple Town Treasurer Shannon Kelley, we would endeavor to disagree with those remarks.
Ms. Cromwell was widely supported by the community during her term as Temple’s representative to the ConVal School Board. However, since she ascended to become a Select Board member she has taken an “Orwellian” approach to the management of town government, our employees and elected officials. She has brought dread and fear to our dedicated office personnel.
Acting on her own, Ms. Cromwell has 1) shown utter disdain for Article 91-A, the Right-to-Know law; 2) unilaterally delved into “Sealed Minutes” without prior authority or approval of her fellow board members; 3) has insisted that all board members be copied on all BOS matters, yet still continues to work independently of the board; 4) continues her habit of “calling out” and disciplining employees and elected officials in public. This should be done in a non-public session under Article 91-A; 3, II (a through c); 5) walked out during our second “mediation meeting,” unable to accept any of the criticism leveled toward her; and 6) has admitted to us that she would like personnel changes made in the town office.
Having politely asked Ms. Cromwell to publicly retract her statements and character assassination of Shannon Kelley with a most negative response, we, the undersigned, wish to apologize to Mrs. Kelley for G. Cromwell’s unabashedly boorish behavior. It is obvious to us that while Ms. Cromwell might be well educated and well intentioned, she has much to learn regarding respectful treatment of others, especially those who might have a difference of opinion with her.
We will continue to work with Gail to ensure that the best interests of the Town of Temple are well served.
George Willard
and Ken Caisse
Temple Select Board