Paid Advertisement

Editorial:  Time to Police Ourselves

To Advertise Call 781-585-0037

May 11th 2008

It's Time We Policed Ourselves

by Dennis Randall

(March 19, 2004) What happens when the conduct of public officials comes into question? In Kingston the answer is, "nothing." And this answer is unacceptable.
Questions of ethics and possible wrong doing should be decided on the basis of facts and law, not on partisan politics. When serious questions are raised, as they have been regarding Mr. King, the public deserves answers.

Official silence in the face of scandal servers neither the office holder nor the tax payers. An official wrongly accused deserves to have their name cleared and the public deserves to be protected from unethical or illegal behavior. To date, the Planning Board has elected to ignore the questions surrounding Mr. King's conduct. Public confidence in local government will not be restored until town government shows that it has the ability and willingness to police itself.

At this point it is no longer appropriate that the planning board conduct an inquiry in Mr. King's activities. The planning board's silence has disqualified it from conducting an official review of the facts. That responsibility now rests with the Selectmen. As town fathers they have the duty, responsibility, and authority to take action on behalf of the citizens. They should either conduct an inquiry or request that one be immediately launched by an impartial outside agency with a full and public disclosure of its findings.
 

Paid Advertisement