A Democratic Issue

The Democratic Party is offering David McKane for Selectmen.  This makes no sense when knowing that he now works for our Public Works Dept and his wife works for the Town Clerks Office.  Consider also, that as a Public Works employee, Mr. McKane is a union member. 

No disrespect to Mr. McKane, but even if I believed row B to be the better slate, which I do not, in good conscience, I could not vote for him and I urge all to think likewise. 

My rationale is simple.  He can not participate in matters involving Public Works. He can not vote on three very large PWs budgets; that includes capital expenditures for public works, and since the PW items are only a piece of the entire capital plan, he can not participate in voting on the overall capital plan.  It also means that he should abstain from roads related issues and budgets.

As a union member, he should not be involved in ANY union matters, disputes, or contracts. That means all unions across the board.

As his wife is also a town employee working for the Town Clerks Office, he can not be involved in any matters concerning that department or its budget.

Even further, because of the employment issues concerning both he and his wife, Mr. McKane should not be allowed to participate in any matters concerning Town benefits or the very large budget tied to it.

By right, when considering all of the aforementioned, he should not be permitted to vote to send the overall budget to the Board of Finance.

With all this, I ask why the Democratic Party nominated Mr. McKane for the Selectmen position on their slate.  It makes absolutely no sense.

With all this, I hope that our community has the wisdom to not invest a $10,000 Selectmen salary in a person who has such a very limited ability and right to participate in so many all important Board of Selectmen matters and negotiations.

Temple and Haney represented new blood two years ago.  They've worked hard, have accomplished much, and deserve a chance to now place their aim on increasing income to lower our mil rate.

Mr. McKane has too many issues preventing him from honestly performing Selectmen duties.  Let's build on the progress of the past two years by electing Mr. Heim as the 3rd  Selectmen.  He'll represent fresh Democratic blood at the top position, and the position will give him an opportunity to learn the details of the Oxford Town Government and all the departments within.

The Democratic Party has mounted a very weak and negative attack against Mr. Temple and Mr. Haney, suggesting that little has been accomplished.  To them I say, wake up, look around, think, and be honest.