Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall is the Town Hall Candidates Forum. I will be present. I am so nervous it is beyond belief. But I will try my best.

Now there is ONE TOPIC that will never be discussed. You guessed it–the Police Commission. Not one candidate, (maybe Lou Murray) will discuss this issue.

In this town it is like talking about Mas——-n for God’s sake, probably worse.

But I still would like to see my recommendation of a year ago last May 9th to the Town Council of expanding the Public Safety Commissions powers. This would also include the Fire Department.

By expanding the powers I mean hiring and firing police officers and the police chief. You all know this is not going over well and that is an understatement to say the least.

How can one or possible two people make the decisions when it comes to the Police Department and especially people’s careers and how can it be called fair?

Believe me, if I were the Town Manager, you can be your a– that I would not be allowed to make these personnel decisions. But why can the present Town Manager or Personnel Director be allowed to?

You can’t tell me it isn’t more fair and equitable to have five or seven people in charge of hiring, promoting or firing instead of what is going on now.

When I went to the Police Chiefs extended office hours a few weeks ago, the Chief picked up a large file and told me that was the files of the candidates who are to be considered as our future police officers? He said he was not picking the finalists, the Town Manager was.

Do we know who they are? Their backgrounds? Don’t tell me it is executive session material. Baloney!

This is not the Vatican and the election of the Pope when the only time we know a new Pope has been elected is when they burn the white smoke.

We have already had letters to the editor from a police officers family expressing their disappointment over their family member not being promoted. (In fact, I remember the letter stating this officer was promised the Police Chief position). This letter appeared after the late Chief Loudon passed on.

If you were accused of a crime, I am sure most of you would want a jury trial, a jury of your peers, because you cannot tell me, one person can be as fair and open minded as five or seven. They can’t. It is human nature. There is no one to balance it out. That persons’ bias will come out- that is only natural.

I would like to know what you think. Feel free to comment. Remember-we do have people monitoring so keep it intelligent please. I know you have ideas on the issue and not just “we don’t want it” or  “it doesn’t work.”

Maybe some of you have been involved in a Police Commission or knew people who were on a Commission. I hope you will share your thoughts.