A man who is allegedly Geoffrey Haworth, the chairperson of the Fairhaven Conservation Commission, is seen on this surveillance footage hitting a woman in the face in the parking lot of the Ice House on 5/3/23 at about 11:30 p.m. Screen shot from video footage.
The woman is on the ground after being hit by a man who is allegedly Geoffrey Haworth, the chairperson of the Fairhaven Conservation Commission,
in the parking lot of the Ice House on 5/3/23 at about 11:30 p.m. Screen shot from video footage.
By Beth David, Editor
Geoffrey Haworth, who was the chairperson of the Fairhaven Conservation Commission until Monday of this week, is allegedly on surveillance video punching a woman in the face, knocking her down, in the parking lot of the Ice House on Wednesday, 5/3/23, at about 11:30 p.m.
Word started getting around town, the way it does in small towns, a couple of days later, with police saying they would not comment on an “active and ongoing investigation.”
The Neighb News has several credible sources naming Mr. Haworth as the man in the video, and other credible sources who say Mr. Haworth was in the Ice House that evening, within minutes of the incident.
The Neighb News received the video that shows two women fighting, with a man who fits the description of Mr. Haworth between them, presumably trying to break up the fight. A third woman approaches and points her finger at the man who punches her, knocking her to the ground.
Meanwhile, the other two women are still fighting. At some point another man appears and starts recording the incident on his phone.
The man who appears to be Mr. Haworth approaches the man recording, at one point clearly taking a fighting stance, while the other man backs away.
The recording has no sound.
Fairhaven Police spokesperson Lt. Kevin Kobza would not name anyone in the video, but did confirm that an investigation was ongoing.
“As of right now, no charges have been filed,” said Lt. Kobza, but stressed that the police were not finished with their investigation.
Over the weekend, the video was posted on Facebook, where it received scores of comments before the moderator of the group page shut off the comment feature.
The Neighb News sent an email to Mr. Haworth asking for comment, and he referred us to his attorney.
Attorney Nicholas Sylvia of New Bedford wrote back with one sentence, saying Mr. Haworth had “no comment,” on the video.
On Monday, Mr. Haworth resigned from his position on the Conservation Commission, sending a letter to the Town Administrator and the Select Board members, which was subsequently forwarded to the Town Clerk’s office.
In the letter, Mr. Haworth does not mention anything negative.
“At some point the time comes that we decide it is time to move on,” he writes. “I have enjoyed serving the Town of Fairhaven on the Conservation Commission for the past decade.”
He also thanks the Select Board and residents for giving him the opportunity to serve on the ConCom.
“I have decided that now is my time to resign my position so I can focus on my personal life and my health,” wrote Mr. Haworth.
Mr. Haworth has also served on the Select Board, Board of Health, Planning Board, and Board of Public Works.
The video is available at 05-03-23 IceHouseParkingLotFight
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Click here to download the 5/18/23 issue: 05-18-23 StampOutHunger
Click here to download the Ice House fight video: 05-03-23 IceHouseParkingLotFight
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