By Beth David
Fairhaven lost one of its long time public servants this month (see obituary on page 14). Deb Charpentier was the archivist at the Millicent Library for years, working her way up from a volunteer. Deb had a treasure trove of cool stuff in her little corner of the library, and she absolutely loved sharing her bits of information with people. I loved going to see her, but I always made sure I had some extra time, because she was always working on something new and it was easy to get immersed in whatever she was working on. She loved her job, and we could see that. She gave it her all, and we appreciated it.
She had not worked at the library for some time, and I had already missed her. Farewell, Deb. You’re part of Fairhaven’s history now.
The Select Board had a meeting on Monday (see page 3). It was the last regular SB meeting for Bob Espindola, a long time public servant, who truly understands what “public service” means. He has been treated with great disrespect the last two years, by fellow board members (one in particular) and the Town Administrator.
They shifted in their chairs, rolled their eyes, sighed audibly, and gave each other knowing looks while he spoke. For those of you not in the room, watching on TV, it may not have been noticeable. Bob asked for very normal things and was constantly told he could not have them, or he had to wait, sometimes for months. Some of that information would have been provided to any resident through a simple records request within 10 days.
But Bob had been berated publicly for going directly to department heads for information, so he asked for them in a public meeting, and waited. Meeting after meeting. And being the class act that he is, Bob kept his cool, always being respectful as he asked over and over again.
I started this letter with examples. Examples of the documents he asked for, the comparison of his interactions with the other TA, Interim TA, and Executive Secretary. But, I took all that out.
Suffice it to say that I have watched Mr. Espindola for 12 years, which means I have covered about 300 meetings and other events that he has participated in. His behavior has been consistent. He always wants things to be done the right way, always keeping the residents in mind, making sure residents are not left in the dark. I even remember his very, very, very first term, with that old-guard board and how he held them to account, asking how two members of that three-member board knew how to vote so quickly when they all supposedly just received the information.
The last two years have been an embarrassing, sometimes disgusting display on that board, with Mr. Espindola literally getting berated for doing his due diligence, while the Three Blind Mice cowered down in silence.
We should be able to disagree with people, especially people who make decisions that affect our lives, without being called racist and sexist and accused of ulterior motives. And we should not have to endure attacks on our character and our livelihoods (yes, I mean me) to try to keep us in line.
That’s the kind of foolishness that has been happening the last two years.
The election is Monday. Mr. Espindola did not run for re-election, so he will be gone.
I, for one, will miss him. I will miss his clear thinking, his institutional memory, his patience, his diligence, and his ability to take the blows and always take the high road.
I hope you take some time off and then reconsider and come back, Mr. Espindola. Have fun with your grandchildren, but then come back and help us out. I think we still need you.
Fairhaven voters: Be sure to VOTE on Monday, 4/1, okay? Please choose wisely. Let’s not have a repeat of the last two years. Let’s vote in civil servants who know how to be civil.
Until next week then, see ya
Glory to Ukraine!
Glory to the Heroes!
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Click here to download the 03-28-24 issue: 03-28-24 CampaignSigns
Click here for Espindola’s OML complaint: EspindolaOML_3-11-24
Click here for the SB Response to the complaint: EspindolaOML_3-11-24_Response
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