By Beth David, Editor
At its meeting on 8/7/23, the Fairhaven Select Board closed the public hearing to remove Gary Lavalette from the Historical Commission that had been continued from 7/10/23. Select Board chairperson Leon Correy opened the meeting by saying that “serious and unfounded accusations” had been levied against him via email by Mr. Lavalette.
In that email, which is a public document and has been obtained by the Neighb News, Mr. Lavalette accuses Mr. Correy of having a “friendship” with Kamryn Dubois, a witness against Mr. Lavalette.
At the meeting on 8/7, Mr. Correy said there was no basis for the allegations. He said there is no background to justify it.
Mr. Correy said he had four connections or encounters with Kamryn and Douglas Dubois. First, he said, they put a yard sign up for him when he ran for office. He said he had not even met them at that point.
He met them, he said, when he went by their house to meet them, when they had a gathering at their house.
Third, he saw them at Tufts Medical Center in Boston when both families had family members being treated there. He said he felt bad that he did not even recognize Ms. Dubois; his wife had to tell him who she was.
The fourth encounter, was about a month ago, he said, “in this room,” during the hearing.
Beyond that, he said, there is no relationship that is any different from any other constuent whose door he knocked on.
“I found it incrediblly disrespectful,” said Mr. Correy about the email, and apoligized for having to answer to it.
In the email, Mr. Lavalette says that he filed a complaint with the State Ethics Commission.
“So you can meet on Monday night and vote me out of the rest of the boards and commissions I”m on, but please be advised that [if it] comes back a Ethics violation, I will take further legal action against you and the Town of Fairhaven!!!” writes Mr. Lavalette.
Town Counsel Christopher Petrini told the board that investigator did determine that Mr. Lavalette had committed several violations of the town personnel policy including unlawful harassament.
Referring to the investigator’s report, Mr. Petrini noted that there was “sufficient credible evidence that Mr. Lavalette violated the town’s harassment policy,” including using derogatory terms and racial stereotypes; and mentioning his reproductive organs.
Mr. Petrini said he believed there was sufficient evidence to remove Mr. Lavalette from the Historical Commission.
SB member Stasia Powers said it was critical that everyone representing the town upholds the personnel policies, whether an employee or a volunteer.
She said the standard should be at the highest level.
“No one should be uncomfortable with someone who represents the town,” said Ms. Powers, adding that they are all working together to move forward in a positive way.
She said they should hold everyone to a “high standard.”
Mr. Correy said he agreed, that they all make a decision to be involved, they are not forced into the volunteer positions. He said that as a “bare minimum” they are expected to be respectful.
The board voted unanimously to remove Mr. Lavalette from the Historical Commission.
•••
Click here to download the 8/10/23 issue: 08-10-23 HuttlestonMP
Support local journalism, donate to the Neighb News with PayPal
