Question was sexist, rescind vote
To the Selectboard Chair Charles Murphy.
Transparency allows citizens to see how their government is functioning and hold officials accountable for their actions. Openness can foster trust in town government by demonstrating that actions are not hidden or secretive. It provides the public with the information they need to make informed choices about their lives and the issues that affect them. A better-informed public leads to more effective policy decisions. I’m sure if I were to go back to any of your candidate statements, we would see a promise to the voters of Fairhaven to be transparent.
For me to be totally transparent, you should know that I am select board member Keith Silvia’s sister-in-law, and a dear friend to Ms. Cathy Melanson. I also served as her campaign manager when she ran for the select board a few years ago.
Mrs. Melanson is a dedicated and experienced candidate who deserved your consideration as a candidate for the Zoning Board without bias. She constantly offered great insight and advice to the board of appeals. Our only female Selectboard member, asked her such inane questions as, “I thought you were going to enjoy your retirement and spend more time with your grandchildren?”
This was a clear cut example of benevolent sexism on Ms. Mello’s part when she based the only ZBA female candidate on her role as a grandmother. This isn’t just insulting to Ms. Melanson, but to all the females who would like to serve our historic town. Further, it especially plays poorly that another woman took this action.
Please consider your campaign promises to be transparent and to do the right thing here. Apologize to Mrs. Melanson, rescind the ZBA candidate vote, and have Miss Mello recuse herself from the ZBA appointment.
Towns people should be able to that trust all activities in relation to town government are done in an open way without secrets.
Tracy Travers, Fairhaven
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