Peru politics

To the Editor:

An ordinance has been brought forth to be voted on by the townspeople on Tuesday that would prohibit town employees from serving on the Board of Selectmen or Finance Committee.

The reason for this was that people had expressed concern about this and that employees serving on the board causes issues during discussion/voting. At the same time, a few citizens banded together and formed an article for the ballot for this same purpose.

Two employees are also presently selectmen and both have served several terms and were employees when elected -- which was well known. We have abstained from voting on issues that directly involved us and it was always believed that one of the purposes for having a five-man board was that there may be times when all were not present or some that could not vote due to conflict. Then why is there an issue when there have been numerous times that some board members abstain from voting for no particular reason? I don’t question that there are times when it is not a perfect situation. On the other hand there aren’t usually an abundance of people wanting to take on the position.

These same “few citizens” also prepared an article to go before the people asking to change the present secretarial position (occupied by me) to an elected position and limit the hours to between 25-30 a week. There is no justification behind this article except that it is a personal attack for my having done duties

that are part of my job that these people didn’t like the outcome (no fault of mine). These few people have been very vocal with their lies, slandering and hateful remarks about me.

When I was hired (11-plus years ago), it was for a full time position. The two employees who held the position prior to me worked 32-37 hours a week and had benefits. The job entails much more now than it did when I was hired, yet they think that everything can get done in less hours. The reason? I presume it is

that if I were to remain in the position, I would not be eligible for benefits, which the town has made out pretty well on since my employ, as I have remained on my husband’s health insurance.

Since all of this chaos started, I have been approached by many people telling me what they are hearing on the street (from a select few and followers) and asking me why I remain in the position; that I don’t need to put up with that crap, that I should just quit. My response has been that I like my job and I feel that I do a good job at it.

If I give up it will make it look like I am guilty of all of the accusations that are being hurled, when in fact, I am not. I have done nothing wrong and have served the town in both capacities well. The accusations being made are simply due to events or answers that those involved didn’t like and the fact that they never have asked for an explanation or clarification on things; they just find it easier to be nasty.

I ask the townspeople of Peru to go to the polls and vote "no" on the respective article to prevent town employees from serving in office and on the article to change the secretary position to elected. Go to the polls with the facts not with what you might have heard from those causing the issues. Why fix what isn’t broken?

Kathy Hussey,

Peru