The truth in Peru

To the Editor:

As a citizen who has attended many of the weekly board meetings, I feel it is time to get the correct information out to the citizens before they vote on March 4.

Many misconceptions, accusations and incorrect facts are floating around. All of the problems could have been avoided from the start in June 2012. Tim Holland, chair of the board, should have upheld the ordinance and made Mrs. Hussey choose -- either step down as a select person, or resign from the position of secretary to the board. It's as simple as that.

At the board meeting on Feb. 19, very important information was brought out but was totally missed by the media. The public hearing on Feb. 11 was (for the entire select board) held with an outside moderator.

Mr. Powell addressed Mrs. Parent, the town clerk, because Mrs. Parent overstepped her own authority and went above the select board by bringing in the moderator. The forum for the meeting's usual procedure was changed due to this moderator, and it was never discussed with the board.

Mr. Holland (board chair) stated that he spoke with Mrs. Parent prior to the meeting and agreed with the format. However, it should have been a decision made by the entire select board, Mr. Powell pointed out. To top that, Mr. Holland himself never showed for the public hearing.

Mrs. Milligan misses many meetings yet she made the statement that uneducated citizens are to blame for the problems. This insults those citizens who have attended most or all of the meetings. We are not uneducated; we just don't agreee with what always benefits

Mr. Holland, Mrs. Hussey or Mrs. Milligan. We have been educated though, on how to bowl over townspeople!

Powell and Ferland are the only two selectmen in Peru who have consistently voted in the best interest of the town. Neither have been behind any of the recalls nor did they sign any of the petitions. Holland and Hussey started the process on Mr. Ferland and Mr. Powell in retaliation. The record shows that every time Ferland and Powell try to vote in the best interest of the town, they are outvoted by the other three, or the vote is two to two, which gets nothing done.

If you wish to have select people who really do work for the people, then vote to keep Ferland and Powell on March 4. Recall the other three, then we can get others who really do care to work with them. This will be moving forward. This is the truth, Peru.

Arthur Porter