Now that the Standish elections are once again over, we have seen the day after reactions. I would just like to add my own observations. The comment was made that Question 4 was passed due to Phil Pomerleau putting it on the ballot.

It was also mentioned that all Mr. Pomerleau did was hurt the SAD 6 school board. I believe that this is very unfair to Mr. Pomerleau and borders on a personal attack on him. Regardless of his reasoning. All Mr. Pomerleau did was work hard to put it on the ballot. Mr. Pomerleau did not walk through the voting booth 2,446 times. The voters did.

Now, it was also mentioned that this entire term-limit situation was caused by Mr. Kasprzyk. Once again folks, regardless of Mr. Kasprzyk’s motives, he did not vote 2,562 times. The voters did. I have gotten to a point in my life that I do not stay up at night wondering how a vote will go the next day. I have a lovely wife and two dogs that really love me. Some people do not have that. So I’m a happy man. I do however believe that if we really look hard at our elected officials in Standish both current and past, we will see that there has been a huge amount of conflict between the council and the public. Everything from recalls to packed council chambers with yelling and screaming has been part of our history.

I do believe that through all this we have overlooked something. It has all been political. We have never had a town manager or a council member splashed all over the news for a high-speed chase. We have never had a town manager or council member’s picture on the news for what was found on their laptops. So, all and all, we have had good and decent men and women lead our town who are just on opposite sides from the general public politically.

Mr. Billington stated that in the future, the town may have public meetings to figure out why no one likes the political structure of the town. This is a

great idea and it is worth pursuing. However, maybe we should have it in a format of serving hot dogs, hamburgers, and just spend time getting to know each other as people. Have a quarterly family day get-together for the public and the leaders. Maybe, just maybe, we will get to know each other, get to understand each other as good people with different views. And just maybe we will stop disliking each other long enough to compromise and get things done. Just my opinion.

Jack Freitas

Standish