My apology for any misunderstanding from my posts.
My comments were directed at the newspaper in question, and the two reporters who falsely attributed a quote to me. I do not believe either of them to be Freepers. I have no quarrel with any posters, with you, or with Free Republic in this matter. Please read my post 15 in the context of my post 12.
I understand that this is your site, and I understand your rules.
THURSDAY MARCH 1, 2007 Last modified: Thursday, March 1, 2007 1:04 AM EST
Wrentham police accuse pair of trying to discredit them
BY MICHAEL GELBWASSER SUN CHRONICLE STAFF
WRENTHAM - In a complaint filed Wednesday with the state Ethics Commission, Wrentham's police union accuses Selectmen Jennifer Firth and John Zizza of trying to discredit the police department.
The Wrentham Police Association also accuses Firth of trying to undermine the process of choosing Police Chief Joseph Collamati's successor through comments during the selectmen's Jan. 2 closed session and the Feb. 6 public session.
"The Wrentham Police Association firmly believes Selectwoman Firth is engaged in an effort to undermine the selection process for chief of police by way of removing the position from civil service and placing the position under the control of the board of selectmen," the complaint states.
Selectmen have been discussing whether the post's status should change.
"Ms. Firth's motive and bias is evidenced by her comments regarding police political activity being punished by denying promotion and her fabricated allegations that a police officer made criminal threats to kill a political candidate," the complaint continues.
The union also alleges that Chairwoman Mary Dunn said during the Jan. 2 closed session that Collamati "uses his uniform to do evil."
Selectmen discussed Collamati's retirement plans at that time, according to the complaint, which union President William McGrath provided to The Sun Chronicle on Wednesday.
Firth alleged on Feb. 6 that a Wrentham police officer threatened online to kill a selectman two years ago.
The union accuses Zizza of stating at that time that he "read the blog and confirmed the police officer is identified, adding credibility to the false allegations made by Selectwoman Firth's criminal allegations."
The Norfolk County District Attorney's office last week found no evidence that a police officer made the threat on the Web site freerepublic.com against Gregory Pazurchek, who was running for re-election but lost.
The union has called for Firth's resignation. She has declined.
The union alleges that Dunn said on Feb. 6 that she was unaware of the blog or its contents.
However, Firth recently told an investigator for the district attorney's office that Dunn gave her the blog on Feb. 4. Firth also told the investigator that Dunn gave Collamati a copy of the blog two years ago.
Firth has said she is under the belief the ethics commission only investigates those who have a financial interest in a matter, something she denies she has here.
Dunn and Zizza couldn't be reached, and Firth declined to comment Wednesday, saying the issue has become confidential for the board.
A closed meeting has been scheduled for tonight, and the issue is expected to be discussed, The Sun Chronicle has learned.
MICHAEL GELBWASSER can be reached at 508-236-0372 or at mgelbwasser@thesunchronicle.com.
What is this all about? Anyone got a link to the thread the comment is taken from?
I coulda been famous!