Letter: The Conflicted Elected and The Candidates in Manchester

To the Editor,

Earlier, I posted a note of concern regarding violence in Manchester's school system and how that damages us all. I conveyed frustration with the resistance to make change among our elected officials. I received a great deal of feedback.

One message, in particular, was enlightening. I was alerted to the enormity of challenges regarding the conflicted elected within our Manchester town ranks — conflicted elected being those in office, and those that seek office, whose first loyalties will not be fully aligned with Manchester's.

We need to screen out, by vote, or by legal action, those individuals whose primary loyalty is in conflict with the town's interests. The old notion that no person can serve two masters still applies. The current dysfunction observed in the schools, dysfunction within our redevelopment, and economic development boards can be blamed, at least partially, on conflicts of interests.

Generally, a reduced and inefficient quality of governance should be expected until we ban hidden and conflicted interests. Candidates need to disclose before being elected, and citizens need to know whose first loyalties we can rely upon.

John Formosa

Manchester

Patch welcomes letters to the editor on any topic, and reserves the right to edit letters for brevity or clarity. Acceptable letters regarding political candidates will refer to the positive qualities of the candidate; letters which are considered negative toward a candidate's opponent will be edited or unpublished. Email letters, including the writer's name, address and phone, to chris.dehnel@patch.com.

Patch Staff Graphic