Candidate Says Passover Controversy Shows Lack of Leadership

The big topic in Seekonk for the past several days has been the scheduling of the special Town Meeting on March 25, the first night of the Jewish holiday Passover. Selectmen will meet Wednesday to consider rescheduling the meeting. Selectmen candidate Paul Buckley issued the following statement about the issue:

I was there at the Feb. 27 selectmen meeting. The town administrator cautioned the selectmen about the date and it being a holy week. Additionally, two selectmen mentioned that March 25 was the beginning of Passover. After some discussion, which did not include the holiday issue, they all voted for the date.

It is unfortunate that they did not consider what they were voting for with some sensitivity to the Passover holiday and now we are getting headlines that are an embarrassment to the town of Seekonk.

Furthermore, it is also unfortunate that some members who voted in support of the date later did not sign the warrant and later still recanted their vote. How can an elected official speak out against a vote they previously took?

The lack of leadership, communication, along with understanding and sensitivity for the voters is the real issue. The town of Seekonk desperately needs members on its Board of Selectmen with the right qualities that avoids these types of situations.