Let’s Not Destroy Another Part of Concord’s History!!

I love Concord, and have never been silent about my love for this city and its people. Nor have I been silent about my feelings with regard to the history found here and my feelings of loss whenever we lose a bit of that history.

Concord is once again in danger of losing something of historic value – City Councilor and state Rep. Dick Patten, D-Concord.

Already there are individuals sharpening their . Some of the villagers are preparing the torches and pitchforks.

I am not a personal friend of Dick. He did serve, for a while, on the board of a non-profit that I worked for. I also appeared on his television program in my role as special events coordinator for that agency. I also worked with Dick to arrange an interview for his show with celebrated Emmy-winning actress Eileen Fulton who delightfully stated that Dick a better interviewers than “those on Entertainment Tonight.”

His name, however, is one with which I have been familiar for decades and it is a name that longtime members of the Concord community hold in high esteem.

“If you want to get something done and have it done correctly, ask Dick Patten,” stated one former Concord official to me back in 2001.

Throughout the many years of his public service, Dick has proved that to be true. He has worked tirelessly in a variety of arenas to make Concord a better place for all of us to live, whatever our political persuasion or religious affiliation. His name has become synonymous with all that is good about Concord.

Did Councilor Patten possibly overstep his role in trying to obtain answers for a friend? Maybe, although that will be up to the appropriate parties to determine.

Did Councilor Patten deliberately set out to do something that could be perceived as inappropriate? From decades of working with tens of thousands of individuals in the community, more than likely not.

There are calls for Councilor Patten to step down or to be removed from office and should this happen, the loss to the city would be incalculable.

When measured against the decades of service to Concord, this infraction if it is determined to be so, should receive a reprimand and I have a feeling Dick would voluntarily curb his natural tendency to jump into the fray and help anyone and everyone without a moment’s pause. Others too might learn a lesson about walking the fine line you must walk as a public official.

To lose Dick Patten’s years of experience and record of public service and commitment after a flawless record marred only by this current and as yet unresolved matter, would be a loss for the City Council who can rely on that experience when debating matters that affect all of us.

I hope everyone will take a step back and consider the ramifications of a hasty rush to judgment and give a justifiably beloved local figure an opportunity to be heard. After all, isn’t civility the Concord way?