Tom's Letter to the Community

I have started to write this several times and I just couldn’t get it to feel right. Now I think I have it.

If you read the latest edition of the Pomfret Times, you will notice an obvious orchestrated attack on Mrs Emilio. I for one, want to apologize to Mrs Emilio for this mistreatment by the current leadership of the Pomfret Democratic Party. Knowing many people in town who are democrats, I cannot for one minute think you find attacking anyone ok. Especially when the attack is just because of the person having a different opinion, perspective or position. We are better than this. It is ok for us not to agree on things. It is another thing to attack that person for their views.

Maureen, I am calling you out on THIS ! As the sole editor of the Pomfret times, THE person who controls the narrative of OUR town paper, it belittles your reputation for this to happen. You KNOW there is absolutely no way that you would ever allow this to happen if the name were changed and YOUR name was printed.

First, Tim ( your long time bf / companion/ ? ) writes a letter attacking Mrs Emilio’s character. Saying how much she has changed. Look in the mirror Maureen, how much have you changed ? In days past, would you have not talked with your constituents during the BOS meetings ? Now you claim it is “citizens comments” not meant for discussion. I’m thinking you don’t care to answer questions now. I can name a lot of your recent missteps but I am not attacking you for anything other than the Pomfret Times.

The other two leaders of your political party spoke about Mrs Emilio’s obvious mistake in stating a percentage of the tax increases that we the taxpayers have felt over the past years. They were correct that Mrs Emilio misspoke. Mrs Emilio was quick to publicly say she had made an error. But honestly my fellow taxpayers, have you been happy with your tax increases and the services you receive for them ? I personally think that the ARPA funds might have been better spent elsewhere than on a bandstand / stage, built in the middle of the Pomfret Forest. Again, I could go deeper on it but I am not speaking about that boondoggle now.

SOOO why if the democratic leadership was so upset by a selectman misspeaking, did they not call out Maureen ? Anyone ? Anyone ? Anyone have any idea why Maureen was not called out for misspeaking ? Let’s use an example from this year ( because there are many others to choose from.) Maureen was SUPER quick to publicly, WINY radio, state that a cyclist was not hurt on her nemba obstacle course in January. Almost immediately the state of CT representative called in to WINY for clarification on the incident. The state said it definitely happened in the Pomfret Forest on the trails ( Maureen’s nemba obstacle course.) The state has proof in pictures and GPS coordinates. The state of CT did not want people to think that a cyclist was hurt on the airline trail as it is a state park. They clearly wanted people to understand that the cyclist was hurt in the Pomfret Forest which is the town’s responsibility. Financial responsibility if the cyclist decides to seek damages.

But somehow Maureen never publicly acknowledged / admitted that she misspoke. Yet the democratic leadership was ok with that ?

Do not attack people for their opinions or views. Treat others as you would like / want to be treated. It really is that easy folks. And yes there are people who will comment that the republicans are “just” the same. But I don’t see the republicans personally attacking their opponents, just the methods or the results.

As I always say, I do not vote politics. I have no horse in this race. Some of the people I most respect in town are from both parties. Those people still believe you can have a civil conversation and try to make Pomfret great together. I believe this to be true.

Respectfully,

Tom LeBlanc Pomfret Citizen