Mary Connolly:
September 12, 2007
Letter to the Editor / News-Times
HODGE FINED BY THE FOI COMMISSION
It is extremely rare for a public official to be personally fined by the FOI Commission for repeated and numerous violations of the Freedom of Information Act. WOW! This is the second time in the last month a New Fairfield resident had a bellyful of the town hall shenanigans [having requests to review public information stonewalled], filed a formal complaint against John Hodge and then won the case against him.
I obtained an audio CD of the Final Hearing that included the latest adjudication against Mr. Hodge. In addition to a severe tongue lashing, a civil penalty in the form of a personal fine was imposed by the Hearing Officer. WOW! What was quite surprising is that Mr. Hodge chose not attend his hearing and defend himself, but sent New Fairfield’s Town Consul to represent him. Our Town Consul had to make 3 or 4 trips to Hartford and write a few lengthy legal briefs in a futile attempt to defend the indefensible position of his leader related to the two separate FOI Act complaints ~ and Mr. Hodge predictably lost both cases. I wonder what defending the 1st Selectman’s transgressions has cost us taxpayers in legal bills for Town Consul’s efforts?
Considering the attempted Board of Finance power grab/coup that is still in process, coupled with the FOI Commission’s reprimanding him on two separate cases in the last 30 days, can you see the dictatorial pattern of behavior that has become a very visible trademark of our 1st Selectman? Tune on Channel 17 and watch him in action at televised meetings when things do not go his way.
In 6 or 7 weeks we need to vote for change at the top of the ticket in New Fairfield and restore civility to Town Hall.
Doug Thielen
New Fairfield
