Costanzo Issue Was Disturbing

I am concerned about actions of the selectboard in Bethel. Chris Costanzo, a citizen or our town and reporter for The Herald of Randolph was ordered by the selectboard chairman not to talk during future meetings. Denying our citizens and the press participation in open meetings and discussions is contrary to the basic freedoms and responsibilities of our type of government which was founded on the premise that government is "of the people, for the people, and by the people."

Might does not make right. Because of that, our founding fathers and the defenders of our country have fought to ensure that our voices be heard and that we be informed of what the government is doing.

Secrecy and too much control in government make one be concerned about egomania and megalomania.

Our government was also founded on the premise of the need for balance of power between the executive, legislative and judicial. And our public (free) press adds to the balance of power by keeping the citizenry informed.

Chris Costanzo has done an excellent job as a citizen and as a reporter for The Herald of Randolph. I am afraid of what will happen because he has been excluded from participation in selectboard meetings.

Marianne D. Brigham

Bethel

(Mr. Costanzo was not exactly ordered not to talk but was told to modify his questioning-Ed.)

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