Explains Reason
For Resignation

I am writing to set the record straight regarding the minutes of the March 26 Bethel selectboard meeting, as they appear on the Bethel website.

The minutes read, "Chairman Fox said he wished to set in place a format by which Selectboard meetings would henceforth be conducted in the interests of minimizing disruptions, providing a better opportunity for members of the public to present thoughts to the Board without interruptions, enabling Board members to more clearly focus on matters of business.

To eliminate the need for use of the photocopier periodically through the meeting, he offered Chris Costanzo, as "Herald of Randolph" reporter, a packet of information relating to business on the evening's agenda. Mr. Costanzo considered that the rules of procedure being set forth were an affront to his own participation at Selectboard meetings, expressed that he would no longer serve as reporter, and left at this time."

The minutes fail to mention that chairman Neal Fox, at the very outset of his utterance, singled me out personally as being particularly culpable as a disruptor of previous selectboard meetings. In fact, he began by announcing that he had a "headline for The Herald," specifically that he and the board thought I was too disruptive and distracting.

He then cited an instance several weeks back when another member of the public started to make notes on the blackboard regarding some facts and figures that the selectboard was discussing, and I had gone up to help him. Neal also criticized my frequent photocopying (during the selectboard meetings) of documents passed to the selectmen. And, he complained that I interrupted with too many questions.

Regardless of whether or not Neal's complaint is justified, I objected at the meeting to the manner in which he raised it. If disruptive behavior occurs during an official meeting, it is of course the chair's prerogative to call a person to order. If there is a general complaint about past behavior, it might be appropriate to raise the issue with the individual unofficially. But I think it is inappropriate during a formal public meeting, before anything has happened, for a publicly-elected official to submit any free and independent constituent to public chastisement about past behavior, as if the constituent were his subordinate or employee. That was the "affront," not the new rules of procedure (as the minutes say).

As many know, Neal Fox usually runs a free and very informal meeting, and there is often free and informal discussion between selectmen and the public. I think this is good. Like others, I participate in that spirit. Sometimes I raise my hand to speak, and sometimes I don't. It depends on the prevailing atmosphere in that small, informal, intimate little room where the selectboard meets.

If anyone becomes disorderly it's the chair's prerogative to call things to order. Occasionally—but very occasionally—Neal does so. Over the years the selectboard has been extremely indulgent even on those occasions when someone's behavior has been indisputably disruptive. I expect the same consideration. One of my cardinal rules has been that my role as a correspondent must not alter my status as a citizen.

It is clear that, now, I personally, rather than my news articles, have become a target of official public assessment and analysis in the community. For that reason, as well as the select board’s attitude towards me, and the misleading entry in the minutes, I believe the moment has arrived for me to lower my profile in the community and to yield the role of correspondent to someone else.

All indications are that Bethel is entering a Renaissance. The downtown is becoming revitalized. The town hall is poised for a major phase in its restoration this year. The selectboard continues to work to keep costs down. The school board is leading a series of initiatives that will allow Bethel once again to have a cost-effective school in a way that may benefit the region as well as the town.

I look forward to seeing all this happen, and I wish the community well.

Christopher D. Costanzo

Bethel