Judy Anderson [03/19/2004]

To the editor: It was brought to my attention that Commissioner Duane and Wayne Derouin have been having closed-door meetings in the back room of Up Country Saloon, which Derouin owns. This seems to be a pattern with them, as they were also noted to be meeting last April to July, with Dewhurst, Galligon and Halpin, consistently, prior to normal business hours, at Derouin's place of ownership. Now, everyone knows that Derouin is running for commissioner in the up coming March 31 election of North Conway Water Precinct. Is it proper for a present commissioner to be having private meetings with a candidate of an up coming election? Are the other two commissioners aware of these meetings? The commissioners are not supposed to be acting alone regarding precinct business, at any time, and Commissioner Duane has consistently done that! I'm wondering if Jim Umberger could receive the same courtesy that Derouin is receiving, inside information prior to the election! Another concern I have, is whether or not Derouin can officially run for office of commissioner of North Conway Water Precinct. To my knowledge, as part of his settlement with North Conway Water Precinct, he can never work for the precinct again. Well, commissioners receive W2 forms at the end of the year, so isn't that working for the precinct? I know that legal council has interpreted this as, they are elected officials and they aren't employees. The auditor has stated that if you receive a W2 form, you are an employee, no matter what!! There is a fine line here of how this should be interpreted, but why should the resident tax payers of the precinct have to put up with more undermining issues, in addition to what we have already endured this past year? Is Derouin going to follow suit with commissioner Duane and continue the unethical behavior that she has shown, if he gets elected on March 31? What will become of our precinct then? Please get out and vote on March 31 at John Fuller School!