A recent Cape Cod Times article (I've no link here because the Times now requires a subscription to view it online) stated that I wrote a personal letter to the state on behalf of Constable George Morse. The only "personal" part about it was that I personally wrote the letter.
Here's an excerpt: "It is my understanding that Mr. Morse filed a complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination...Based on my admittedly cursory knowledge of Massachusetts law, I believe that M.G.L. Ch. 276 § 100C, and M.G.L. Ch. 151B, § 4, and 804 CMR 3.01 may have been violated."
I've no intention of pointing fingers or fanning flames, so this is the extent of what I'm willing to share at this point.
As a selectman, I must look out for the best interests of the town, and a state investigation or judgment against the town is clearly not in Falmouth's best interest. However, before I could take office as a selectman, I had to take an oath. I swore to uphold our laws.
What do you do when upholding the law may not be in the best interest of the community? Do the town's interests trump possible violations of the law?
The short answer is no, but we can handle the situation discretely.
I am sworn to uphold the law, and if the town did something wrong, the state needs to know. In this case, I saw what I thought was a violation of the law, so I reported it to the appropriate authorities. Withholding information or covering-up is never in our town's best interest. Hence, the letter.
Yet, few knew of the letter - written almost a year ago - until recently. Why? Shouting this from the treetops - telling everyone far and wide that we may have goofed - isn't the best way to handle this either.
It's a fine line, but one that leans toward the side of the law. As it always should.
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