In 2008, the town of Poland adopted a town charter. Many individuals worked numerous volunteer hours in its drafting, redrafting, public hearings and adoption.

It is very disheartening to see the Poland Board of Selectmen, the town’s major governing body, disregard the town charter’s provisions, which the general population voted that the town should follow.

This is a nation of laws.

In Section III, the charter spells out specific steps for the dismissal of a town manager: (a) (b) (c) and (d). None of those steps were followed in the firing of Town Manager Rose Mary Kulow.

Section IX outlines the steps for the recall of elected town officials. The townspeople are following the required steps in that process.

Poland voters should feel serious disappointment and shame for those selectmen who violated the public’s trust, and should seriously consider whether to retain these selectmen in public office when the recall comes to a vote.

Honesty and transparency are essential to good governance.

Barbara Strout, Poland