Windham County Sheriff's Department
~ Breaking News ~

Editor of the Reformer:

It has come to my attention that there is something brewing in Bellows Falls that most people may not be aware of. If any of you were watching last Tuesday's trustees meeting (11/13/07), you will know of what I speak. If you did not see it, I suggest that you turn to FACT-TV and find out when they will replay it again.

It appears that our Trustees are entertaining the thought of closing the BF Police Department down and contracting out the service. Part of last Tuesday's meeting was a presentation from Windham County Sheriff Keith Clark with his proposal for policing the village.

I agree that BF needs to look at all of their options, and make changes when necessary, however, I am wondering what is going on in this case. I have been watching the papers, and the news for the reaction from the community, and it appears that there has been very little coverage at all, on this subject. If you watch the show, you will see there are timelines and dates mentioned throughout the presentation and questions. We are looking at a price quote from Sheriff Clark that is valid until June 30, 2008, which is also the date that the current contract with the police union runs out and will need to be renegotiated. One is led to think that a decision will not be made until closer to then.

There were very few people in the audience, but several comments and questions were made. When asked if this would be put to vote by the residents, Clark Barber stated that the trustees were allowed to make this decision on their own and when it was reworded as a request to put it before the voters, Mr. Barber said they would take it under advisement. Then near the end of this portion of the meeting, Mr. Barber made the comment that this would be decided by the end of the year.

So what is really going on here? I strongly encourage all Bellows Falls voters to wake up. Watch the meeting, if you can. This is stuff you need to know about. This is something major and if the village does not speak up soon, a very few people will be making the decision for you.

I have my own opinions on Sheriff Clark and his style of law enforcement, but that is not what this is about. I think this is something the village as a whole needs to decide, and I hope that the trustees come to their senses on this before they commit the village to something the people may not want. I say, let the people decide.

Rebecca Johnson,

Bellows Falls, Nov. 19