Apology in Houlton

I am writing this letter of apology to the citizens of Houlton for my failure to act when the town council meeting of Oct. 26 was turned into a political forum during the period reserved for councilors’ comments. While one of the councilors was very concerned about using the council meeting as a political forum for the incumbents, the council chair decided to allow it.

My responsibility was the operation of the cable TV system televising this council meeting and I learned after the fact that the council chair was incorrect in her decision and I should have shut down the broadcast.

The problem created by allowing the incumbents to use the council meeting as a political forum when the others running for town council could not be guaranteed equal time became more obvious when the votes were counted. There were only 30 votes between a re-elected incumbent (675 votes) and the next candidate (645 votes).

I feel very responsible for allowing this to happen as while it was the responsibility of the council chair to not allow the meeting to be used as a poltical forum, it was my responsibility to control the broadcast. Many worked hard to get the council meetings televised and I hope my error does not, in any way, jeoparize having this continue. I ask the citizens of Houlton, and esepcially those who ran for town coincil, to accept my sincere apology for my neglect. Pete White President Houlton Citizens Coalition (Also a candidate for town council with 430 votes)