Vile stew in Stetson

Anyone watching the TV news or reading the Bangor Daily News articles would think some Stetson residents did not know if they were coming or going, and they may be right. What may have started as merely a clash of personalities has now turned into a vile and poisonous stew. As is often the case, a news story will present only part of what is actually happening. There are two sides to every issue.

Well-meaning elected officials from the smallest town to the halls of Congress have one trait that frequently surfaces. After settling in to their “public service” job and getting familiar with the “good ol’ boys” system, it becomes imperative to protect one’s turf at all costs. As time passes, it becomes obvious (in their mind) that the voters who put them in office -and who pay their salaries – don’t know what is good for their own well being. Therefore, it is the good ol’ boys’ sworn duty to force any rules and regulations they deem fitting, down the voters’ throats whether they like it or not. As this attitude becomes more entrenched, and their constituents refuse to accept big-brother-knows-best policies, friction is bound to occur. This is what took place in Stetson.

At our annual May election, one selectman position, of a three-person board, was up for grabs. When it was won by yet another newcomer which put them in the voting majority, the old guard knew some changes could be in store.

Most of the planning board, both office clerks, and the one remaining old guard selectman resigned in less than one week. When this tactic only slowed town affairs to a crawl, things really got nasty. Through it all, our duly elected newcomers have done the best they could, under the circumstances, held fast and have not resigned.

Charles E. Leighton

Janet D. Leighton

Stetson