From Town Tribune, October 19, 2017. To the Editor:  Clay Cope is not being honest with Sherman citizens. I say this in response to a recent campaign mailer where Mr. Cope and Mr. Ostrosky seek to take credit for two major capital projects at the Sherman School. This bit of self-congratulation claims that “voters supported our suggested investments in new school boilers and roof repairs.” I was deeply involved with both projects as a member of the Board of Education and worked with the, then, town facilities manager to develop and advance these major improvements. What we encountered in the first Selectman’s office was obstruction, foot-dragging and shilly-shallying. No decision was taken without consulting the town attorney, adding weeks of delay and extra expense. This is poor leadership. If anyone deserves credit for the success of both projects it is former facilities manager Frank Spaziani, former Superintendent Don Fiftal and the Sherman Board of Education.

The flyer goes on to claim credit for new firehouse equipment, public works fleet, senior van and Parks and Recreation assets. I think Mr. Cope could, at least, acknowledge the hard work and contributions of the many town employees and citizen volunteers on all of these projects. He did not. Poor leadership.

Speaking of the town attorney, can anyone tell me who it is? I lost track during the fiasco of the proposed winery regulations when we were paying the Planning and Zoning land use attorney to argue for the regulations when Mr. Cope, unilaterally, hired a another attorney to argue against them! Absurd leadership

A few more examples will stand for many:
1. The Sand Pro purchasing debacle. Clay Cope sought to hide his dishonesty with Sherman taxpayers.

2. Years of sidestepping the water sodium content issue at the school and town center. Weak leadership.

3. Six years of failing to renovate a 2-seat outhouse

4. My pet peeve – an inability to have functioning public address systems for meetings in the town hall and firehouse and this year even for the Memorial Day ceremony at Veterans Field.

Mr. Cope and Mr. Ostrosky give us a motto of “real leadership and real results.” I think it is more like poor leadership and mixed results.

We need a change at the top: new, engaged and active leadership. Please vote for Don Lowe and Kevin Keenan.

Joseph Keneally, Sherman