Community Corner
Vernon Keeps the Legal Team of Cummings, Burke and Foran
The council endorses Mayor Daniel Champagne's appointments.
Vernon's legal team was kept in order on Tuesday as the Town Council approved Harold "Hal" Cummings as town attorney and Martin Burke and Elizabeth Foran as assistant town attorneys.
The appointment of Cummings by Mayor Daniel Champagne was approved 7-4 along party lines and Burke and Foran were endorsed unanimously.
What was the difference?
Cummings role as Republican Town Committee, according to council Democrats.
Michael Winkler said a good portion of his prepared speech were "relevant" only if Cummings relinquished his role as GOP chief and acknowledge, "conflicts between being town attorney the Republican chair."
No one said a word, so Winkler continued, "He looks for the biggest name to run for mayor and recruits that person. He promises the mayor that he'll have his back.
"Interpretations of the Charter with Harold Cummings as town attorney have created a strong mayor form of government when the Charter calls for a strong council."
Democrat Ann Letendre said it is "not good government." Both Pauline Schaefer and Virginia Gingras stressed the perception of conflict.
Republican John Kopec said the legal team consists of "top-notch people who do their jobs very well."
Republican Bill Campbell said he was voting for Cummings, Burke and Foran while overlooking the assistants' Democratic ties.
"What's before us has nothing to do with who is party chairman. This is a motion about appointing a town attorney ands that's it. In my opinion Hal Cummings has done a great job time after time," he said while adding feels the same way about Burke and Foran.
Then Campbell and republican Brian Motola pointed out they were voting for two Democrats as assistant town attorneys. "And I'm sure Bo is going to do a great job despite having a few political signs on his lawn," Motola said, calling Burke by his familiar nickname.
Schaefer suggested the council send out a request for proposal tot he positions.
Republicans countered that the lawyers practice locally.
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