Finally, Paris says 'enough'

Finally, the Paris Board of Selectmen has attempted to put a stop to the ongoing slander and innuendo against its police department that has been flung about at almost every board meeting in the past few months.

The divisive, mud-slinging allegations, based on rumor with not one iota of proof has gone on for long enough. As board Chair Sam Elliot said last Monday, it hurts the morale of everyone at the town office. It affects law enforcement personnel as well as everyone else.

And it has gone on for far too long.

So kudos to Bob Kircherr and Elliot for shutting them up ... at least for now.

But will that be the end of it? We doubt it. Of course, the appointment of Rick Little to the budget committee makes one wonder if the board isn't setting it up so that the police department is shut down in favor of Little's campaign to hire the Sheriff's Department.

We know Little has a personal agenda. He has been very vocal about it.

The town has a specific ethics policy that addresses conduct, self-interest, and requires all to be independent and impartial. We shall see.

We commend Little though for stepping up to the plate. We have no patience with people who complain and criticize without being willing to offer solutions and take a role in resolving issues.

Regardless of whether we agree with his solutions, Little is actively attempting to be part of the solution.

Every town needs people to do this.

We hope the selectmen will continue to keep a lid on the divisiveness and move forward with constructive governing of the town.