As an observer attending a Killingworth Board of Selectmen meeting, I once asked First Selectman Marty Klein "why won't you adhere to our Town Charter". His reply was "it's vague". Mr. Klein strongly opposes following rules, as well as working as a team with the other two elected Selectmen. Marty doesn't want the advice of the other two Selectmen and he rarely keeps them informed. Indeed, at one Selectmen's meeting, Selectman Ed Sipples asked "Marty, where is the authority on this Board, among the three of us, or just you? Marty replied "just me". Ed asked the question again and Marty once again stated "just me".
In his haste in making decisions on his own, Marty has made many costly mistakes. Perhaps the biggest financial blunder in our Town's history was in the wording of a bond issued by Killingworth in 2006. According to Marty, only he alone knew that by signing it, our Town would not be able to sell, or even lease, the vacant home on the Town owned 'Bosco Property' for the next twenty years. The closing of the Reservoir Road Bridge, which apparently will not be opened until 2010, is just another example of decisions made by Marty, in haste, and without consulting with the other two Selectmen.
Marty has stated in the news media "I'm a snob, I'm arrogant. What you see is what you get". In a letter, written by Marty, that recently appeared on this web site, he states that he is guilty of being "rude". Our citizens should never be treated in this manner from a 'public servant'. Marty's 'iron fist' approach in governing is reminiscent of that used by 'rulers' long ago, before we became a democracy.
Folks, are we at a point in Killingworth's history where we have no choice but to re elect a candidate who willfully abuses our Town Charter and other rules, dislikes working as a team with our other two elected Selectmen, and admits to being rude, arrogant, and disrespectful to our citizens? I say 'NO'!' What kind of a role model is he for our youth in Killingworth'? Surely we can do better, and we deserve better; Marty's type should not be in public office!
In closing I wish to state that Ed Sipples has been the only Selectman who has had the courage to consistently defend our Town Charter, and challenge Marty's many abuses in governing our Town. For doing so, Ed has wrongfully taken a lot of flak from those who rarely, if ever, attend Selectmen meetings to know what is going on. For putting Killingworth first, Ed should most definitely be re elected to the Board of Selectmen.
Mike Board