Letter: Dear People of Dalton

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To the Editor:

Attendance at the Dalton annual town meeting, which was twice Dalton's previous best, was nothing short of amazing. This level of community involvement made clear that Dalton residents do care about their town and are committed to seeing that decisions are made with the best interests of the community in mind.

I was particularly pleased because such attendance increases the likelihood that the voting more closely aligns with the wishes of the majority of residents in Dalton and clear direction is every town leader's dream. So, I thank you all for coming, for listening, for asking questions, for being engaged, for staying the many hours needed, and for casting your valued votes. Your effort was appreciated, and I will do everything I can to support your engagement in the future.

On another important note I want to mention that people who know my business helps towns with underground piping issues have asked whether I will do work for the town of Dalton. I have shared with them, and I want everyone to know, that while I am a Dalton Select Board member or a member of Dalton's Stormwater Management Commission, I will not bid on any work for the Town of Dalton.

That said, people may not know that the Fire District, which includes the Water Department in Dalton, is also a municipality separate from the Town of Dalton. Since I have no elected or appointed position in the Fire District, I have no conflict of interest that would stop me from providing services for the Fire District. Therefore, if work is needed to repair Water Department broken water mains, I will bid on and do that work as I have for years.

In closing and looking forward to the future if elected, with the decisions you have made now in place, I will continue to do the things I have promised and will always keep an eye to serving the best interests of the people of Dalton. I will also continue to rely on all of you to provide feedback on how I am doing or to raise new issues as they arise. Your comments have been invaluable and will continue to be very appreciated. I also hope the passion present at the annual town meeting continues this coming Monday, May 12, and that once again an amazing number of people participate in the town elections to make the choices of the majority of Dalton residents very clear.

Robert collins
Dalton, Mass.

 

 

 


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Letter: When the Justice System Becomes a Tool for Harassment

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

I am 74 years old. I spent 45 years in the professional painting trade and have always been known as a dedicated, law-abiding citizen, as well as a passionate self-taught artist and photographer. Yet, I have recently discovered a terrifying flaw in our legal system: it can be easily weaponized by individuals to harass and disrupt the lives of the innocent.

Just over a year ago, what began as a simple, justified complaint about unbearable noise in my apartment — my place of retirement and peace — spiraled into a nightmare. Instead of the system protecting my right to a quiet home, it allowed the upstairs neighbors to fabricate allegations and bring false criminal charges against me.

It is a bitter irony that a senior citizen with a clean record can be railroaded through a court system based on the word of individuals who show a disregard for the law. Even more distressing is seeing a parent stand by and support perjury rather than guiding their family toward integrity.

I am sharing my story because the public needs to know that simply being in the right isn't always enough to protect you. When the court allows itself to be used as a means of retaliation, it ceases to be a system of justice and becomes a system of shame. We must do better to protect our seniors from such blatant legal abuse.

Even though I moved out of that property months ago, on our most recent court date last week, the court again extended a restraining order against me based on completely unjustified complaints by the plaintiff.

We must hold our system accountable to ensure it protects the vulnerable rather than punishing them.

Sincerely,

Luciano Guadagno
Pittsfield, Mass. 

 

 

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