ATTENTION: "Silence of the Lambs" now playing in Mansfield!

In a bold and brazen move, Mansfield Board of Selectmen Chairwoman Sandra Levine silenced Mansfield residents, again. This is the second time in less than a year they have been left without a voice.

In what appeared to be a unilateral decision, or at least one made without collaboration of all selectmen, Levine announced that she was canceling the routinely scheduled question and comment segment for the duration of the summer schedule. She did not, however, commit to reinstituting this forum in the fall. Mrs. Levine only admitted to making this decision after Selectman George Dentino, an advocate of resident participation in selectmen's meetings, raised the issue.

In attempt to rationalize and justify her decision, Levine said meeting agendas were already "too full" and there wasn't "enough time" to listen to the residents.

That's what Levine said on Wednesday, May 28. However, on the topic of questions and comments Levine was quoted in the Mansfield News on May 23 as saying "she may omit the questions and comments period entirely if she cannot come up with a system where the citizen input sessions occurred at the same time at each meeting." This from a woman who is responsible for setting the agenda. A few comments

Adding insult to injury, in her lengthy diatribe Levine made the following statements in attempt to further support her posture:

"Questions and comments are not charter bound or NECESSARY."

"Town business comes first."

"Residents aren't the meat and potatoes."

"I don't want to keep people out, I want to keep them in. I want them to be our eyes and let us know where the pot holes are."

My beliefs

As I listened to Mrs. Levine pontificate, I found her comments condescending and her statements both ignorant and arrogant. She and I are again philosophically, diametrically opposed as I believe the following to be true:

Questions and comments by the residents are not only NECESSARY but are a vital and integral part of government. You should be making time for them, not putting barriers in their way or ignoring them.

The people actually drive "town business," madam. They are footing the bills for a 20 percent increase in electric rates, increases in sewer charges, astronomical legal fees and a potential debt exclusion. Perhaps if all these cost increases weren't on the horizon, residents would have more disposable income to spend on gas for your "pot hole patrol." Residents, Mrs. Levine, are actually far more than "meat and potatoes." They are the life blood of the town and as such, should be valued.

Levine took great pains in pointing out the many avenues open for residents to contact selectmen should the need arise. In this writer's opinion, she has missed the point.

There are residents that want an audience with elected and appointed officials in a public forum. They want their questions answered or concerns heard, not only by the selectmen and town manager but by the entire viewing audience.

They expect transparency in government which is a reasonable expectation, yet your actions only serve to muddy the waters. It begs the question Mrs. Levine, what are you trying to hide behind or from?

During Mansfield's Memorial Day celebration, Sandra Levine spoke to the importance of remembering those soldiers that made the ultimate sacrifice to help ensure our freedoms; she spoke to freedom of speech. Yet in some respects, she has denied that same freedom to Mansfield residents.

This past April Mrs. Levine penned a guest column in The Sun Chronicle entitled "End Mansfield's Reign of Terror."

Based on what I have observed of Levine's leadership thus far, the reign of terror has only just begun.

Pam Gagnon of Attleboro is a longtime friend and frequent companion of Mansfield Selectman George Dentino.