Ziemba, who has been serving as acting chief since the departure of Kyle Johnson in December, was vetted by a committee of concerned citizens created by the Select Board to advise the town manager, who has hiring authority under the town s charter. That committee s role was called into question on Monday when one of the residents appointed to serve announced on Facebook that she was resigning over concerns with the process that led to Ziemba s appointment. While making it clear that she had no objection to Ziemba s elevation to the position, Aruna D Souza charged that Blanchard overruled the advisory committee by not appointing its preferred candidate.
To the Editor: The last few months have witnessed much division in our town with the town manager and chief of police have been forced to retire, in light of a racially charged lawsuit brought against the town by a police officer. All part and parcel of our town s misfortunes, is the DIRE Committee s aggressive, radical campaign implying our community is racist. Albert Cummings and Tony Boskovich want a return to moderation for our town. Together they bring considerable experience, intelligence and understanding to the present circumstances, both from professional perspectives and personal ones. Many in our community thank them for stepping up and wish to support them in their campaigns for selectmen, their mutual agreement being, among other points, asking Williamstown citizens to vote.