Date: 6/5/2023
Last week The Reminder reported that Tom Christensen had been appointed our next Town Manager. I like Tom very much and enjoyed working with him on projects when he was Deputy Superintendent of Public Works. I think he will do a fine job. But it is how his anointing took place that really bothers me --and should bother you, too.
The Charter provides that the Council selects the Town Manager position. But it was the Town Manager herself who selected Tom to become Deputy Manager.
The Council had made three half-hearted attempts to fill the position over the last 18 months, but no outside applicant was good enough or qualified enough. The final applicant they turned down this week “had too many ideas that might upset the department heads.” Mr. Christensen was not accused of this; if he did have many ideas, he wisely kept them to himself. I for one feel the Town would have benefited from some fresh ideas. Look who is on the Council – a former EL school principal, a former EL selectman, two former Planning Board members. The Council did not want anyone who might “rock the boat”. According to The Reminder, one Councilor praised Mr. Christensen as “refreshing” and that “he spoke from his core”, which is basically just a platitude. Another was concerned about Mr. Flaherty’s possible “shopping lists of things he feels need addressing”. How awful. Another pointed out that the existing department heads “know and respect Tom”. Duh. How could they know Mr. Flaherty? Only Councilor O’Shea pointed out the obvious – that the Council represents the people’s interests, not the department heads, and that Mr. Flaherty had a variety of experience, had extensively researched the Town and was prepared. Others also praised Mr. Flaherty, but to no great surprise, the Councilors’ vote was 6-1 for Mr. Christensen, and to continue the happy dance between the Council and the Manager and department heads.
Some people have said “the fix was in”, but I believe the problem is much deeper than that. It’s the “old boy” network afraid of change and genuinely believing that change is dangerous and outsiders should be avoided at all costs. Staying in the sandbox and playing nice is the key. The Townspeople must agree --look at Tuesday’s ballot where you found not one contested race for the people who run our Town.
R Patrick Henry, Jr.
East Longmeadow
