Ordinances are meant to be followed

To the editor:
    We are still in shock after reading the news that Wade Hanson has been hired as the new Houlton Town Manager. We do not know him personally nor are we familiar with his qualifications for the position. However, we are amazed that the application was forwarded for consideration since it was in conflict with the town ordinance concerning nepotism; in particular, supervision of relatives. This ordinance was passed for a reason – to make town government as transparent as possible. Changing the ordinance after the fact is unbelievable.
    The process of advertising the position and then, following the due date, screening the applicants for those meeting all qualifications and considered worthy of further study has led to an amazing outcome. A candidate not eligible for the job has been unanimously judged the winner. The only task remaining is to change the requirements to make it all correct. This renders the entire process flawed and unfair. What if other qualified candidates did not apply because they mistakenly thought that the ordinance made them ineligible, only to find out that the rules didn’t really matter? Again, nobody is casting doubts on the candidate; he is not responsible for the process.
    From the information made public, we are told that this is the best possible outcome from the total of 64 applicants in the two searches. We were expecting personnel management experience, budget management experience and hopefully, prior experience in a similar leadership position. We cannot determine from the information provided that any of this is the case. Again, this has nothing to do with Mr. Hanson and everything to do with the process.
    You advertised for a town manager and chose someone without any appreciable managerial experience and who was ineligible for the position according to Houlton town ordinances. Now we need to reduce government transparency to make it all work out. Great job folks!
Roger and Kathy Dyer
Houlton