A vote for Harrington is a vote for needed change

By Guest

Dear Editor:

I am writing in support of Select Board candidate Susan Harrington to help bring the changes that are needed to our town government and our Police Department. I have known Select Board member John Connolly and Police Chief Helena Rafferty for many years, but the time for change has come to give this great town the new start that it needs.

As a lifelong resident of Canton, I have always felt safe while growing up and raising my family in town. But, starting with the events of January 29, 2022, this town has taken sides and has become dramatically divided as one poor policing decision after another left many residents with a mistrust of the Canton Police Department and unsatisfactory answers or even guidance from their commissioners, the Canton Select Board.

As one of the 903 who voted in favor of an independent audit of the CPD in November of 2023, I was told by a former CPD officer that I can’t support the audit and still support the Canton Police Department. In other words, I could not have it both ways. I argue that I can. Canton has a great number of good officers that deserve better leadership, and leadership starts at the top.

It is time to start the search for a new police chief with no ties to the town of Canton. A vote for Susan Harrington will bring that change, but a vote for John Connolly will not. It will be business as usual.

Susan Harrington believes that investing in our police department to better ensure officers have strong leadership, additional training, and essential resources is the way to change. Her articulate input at Select Board meetings has proven that repeatedly.

I believe that a vote for Susan Harrington is the right vote for Canton. I challenge the good citizens of Canton to stand proudly and vote for change and not fall back on what feels comfortable. No more business as usual!

Respectfully,

Gary Titus

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