The Public Waits-This Day In Norwood History-September 30, 1938

(Editorial)

For a matter of weeks the town waited for the charges against the General Manager.

Last week those charges were presented and the manager was suspended from his office. The charges to the townspeople left much to be desired. They were phrased in general terms. The town settled in to await the hearing which would reveal in detail the exact nature of those charges. This week the selectmen failed to set a hearing date. It becomes obvious at no amplification of those charges will be made before the special election on October 11th. It becomes obvious that the majority of the Board do not intend to give the voters, with whom the issue now rests, an opportunity to know all the facts before they make their decision. Stalling, which has already done so much to hurt the town by its prolongation of publicity and indecision, is apparently to be the policy with regard to the hearing.

Little more than a week remains before the special election. By that election the three majority members of the Board go on trial before the townspeople. Charges have been made against them in the recall petition. These charges, to any who have followed reports of purchasing and of the dissension between the manager and the selectmen, are clearly defined. There remains a week in which they may be answered, and it is hoped that the majority members of the Board see fit to answer them. Given this answer the voters ‘may at least go to the polls with some basis for their vote. Not only should the selectmen make themselves clear on the charges in the recall petition, but also all candidates opposing them should make themselves clear on what their position is in regard, to the issue involved, namely the interpretation of the Charter. Only as the issue in the election is clearly defined can the election determine the character of Norwood’s government. Any failure to define the issue either on the part of the seleòtfnen or the other candidates -can only be construed as a lack of real ground for action. The public waits for clarification which, contrary to fairness to the town and the manager, has been too long delayed.