Mr. Edelson vs Free Speech

Friends - I started a blog on conditions at the Southbury animal shelter about a week ago – and it received quite a few comments.   There are a lot of folks who are concerned that our animal pals might not be receiving decent care and feeding at the shelter.  That’s just who we are as a people – most of us anyway.

However – I fear that someday I may be writing a blog on the lack of decent shelter for the prisoners at the local Gulag for those who speak out against our government.   I have close relatives who were imprisoned (some never made it out) in what were essentially concentration camps in Eastern Europe – so I don’t take our freedoms lightly – especially the First Amendment – which is the foundation upon which our other liberties are built.

If you think that will never happen in America – consider the case of Duane Manville.  Duane has been a Southbury patrol officer in our Police Force for over 21 years – and is still working in that capacity.  Here’s what happened to Duane when he dared to express his opinion at one of Mr. Edelson’s Board of Selectman meetings.

·         On May 2, 2013 – Duane attended a Board of Selectman meeting at the Town Hall.

·         Duane stood up and spoke his mind – truthfully as he recalls - on a particular subject that he was concerned about - that we won’t get into here.

·         At the meeting – Duane was speaking as a private citizen as he was off duty.

·         After Duane made his comments – it was reported that Mr. Edelson sat quietly and said nothing.

·         A few days later he received a letter from Mr. Edelson – threatening him with a two week suspension without pay – from his job as a police officer. 

·         I’m told that a copy of this letter (it may have been an email) can be obtained thru Freedom of Information Act.  If I had a copy – I’d probably print it here.

·         It’s not clear to me as to where his case now stands – but I do know that Duane is quite concerned over his job and the possibility that he might actually be suspended. 

·         I don’t believe that Duane is willing to give up his rights to free speech.  What would you do in his situation?

Is free speech a right only for those town employees who speak kindly of Edelson and what he does?  

Is it right for Edelson to persecute a town employee who speaks out as a private citizen at a public forum?

Will this incident have a chilling effect on other town employees and residents from ever speaking openly about town matters important to them? 

Isn’t it ironic that Mr. Edelson – who so stridently hypes the anti-Nazi “Home of the Brave“ movie – is the man who attempts to limit an honorable man’s free speech through harsh sanctions – right in our own town? 

Let’s show our support for Duane Manville by throwing Mr. Edelson out of office on Election Day – November 5th!