It’s none of your business.

That’s the message Auburn sent to its residents when the city refused to release a report that details the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Mayor Norm Guay in August.

City Manager Pat Finnigan, however, was not at all reluctant to provide a scathing “summary” of the information contained in the report. In November, she accused members of the Police Department of abusing their authority and trying to intimidate a political opponent. These are serious allegations, and the public has the right to know the facts behind them.

But, so far, the document that Finnigan says supports her charges has been kept secret, even from the City Council. That’s outrageous.

Guay was arrested Aug. 4 and charged with drunken driving, despite passing a blood alcohol test. The Police Department and the city are embroiled in contentious contract negotiations. Finnigan blames the tension on the police union and believes the mayor’s arrest and the charges that followed were the result of a malicious abuse of power.

Members of the Police Department, who have seen their integrity called into serious question, publicly sought the release of the report during a council meeting Monday night.

Lawyers for the city say the report can’t be released because it contains information that could lead to disciplinary action. The cops involved have offered to sign waivers so the public can see the information. They believe it will restore their good names.

Right now, the only people who have seen the report are the Portland lawyers who compiled it, Finnigan and Chief of Police Richard Small.

This is most certainly the public’s business. The city and its Police Department are at each other’s throats. The credibility of the city government is at stake. And residents are left to choose sides: Do we believe the police officers or do we believe city administrators?

City leaders must be prepared to back up their allegations of wrongdoing with evidence. Otherwise, this affair will never be settled.


Still time


The flu has made its debut in Maine. The state confirmed Monday the first case of the disease for the season.

For most people, catching the flu means a few days of misery. But for others, the viral infection can be deadly. About 36,000 people die nationwide each year from the flu. Most of those are the very young, the elderly or the sick.

Everyone, after talking with a doctor, should get a flu vaccination. We’ve all heard the excuses: “I’m young,” “I’m healthy,” “I don’t like needles,” “I don’t have time.” The more people who are immunized, the slower the disease spreads and the fewer people – even among those who didn’t get the shot – who will get sick

The height of the flu season runs from December to March. It’s not too late to get vaccinated and prevent a little misery.
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