I would like to comment on the article in the Sun Journal on Feb. 18 concerning one of the candidates for the position of road commissioner of Sabattus being from out of town.

The Sabattus police chief, as well as several of the full-time officers and the animal control officer, live out of town. Also the town administrator, town clerk and the other two office employees are from out of town. Three out of the five water department employees and four out of the seven public works employees are from out of town. The school superintendent, principal, vice principal, director of transportation and head custodian also all live out of town.

The way I see it, the selectmen have already set the precedent that experience and qualifications are more important than where you live.

John Hyde should not be shunned because of where he lives. History has shown that if this were a hired position rather than elected, his place of residence would not matter. Mr. Hyde has been a Sabattus public works employee for over 10 years and has been the crew foreman for the last nine years. Should we elect somebody with little or no experience just because they live in Sabattus?

Could perhaps the reason that two out of the three selectmen are expressing concern over this matter be that one of them has a son and one of them has a father also running for the road commissioner opening?

Jeff Ward, Sabattus

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