WATERFORD – A group of about 15 residents say they will use the town’s annual Fourth of July parade and celebration as a platform for launching a petition drive to recall Selectman Whizzer Wheeler.
The group, which has dubbed itself Take Back Our Waterford, includes several individuals who feel Wheeler’s politics and his demeanor have cost them both emotionally and financially.
Petitioner Mark Tempesta calls Wheeler a “dictator.”
“He seems to be thinking about doing what he wants rather than what the people want,” petitioner Marcia Hersey said. “He’s forgotten he’s working for us.”
Hersey said her group is planning a float in Tuesday’s parade to protest Wheeler and draw attention to their petition. Instead of throwing candy to children from the float, Hersey suggested the petitioners toss tea bags instead in reference to the Boston Tea Party, in which American colonists protested taxes levied by England prior to the onset of the Revolutionary War in 1774.
Yet, beyond Wheeler’s sometimes off-color missives or comments, most of what recall petitioners seem concerned with are policy and ordinance changes spearheaded by him but ultimately approved by either voters at the town’s annual meeting in March or by votes of the Board of Selectmen, which includes a total of three people, including Wheeler.
Wheeler declined comment for this report, except to say that he found it ironic that the ordinance which allows for a recall of elected officials is one that he crafted. “I find it more than ironic,” he said.
But Wheeler’s supporters in this town, first settled in 1775, say the petitioners represent only a tiny minority of the town’s estimated 1,450 people.
“He’s wonderful. He’s great when he comes in,” said Joy Smith, who runs Springer’s General Store on Route 37 in East Waterford Village. “I’ve never thought he had a bad attitude.” Judging from the talk in her store she would guess at least half the town supports Wheeler while the other half may not, Smith said.
“I think he’s doing a good job to be honest with you,” said Kenneth Bradbury, 74. Bradbury has owner property in Waterford since 1978. “I would not like to see it digress,” he said about the town. “If they want to take it back and put it back the way it was before Whizzer, that’s not the way to go. The way to go is the way he’s trying to show them.”
But the group of petitioners has a Web site, maintained by Kelly Wels. The group publishes their views on the site including their complaints against Wheeler.
Wels said she first became upset with Wheeler when he wrote to her husband, Scott, last summer while he was serving in Iraq. Wheeler asked Scott Wels to take down a small, dilapidated boat house that sits on Route 35 on the edge of the Wels’ property, saying the structure could fall down and injure someone. There was also a concern children might wander into the building and be injured. Ultimately, the town’s code enforcement officer demanded the dilapidated building be removed. The Welses blamed Wheeler for the timing of his request and being insensitive to their situation.
Colin Holme, a member of Waterford’s planning and comprehensive planning boards, said he understands how some could dislike Wheeler, but he also said the town’s annual Independence Day celebration shouldn’t be used as a platform for venting that anger.
“Having a float on the parade is taking it a bit too far,” Holme said. “If they want to take Waterford back, someone should run for selectman, that would make more sense.”
Regional Editor Scott Thistle contributed to this report.
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