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NEWS RELEASE
March 23, 2021—I want to thank the Select Board for starting forums where people can come to be heard. I listened to every word in both sessions on Wednesday, and I’m pleased with this start to opening up communications. Everyone who has spoken, regardless of their views, has been respectful and civil, in alignment with how we should talk to each other.
I have friends in the WPD whom I have known for over 35 years and who have nothing to do with these searches. So this past week I was heartbroken when my sister informed me that she was the target of an illegal search. She spoke about this in a radio interview, and later that evening was a victim of vandalism to her vehicle. Her husband reported the act directly to Acting Chief Ziemba. I share this to give everyone insight into the lenses through which I look at this entire situation. I need my sister, her husband, and especially my young nephews to feel safe in our town.
I am glad that Acting Chief Ziemba has opened the door to transparency and accountability in our police department. His notifying the victims of the searches took courage. That is how you start to develop trust again in our community.
Right now, no one knows the consequences for the officers of these illegal acts. We need that information to be released as soon as possible by the Select Board or police department. Fear is driving these actions – fear of change, fear of transparency, and most of all, fear about the end of an era and the unknown regarding how law enforcement will be managed across Massachusetts.
I have asked the Select Board and the committee tasked with the search for an interim police chief to ensure that the candidate they choose is up to speed with all of the policing reforms that Governor Baker signed into law, effective July 1st, 2021.
I want to help all parties to heal. As Wendy Penner noted in Wednesday’s listening session, 20 people were searched so there are 20 different feelings associated with this situation, and each one should be valued equally. I was informed that some of the individuals searched have received personal apologies from the specific officers. Others may be in the works. I have reached out to Acting Chief Ziemba to offer support to go with the 3 officers if they personally apologize if doing so meets the needs of the individuals searched.
Our hearts are broken and need to be healed. These same hearts need to work together to heal our town. It will take time. Public conversations have begun and as we move forward, all ideas should be welcome to help heal this town. We need to uncover the truth, call for accountability and, then work together to find the right path forward.
NEWS RELEASE
March 14, 2021—Jeff Johnson, candidate for the open Williamstown, Massachusetts three-year Select Board seat, today weighed in on two significant issues that will face Town Meeting voters in June: the proposed school district 2020 budget and COOL Committee net zero warrant article.
Following the March 3 presentation by Dr. Jason McCandless, Mt. Greylock Regional School District School Superintendent, of the district’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget, Johnson noted: “I would like to thank School Superintendent Jake McCandless and his team for adding items to the 2022 fiscal spending plan to establish a full-day, pre-kindergarten program, and to hire a Diversity Coordinator. The proposed full-day, pre-kindergarten program is an exciting new support for parents, assuring that their child will be able to access quality, free, pre-K instruction which we know enables parents to return to work and provides a significant boost to lifelong learning capabilities for the child—a win-win all around. And there has never been a more critical time, given recent events at the high school, to bring on board a Diversity Coordinator for student and faculty support. This position offers options to enhance our students' growth in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. I could not be happier with these additions. I’m optimistic that our School Committee will pave the way for Williamstown citizens to use their vote to affirm that these are initiatives we want here.”
“I wanted to thank Williamstown COOL [Carbon Dioxide Lowering] Committee members Stephanie Boyd and Nancy Nylen for last week's presentation to the Select Board on the forthcoming Net Zero warrant article. As I said then, I share their passion to get us back on track with this new initiative and I favor the partnership with Williams College in this area as well. I did reach out directly to the COOL Committee to offer my support and already heard back from Cool Committee member Wendy Penner, who extended an invitation to their next community meeting. I look forward to collaborating with the Committee on our shared goal of attaining a net zero carbon footprint by 2050 in Williamstown.”