Credit chief for low Waterville crime rate

4/7/2001

A writer recently wondered how the Waterville theft story warranted front-page coverage. Because the items stolen were “only coffee and paper,” why were the police wasting time and money on surveillance, he asked.

The writer said our police force should stick with what it does best; setting speed traps on U.S. 24. But the reason there's time for catching speeders is the virtual lack of crime in Waterville, at least outside of village offices.

Much of the credit for the low crime rate has to go to our ex-police chief, Lance Martin. His 27 years of service, 14 as our chief, have been a wonderful example of integrity and professionalism.

Now Chief Martin is gone, and therein lies the story. There were several rumored conflicts between the chief and our village administrator, “Big Boss” Tom Mattis. Many in our village feel Chief Martin may have been forced to retire because of these conflicts.

Chief Martin was simply doing his job when he used surveillance to solve the coffee caper. For Mr. Mattis to suggest the chief should have gotten his permission first is ridiculous, as Mr. Mattis works in the very offices being investigated. But no matter what your position on how “Coffeegate” was handled, no one with the service record of Chief Martin deserves to be forced out.

The story behind these events not only deserves to be front page, it begs to be investigated further.

MICHAEL KONTAK

Waterville

Linda Bowles' callous disregard for the environment and the people who work diligently to protect it, (the eco-loonies), would make James Watt and his prot g , Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton, proud.

The oil companies are using the California energy crisis to make a land grab for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Arctic oil will take 10 years to get to market, and is 3 percent of the global supply. California gets less than 1 percent of its electricity from oil, so new drilling will not affect the crisis at all.

This would be an assault on the entire ecosystem with dire consequences. This is the birthing grounds for Arctic wildlife including polar bears, grizzlies, and wolves. The 130,000 caribou Ms. Bowles suggests moving are an integral part of the food chain. Oil drilling is death to the plant and animal life as is proven by the abysmal environmental record at the Prudhoe Bay facility: 1.2 million gallons of crude, diesel fuel, and other hazardous material are spilled annually.

As a nation we must look at fuel efficiency and renewable resources rather than allow ourselves to be bullied by George Bush and his big-oil, big-money cronies.

SALLY J. KELLER

Sabra Road

Like unwelcome spring dandelions, Kest for Mayor signs have sprung up in front yards along Secor Road. We just finished the very busily signed presidential campaign last fall and now we are presented with a fresh set of signs to look at all summer.

Spring is the season of baseball starting and planting gardens; campaign signs for a fall election are out of season now. I'm glad to see enthusiasm and energy in the election process, but there is such a thing as over-eagerness and overexposure. When July and August come around, I think I will be tired of those signs.

I hope this isn't an indication of the candidate's best judgment, but an overanxious staff.

MIKE CHILDERS

Holly Glenn Drive

Bridge name? Just tell it like it is

Why not name the new bridge “The I-280 Bridge,” since that's what everyone is going to call it anyhow.

ROGER RUMMEL

Plantation Drive