Town of Haymarket - Votes and PD

I have lived in the Town of Haymarket VA for over 10 years. Like most of you who have lived here for a period of time, we have seen changes in the demographics, culture, building styles, and per household income.

The problems of unsafe driving habits and the small amount of criminal activity are being addressed by those who have the authority to patrol and enforce traffic and criminal laws. One of the important things to know is that deterrence of crime is the best crime fighter and, an argument for having a Police Department.

During my stay in Haymarket I have spoken to the former and current Police Chief, the Sergeant, three of Haymarket's Police Officers, and one of the younger members of Haymarket’s Auxiliary Police Officers. On each occasion I was left with a great impression of each. But Charlie, wherever you are enforcing the law I wish you well; Jim has replaced you and is doing an excellent job!

Incidentally, I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration; I am tough by nature and by education.

There is a humorous side and a serious side to each of Haymarket's Police Officers (past and present). Its not a shame that others cannot see nor judge when its the correct time to be light hearted and comical and when its time to get serious; fortunately for me I have seen both in our Haymarket Police Officers, and I am proud of each one. I realize that if I make a 911 call or a non-emergency call that either one will respond; and will respond appropriately; either one would put themselves between honest citizens and the criminal element.

I hope that when the decision is made to hire to fill the position of Police Officer(s) by the Town Hall of Haymarket and its Police Department, that Police Officers are hired that realize that there needs to be (clean, unbiased, and appropriate) humor. And there needs to be a tolerance by those being humorous and tolerance by those listening; lets all pray that it remains tolerant and appropriate.

The Supreme Court made a decision, among many, in Flynt Vs Falwell that there is a need to have fundamental differences of opinion in our public view of those of us who are public figures (private or public officials). One comment, during that hearing/proceeding - it was made about an old sadistically cartoon where George Washington is portrayed riding a mule to Washington DC - the caption read something like 'An Ass leads the President to Washington'. The point is that our Constitution ensures each of us the right to free speech and freedom to express our opinions/ beliefs.

Although I have never been a Police Officer, I have been around and in close contact with police officers of all ranks and departments for 37 plus years of my adult life. They all like to joke, pull comical tricks and pranks on each other, and tell tall/funny stories of all kinds. And there is competition for assignments, position, rank, and norm status within that sometimes breeds problems between officers. But the most important thing to remember is that Police Officers need to vent and need to be humorous at times; and most like to do so around other police officers and true friends; one of the more acceptable ways is to joke or make a comical comment about a situation; its acceptable and should be. On an equal thought, when the time comes to curb inappropriate criminal activity they get tough on crime and are serious about it!

In my opinion, the complaints within the jurisdiction of employees of the Town Of Haymarket concerning the Police Officers and other Haymarket Employees are not and have not been taken lightly; the complaints have been dealt with, and dealt with appropriately by those Town Council Members who are in place to make those decisions.

Again, I know no more than any other citizen does about the exact nature of each complaint, nor do I know all the circumstances concerning the Haymarket Police Officer who was arrested and charged in an incident in Fairfax County/City VA. These are, simply stated, "Personnel Issues" that have to remain confidential and secret; its the law and a way of life; its designed to protect everyone who is legally involved or named in the complaint, as well as the real decision makers in these matters. Its the due process of the law that is accepted both in business and legal matters. I do not want to know more, it matters that we have an elected Town Council that we truly trust, along with the resources that it has, to take care of these matters.

As citizens we do not elect Police Officers nor impose punishment on Police Officers, that is the job of the Town Council/ the Court system (civil or criminal) of the Common Wealth of Virginia, and/or the hiring processes of the Police Department Management and the Town Council. It’s an internal Town Hall of Haymarket/Haymarket Police Department matter.

It makes for a lesser Police Officer who chooses to air his or her laundry (dirty or clean) in public opinion polls, the media, or ask citizens/ public to "take our side in this matter". Simply put, when and if the latter occurs, citizens/public will only get one side of the story; and we are not fully advised, nor the appropriate authority to deal with these situations nor should we have or have access to all of the information. The outcome, at its worse, is that the Town of Haymarket citizens could become enraged at each other, could end up bickering with each other, and if this happens more problems could occur/happen.

And, its a lesser person who is a Member of Haymarket's Town Council or one who is running for election to any position with The Town of Haymarket who airs his or her opinion on matters of this nature that are, by-law, suppose to be handled in private Formal Sessions. Especially when the Town Council has made its decision.

Our Town Council, the Mayor's Office, and Town Attorneys have had Attorneys who have been asked to give advice to the Town Council and to the Office of the Mayor on these matters. And, we trust that our Town Council has acted appropriately and pragmatically.

Each one of our Town Council members, the Vice Mayor, and Mayor are well educated, have families, are decision makers on their jobs and are decision makers as our Town Council Members, and have a dedicated attitude to take care of the business of Haymarket. And are appropriately doing so on their watch. These are professionals who are well trained and well versed on how to handle decisions and know what needs to be done for the pragmatic welfare of all concerned.

Each public official, no matter the position, has a private life with his or her chosen partner, family, friends; and that part of their life needs to remain private and personal! Its not against any written law to be married; live with a friend; live or cohabit with a person of the same sex; to have and raise or not to have or raise children in a family; or live by oneself; its not against the law to be affiliated with a religion or not to be. I could go on but I think you get the idea. There is a thing called "Separation of Church and State".

I personally would rather vote in a Common Wealth Of Virginia established voting district - at the appropriate established time and at an authorized place to Vote set forth by the Common Wealth of Virginia rather than in a public opinion poll on an unauthorized web site. Electing people to represent the public in any Government setting is a serious matter, and it needs to be taken seriously - and to vote is serious.

I am fed up with reading in the media the same negative comments concerning the Town Of Haymarket with or without proper documentation. It’s like a really bad and broken record that keeps getting played over and over and over. It looks like a cheap way to get one's name in the news media. I get the impression that the names mentioned as those complaining in all these negative media editorials are coming from those who do not know that there are civil courts and/or legal courts of law that are specifically established to resolve the matter(s) that they constantly elude to.

We as voters have a huge say in our town of Haymarket. We can vote, we can express our opinions on matters concerning pragmatic issues/situations on Town business, etc. to the Town Council Member(s) we voted to represent us. However, most of us realize that there are matters/issues that have to be handled in private Town Council Sessions; we accept it and are best advised to remain loyal to the decisions made by our Town Council and the Professional Consultants/Attorneys who recommend to the Town Council.

I recommend to those who persistently want or need to use the media in all of these negative editorials concerning Haymarket's handling of employee matters to consult an attorney of law for further advice.

I am,

Glen