Say you’re sorry

Scarborough Town Council Chairman Jeff Messer should apologize to Education Commissioner Susan Gendron and her brother, School Facilities Manager Norm Justice, for besmirching their integrity.

Messer’s assault on the quality of the high school construction project reached its peak last week, as he simultaneously reversed his position, voting against his own proposal for a third-party engineering review, and took parting shots at nearly everyone involved in the project, in remarks made at the Town Council meeting April 20 and published on our Web site, www.KeepMEcurrent.com. (To see his comments in full, type 2685 into the “Take It Online” box in the top right corner of the page.)

In the process, he questioned the value of the reports issued by state officials, from the Department of Education and the Bureau of General Services, that said the quality of the construction work was fine, and that any problems present were minor and could be fixed before the work was finished.

The reason he gave for this concern was that Education Commissioner Susan Gendron, who is also a former assistant superintendent in Scarborough’s schools, is related to Norm Justice, the school district’s owner’s representative for the high school project.

But Gendron knew as well as Messer did that there could appear to be a conflict of interest, and took herself out of the equation entirely, as she described in a heated letter sent to every elected official in Scarborough, at the state and local levels, as well as top administrators in town. (To see her comments in full, type 3007 into the “Take It Online” box in the top corner of our Web site, www.KeepMEcurrent.com.)

Messer’s passion for attacking the high school project went too far, into attacks on the personal and professional integrity of various players in the study of the work, and questioning the judgment of elected and appointed school officials.

He now appears to want to let drop the issue he raised and made a huge stink about, with no recantations and no apologies.

He may still believe the high school building has fundamental flaws. And though few – if any – in Official Scarborough agree with him, he needn’t recant on a truly held concern raised in good faith.

But he went too far in attacking public servants who toil – often thanklessly – for the good of the community, and, in Gendron’s case, of the state. And he needs to apologize.

Deserving honors

We are pleased this week to bring to you the stories not just of a great group of Scarborough students who have worked hard to honor our local soldiers, but also of a steadfast band of World War II veterans and their brothers-in-arms who were killed by a German attack nine miles off Cape Elizabeth 60 years ago.

Those who serve today carry on traditions established through long years of service by others, and it is important to honor both present commitments as well as those of the past.

The Scarborough Middle School sixth-graders who effectively adopted nine Scarborough soldiers in the 133rd Engineering Battalion should be proud of themselves for their efforts to honor those here at home.

Naval historian Paul Lawton should be very proud of himself for his research and, in particular, for correcting erroneous military records that denied dozens of sailors the honors they were due for placing themselves in harm’s way and making the ultimate sacrifice.

But proudest of all should be the sailors of the USS Eagle and the soldiers of the 133rd, who continue the tradition our country has of citizens selflessly serving in the military in times of need.

Jeff Inglis, editor

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