Why so fast? The town manager proposed a three to four week transition period. Eleven days passed from the time I filed for petition to overrule the action of the council vote, and then County Communications took over.

On Aug. 8, a memo was sent to Trixi Morin, a former dispatcher of Gorham Communications, from Christina Silberman, town clerk, and I quote, “It has been the practice of the town to offer guidance to prepare the language of a petition. The town attorney, William Dale, has recommended that the entire order be included in the petition language. At your request, I spoke with the attorney today, and he stated that he could not provide me with a definitive answer on whether or not the language on the petition must include the entire order. Mr. Dale further stated that he would determine the validity of a petition circulated with any language other than what he has recommended after the petition is filed.”

On Aug. 22, we submitted the “short form,” our version of the petition. Dale told Christina Silberman that it could be challenged. We asked what that meant, and she relayed to us that it meant that any registered voter could challenge the “short version,” our version, and it could be challenged in court.

On Aug. 23, we attended a live public hearing to determine when the referendum would go to vote. At that time, the validity of the petition submitted by the circulators was questioned. Dale stated, that it was “not legal.” Why didn’t he just say that from the beginning so we didn’t waste the registered voters time having them sign both petitions? And to add salt to an open wound, the attorney states that legally the town of Gorham’s Council has no obligation to change back to the existing dispatch agency whether or not there are enough votes in favor of keeping our dispatch in Gorham. That sounds to me like political suicide!

Since the transition has taken place, I’ve learned that another microwave dish needs to be installed somewhere in Gorham (and I’m not talking about a microwave oven!) because the microwave dish that the tax payers spent $7,250 on will not communicate with the bunker located in Windham (our new dispatch center). How much more is this going to cost taxpayers, another $7,250.00? Has Horizon Communications put in writing that these microwave dish components will work without failure or interference of any kind anytime?

The town manager’s proposal also states the county indemnifies and holds harmless the town of Gorham against any acts of negligence committed by the county. What happens when the microwave dish transmission fails for any reason? That is not the fault of the county. The town of Gorham would be liable.

How does Information Management Corporation feel about their software being taken over by Cumberland County? I would really like to see that documentation showing transfer of ownership. The town of Gorham paid for that package, upwards of $60,000. My recollection is that licensed software purchased by an entity cannot be shared with others.

I am also questioning the town clerk’s office ability to issue temporary permits for uninspected vehicles, as this is a violation of Maine State Law Title 29-A, 1759 paragraph 1.

Apparently the County is approving all overtime that needs to be filled by the “previous” Gorham Dispatchers! Where is this extra money coming from? Let me guess? The Town? Therefore, the taxpayer will once again not save any money with this transition as county taxes will increase. The town manager’s proposal also stated that all dispatchers hired by the County have sufficient training, I beg to differ. The only dispatcher that is EMD qualified to my knowledge is Mike Russell.

County dispatchers are already working overtime shifts as well as their regular scheduled shifts. To me, this is unacceptable as I certainly do not want an overworked and overtired dispatcher answering my emergency call.

Let me give you an example of just what can happen in seconds in an Emergency Dispatch Center, stand by …….New Gloucester and Gorham both have Emergency Medical Calls…….another dispatcher is on the phone with a domestic violence dispute, and there’s a fire alarm in Gorham…….The EMD’s need to stay on the phone with the person calling until EMS personnel arrive……understaffed!, a traffic stop by Gorham Police Department personnel turns ugly!………There are only three dispatchers on duty and maybe a fourth part-time person because county is understaffed as it stands right Now! Can you give me an answer to those questions? Who comes first? Let me tell you the town of Gorham citizens want their phone call to be the only one that matters.

If someone is able to give a reasonable answer to all of these questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me, as the voters are really curious as well, and I would be more than willing to pass this information on to them, as these questions were never asked from the beginning.

Chairman Loveitt makes a statement in Aug. 24 Portland Press Herald. It sounds like these plans have been in effect since last November’s election when voters chose to renovate Shaw School into the new municipal building for some $8,000,000. He continues to say that it will cost the Town substantial monies if we were to bring dispatch back. Let’s read between the lines. The Administration had every intention to eliminate the public safety dispatch without the public’s knowledge last fall, maybe that’s why the Gorham Fire Department repeater system was moved to the EMA bunker last November?

You talk about a target of criticism toward the fire chief and the town manager. Personally, I don’t hold anyone responsible at this time, but the councilors that don’t have any background in public safety at all. You made a decision based on information given to you from biased opinions thinking that you could potentially save the town a buck!

This town is not in financial crisis by any means. The town manager only proposed to you the information given to him by the chiefs of public safety here in Gorham and the county communications director and subsequently used Penobscot County experiences for comparison. I’m very curious what York County has to say. We know what Bangor, Maine, Hancock and Knox counties had to say. I certainly would have appreciated someone other than Administration in the Town of Gorham, maybe a Dispatcher/Patrolman/Emergency medical responder/Firefighter and Citizen, to gather this information and interview all counties in Maine. An objective committee would have asked all of the questions necessary for a merger of this magnitude.

If you really want to save money, maybe you should seriously think about consolidation of all services. That way we could eliminate high-paid administrative positions and have one public safety supervisor. Also, since the dispatch department has been abolished, shouldn’t the salaries of those in charge of this department be reduced, as they are no longer responsible for managing them?

We are always going to pay taxes, and they will always increase as long as the building continues in Gorham. The more people the more resources needed to serve those people. Those that want to save money on property taxes should probably re-think the size of the home they’re building in Gorham. It certainly doesn’t seem appropriate, when someone who lives in a $500,000 home in Gorham and drives a 2005 Lexus SUV and says we need to save money. Somehow that comment doesn’t mean much to me coming out of their mouth.

Please enlighten me on all of these issues I have brought forward to you.

Karen Paro is a Gorham resident and works for the town as the fire chief’s administrative assistant.

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