Dackson states, ‘I am not a thief’

By Ruth M. Lyon

Turley Publications Reporter

BROOKFIELD – Ronald Dackson, former selectman and former head of the public access committee, in response to a letter he said he returned unopened to the Board of Selectmen, has denied having any of the town’s local access materials or equipment in his home.

Dackson’s letter, handed to members of the press and to the board of selectmen, reads as follows:

“You have sent me a letter, which am returning to you un-opened. I know the gist of what you have written in the letter from the newspaper articles due to your providing the news media with a copy, prior to your sending it to me. Great move, to let the press try to make me out to be a bad person. At least you had the decency to speak about this in open session, unlike your appointments to the Brookfield Public Access Committee, which was apparently behind closed doors, and without any contact with any of the former members of that committee. It was a disrespect to me and the other members.

It appears that the members that you have appointed apparently do not have the ability to use the equipment that is located at the Brookfield Public Access station to convert the digital tapes to DVDs, for there seems to be nothing emanating from the station at the last I knew. Their assumption (and yours) that I have any equipment at my home is without merit. I am not a thief. Everything that I had was left at the studio. If you wish to call me a liar, this time in public, and not just in front of someone who would deny it, feel free. I am fully prepared.”

The letter continued, “We were completely without supplies. I was using my own blank DVDs. I had asked for the BJs card to replenish the stock, and when I received the e-mail announcing the changes to the committee, I thought it might be impossible for me to recoup the funds which I would have had to spend our of my own pocket, to get the supplies, for I did not trust those new appointees to approve the expenditure in an expeditious manner. I am not surprised that you have sent me this letter, for I have come to realize just how low you are, in my opinion. And to have it read out at the previous Selectmen’s Meeting was a stroke of genesis. Well, I am providing the press with a copy of this letter for their use, if they so desire it. Whatever you are looking for was, as previously stated herein is at the studio.”

Selectmen Chairman Rudy Heller responded to fellow Selectman James Allen’s reading of the letter by remarking that no appointments were made behind closed doors.

“Mr. Dackson was not reappointed because his term wasn’t up for another year,” Heller said. “He resigned, unfortunately. We had hoped for a smooth transition.”

The selectmen took no action regarding the letter, directing the administrative assistant to stamp and date the returned missive and letter.

Heller’s wife, Sarah, who was appointed to the Public Access Committee in June, has been present, photographing the meetings, for the past three weeks.

“A new system will be in place soon,” she said after the meeting.

She explained that a stationary camera will be in place, as well as microphones for speakers.

“It’s difficult to find volunteers to record the meetings,” she said. “When the new system is in place, a videographer will not be necessary at every meeting.”

Rudy Heller reported that the public access channel has been in operation for “all but three of 24 hours” since the change took place. Selectmen’s meetings and others have been broadcast, he said.

Selectman Peter O’Connell reported that Town Clerk Michael Seery has turned over some records and other material from the previous public access committee. He went on to say that there appears to be much material missing, including selectmen’s meetings and other programs that were photographed using public equipment on town property that should be a portion of public archives.