I want to take this opportunity to express why I don’t believe a vote for Shahidul Mannan is in the best interest of the citizens of Hopkinton. I have met Shahidul, and I think he is a true gentleman. He has done a lot for the various boards and committees on which he has served, and I thank him for his time and efforts.
However, I can not look past his position and vote against Sgt. Tim Brennan, not only at the Loudermill Hearing but also in endorsing Sgt. Brennan’s termination and the reckless liability this has opened the town to. This board, at the time, of which Shahidul was a part, disrespected the town’s citizens and wasted the time of everyone who attended that evening.
Two board members were more concerned about getting their next drink, and another couldn’t have cared less and had a pre-written opinion in advance. I had hopes that at least Shahidul would be a man of character, be transparent, and listen to all of the testimony, including Ms. Elizabeth Keeley, who was the sexual assault expert and Chief of the Human Trafficking Unit of the Attorney General’s Office. Why were you so intimidated by this subject matter expert? Why did you support the vote and not let her testify?
There were a few hundred citizens at the meeting that night, every one of whom was there to be educated and informed of the facts of the situation. What were you all so afraid of learning that evening? Anytime a governing body goes out of its way to keep the citizens from being informed of the full facts is a gross miscarriage of justice.
All of you involved that evening, except Muriel Kramer, were complicit in disrespecting Hopkinton’s citizens, which is shameful. When you believe you are more important or smarter than those you serve, it’s time to self-reflect.
One can only ask “why”?
Tim Brennan is a good, strong, and resilient man who will persevere. But why were you all so hell bent on putting the victim through all of this once again? Why is it that most of you put partisanship before the victim? That is such a ridiculous thought that no one would ever entertain the possibility that it could happen, but it did, and Shahidul Mannan was a part of it.
We can all say, “I’m glad I don’t live in Canton!” But with such a troubling situation unfolding there, we should also ask ourselves: are we any better? We won’t know the cost of this “Kangaroo Court” for a while, but rest assured, we will pay and pay big!!! Our only option is to clean house of those who put us in this situation and reset the deck.
I am proud to support Mr. Timothy Boivan’s decision not to support Mr. Shahidul Mannan for the Board of Selectmen.
Respectfully,
Don Collins,
Hopkinton
Editor’s Note: The views expressed in this letter are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of HopNews. Letters may be edited for clarity, grammar, and length.
