Simply put, we don't believe in political patronage. Period. We oppose it strongly because it damages morale among town staff, limits our pool of applicants and prevents Smithfield from being able to hire the best staff possible.

As we always have in the past, our appointments will be the best qualified people, regardless of political or family affiliation. We have never and will never demand that a particular person be hired or fired, as the current administration has repeatedly done.

In the past 2 years, we have seen unqualified people appointed to our boards and even as a judge. Smithfield deserves better!