The following opinion piece was submitted to Seekonk Patch by Doug Brown, a retired Seekonk police officer and current member of the Board of Health:

Seekonk's leadership problems have received enough media attention. It's time for the voters to hold politicians accountable for their behavior.

Micromanagement, secret executive session meetings, alleged personal insults and public vendettas have cast a dark shadow over Town Hall. This has become the norm rather than exception. We are tired of this arrogance.

We need fresh faces, new ideas and less animosity. Selectmen should not appoint themselves to other town boards unless other qualified candidates are unavailable. Selectmen should have professional relationships with other department heads. Selectmen should set up long-term and short-term goals for departments and then get out of the way and let employees use their own intelligence to implement these policies. Selectmen should treat people with respect and dignity even if they disagree with their point of view. Selectmen should seek counsel on important decisions affecting the community.

It's no surprise incumbents have failed us once again. Please vote for any new face who will bring a new perspective to local government.

Been there, done that ex-selectmen are not going to provide the leadership Seekonk desperately needs.

Paul Buckley deserves your vote. He is a stand-up guy who can be trusted to do the right thing. He's been an honest, noncontroversial and fair tax assessor for many years. He's a hard-working, loyal family man who shares your values. He is approachable and willing to listen to anyone. Let's give him a chance to help us at the April 1 election. Otherwise, it's the same old story.

Thanks to Seekonk Public Work's Director Bob Lamoureux and his staff who did an excellent job on the snow removal. Our streets were plowed and storm drains cleared to prevent flooding. Mr. Lamoureux's performance proves he deserves a contract extension.