I'm writing concerning the letter to the editor that was in your paper last week accusing two board members and two planning board members, including myself, of an ethics violation by adding our names to a political ad that ran a couple of weeks ago. The ad stated the fact that two candidates, Ginna Gray and Glenn Harris, were part of a lawsuit against the town. This lawsuit has cost the town residents an estimated $30,000 or more as well as many hundreds or even thousands of hours of staff time that could have been used to provide services to our citizens. The ad further stated the opinion that anyone actively involved in suing the town should not be elected to the board of commissioners. An opinion that I believed when I was asked if my name could be used and an opinion that I agree with now. That was in no way a personal attack on either of these candidates and most certainly not an ethics violation. After losing the initial round this group decided to appeal the decision costing the town additional tax money.

Concerning the cheap shot taken at Ronald Thompson for voting for me to chair the planning board, I attended well over 100 planning board meetings during the years that I was a member of the planning commission in Herndon, Va. Herndon was in a very similar position as Wendell at that time with significant growth on the way. Ronald and a couple of other commissioners thought my experience in Herndon might be helpful toWendell. I hope it has been. When I was again appointed as chairman last summer, the vote of the board of commissioners was a unanimous 5-0.

Sam Laughery

Wendell