While many local governments and public service agencies are opting to conduct background checks on their job applicants and electoral candidates, the two of Rehoboth thought otherwise. According to the Taunton Daily Gazette, the petition from the Board of Selectmen asking for criminal background checks on individuals who wish to seek or hold elected or appointed town offices, restricting their ability if they have been convicted of a felony went down in defeat.
Here are some of the more interesting quotes from the Taunton Daily Gazette….
“Would you want an embezzler on the finance committee or a sex offender on the school committee?” Leffort asked. “Voting against this admits you want criminals in town office.
Leffort was booed for his statement while several residents and other town officials who spoke against the article received hoots and hollers of approval.”
Several speakers contested the petition, claiming it was a complete invasion of his privacy. They argued background checks weren’t necessary in deciding if a candidate was fit to hold public office.
In interesting argument for sure. An optimistic view, especially when there are so many headlines reporting the nefarious practices of elected officials on local levels who have either embezzled, or were found committing criminal offenses, sexual, fiscal, and otherwise. We certainly wish Rehoboth luck in electing officials who are indeed above board and of the caliber that will not create embarrassing headlines, or intent on leaving the town damaged financially. Rehoboth is a nice town and I am sure the people who voted down background checks were well intentioned.
We shall see how this pans out over time.
