This letter is in response to an article in the Brass Tacks section of Monday, 10/16/06
Paper.

If you live in Middlebury and you have ever had the Fire Department come to your house you most likely have met Chief Paul Perrotti. Recently Chief Perrotti has come under fire from the Republican Town Committee Chairman Bill Stowell. Mr. Stowell, for some unknown reason has found it necessary to rehash a cell phone incident that happened over two years ago and was settled over a year ago.

Mr. Stowell is not only a member of the Middlebury Fire Department, but he also was the Secretary when this cell phone incident took place, and for a time afterward until the political climate got hot and he resigned his position as secretary.

By casting stones at the Chief, Mr. Stowell has chosen the side of the Republican Town Committee and not the brotherhood of the Fire Department. This choice is fine; I believe that everybody has the right to his or her own choice.

Ask yourself, whom you should support? A person that Mr. Stowell has been quoted as a supporter of in the Waterbury Republican American Paper, who is in a legal battle over alleged sexual misconduct, and has also publicly admitted that he has lied about his educational background, or a man who made an honest mistake, admitted to it, apologized, and made restitution like the Fire Department does.

Honesty and integrity mean a lot to me and that is why I support Chief Paul Perrotti. Next time you hear a siren at 3 AM, or drive by the Fire Department and see someone sweeping the parking lot, spreading mulch, washing windows, etc., the person you will see is Chief Perrotti. Beep your horn, give a wave, or stop in and talk to him. I am sure that you will find what I have. The hardest working volunteer anywhere, a kind-hearted person who always puts others before himself, and truly cares about his department and town. Chief Perrotti does not deserve this ridicule. What he does deserve is your support. He definitely has mine.

 

Ray Kasidas
Proud Member
Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department