Dear Editor:
I am responding to a letter published by Mr. Townley on Jan. 25 and his opinion that the retirement of the city manager is an example of the city moving forward.
For many of us, it is not viewed as a step forward at all, rather it is the loss of a valued member of Chelsea’s governance team.
What is happening in the city is not normal. There is a group who thirsts for power and now has it. Losing Mr. Hanifan’s services is a loss the city will find difficult to recover from.
Simply because there is change doesn’t make the change good.
Mr. Townley may believe the citizens of Chelsea are looking forward to this new leadership, but his perception is clouded; as not all of us have drank the Kool-Aid.
There are members on council who belong to an organization which has an agenda of its own.
In closing, Mr. Townley: I’ve lived here since 1984 and have seen other city managers attempt to do the job. The city you call a gem owes that title to the efforts and professionalism of the current city manager, Mr. Hanifan.
It’s shameful how we are saying good-bye to the person who did all in his power to make Chelsea the place Mr. Townley labels a gem.
Michael D. McIntosh
Chelsea
