The number of unfit volunteers seems to grow every council meeting. Paul Proudian was turned down for reappointment to the Cable Committee shortly before the Cable Committee was abolished on the grounds that there weren't enough volunteers. (Oh, and there's the further grounds that the council couldn't stand the idea of a committee having control over its own funds.) Cal Cutter was rejected when he tried to join the Planning Board, even though the field of candidates was so sparse the council had to appoint former Chairman Gary Foster to two committees the same night.

Then I was blackballed for membership on the always controversial Library Board of Trustees (nobody even bothered to tell me when my application would be considered, which is why I didn't show up.) Later Julie Sheets - who is married to Paul Proudian, in addition to being eminently qualified for the board - got the same treatment for the same office.

What do all these people have in common? Not much, except that new Councilor Margaret Hutchins voted against all of them. She never asked any of them a single question, never gave a reason for her vote. Council Chair pro tem - the temmer the better - Andrew Upham gave the thumbs-down to me, Proudian and Sheets because we have never showed him the respect he thinks he deserves, and Skippy Crane joined him because Skippy Crane almost always joins him. (Mr. Upham did plead for reconsideration of Cal Cutter's rejection, although he didn't get it.) Hutchins, Debbie Mancini and Alison Libbey voted against Cutter, and they too were mum on why.

From what I see, membership on the Planning Board, Cable Committee and Library Trustees is not like a seat on the Board of Directors of General Motors. You don't make a nickel, you have to give up hours of your time, and the honor doesn't last long. I'm pretty sure all of us applied because we love the town we live in, and we want to help. While we won't always agree with our fellow committee members, we will respect them for their dedication. What does the council think we were going to do? Abscond with the funds? Have a new idea? Disagree with the council?

I think - and I admit I'm prejudiced here - that the Town of Gray would be better for having the four of us on the committees we applied for. And I think that the council's refusal to accept us sends a clear message to you, dear reader, in the event that you decide to offer your services to your town: if you don't have a friend on the council, don't bother.

Ray Clark, Gray