Glass houses
People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

This popular phrase reminds us that we should be careful how we treat other people (with our words and actions) because we can all easily be hurt.

Recently, information was anonymously given to the newspaper regarding Ashburnham Selectman Chris Gagnon and a failed business he once owned and operated in Fitchburg.

The information included detailed records from the state that indicated Gagnon allegedly didn't pay Meals taxes over a period of two years. Due to that, the Department of Revenue attached tax liens against the property for payment of $39,947.20. This action resulted in Fitchburg Savings Bank eventually foreclosing on the property, once owned by Gagnon's parents.

Without knowing the whole story, those reading the supplied information could easily come to the opinion that a man with this sort of background shouldn't be making financial decisions for the town, let alone chair a committee with a $5.3 million checkbook allotted to build a public safety building.

When The Community Journal approached Gagnon, showed him the documents and told him the information was circulating, he quickly became flustered, and giggled at times as he thumbed through the pages. His only comment was: "This is nothing new ... this information is all public record."

Over the next two days however, Gagnon got to thinking ... and he was now ready to comment: "The restaurant was never foreclosed," he explained with a bit of aggression in his voice. "I paid the taxes and made a deal with the bank."

Good. That settles that. But he wasn't done.

"I'm not going to give you all the details because I'm writing a book and I don't want to hurt my book sales."

OK, that's cool ... But he still wasn't done.

He said he knew where the information came from, that it must have been someone from the fire department because all they do is spread false rumors.

"I'm sick of that department. Everyone there is overpaid and they don't do any work," Gagnon stammered, to the ears of a small group of people gathered outside the VMS building following a meeting.

People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

Should this be the person leading the town to a decision that's supposed to be in the best interest of the people?

It sounds like there might be a personal agenda here.

Nothing ever gets accomplished when personal agendas are part of the mix.