There are many words one can use to describe Mayor Joe Maturo, Jr., but in the case of the termination of José Bedoya, the one that jumps out at me is underhanded. In order to assure the safety of the seniors and children using the pool, José had filed a report concerning some of the repairs that are necessary to the facility. At the end of October, Joe verbally assaulted José and fired him on the spot for this report. Shortly afterward, he must have realized that this action could impact the coming election (you don’t want to mess with a bunch of angry, “oldish” women) and he rescinded that firing. After he was re-elected, he again terminated José.

The water aerobics classes are one of the few things offered for seniors in this town—some of us are just not into bingo. In addition to the water aerobics, José ran a swimming program for children and organized two underwater rugby teams. Parents and participants were willing to put up with the shoddy conditions at the pool because of the quality of these programs.

Obviously, Joe has an agenda concerning the pool. Only time will tell what that may be, but it seems to be that someone of the caliber of José Bedoya should be a part of that plan.

East Haven’s loss will be someone else’s gain.

Linda Hargraves

East Haven