First Selectwoman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers made a brief statement regarding her decision last month to ask a police officer to give an intoxicated man a ride home from a local bar-restaurant.
Just before Wednesday’s Board of Selectmen meeting adjourned, Drayton-Rogers thanked her supporters.
“When handling public safety issues, decisions must be made and the last thing that must be considered are politics in making that decision,” Drayton-Rogers said.
Drayton-Rogers was at the Brookside Inn Feb. 17 when she said she noticed an intoxicated man at the bar indicating that he was going to drive home. Drayton-Rogers, who said she did not know the man, asked a police officer to give the man a ride to his residence in Bridgewater.
Some local Republicans questioned and criticized the Democratic First Selectman’s decision, including former First Selectman August Palmer.
State police said a written report on the incident wasn’t made — but supervisors reviewed what happened and decided Drayton-Rogers’ action was not inappropriate. They also said the lack of a cop car didn’t impact police coverage then night in question.
Republican Selectman David Yish had said he was going to raise the issue during Wednesday’s Selectmen meeting.
He decided not to bring it up.
“I agree it’s been discussed extensively. We had a brief disagreement, a small disagreement,” Yish said after the meeting.
