March 28, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

The day after Thanksgiving I opened the BDN, as I do every morning, and there on the front page was an article about Thomas Farrar, who allegedly pushed a local businessman over a dispute about a downtown parking policy.

Here is a man who cannot hear or speak, who has worked very successfully in his job for 24 years as a parking enforcement officer, with only one other matter in his personnel file.

Anyone who has dealt with Tommy over the years recognizes his human handicaps, and at times this can be frustrating in trying to communicate with him. But part of the uniqueness of living and working in the area is folks like Tommy who are handicapped and are still holding responsible jobs in our city. He has done a satisfactory job for nearly a quarter century. Now one incident pursued by a man who apparently insists on an eye for an eye has jeopardized his career.

The city not only owes Tommy Farrar his job back, but should apologize to him for how poorly this incident has been handled. And I beseech David Fitzpatrick to drop his charge and allow this man to resume his life and hopeful re-employment. William S. Arata Veazie

After reading the facts stated in the BDN (Nov. 27) about Thomas Farrar being fired and Joe Chamiye stating, according to the paper, that it will hurt tourist trade, I guess it will hurt more than tourist trade.

If the district attorney didn’t wish charges pressed and other city employees have been convicted of criminal charges; and if the city fires a deaf person with 24 years’ employment, and because of it might lose his home because of a pushing incident, then the city and person involved should be off the list of contact by anyone. They deserve no better. Donald Arguin Old Town


Have feedback? Want to know more? Send us ideas for follow-up stories.

comments for this post are closed

You may also like