Tussle over nomination for town historian

CORNWALL — Dodie Clarke Wolfe was appointed Town Historian at the Jan. 18 meeting of the Board of Selectmen.

It was the result of an awkward procedure that included a last-minute letter of interest left on the selectmen’s office door (a suggestion to again put off a decision), followed by a quick nomination and split vote.

Robin Vogel, a local business owner whose qualifications include volunteering at the Cornwall Historical Society, has come to the last four meetings at which the matter was an agenda item. She submitted recommendation letters from a former teacher, from students and community members. She is a member of the New England Historical Association.

Selectman Heidi Kearns noted Vogel’s impressive qualifications and advocated for appointing Vogel. Kearns made the motion at the prior meeting, but it was not seconded; First Selectman Gordon Ridgway advocated waiting for more candidates.

The position has been vacant for years, awaiting interest.

Ridgway and Selectman Richard Bramley both suggested Wolfe be given the same time frame as Vogel to submit letters of reference.

“We asked for letters of interest two months ago,” Kearns argued, “and we’re just getting this now.”

Bramley noted Wolfe has lived in town her entire life. Kearns challenged him, asking, mostly rhetorically, if that was a condition of the appointment.

Ridgway said that since the Cornwall Historical Society has been “rejuvenated” and has a curator, the historian’s job is no longer daunting. There was no discussion of what is expected of the historian, nor was the historical society board given a chance to weigh in.

It was resolved with both women being nominated. Ridgway and Bramley voted for Wolfe. Kearns voted for Vogel.

Since no term is attached to the position, it was decided to make it a three-year appointment.

During the public comment that followed, resident Joanne Wojtusiak expressed her dismay at the what had transpired, saying it made her feel embarrassed, uncomfortable and absolutely horrified.

She does not know Vogel that well, but noted her stated qualifications and attendance at the last four meetings, only to be undermined by a last-minute candidate who, she suggested, was sought out.

“Favoritism is wrong, especially in the face of expressed interest by a qualified candidate with endorsements,” Wojtusiak said. “Why do people want to volunteer when they get treated like Robin’s been treated?”

She said she was glad the meeting was recorded so other people can see it, and called Vogel’s treatment inappropriate and cruel.