Select Board Member Gets Caught In A Fib on Facebook: What Will It Cost The Town?

"I am writing to you as an individual member of the Select Board.  On or around midnight of July 25, 2022 Planning Board member Carol Jackson (Ms. Jackson) made a post to social media falsely accusing me of "purposefully lying" and "continue to spread lies" regarding the North Lancaster project (screen shot attached). 

...

First, I am requesting the Planning Board deliberate in open session the substantiative nature of my comments for which Ms. Jackson is referring to.  Next, once it is shown that in fact I did not lie, I would request the Planning Board deliberate in open session Ms. Jackson's conduct....I ask that Ms. Jackson post this to her public Facebook account as well as post it to the Lancaster page she made these false statements.  I also ask you have that statement read aloud at the next Planning Board meeting and have it posted to the Planning Board website for posterity.

           ... 

Finally, please respond to me with your written decision no later than Friday July 29, 2022.  Throughout this process I continue to reserve my right to seek any and all legal recourse now and in the future. "  - Select Board Member Jason Allison, 7/25/2022

How much will the litigation to heal a Select Board member's wounded feelings cost the town?  Lancaster may soon find out, if Select Board member Jason Allison's legal threat to the Planning Board is to be believed.

Sunday morning Select Board member Jason Allison tried to slide in a fib on the "Lancaster MA Mass Massachusetts"   Facebook group.  Responding to a resident, Jason Allison wrote "...the 40R was ready for Town Meeting May 2.  This is why town staff attempted to schedule the public hearing for it.   Anyone telling you otherwise is purposefully lying."

It's said that the best way to get information on the internet is to post something that's wrong -- invariably someone will pop out immediately to correct you.  That's just what happened in this case -- I chimed in to let him know that he was wrong.   "The bylaw was still being edited in June, Jason."   I was previously on the Planning Board, and know offhand that the last edit to the 40R bylaw was approved on June 2nd -- obviously the 40R bylaw was not ready for the town Meeting on May 2nd.

Planning Board member Carol Jackson added "You are purposefully lying now.   You continue to spread the lies to further your agenda."    Ms. Jackson's ire is not indiscriminately directed -- Mr. Allison is currently one of the signatories on a recall affidavit similar falsehoods.  

I'm sure plenty of people have wished there were a court to litigate Facebook arguments.  Mr. Allison has taken it a step further -- he'll check to see if there is.

On Monday morning, Mr. Allison doubled down and sent the following legal threat to the Planning Board.

Chairman Mirabito,

I am writing to you as an individual member of the Select Board.  On or around midnight of July 25, 2022 Planning Board member Carol Jackson (Ms. Jackson) made a post to social media falsely accusing me of "purposefully lying" and "continue to spread lies" regarding the North Lancaster project (screen shot attached). 

 

I am formally communicating with you that I feel her false statements have defamed me and my reputation.  I feel Ms. Jacksons statements have damaged my standing in Lancaster and will impact my ability to perform in my role as a Select Board member today and in the future.  In addition, I feel Ms. Jacksons statements impact my stature as a resident in Lancaster who is able to conduct business. 

I am respectfully requesting that you help play a role in resolving this.  First, I am requesting the Planning Board deliberate in open session the substantiative nature of my comments for which Ms. Jackson is referring to.  Next, once it is shown that in fact I did not lie, I would request the Planning Board deliberate in open session Ms. Jackson's conduct.  As you are aware, the Planning Board has precedent in discussing Planning Board members' conduct in open session (i.e. Jeanne Rich) and tacking action.  I would also request a full and complete written retraction from Ms. Jackson which includes a sincere apology to me.  I ask that Ms. Jackson post this to her public Facebook account as well as post it to the Lancaster page she made these false statements.  I also ask you have that statement read aloud at the next Planning Board meeting and have it posted to the Planning Board website for posterity.  Also please ensure that none of these postings (social or other) are deleted or taken down. 

Please note, since Ms. Jackson is a Planning Board member, who made public statements on a Planning Board topic, her speech is not afforded the same rights as an individual resident. Also, I will not be attending the Planning Board meeting for which this is deliberated on.  I am choosing not to attend as I have been verbally harassed by Planning Board members both written and in person.  I will not subject myself to more of this unfair harassment. 

In closing, I am asking you Chairman Mirabito to be a leader for Lancaster.  In my opinion it is not OK for elected officials to call other elected officials liars (especially falsely) in public forums when discussing town business and I hope you will agree with me.  Also, defamation in Massachusetts is a real thing with real consequences.  I am respectfully asking you to help handle this situation with the utmost professionalism. 

Finally, please respond to me with your written decision no later than Friday July 29, 2022.  Throughout this process I continue to reserve my right to seek any and all legal recourse now and in the future. 

Thank you,
Jason 

cc Town Administrator
cc Select Board Chairman

cc Planning Board

Mr. Allison sent the email to the Town Administrator, Select Board Chair and the rest of the Planning Board.   Can enough of the town's money make you right on Facebook?   As a taxpayer, I hope we're not going to test that.