Chief Scott said it was disheartening to get such questioning three days before he retires after 10 years as chief.
Holyoke City Councilor John O'Neill, left, questioned whether state law was violated if city money and personnel were used in planning a retirement dinner roast for Police Chief Anthony Scott, right. The City Council's Finance Committee voted 4-1 to withdraw an order from O'Neill regarding the event; some councilors questioning O'Neill's motives.HOLYOKE – Harsh words again were exchanged in City Council Chambers regarding Police Chief Anthony R. Scott, but this time, most councilors sided with Scott.
The Finance Committee voted 4-1 Wednesday to withdraw an order from Ward 7 Councilor John J. O’Neill about an April 7 dinner roast held in Springfield in Scott’s honor.
Scott, 65, is retiring Saturday after 10 years as chief.
O’Neill questioned whether state law was violated if city money and personnel were used in planning the roast. Roast proceeds went to charity.
Though the committee withdrew the order, it was preceded by a discussion that featured councilors questioning O’Neill’s motives.
Scott, accompanied as he has been at recent council meetings by his personal lawyer, Judd L. Peskin, of Springfield, said he found O’Neill’s inquiry disheartening.
But he said he will donate $650 for youth scholarships to cover time his secretary spent selling roast tickets.
The $650 will cover the 23 hours he estimated his secretary devoted to roast-related actions between Feb. 28 and April 7, at about $22 an hour. That’s $506. Another $150 will cover use of city phones and other equipment, he said.
“This is disheartening. I got three days left and I’m faced with being accused of violating a criminal statute and it feels like the individual is saying, ‘You’re a crook,’ and I don’t appreciate (that),” Scott said.
O’Neill, a lawyer, said state law Chapter 268, Section 9A prohibits a law enforcement official from selling tickets a testimonial dinner punishable by a $500 fine.
“We don’t get to pick and choose” which laws to follow, O’Neill said. “It’s our obligation to look at these things as we always do.”
Councilors unloaded on O’Neill.
“This is ridiculous,” Ward 5 Councilor Linda L. Vacon said.
If there was a violation of state law, the matter belonged with the district attorney and not the City Council, said Councilor at Large James M. Leahy, who attended and said he enjoyed the roast.
“I do want to say thank you for your service,” Leahy told Scott.
Councilor at Large Kevin A. Jourdain said O’Neill’s order was making a “public spectacle” of Scott.
“You’ve given us meritorious service for many years,” Jourdain told Scott. “It’s unfortunate, as you head out the door, you get a kick in the pants, and I don’t think you deserve it.”
Ward 2 Councilor Diosdado Lopez asked O’Neill to withdraw the order.
“I think this is a waste of time and I think you should know better,” Lopez said to O’Neill.
Councilor at Large Patricia C. Devine said that, like Lopez, she wished she had moved to stop O’Neill’s order at the April 5 meeting.
“So what this witch-hunt was all about, I don’t know,” Devine said.
Committee Chairman Todd A. McGee made a motion to withdraw the order and was joined in voting yes by councilors Peter R. Tallman, Leahy and Jourdain. O’Neill voted no.
Scott began toting legal help, at his own expense, to City Council Chambers last year because he said he needed such advice as exchanges with councilors got testy.
The roast of Scott featured comedian Bill Cosby, with whom Scott is friends, and drew 750 people to the MassMutual Center in Springfield.
Ticket prices were $40 per person, or $375 per table of 10. After paying for rental of the hall and other costs, proceeds from the event were to be donated to the Valley Press Club scholarship fund and Evergreen Diamond System, a youth program organized by Samuel Bass & Associates, of Springfield.
John O’Brien and Mike Baxendale of WAQY Rock 102 radio’s “Bax and O’Brien Show” came up with the roast idea, Scott said, and the law firm of Sullivan, Hayes & Quinn helped organize it.