It seems the Secretary of State’s office agrees with us rather than with East Longmeadow Interim Town Administrator Greg Neffinger about the release of town emails concerning former Police Chief Doug Mellis.

After Neffinger told the local media his decision to recommend an investigation into former Police Chief Douglas Mellis was based on phone calls and email complaints he received, Assistant Managing Editor Chris Maza asked for all of the emails regarding Mellis sent or received by Neffinger.

The town’s Information Technology Department first acquiesced, and informed Chris the search, which included any emails in which “Doug Mellis” or the phrase “police chief” was mentioned, yielded 214 emails. What he received was package of 28 emails, the result of an amended search that excluded “police chief” from the search parameters. The letter from Information Technology said the new search was conducted after a conversation with Neffinger.

A second request for emails from the selectmen was met with similar incomplete results.

Neffinger apparently didn’t fully understand that such a request of emails shouldn’t be a controversial issue. Town officials’ emails on the town’s server are public record.

Therefore, Chris went to state authorities who have come down on the side of the law, and Reminder Publications.

The town has been ordered by the state’s Supervisor of Records to provide a response to Chris’ request and must provide the emails in question or cite the proper legal exemption and explain why each email is exempt from disclosure. Reminder Publications is awaiting the town’s response.

Frankly, we want to see what Neffinger and the members of the Board of Selectmen were saying to each other about Mellis and the decision to replace him. Chris, Christopher Goudreau and I all believe there may be much more than what meets the eye.

While some people may want to look at this incident as recent history, I think the behind the scenes machinations are totally relevant to how this community is governed.

As long as there are town officials still serving who had a role in this story, it will deserve further scrutiny.

I’m frankly a little surprised and disappointed that Neffinger, who served two years as West Springfield’s mayor, lacks an understanding of the public records law. Now he knows and this knowledge should serve him well if he indeed plays a permanent role in town government.

More planes? Please

Do I want more planes at Westover Air Reserve Base (WARB)? Heck, yes. The Air Force is considering placing KC46A tankers at the base.

Now, I know some people might wince at the thought of more planes making more noise, but consider the positive economic impact more aircraft would have.

WARB pumps millions of dollars into the local economy and the greater activity at the base means the opportunity for strengthening that effect.

Of course, as the son of a career Air Force officer and as someone raised on or near air bases, I often don’t even notice the sound of a plane in the air overhead. If I do, it hits a button that was installed in childhood and I feel a sense of reassurance and security. 

Ashe will be roasted

Once a year, members of the press and elected officials drop the trappings of civility and let each other know what they really think.

Yes, it’s time once again for the Valley Press Club Roast.

On April 29, the gloves come off starting at 6 p.m. at the John Boyle O’Reilly Club. This year there will definitely be a designated target – no, not Domenic Sarno and no, we won’t have that 10-year-old red-headed kid playing Alex Morse this year as we have done in the past.

This year, it’s time to bid a fond farewell to the Sheriff of Hampden County, Michael Ashe Jr.

The sheriff has been an annual participant for years at the roast, willing to take the heat from the press and dish it right back. This year, though, members of the Press Club decided Ashe had to be the center of its collected attention.

It’s all done in good fun and we, like Don Rickles, only kid the ones we love – well, 90 percent of the time. My colleague at The Republican Peter Goonan has been slaving away on skits to get that correct tone of cheerful insults. I’ve made some minor additions, so give most of the credit or blame to Pete.

I know I will be playing one of the candidates for sheriff in several skits at the roast – just who will be a surprise.

Our ringmaster will be Tony Cignoli, the political consultant who willingly walks the no man’s land between government and the press with finesse.

Can just anyone go to the roast? Absolutely. If you’re a local news junkie, this should be one of your yearly stops.  I’m hoping to see mayors and city council members from throughout the county at this event. The money raised goes to our scholarship fund. It’s a good cause with all of the funding staying locally.

Your ticket admits you to all of the merriment as well as some light refreshments, a cash bar and a raffle.

Tickets are $20, and can be obtained in advance, or at the door.

For advance tickets, checks can be made payable to the Valley Press Club and mail to: Roast, Valley Press Club, P.O. Box 5475, Springfield MA 01102.

C’mon, all the cool kids are going. You should as well.

This column is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect the position of the owners or advertisers of this newspaper.