Whispers from City Hall – When the façade cracks…

For months, residents have been assured that everything is under control. That those who maneuvered their way into positions of power would bring stability. Those of us with long memories have cautioned otherwise, predicting that shortcuts in leadership would lead to costly consequences.

Today, that prediction is unfolding in broad daylight. And the bill is not being paid by the decision makers. It is being paid by you, the people of Falmouth.

This week, longtime Maintenance Supervisor Richard Courtney tendered his resignation. Courtney has devoted ten years of service to the City of Falmouth, working productively through five mayoral administrations.

Now, under Mayor Sabrina Hazen, his breaking point was reached.

In his resignation letter, read publicly at the most recent council meeting, Courtney stated he could no longer tolerate being spoken down to or having his livelihood threatened. Especially, he noted, by someone who entered the position without a single public vote. He reportedly refused to participate in conversations disparaging former Mayor Sebastian Ernst. Shortly after, he learned discussions were taking place about replacing him without cause.

Private text exchanges, now in circulation, suggest Courtney’s position was being offered to others before he had done anything wrong.

Courtney described a recent meeting inside City Hall that began as a discussion but devolved into direct pressure. According to his account, he was told that if he did not take on additional responsibilities, the job could be handed to Christian.

For those who may not know, Christian is Sabrina’s fiancé. They live together and share a child together. This can only be interpreted as a bold instance of favoritism. Calling it what it is, this is blatant nepotism.

In addition, remember that Sabrina had previously claimed Christian would not be under her supervision when he was hired to the water department.

As Courtney shared this publicly, Council members Joyce Carson and Amanda Moore were observed dismissing the claims with laughter. This is not the first time that dismissiveness has been the response. During a previous incident involving a controversial arrest inside those same chambers, their demeanor was strikingly similar.

In contrast, Councilmen Stephen Gales and Craig Owen appeared visibly disturbed by the testimony. Reports also suggest that Anthony Cox and Steve Jenkins, who voted for Hazen’s appointment, have privately expressed regret. This marks her first experience occupying a top leadership role.

It is worth remembering the mayoral position was never opened to public candidates. No interviews. No community vetting. Just a closed session where a select few decided the direction of Falmouth.

A far cry from Councilman Cox’s earlier public commitment not to support any candidate without a public process.

What changed between that promise and the appointment made less than a day later?

Behind the scenes, another development is emerging and it is financial

Sources indicate that city funds are running critically low, with a deficit still written into the budget. The one point two million dollar reserve preserved during Mayor Ernst’s term, funds specifically set aside to restore failing infrastructure, has now reportedly been spent.

What did taxpayers receive in return?

• Paving of Cardinal Ridge and West Shelby Street

• A full police department lease buyout (described by insiders as a major mistake)

• An expanded police budget totaling one point one million dollars

All of this against the backdrop of a one point two five million dollar total city budget.

There are also whispers of internal conflict between Mark and Marty Hart and Sabrina, with frustration mounting over her refusal to hire additional officers. Reports say the last domestic abuse call took over ninety minutes to receive a response, while the department accounts for approximately ninety percent of the city’s entire budget.

Once again, the question resurfaces: who tried to restructure this before it reached a boiling point

During Ernst’s administration, nearly five hundred thousand dollars was allocated to police services. Negotiations were already underway with Sheriff Jared Brewer to secure around-the-clock county deputy coverage at a fraction of today’s cost.

Today, Falmouth still lacks true nonstop protection and is paying double.

Some say this could simply be growing pains.

Others whisper it is the predictable outcome of closing doors, silencing dissent, and pushing away those who have dedicated their careers to this town.

Either way, whether carried in hushed conversations, at local diners, or posted in resignation letters read aloud

Falmouth is hearing the message clearly.

The cost of poor leadership is never paid by those who caused it
It is paid by the people who trusted them

And the whisper tonight is this

Things are not just falling apart
They are finally being seen for what they are

The Falmouth Whisperer