Weathersfield will go forward with hearing

MINERAL RIDGE -- Richard Harkins, Weathersfield Township Zoning Commission chairman, says he won't let trustee chairman John Vogel drop plans for a hearing about allegations Vogel has made against Harkins.
Trustees voted Monday to proceed with a hearing at 6 p.m. June 19 about allegations Vogel made against Harkins. Vogel has claimed Harkins engaged in an ongoing series of activities to undermine the agenda of the trustees, and insubordination.
Trustees left the door open Monday evening for Vogel to reconsider if he wanted to pursue the matter. Later, Vogel announced he was dropping it. Vogel said he plans to wait until December when Harkins' term is up and work to persuade trustees not to re-appoint him.
Harkins, however, hand-delivered a letter to trustees Thursday saying that any attempt to stop the hearing from occurring will result in a civil suit for defamation of character, slander and abuse of power.
Harkins noted that a news stories as early as April 7 said Vogel wanted to oust two members of the zoning commission, including Harkins.