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September 01, 2011 12:00 AM
WAREHAM — Selectman J. Michael Schneider's missing-in-action status from town government is puzzling Wareham officials, but his son and a neighbor say he moved to Florida.

The neighbor declined to identify himself but said he saw a U-Haul-type vehicle in front of Schneider's First Avenue home earlier this month. He said Schneider told him he was moving to take a job in Florida and left the next day.

"He said he had to ... leave, to take the job right away," he said. "I don't think he's planning on coming back."

Nevertheless, by 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Town Clerk Mary Ann Silva said her office had received no resignation from Schneider for his selectman's seat, which he won in April with 879 votes. Selectman Cara Winslow said she has made unsuccessful attempts to reach him but, as of Wednesday morning, had "no idea" of his whereabouts.

"Obviously, I'm concerned that somebody would just disappear like that," said Winslow, who said she last saw or spoke with Schneider at Wareham's National Night Out on Aug. 2. "But at the same time, I think that each of us has a duty to the citizens and the community so ... he should let the community know that he's OK."

Plus, she added, Schneider should "let us know whether he intends to move forward with his elected position or not."

Selectmen Stephen Holmes and Chairman Walter Cruz Sr. were unreachable for comment Wednesday. But, like Winslow, both Town Administrator Mark Andrews and Selectman Ellen Begley said they didn't know where Schneider was and last saw him at National Night Out.

"I haven't spoken with him," Begley said. "I'm ready for him to come back, wherever he is."

Although Schneider missed selectmen's meetings this month, Silva said that, while the town bylaws include an attendance requirement for appointed committee members, she could find no such rule for selectmen.

"I haven't seen anything that would "¦ compel him to attend the meetings other than his commitment to the voters," Silva said.

Schneider was unreachable for comment via his town e-mail address and phone numbers listed on an Open Meeting Law complaint he previously filed with the state's Office of the Attorney General. While one of those numbers was working earlier this month, it indicated Wednesday that the party wasn't accepting calls. The mailbox for the other number remained full.

There was similarly no answer Wednesday at Schneider's home, where a large branch stretched across the porch and the front room was mostly empty.

"He's fine," said Schneider's son, Michael, who said his father moved to Florida.

But Schneider's absence has sparked rumors offering much more dramatic explanations, according to Winslow.

"The no contact seems to be fueling the speculation, which is just not healthy for the community," she said. "I certainly hope that wherever they are, they're happy and healthy and doing well. But there's obviously some loose ends left back here."