When I read the release below, circulated by CCA, I was reminded of the conduct of retired Middleboro Town Manager, Jack Healey, the tyrannical Marsha Brunelle, recognized far and wide for stifling debate and squashing the democratic process, and the arrogance of the Middleboro Board of Selectmen on being challenged for not including discussion about accepting "cheap gifts" in their meeting minutes.
.
Cheap Seat Revisited After The Election
.
.
For the past few months, CCA has stood by and watched as the Town Council, which CCA fully endorsed, goes from one that promised an open and transparent government to one that is looking more like former town councils who held volunteers and commissions in contempt and used backroom meetings as a way to block the public from government.
.
We have grave concerns about the motives of Town Council member Forrester Safford. It is clear he is in charge of the Town Council-- not President Marge Frank. This week, while the other town council members looked on, we witnessed firsthand a public dressing down of the Planning Commission orchestrated by Safford. His complaint: the Planning Commission is too concerned about the environment and the interest of the town as a whole. Well, CCA says what’s wrong with that? Is Safford looking for a Planning Commission to be only for the interest of his fellow builders? Isn’t that unethical? Shouldn't he recuse himself from some of these issues? Aren't there conflicts of interest here?
.
We were heartened to see town council member Richard Hosp leave the meeting early, presumably because he did not want to see any more pain inflicted on the Planning Commission. Unfortunately, the disrespectful tone from Safford caused a dedicated Planning Commission member to resign—Vic Dvorak. His resignation letter said, “After meeting with the Town Council on Tuesday night it became clear to me that politics are much more important than planning in Charlestown.” Isn’t that a shame that a dedicated public servant, embarrassed by Safford who represents special interests, feels compelled to resign?
.
In the past, you have depended on CCA to bring you the truth about what we observe at Town Hall. We intend to do so
as we lead up to the November 2010 elections. Safford has already tried to tamper with zoning ordinances, only to be pushed back because CCA was watching. In the coming days, we will be vigilant to educate the public on the ways that Safford is putting special interests ahead of YOUR interests. Stay tuned.
.
Meanwhile, we wait to see who Marge Frank, Charlene Dunn, Gregg Avedesian and Richard Hosp propose to fill the Planning Commission vacancy. As for Safford, we surmise he will want a developer, a blatant case of self-interest. CCA will be watching all five to see what they do.
--
Charlestown Citizens Alliance
PO Box 81, Charlestown, RI 02813
Website: http://charlestowncitizens.org
News: http://charlestowncitizens.org/stories.html
Community Bulletin Board: http://charlestowncitizens.org/cbb.html
Video: http://charlestowncitizens.org/video.html
Opinion: http://charlestowncitizens.org/letters.html
.
Cheap Seat Revisited After The Election
.
.
For the past few months, CCA has stood by and watched as the Town Council, which CCA fully endorsed, goes from one that promised an open and transparent government to one that is looking more like former town councils who held volunteers and commissions in contempt and used backroom meetings as a way to block the public from government.
.
We have grave concerns about the motives of Town Council member Forrester Safford. It is clear he is in charge of the Town Council-- not President Marge Frank. This week, while the other town council members looked on, we witnessed firsthand a public dressing down of the Planning Commission orchestrated by Safford. His complaint: the Planning Commission is too concerned about the environment and the interest of the town as a whole. Well, CCA says what’s wrong with that? Is Safford looking for a Planning Commission to be only for the interest of his fellow builders? Isn’t that unethical? Shouldn't he recuse himself from some of these issues? Aren't there conflicts of interest here?
.
We were heartened to see town council member Richard Hosp leave the meeting early, presumably because he did not want to see any more pain inflicted on the Planning Commission. Unfortunately, the disrespectful tone from Safford caused a dedicated Planning Commission member to resign—Vic Dvorak. His resignation letter said, “After meeting with the Town Council on Tuesday night it became clear to me that politics are much more important than planning in Charlestown.” Isn’t that a shame that a dedicated public servant, embarrassed by Safford who represents special interests, feels compelled to resign?
.
In the past, you have depended on CCA to bring you the truth about what we observe at Town Hall. We intend to do so
as we lead up to the November 2010 elections. Safford has already tried to tamper with zoning ordinances, only to be pushed back because CCA was watching. In the coming days, we will be vigilant to educate the public on the ways that Safford is putting special interests ahead of YOUR interests. Stay tuned.
.
Meanwhile, we wait to see who Marge Frank, Charlene Dunn, Gregg Avedesian and Richard Hosp propose to fill the Planning Commission vacancy. As for Safford, we surmise he will want a developer, a blatant case of self-interest. CCA will be watching all five to see what they do.
--
Charlestown Citizens Alliance
PO Box 81, Charlestown, RI 02813
Website: http://charlestowncitizens.org
News: http://charlestowncitizens.org/stories.html
Community Bulletin Board: http://charlestowncitizens.org/cbb.html
Video: http://charlestowncitizens.org/video.html
Opinion: http://charlestowncitizens.org/letters.html
.
.
When the discussion isn't open, public and transparent and fails to allow presentation of all sides of a debate, it should raise alarms.
.
If a proposal can't withstand public scrutiny, along with the presentation of information such as is available here on United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts, and here, it should raise questions about what's being concealed.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment