Let the Oligarchy Rule!!!???
The latest attempt to get the questions and spotlight off
the Town Board on any number of issues is the mantra that “we’ve elected them
to make decisions so we should let them do that and quit asking questions. Questioning is meddling and disrupts the
processes of good government.” The most
vulgar expression of this position is the one from Mr. Malone when he said
“we’re the majority, and what we pass, passes.”
If nothing else, that’s an invitation for more oversight.
Well, leaving them alone to govern might work if there were
a track record which could be pointed to which supported the conclusion that
the bunch we’re talking about were all that trustable. My first case in point that they’re not is
the fact that they couldn’t pass an Ethics Code which had financial disclosure
and controls on nepotism.
The second cases in point I’d offer is the fact that if some
of us hadn’t been asking questions, we’d still have stipends, sick leave
incentive and longevity payments going to elected officials, no monitoring of
scrap revenue, poop in the Hudson, ……and the list goes on.
If there is any doubt that oversight of our “decision-making
body” is profoundly necessary, citizens should read the OSC audits from 2008
and 2012. They are litanies of what can
happen when the appropriate questions are NOT asked of government
officials.
Ray,
ReplyDeleteWhat malone was saying infact is that he and his colleages have the upper hand being the majority and if you don't like it lump it.
Its that plain and simple. much like malone being very simple minded..
I would say.
YOu can educate but you can't reason with book smart and common sense stupid.
Ray all of what has come out and the titals that have been given are a result of the braking the door wide open and getting information that they fiqired would never be asked or sought out.
ReplyDeleteDear 6:57 and 6:59 PM:
ReplyDeleteWhile I do not disagree with your basic premise I think the situation with our town board goes well beyond just the majority.
I urge you, and all taxpayers, to attend the January 2, 2013 6: 30 PM Organizational Meeting at Town Hall. I suspect you will find every nepotism and patronage appointment, every questionable job, appointment, hiring and pay raise approved by a 5 to 0 vote. What is that telling taxpayers?
Also, the Supervisor, as the town's Chief Financial officer, does not need the majority's approval to draft and share a financial turnaround plan with taxpayers.
Open government, higher level communications can occur without the majority's involvement or approval.
Merry Christmas to all the gadfly's
ReplyDelete