To the Editor:
The Town Board meeting of Thursday [Monday], Oct. 21, goes well beyond disappointing. What Supervisor Higgins did to myself as well as other tax paying residents was reprehensible as well as unprofessional.
During public comment I would expect Town residents to have the ability to ask questions or make comments pertaining to the operation of our Town. During public comment as I began to speak I was interrupted not once but twice by Supervisor Higgins. He sarcastically informed me that there would be no answer to my question, I would only be allowed to comment. Astonished, I made my comment regarding the meeting minutes not being uploaded to the new Town website and why the Board is not following Resolution #54 that was put forward in 2012 authorizing the agenda to be posted seven days prior to the meeting – voted 4-0 in favor. Currently a blank agenda is posted to the website the afternoon of the Board meeting. Needless to say I was never given an answer. Others went on to ask actual questions. Supervisor Higgins choose to answer the questions from certain people while others were not even recognized at all. Connie Alderman raised her hand on several occasions to comment, and Supervisor Higgins never recognized her and subsequently adjourned the meeting while hands were still raised during public comment.
Following the meeting Supervisor Higgins informed me that residents must come to his office if they have any questions concerning the Town, he will not answer in a public forum. Furthermore, Supervisor Higgins said he is contemplating ending public comment entirely. He said that there are individuals in the audience he does not wish to answer questions for, therefore all residents will be treated the same and he does not feel obligated to answer questions from Town residents at Town Board Meetings.
What type of Town Leader is at the helm of our forefront?
Linda Laveway
Trail Riders Way, Grafton
Editor’s Note: It may interest this letter writer, and others, that State law does not require public comment at Town Board meetings and that the comment period is at the discretion of the Supervisor.