Town Council Evasion

Have you ever noticed that the Town Council avoids and evades through silence.When someone goes to the mike at the public comment section of a meeting and brings up a subject that is embarrassing or a criticism of action taken, the Council sits in unified silence, allows the objector to finish and then does nothing. The next speaker approaches the mike as if the first did not exist. Some exceptions exist.

The two ladies who objected to the light on Central Ave. were the subjects of mis-information and the defense of "shoot the messenger." Their shabby treatment by the Council was made worse by their language problem and the frustration of talking to a stone wall.

Invariably, criticism will be received by silence or some agent of the Council will justify the action criticized or blame the person criticizing. The members of the Council remain mute. This is especially true if the objector is correct or has a legitimate question, the answer to which might not be consistent with reason or logic. Recently, one of the members of the Council actually found some reasonableness in a suggestion from a Council critic and publicly asked if the suggestion could be looked into.

There was immediate refusal and obvious displeasure with the Council member who "broke ranks" and it is believed the Council member was "disciplined"after the meeting. I presume that when the wagons are ordered to be circled, it is treason to stop your wagon and ask question. Have you ever noticed that criticism is always received defensively. It is presumed that criticism is an attack on the "ruling class" rather than as a suggestion which might improve a situation. Even if a Council Member might agree with all or a part of the criticism, he/she risks a tongue lashing for displaying a chink in the defenses.

It always amazes me that comments are directed at questions of public safety and they are answered by the Mayor or Mr. Ciarrocca not the Council member in charge of Public Safety. Questions that have been posed concerning the number of firemen and their impact on public safety is not answered by the Council member in charge. The same is true concerning police personal used for non-police purposes silence comes from the Council member in charge of Public Safety.

It is amazing to watch the Council Members listen to comments and be so devoid of intellectual curiosity that only silence ensues. I guess comment would only lengthen the ordeal of having to listen to the non-believers who have the audacity to question. The comments section of a Council meeting is not a period of time which must be endured by the Council. It is a time when they should respond and interact with the citizenry. Each side might learn something.

A. John Blake.