The Town Board met last night and after a long discussion and demands from residents for an explanation of the claims made by Supervisor Evers and Councilman Kern of serious contamination on Main Avenue that justifies opposing a State grant, the pair voted for it.
How could that be you say, after the near hysteria and circular logic at the last meeting spewed by Evers and Kern opposing the grant? The turn around can be credited to several factors. The presence of concerned residents who demanded answers after reading articles in the Troy Record and receiving fliers at their doors recounting the claims made at the meeting. Also the presence of a TV camera from CH 13 which caused Mr. Evers to practice civility. It also helped that the pair were put in a position to defend the indefensible claims they made and two experts who were finally allowed to speak, added voices of reason that were apolitical.
We also believe Councilman Spain did much to apply reason to the arguments as did Councilman Michaels who is an environmental attorney. And while politics will always rear its ugly head with some board members attacking the messengers who demanded a retraction of the irresponsible comments that caused fliers to be made, and which brought media and residential turnout to the meeting, in the end there was a 5-0 vote to accept the $36,000 grant.
That's a far cry from Ernie Kern's declaration at the last meeting that he would "NEVER" vote for a grant that could in his words, "force senior citizens out of the homes".
Another related resolution was tabled that would have put the board on record basically refuting the claims made two weeks ago by Evers and Kern. Councilman Spain argued that a vote for or against might later embarrass the town. He may be right. As it stands the embarrassment falls on Evers and Kern for the manner in which they conducted themselves at the previous meeting and for the reckless comments they made.
Sure, we have freedom of speech, but what Evers and Kern said at the prior meeting was untrue and reckless. Their words rightfully scared people, made them question the safety of their homes, businesses and neighborhoods. Too often politicians exhibit a twisted moral compas which allows them to distort facts in order to manipulate truth and public opinion.
There is an article in the Record which you can read here.
2 comments:
If there really is contamination to the Main Ave Corridor, Where is it coming from? Who is liable for the clean-up? Why isn't the DEC involved in this? Since Councilman Michaels is an environmental attorney he should be able to answer some of these questions.
The $36,000 brownfield grant is only for identification of those areas, not for remediating them. If you ask me identifying them shouldn't require grant money, because identifying them is the best interest of the residents.
Why don't you ask him your questions?
Come to a Board meeting or drop him a line.
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