Town Board Meeting of 1/28/08

[dtwarren]

Comments, thoughts, etc.

I thought tonight's meeting went pretty well. It appears that we will finally get the noise ordinance amendments, hopefully in time for spring.

[The Jokester]

Any recap?

[Psycho1]

Any recap?

Fairly uneventful as a whole. Someone admonished Graber and Clarke for their behavior at the last meeting, which did appear to sit well with Vinny.

Big surprise was WP encouraging the citizens to bring matters to the Town at any time, and not wait for the meetings. Never heard that out of PC's mouth.

Tina and Sheila seemed to go on a bit much, for my taste, on trivial matters.

Looked and sounded contrived, like you'd expect during an election.

[The Jokester]

Big surprise was WP encouraging the citizens to bring matters to the Town at any time, and not wait for the meetings. Never heard that out of PC's mouth.

GOOD! Then maybe we'll get rid of future hidden agendas and financial statements. Thanks!

[Psycho1]

Comments, thoughts, etc.

I thought tonight's meeting went pretty well. It appears that we will finally get the noise ordinance amendments, hopefully in time for spring.

Why didn't you introduce yourself? Would have liked to meet you.

[Spirit of Ebenezer]

The "character" who spoke during the issues of the public was a bit full of himself. Apparently he annointed himself as the the voice of reason to lecture the board, particularly Graber, about town board etiquette. His act was a bit over the top. In my opinion it wasn't an appropriate issue in the matters of the public forum and was nothing more than him trying to belittle Graber on behalf of the minority board members.

[The Jokester]

That character who spoke during the issues of the public is a bit full of himself. Apparently he annointed himself as the the voice of reason to lecture the board, particularly Graber, about town board etiquette. His act was a bit over the top. In my opinion it wasn't an appropriate issue in the matters of the public forum and was nothing more than him trying to belittle Graber on behalf of the minority board members.

Has this "character" been there before or is this a newbie?

[Spirit of Ebenezer]

Wow! Some of you are quick. You quoted me before I edited the name out as per Fishers request of respecting citizens privacy. Oh well !

[The Jokester]

Wow! Some of you are quick. You quoted me before I edited the name out as per Fishers request of respecting citizens privacy. Oh well !

Okay, I edited mine, as well, for the respect that is due.

[Cotton Aulettes]

Tonight, Tina Bove wanted an investigation of the termination of an elderly woman that she had forcibly removed from the Senior Center last summer when the women was helping Bove. She brought the women to tears. Great idea Tina, an investigation will expose you.

[Psycho1]

Has this "character" been there before or is this a newbie?

The "gentleman" in question is a regular at TB meetings. He has spoken on numerous occasions, on various topics. I found it interesting that Mr. Graber's appointment to the open position is his brother-in-law, yet he did not abstain from the vote, and it did not come out until after the vote. I have to wonder if the other TB members new he was related.

[The Jokester]

The "gentleman" in question is a regular at TB meetings. He has spoken on numerous occasions, on various topics. I found it interesting that Mr. Graber's appointment to the open position is his brother-in-law, yet he did not abstain from the vote, and it did not come out until after the vote. I have to wonder if the other TB members new he was related.

Yeah, I forgot aboutt he "gentleman" in previous meetings. He always seemed to bring out questions many had in the past.

Re: Graber, that's gutsy, how did the relationship come to the attention of the others?

[dtwarren]

The "character" who spoke during the issues of the public was a bit full of himself. Apparently he annointed himself as the the voice of reason to lecture the board, particularly Graber, about town board etiquette. His act was a bit over the top. In my opinion it wasn't an appropriate issue in the matters of the public forum and was nothing more than him trying to belittle Graber on behalf of the minority board members.

I thought his comments were appropriate particularly in this climate of Town Boards trying to limit/eliminate public participation for this very reason due to similar exchanges between board members and the public. Also the Board meetings are to conduct Town Business not as a forum to cast aspersions without giving the other an opportunity to respond. This gives the appearance of bias particularly when the one casting the aspersions did not fully disclose his relationship with intended appointee.

[Spirit of Ebenezer]

the one casting the aspersions did not fully disclose his relationship with intended appointee.

The abstaining board members were well aware of the relationship and knew of the lateral transfer of the employee long before it was on the agenda, as well as the unfortunate set of circumstances of the employee's health that led up to the transfer. That was a disgraceful and dispicable display of grandstanding on the dissenting board members. I would expect a nice guy like you to see it differently.

[dtwarren]

The abstaining board members were well aware of the relationship and knew of the lateral transfer of the employee long before it was on the agenda, as well as the unfortunate set of circumstances of the employee's health that led up to the transfer. That was a dispicable display of grandstanding on the dissenting board members. But then again I wouldn't expect you too see it for what it truly was given you fondness for Bove and Clarke.

Prior to Graber's accusations regarding motive all that was addressed was whether or not the transfer would be economically beneficial to the Town and that the issue should be tabled to review it in more detail. Regardless of whether or not Bove and Clarke knew of the relationship was not mentioned, nor was it relevant to their motion to table, and the general public was not aware of the relationship and it was Graber that started casting aspersions. The only grandstanding I saw was that of Graber's.

Regardless of whether or not the intended transferee was related to Graber or not the Town as an employer has certain obligations both to its employees and the citizens of the Town.

The employees have various rights and the Town has various obligations imposed by the Civil Service Law as well as the ADA, FMLA, ERISA and a host of other state and federal statutes. I am not sure that these were fully explored prior to making the subject decision and ensuing vote to actually answer the question of whether or not this was the most economical move that could have been taken to keep an employee productive and compensate the employee at a level commensurate to the benefit the Town derives from the employment.