The question is often asked, why can’t we get good people to run for public office? After experiencing what my family and I were put through in the past couple of weeks, I believe I can provide a good answer. I was falsely attacked by Board Member Joe Mazzetti, his claims of an illegal contract awarded to a company that my wife works for and unethical behavior by me as a Town board member. It didn’t matter that the claim was false and based on uninformed information it was printed on the front page by Mark Reynolds and the Southern Ulster Times. An investigation by the Town of Lloyd Attorney and the town Board of Ethics clearly proved the false claims by Joe Mazzetti were unfounded.

There was a technical error that was made by me that did not affect the integrity of the process that was followed by myself and fellow board members. It was pointed out by the Board of Ethics that this technical error has been made by many board members in the past. That finding doesn’t make it right, it just points out that all board members need to be more diligent when recusing themselves from a board vote.

The findings of the investigation don’t mitigate the emotional stress and damage that has been done to me and my family’s reputation, the damage has already been done. Why was this done? The only reasons I can come up with are: It is an election year for Councilman Mazzetti, due to his lackluster performance, poor attendance at Town Board meetings and his ability to alienate former supporters and members of his own political party, he has nothing positive to run on, so he must find fault in others to distract from his poor performance for 7 ½ years. Had he attended the meeting where the contract vote took place, he would have known how the successful bidder was selected. The fact is that since taking office 7 ½ years ago, Joe Mazzetti has missed 20% of town board meetings and workshops. That probably explains the many occasions of him making false or misinformed comments and accusations. The most frustrating issue is Mark Reynolds is so quick to write a negative article that he prints most of the misinformation that Joe Mazzetti feeds him. When I returned Mark Reynolds’ phone call for an interview the next morning after receiving the message, I was told too late, we already went to press. The result was my photo with the caption “Town Councilman Referred to Town Ethics Board,” damage done!

I have lived in Lloyd my entire life. Most of my adult life, I have served my country in the military, been involved with community projects, the American Legion, youth sports, fundraisers, Highland Fire Dept, church programs, etc. It is sad that one misguided councilman, supported by a biased newspaper reporter has sadly damaged or raised questions about my integrity. For the record, neither Councilman Mazzetti (absent again) or Mark Reynolds attended the Town Board meeting when their allegations were addressed by the Town Board, Legal counsel and the Towns Ethics Committee. It appears their approach is throwing stones and run, I don’t want to hear the facts!

Why don’t good people run for public office? I believe the experience that my wife and I endured the past two weeks clearly answers that question. If you have self-serving, desperate politicians supported by a biased newspaper writer, the question would be who would want that aggravation and humility?