When we were growing up, we learned that life had rules and in general we hoped the people in charge followed the rules and tried to do the right thing. It was only when we became adults that we found out sadly that wasn’t the case. I’ve had more than a few moments like that this year. I want to share with you a few examples of what’s going on in the town hall and how I am fighting for us to follow the rules for the good of our town.

This was the case recently when interviewing and selecting the part time bookkeeper and the accounting firm for the town. Past practice was, when candidates were interviewed for a position with the town, a committee was formed composed of two board members and various town officials. But this time, none of the councilmen were present at these interviews! Just the supervisor and his appointees. This process creates an unequal playing field to those interviewed and deprives the community of the most qualified candidates. It also gives the town supervisor a lot more authority and takes it away from the town board. I brought this up, very politely, in the meeting and was attacked for it.

Another example is the new town pavilion. The town Supervisor and a republican councilman did not follow the bid process, when they awarded the pavilion footing contract. The bidding process is an important rule we must follow. It helps to ensure that the best possible product or service is obtained. It can also help to reduce the chances of corruption and collusion. There was no board approval or discussion to move the new pavilion being built. It now encroaches 18 feet into the foul line of the town baseball field. Again, I am sure I will be attacked for just saying this, but it’s my job.

The town also did away with our standard residential zoning along 9W across from Hannafords, zoning which had things like lot lines and setbacks, you know – rules. The republicans passed another super high density giveaway to a developer! And I opposed that. They drastically boosted the number of houses that could be built. This project will have 197 cottages funneling in and out on to 9W. The developers' attorney has stated that the occupancy of these houses has no connection to any assisted living facility. These rental houses will just increase congestion at one of our most dangerous intersections. This was done despite traffic reports that predicted a Level of Service of F on 9W. When we are all sitting in traffic staring at red lights, just know that I voted against it.

And according to our laws, 10% of all of these developments are required to be affordable. That’s another rule we already have that the republicans don’t follow. This housing law would provide many of our families with an affordable home in our community.

So now you can decide for yourself how mean and terrible is it - to simply ask to follow the rules and do the best for our residents. Highland can do a lot better. We need to elect for supervisor Stu Weiss and councilmen Mike Guerriero and Joe Mazzetti.