Letter to the Editor: Town Board Expansion – The Representation Referendum
Monday, November 7, 2011
by David Metz
We in New Castle are living in a closed-end, one-party political system. As the party in power has gained confidence, it has displayed a procedural arrogance that is unhealthy. Minority ideas seldom get a fair hearing.
Recent New Castle NOW issues are loaded with Town Board sycophantic commentary against one of the most democratic proposals ever offered in our town. Town Board expansion will give all residents an opportunity to take positions on issues. It is a magnificent opportunity for Millwood, Kisco Park, River Woods, West End, Bedford Corners, Yeshiva, Stanwood, Whippoorwill and Rolling Fields residents to have representation on the Town Board. Our board should hold geographic and demographic significance, not political party control.
Let’s give all the constituents of our town a voice in town affairs by approving the Representation Referendum – an election of the Town Board by Election District.
And, it is a great defense against one-party government.
See NCNOW’s archived materials on the subject of the referendum, arranged chronologically (newest to oldest), in Collected articles & letters to the editor on the Nov. 8 referendum to change to a ward system.
To find previous letters to the editor on the candidates and the issues, click on our Letters to the Editor page.
Dear David, the best defense against one party government is the active participation of TWO parties. The Republicans have slept for 16 years. Why didn’t you run sixteen years ago when the repubs needed candidates.
I remember speaking with the head of the Repubs in Chappaqua a few years ago at Community Day. I asked her why they hadn’t fielded a slate. You know what she said? She said “No one has come forward.” What?
Has that attitude changed. I hope so. I moved here 47 years ago and there was one party government then - all Republican. Dick Burns and David Montgomery changed that and then so did Nancy, Dick and Dave and then Doug Kraus and Athlene Nixon. Hard work and commitment gave us a Town Board to be proud of. But the repubs still fielded slates and took the Supervisor’s position. And it went back and forth and forth and back until the Repubs went to sleep.
Have they awakened?
How strange for you to characterize as “sycophantic commentary” the views of the residents. I guess you only want to hear from those already in agreement with you and your ideas.
In my opinion, hardly inclusive or democratic. Yours is a very ugly letter, again my opinion.
Bob - Please come out of your hiding place for a debate.
Maybe we should also give each of the elementary school district residnets their own board member. How about people with houses bigger than 10,000 sq ft -and those with houses smaller than 4000 sq ft- can they have their own board members too? Maybe all condo owners and renters should each have their own board member. The ward system is a horribl;e idea and has NO PLACE in our community!
You are so RIGHT!!!! Bravo !!!! Bravo !!!!!
Right as in “RIGHT” ; not Right as in Political Party affiliation!
Don’t expect Bob to debate anything. He is too busy yelling “liar, liar, pants on fire” at the Republican candidates for supervisor and town board.
