An outright fiasco

To the Editor:

At the recent Berne Town Board hearing, we witnessed an outright fiasco. The virtual public hearing dealt with a plan by the town board to increase the number of members on the planning board from five to seven.

More than a dozen residents spoke against the proposed expansion. It was obvious to most of the speakers that the purpose was to create a new position for a convicted felon and appoint him as chairman.

The discussion became heated. However, the most distressing part of the session was to witness the inappropriate and vitriolic behavior of town board member Bonnie Conklin.

This was a public hearing, an opportunity for the board to listen to the public’s reaction to the proposed change. Instead of listening, Bonnie Conklin called one participant “disgusting” ... and demeaned his previous service to the town.

She does not have to agree with what she hears but to resort to name-calling and insults shows she is unaware of the reasons for having a public hearing in the first place. Bonnie Conklin lacks the temperament to be on the town board. Unless she can control her angry outbursts and name-calling she should resign from the town board for a second time.    

Richard J. Ronconi

Berne

Editor’s note: See related story.

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