To the Editor:

I totally commend you for the excellent editorial that you wrote, titled, "The sun can' t shine in Westerlo until public servants stop breaking the law."

After reading the editorial, my first response was, "Yes, there is a God!" You are also following your mission statement, "We seek the truth and print it."

I am one of the Westerlo citizens who has shown up at meeting after meeting for years. In disgust, many times, I have watched and witnessed what I believe to be the erosion of democracy. Our town officials, in my opinion, have to realize that they are public servants who are hired to represent everyone (which means all of the town’s citizens) in a fair and just manner.

I also believe that they are to institute all legal procedures to operate and run a town government that will genuinely protect the safety and welfare of its entire community without prejudice, without bullying, without intimidation, and without introducing the old "spoils system."

In short, it's good leadership that board members should strive for. Throughout the many years that I have attended town board meetings, there have been numerous situations that I have been in disagreement with.

When the current town hall (the former school) was purchased for approximately $145,000, I stated it was a good price but what would the renovations cost? I was told then, "Don' t worry there ' s plenty of money."

Now, approximately four years later, the renovations are to be $893,000. I ask, who in their right mind would buy a building and then put approximately six times the amount of money into upgrading?

Once again, I witness "the cart before the horse" theory. Hey, guys, the reverse is what is required, in my mind. The horse goes first, remember?

That means the people of the community should have the democratic process of a public informational session first, before you vote on the resolution.

Have you considered that you are deciding on what amount to spend, for 20 to 30 years, how it is to be spent, and that the project is to be paid for out of the taxpayer's pocket, but they have their say after the fact? Have you considered the economy and the struggles faced by residents pertaining to food, clothes, housing, medicine, etc.?

Can the quote "Taxation without representation" be applied here? Probably not, because I think we are being taxed, we are being represented, it 's just that it is all happening after the fact.

There are a few more questions that play out in my mind: How and who executed the procedure of the public being burdened first by a resolution then this $2.75 million project slides through before a public informational session was held?

Now a 20- to 30-year bond, I believe, will not have a fixed interest rate, so how are we doing with the math? Businesses, beware: Tax projections are lots higher for you.

Now I ask about the petition for a permissive referendum; a public vote is possible with X number of signatures. Was this the 11th-hour maneuver thrown in as a roadblock to put the taxpayer at a disadvantage? Is there anything here that appears to be slick or slippery?

The board’s original talks on the project were for costs much, much less than $2.75 million. The escalation of dollars is unbelievable. My main question is: "Who is running the show?" In contradiction to the editorial, I believe after many years of personal observations it is not just a "a private club"; I believe there is lots more to it and my opinion is that the word ethics should be dissected.

As you mentioned "unravel the shroud" but, if the shroud is made of cement, it therefore should be cracked.

A trivial reference to [Enterprise Hilltown reporter] Marcello Iaia's article of June 11, 2015 where he mentions "Councilman Theodore Lounsbury keeping track of when Sefcik [Dianne], who has been outspoken, attends board meetings and said she hadn't been to every one." If my recollection is correct, I could add, Councilman Lounsbury, himself, hadn't been to any board meetings prior to him becoming a councilman.

Additionally, along with Councilman Lounsbury and all of the current board members and myself, we have not had perfect attendance. No gold stars for any of us.

In conclusion, and on a brighter note to help the sun shine again in Westerlo, give us transparency in our town government. Repairs and maintenance are necessary, but, in my opinion, not to the tune of $2.75 million.

So, Westerlo residents, you will always have a voice in your town government. This is where you live; this is where you pay taxes. You can speak, write, participate, observe, and our public servants should work with and for you.

Don't be intimidated in any way, shape, or form — then the sun will definitely shine through, especially if transparency has been achieved.

Anita Marrone

Westerlo