Mr. Willsey’s feelings are not facts no matter how much of a tantrum he throws

To the Editor:

Since I have been in office, I have gone to great lengths to ensure executive sessions have been called in accordance with Public Officers Law.  Unfortunately,  Mr. Willsey often confuses his feelings for facts, and any fact that hurts his feelings or is different from his opinion, he takes as a direct attack on him. 

This is ironic because most often he is the one leading the attacks on his perceived personal enemies.  Regarding the actual facts, as you know, the entire April 29 meeting was recorded, and the public session is available to anyone interested. I would encourage anyone that is interested to review the 10 minutes of conversation before the vote to go into executive session was taken when the town attorney explained in detail the permissible reasons for going into executive session.

As you will see and hear for yourself, Mr. [Javid] Afzali stated that “personnel matters” under the Open Meetings Law include discussions on taking disciplinary actions against town employees or elected officials, which was the sole topic of discussion during that executive session. As a result, disciplinary action was ultimately taken against the subject of that executive session when the town board publicly censured Mr. Willsey for shameful and morally corrupt behavior detailed in the censure resolution that you are free to publish.

With respect to Mr. Willsey’s mistaken belief that he “was repeatedly declared ‘guilty’” and “was ridiculed by board members [Dennis] Palow, [Matthew] Harris and [Sean] Lyons during this ‘executive session,’” those are his feelings, and while he is certainly entitled to them, it doesn’t make them facts, no matter how much of a tantrum he throws. If the councilman feels differently, he is welcome to put a motion on the table at the next town board meeting to make the executive session recording publicly available, and I will be the first to second that motion.

Mr. Willsey’s statements about the town attorney as being representative of the town GOP rather than a professional serving the town is a classic ad hominem attack of which Mr. Willsey should be deeply ashamed.  The law firm of Bond, Schoeneck & King is one of the most respected law firms in the state and Javid is one of their top municipal lawyers who instructs/advises the municipal boards across the state solely based on New York State Law.

He is also an officer in the United States military and serves his community through volunteer organizations and pro bono work. Accusing him and his firm of being politically motivated is ridiculous. And, just in case Mr. Willsey forgets, there is no GOP majority on the Berne Town Board. We have two Republicans, one Democrat, one Conservative, and one Independence Party member — I don’t know how much more politically diverse the town board can get.

As for the councilman’s question regarding the new local law that legitimized the planning board, the town clerk provided a full explanation of her search and review of the town’s records during a town board meeting that Mr. Willsey was too busy to attend. I am satisfied that the town clerk performed a diligent search; otherwise I would not have voted for the local law.

I trust you will print my comments in full.

Sean Lyons

Supervisor

Berne

Editor’s note: See related story.

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