I’ve been involved in local government since the mid 1980’s and my frustration level has never been higher.
When I read this morning’s editorial in The Day, Ledyard Must Tighten Reigns on Mayor, I felt like someone had punched me in the stomach. Maybe hit me in the head with a two by four is a better description. You see, I should have written that editorial or at least spoken those words. Doggone it, I’m mad at myself. For the sake of party unity and respect for the office of the mayor, I have remained mostly silent. Remaining silent isn’t the right thing to do.
The subject of the editorial was mostly about legal fees. I made a campaign promise that I would try to curb the town’s over reliance on using lawyers for routine matters. I happen to like our lawyers a lot, but speaking through them, or having a lawyer present for an interview with the newspaper, is not a prudent use of tax payer dollars. I complained privately, but I didn’t take action publically, despite the fact that, as Councilor Diaz has pointed out, the Town Charter lists overspending the budget by a certain percentage as cause for removal.
Legal fees are only the tip of the iceberg as to what is going wrong in the Town of Ledyard. It’s a mess. Honestly, some of the things going on, I couldn’t make up if I were writing a novel. For the past couple of months, I have warned that I was about to jump. Who would have thought it would be an editorial in the newspaper that would push me off the edge?
After each council meeting, an “action list” is prepared for the mayor and includes the following: In addition to the above actions, the Town Council would like to bring to your attention that the following items were discussed or have been discussed with you at previous meetings and a status is requested at your convenience. Dates are shown for previously identified, but yet unresolved, issues.
At your convenience? Items on the list date back almost a year and include things like FOI complaints, Land Use issues, Staffing, WPCA, and the ongoing dispute of using a receptionist at the front desk, despite the fact the position was cut in the budget. How is that possible? (Yes, I’m yelling!) As a start, I am going to request that a review of the action list be added on the next available council agenda for discussion.
The last paragraph of the editorial knocked me down for the count. “Through it all, Mayor Allyn has continued to thumb his nose at the council, walking out of Wednesday's meeting before members finished discussing the legal-fee issue. But while he's showing that lack of respect to the council, really it's the taxpayers who are short-changed.”
Yes, the taxpayers are being short changed. In these worst of economic times, The Town Council owes it to the taxpayers to provide leadership. If not us, then who?
Please note: While I’m ready for the criticism this post may bring, especially from my party, I want to clarify one thing. I have no aspirations for higher office. None. I really enjoy my job, playing golf, and taking photos of Ledyard. I’d probably sleep better and have a lot more time for them if I gave up this council gig. I'm sure there are more than a few that would encourage me to do so.