While Keith Miller sat there, bored by the proceedings, reading his newspaper and texting, I sat before the Board of Selectmen with the earnest expectation that what I had to say would actually be considered in deciding who would take Joan Plock's seat. I read an opening statement (http://tinyurl.com/2dze8cg).
Why did I have this expectation? Because CT statute 922 stipulates, that in case of an early vacancy on the Board of Selectmen, any candidate: Republican, Independent, Green Party, Tea Party, Coffee Party or Un-affiliated, could throw their hat in the ring (Democrats couldn't because of minority rules).
Little did I know that I was playing the naif, the naive fool. The questions directed to me should have given me a clue.
Ms. Manners: What do you think about social services?
Answer: I like them.
From Ms. Masters: Where did I see Ridgefield in the near term?
Answer: I don't know since we are too busy scrambling to stay afloat.
From Mr. Bodner: a tight lipped lecture about my campaigning against budgets.
Answer: We need more strategic, long term thinking. May I suggest more Tri-board meetings.
From Mr. Marconi: nothing.
Soon it became clear this was only an exercise.
The First Selectman announced he had promised the seat to the Republicans. From Barbara Manners: It should go to a woman. From Di Masters: I agree with Barbara. Some women in the audience were outraged. No comment from Selectman Bodner. The audience wasn't allowed to comment.
This was a farce. It diminished the process. It diminished the Board of Selectmen.
The entire process disgusted so many people, of all political stripes, that the decision may now be taken out the hands of the bumbling Selectmen and sent to referendum for a town-wide election.
And so ends another shallow chapter in Ridgefield politics.
Why did I have this expectation? Because CT statute 922 stipulates, that in case of an early vacancy on the Board of Selectmen, any candidate: Republican, Independent, Green Party, Tea Party, Coffee Party or Un-affiliated, could throw their hat in the ring (Democrats couldn't because of minority rules).
Little did I know that I was playing the naif, the naive fool. The questions directed to me should have given me a clue.
Ms. Manners: What do you think about social services?
Answer: I like them.
From Ms. Masters: Where did I see Ridgefield in the near term?
Answer: I don't know since we are too busy scrambling to stay afloat.
From Mr. Bodner: a tight lipped lecture about my campaigning against budgets.
Answer: We need more strategic, long term thinking. May I suggest more Tri-board meetings.
From Mr. Marconi: nothing.
Soon it became clear this was only an exercise.
The First Selectman announced he had promised the seat to the Republicans. From Barbara Manners: It should go to a woman. From Di Masters: I agree with Barbara. Some women in the audience were outraged. No comment from Selectman Bodner. The audience wasn't allowed to comment.
This was a farce. It diminished the process. It diminished the Board of Selectmen.
The entire process disgusted so many people, of all political stripes, that the decision may now be taken out the hands of the bumbling Selectmen and sent to referendum for a town-wide election.
And so ends another shallow chapter in Ridgefield politics.
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