Post by standish on Nov 26, 2007 20:24:18 GMT -5
It has become apparent that this administration and the highest level of town staff have decided that the best way to serve the public is to deny it access to information. Only they know how to properly spin information, which could otherwise prove dangerous in the hands of citizens. Look at how WIN-PAC distorted where 1,000 feet from the centerline of various highways actually reaches (or is "1,000 feet", 1,000 feet?). And does the public know what the definition of "is", is? Or, does "all" mean "all", in the actual, expanded referendum language used to describe affected properties within this 1,000 feet? Does "owned or controlled by the town" mean something else, when applied to its exemption from the ordinance against residential takings? Are owner-occupied residential properties over four units still "residential properties"? Are non-owner-occupied residential properties also "residential properties"? Such distortions on the part of the public clearly necessitate the curtailment of information from those who don't know how to properly use it.
Nor has this administration or its executives been forthcoming on Historic District Commission information, timely access to Zoning Board of Appeals documents, or the near-final draft of the Preserve America Report (currently facing a Freedom of Information complaint for its withholding). Of course, the event that precipitated this entire brouhaha is when our own Dr. Ken sought to secure the map that showed the true scope of properties potentially affected by the empowering language in the referendum. He was initially denied the document, until the town manager was shown the ordinance that made such information available to all on a fee basis. Thus, the new effort to rescind the ordinance that provides this information to the dangerous public.
Our council chairman (mayor Adil) has taken it upon himself to personally introduce this resolution to rescind public access fees to G.I.S. map information. This map data is actually made available to member towns through the MDC. Of course, the information has historically been available through our town to developers, their attorneys, engineers, demographers and others. Other member towns also provide interested parties with access. But, town citizens in Wethersfield should not, according to the mayor and town manager, be allowed to have this same information. Out-of-town developers pose no risk: it's only a problem when those pesky citizens, who create such difficulties as informing seven out of ten voters what's really at stake, get involved.
If only we'd left well enough alone!
So, this pattern of circling the wagons, establishing an adversarial role against citizens and withholding critical information, is the new practice of those who know what's best left to the insiders and "experts". They know what's best for us, too, if we'd just realize it and let them freely run the show. Since we won't, they'll take another step to limit information to and from citizens.
Remember the five minute rule?
Nor has this administration or its executives been forthcoming on Historic District Commission information, timely access to Zoning Board of Appeals documents, or the near-final draft of the Preserve America Report (currently facing a Freedom of Information complaint for its withholding). Of course, the event that precipitated this entire brouhaha is when our own Dr. Ken sought to secure the map that showed the true scope of properties potentially affected by the empowering language in the referendum. He was initially denied the document, until the town manager was shown the ordinance that made such information available to all on a fee basis. Thus, the new effort to rescind the ordinance that provides this information to the dangerous public.
Our council chairman (mayor Adil) has taken it upon himself to personally introduce this resolution to rescind public access fees to G.I.S. map information. This map data is actually made available to member towns through the MDC. Of course, the information has historically been available through our town to developers, their attorneys, engineers, demographers and others. Other member towns also provide interested parties with access. But, town citizens in Wethersfield should not, according to the mayor and town manager, be allowed to have this same information. Out-of-town developers pose no risk: it's only a problem when those pesky citizens, who create such difficulties as informing seven out of ten voters what's really at stake, get involved.
If only we'd left well enough alone!
So, this pattern of circling the wagons, establishing an adversarial role against citizens and withholding critical information, is the new practice of those who know what's best left to the insiders and "experts". They know what's best for us, too, if we'd just realize it and let them freely run the show. Since we won't, they'll take another step to limit information to and from citizens.
Remember the five minute rule?