HomeMy WebLinkAboutPrivilege of floor January 06, 2020: GoddardPriv. of Floor - Jan. 6, 2020
I would like to speak about appointments. We have a new board and a new year.
I urge the board to approach appointments in a fresh way, leaving behind bias
and long held, but flawed, ideas about applicants and the application process.
As Town Clerk during the last ten years, I have watched the appointment process
and I have seen that it is seriously flawed.
The Board has developed a profoundly awkward “open interview” process
which has made applicants feel deeply uncomfortable. I have watched applicants
squirm, as they are unprepared for being interviewed while sitting next to other
applicants for the same role. There are inevitable feelings of comparison &
judgement, benefit going to those with better speaking skills, and an tragically
uneven playing field. This would never be done in a job interview. Why do it
here?
I have seen several applicants express frustration and anger at this process.
They have noted (and often rightly so) that the “deck was stacked” and that it
was clear that decisions had been made ahead of time. Some of these people
have been so discouraged on leaving public meetings, they were never involved
again. People have been hurt, and this has been a loss in public engagement for
the town.
Applicants have been chosen, not on the basis of merit, but chosen on the basis
of “who can get along” and not rocking the boat. Applicants approached with
bias. This has sometimes led to the appointment of people with little experience
or understanding of whatʼs involved in local government.
Ted Crane —full disclosure, my husband— has had a long and sustained
history of positive activity in Danby. Heʼs served on the boards of the Community
Council and the Community Park. He has been an active and a useful resource
in the efforts to bring broadband connection to inaccessible areas of the town. He
has regularly attended meetings of the town and planning boards. Not only does
he attend, but he comes prepared - having researched topics and talked with
people in neighborhoods where there have been problems. He does this to hear
different viewpoints and to understand the issues.
His activity has not always received the credit it deserves. It could fairly be
said that his input has often been discouraged... and still he has persisted.
He persists because he cares deeply about the quality of life here, not only for
our nearest neighborhood but for all sections of the town.
I have heard much said regarding the lack of interest and involvement in town
concerns, and lamenting the lack of public interest and involvement. And yet,
when residents demonstrate interest and involvement, and make every attempt
to add differing viewpoints and positive action, they too often leave meetings
feeling unheard and unappreciated. This is particularly true for those who are
persistent in their involvement. This is not an opinion. It is what I have witnessed
over ten years of observing and recording open meetings of the TB, PB, and
BZA.
There is a reason why PB appointments are 7 years, BZA appointments 5
years, and TB terms are 4 - Planning and Zoning should be for the long term,
and beyond political and personal bias. Appointments should not be made on the
basis of “who can get along” but on the basis of who will get things done. Board
appointments should be made on the basis of a diversity of views and skills
which lead to effective action.
I believe that the Board, as a whole, has the intention of doing right for Danby.
However, its impact on applicants - and boards-, given the flawed
appointment process, has been mixed at best. I suggest that those parts of the
process leading to negative impacts should be changed, and I urge the Board to
bring a fresh view and a more fair process to board and committee appointments
this year.