Photo News Ends Its Silence; Burke Doesn't

The Photo-News is finally covering Woodbury Town Meetings, even if the Times Herald Record still isn't (although there are hints that this may change).

The P-N's coverage was broken up ino three stories. The first on a proposed law to ban smoking in Woodbury parks excepts in certain designated areas.

The second article (reproduced electronically below) is a wrap-up of the evening including the Pieman’s "chiding" of the Town Board.

The third piece dealt with the Board’s passing the Cold War Veterans’ tax exemption. Bo Haviland voted against the measure, giving no explanation. It was only when Mickey O’Brien asked him why that Bo said "I’m glad someone asked that." He then went on to give some tortured critique of the wording of the law. The most interesting part of this was that it made clear that Bo doesn’t even understand how his job works. If he feels a law needs different language then, when the motion is made to pass it, he has a chance to discuss his concerns and to offer an amendment.

Perhaps he can steal a book which explains how to do the job he stole.

Photo News
Civics and business at the

Woodbury Town Board meeting
Published: January 24, 2008
Highland Mills — It was all civics and business at the start of the regularly scheduled Woodbury Town Council meeting last Thursday evening.The Pledge of Allegiance was followed by a moment of silence in reflection on our military.

Agenda items were dispatched in order. Administrative business followed by old business, then new business and on to department reports. Administrative reports provided the only material for any comment. That section had a budget modification, a resignation, a designation of delegates to the Association of Towns Conference, and acceptance of bids for new highway department equipment.

Business and civics.

Public hearings on two new local laws followed. The first would prohibit smoking in town parks except in designated areas. The second codifies a real property tax exemption to "Cold War Veterans." Two members of the public accepted invitations to comment on the proposed laws. Votes were taken. Tax break enacted, smoking ban vote postponed.

Civics and business.

General comments were next. Councilman Amidee T. Haviland III offered "attaboys" to the police and highway departments for their dedication and desire to do well within the means provided. No official comments from the town attorney, police chief, highway superintendent or town clerk were forthcoming.

Business and civics.

Before adjourning, public comment was invited. The tenor of the meeting changed dramatically as resident Jonathan Swiller took to the microphone and addressed the board on the issue that has persistently dogged this newly elected board for months.

Supervisor John Burke has accepted responsibility for a flier that was distributed to residents at the Timber Ridge condominium complex that accused incumbents Mike Aronowitz and Lorraine McNeil of being behind a plan to increase housing assessments at the complex by as much as 50 percent. Town Republicans contend the flier was responsible for the ouster of the two incumbents by newly elected council members, Carlton Levine and Haviland. Levine bested Aronowitz by 10 votes, giving the Democrats a 3-2 majority on the board and highlighting the importance of the flier in influencing the outcome.

Aronowitz was not serving on the board when the assessor was hired and it is acknowledged the assessor performs their duties independent of the board.

This issue dominated closing public statements as Burke was chided by Swiller for winning his majority through fraud and by lying to voters. He added that Burke humiliated himself and the town, resulting in the Times Herald-Record calling on the board to resign. Burke responded by saying he had already accepted responsibility for the flier and that he would have no further comment on this issue.I

t appears the issue will persist. Swiller closed his comments by accusing Burke of assuming Woodbury residents would take all this like a dog but warned the board would be watched like a hawk.

Business and civics. And politics.

While the Pieman got fine coverage, the Uncle’s favorite moment was left out. Mickey O’Brien asked Burke if he had ever taught classes in Government. Silent John refused to answer.

Apparently the list of questions that Burke refuses to answer will continue to expand until it includes "What’s your name?" "Are you the Town Supervisor?" "Is anyone sitting there?" and "Do you want fries with that?"