O'Hara for Supervisor
01-23-2011, 06:27 PM
Editorial
January 13th, 2011 Suffolk County News and Islip Bulletin
It's been over two weeks since the seasons first major snowstorm-a blizzard with sustained winds of over 50 mph, some gusting to 60-hit our reader area and beyond. That one dumped more than a foot of snow, which had drifted even higher in some places. And it wasn't even in the forecast.
Neither was a surprise resolution presented at the last town board meeting that called for the resignation of a town commissioner.
It's not a pleasant thing, this winter mayhem, but it's winter nonetheless. And we have to make the best of it and hope that our local governements does a good job in cleaning the white stuff.
Islip Town, under the direction of DPW Comissioner Richard Baker did a very good job handling the last snowstorm. Thers was a significant number of individuals working long hours, some round the clock, making certain the streets were plowed, which was very difficult to do during high sustained winds.
An emergency phone bank that was set up in 401 Town Hall West was manned by town personnel and elected officials who documented phone callers' concerns and made certain any special needs were addressed. Even Baker, who was in Virginia visiting his family for Christmas, kept in constant contact with his department by telephone and computer. During an emergency, everyone pitches in, even those who are snowed in out of state.
However, that effort didn't satisfy Councilpersons Trish Bergin Weichbroot and Steve Flotteron. At the Jan 4 town board meeting, they presented a surprise resolution at the end of the meeting calling for the resignation of Commissioner Baker, basically because he happened to be outof state on vacation when the snow storm hit.
Supervisor Nolan said, while noting the commissioners close contact with his personnel, "Rich Baker was on duty throughout the storm" and added that for the most part, citizen and media reaction to the cleanup was good. The resolution was denied.
Apparently, when put to the test, Baker's leadership proved he'd trained his staff well , and the equipment was ready to go when needed.
This "gotcha" type of Monday morning quarterbacking by our elected officials is disappointing, especially considering the unusual and extreme circumstances of the snow event. And the timing of the Bergin Weichbroot/Flotteon resolution seems questionable as well. But maybe it had nothing to do with the snowstorm at all. Perhaps what could be explained as a "snow job" was just their way of announcing that the political season has begun.
January 13th, 2011 Suffolk County News and Islip Bulletin
It's been over two weeks since the seasons first major snowstorm-a blizzard with sustained winds of over 50 mph, some gusting to 60-hit our reader area and beyond. That one dumped more than a foot of snow, which had drifted even higher in some places. And it wasn't even in the forecast.
Neither was a surprise resolution presented at the last town board meeting that called for the resignation of a town commissioner.
It's not a pleasant thing, this winter mayhem, but it's winter nonetheless. And we have to make the best of it and hope that our local governements does a good job in cleaning the white stuff.
Islip Town, under the direction of DPW Comissioner Richard Baker did a very good job handling the last snowstorm. Thers was a significant number of individuals working long hours, some round the clock, making certain the streets were plowed, which was very difficult to do during high sustained winds.
An emergency phone bank that was set up in 401 Town Hall West was manned by town personnel and elected officials who documented phone callers' concerns and made certain any special needs were addressed. Even Baker, who was in Virginia visiting his family for Christmas, kept in constant contact with his department by telephone and computer. During an emergency, everyone pitches in, even those who are snowed in out of state.
However, that effort didn't satisfy Councilpersons Trish Bergin Weichbroot and Steve Flotteron. At the Jan 4 town board meeting, they presented a surprise resolution at the end of the meeting calling for the resignation of Commissioner Baker, basically because he happened to be outof state on vacation when the snow storm hit.
Supervisor Nolan said, while noting the commissioners close contact with his personnel, "Rich Baker was on duty throughout the storm" and added that for the most part, citizen and media reaction to the cleanup was good. The resolution was denied.
Apparently, when put to the test, Baker's leadership proved he'd trained his staff well , and the equipment was ready to go when needed.
This "gotcha" type of Monday morning quarterbacking by our elected officials is disappointing, especially considering the unusual and extreme circumstances of the snow event. And the timing of the Bergin Weichbroot/Flotteon resolution seems questionable as well. But maybe it had nothing to do with the snowstorm at all. Perhaps what could be explained as a "snow job" was just their way of announcing that the political season has begun.