Mr. Timmer,
If you've been reading the emails and the Beacon Free Press, you would know that many of he Council Members admit they only got it half right and made mistakes. And when we realized both that the Mayor/Administrator ignored our guidelines, and removed trees we all thought could have been kept, we too were upset. And then many of the council members realized that all of the trees could have been saved and that we were wrong in accepting the argument that some were dangerous and had to be removed because the roots were too high to rescue. We stopped any more trees from being removed immediately.
You know the City Council has been working very hard in Beacon to make things wonderful for you and everyone else. And you have to understand that the first time we make a mistake (and only half a mistake at that), you are ready to throw us overboard, well that's just not right. You have no idea of the environmental actions the Democrats have taken in Beacon over the years. They started when we closed an incinerator that was spewing toxic chemicals and in violation of EPA and State Regulations. But the Mayor/Administrator kept it open for years before, knowing it was out of compliance, but it was bringing over $600,000 a year from outside sludge haulers. We purchased almost 150 acres for parkland over the last year alone and prevented them from becoming housing developments. We are buying wind power for the administration building and our comprehensive plan is going to require new homes to be energy star compliant. You cannot find a more environmentally concerned council anywhere. But for heavens sake we are not perfect.
So don't just forget all that we've done and all that we want to do and ask us to resign from office and call for us to withdraw. Then who would you get? Traditionally in Beacon the Republicans want to build homes everywhere and think environmental protection, Scenic Hudson and acquisition of parkland will increase taxes and they are usually opposed to such things. I know because Lee and I have had to fight them over the last ten years.
Regarding the trees, more emails will be forthcoming about the situation.
Steve Gold
Councilman and Candidate for Mayor
www.goldforbeacon.com
Mr. Gold,
ReplyDeleteI'm a little surprised to read your defensive and at times inappropriate response to a citizen's valid criticism. Is this the type of communication we could expect from you should you be elected Mayor?
I am a democratic party supporter, and I think all of us appreciate the work the democratic party has done, and plans to do. But clearly a mistake has been made--and the distinction between a mistake or a half mistake is just childish. Let's not go there--as Lee Kyriacou posted earlier, "While electeds end up in the hotseat sometimes, it's great. Keep coming." It's part of the territory, and I really appreciate that attitude.
But I was especially offended to read, "So don't just forget all that we've done and all that we want to do and ask us to resign from office and call for us to withdraw. Then who would you get?" I think you might be surprised at who begins to step forward in upcoming elections and participating in local government as a result of this issue and the way our elected officials have responded. I've overheard alot of conversations recently about citizens who support the democratic party's causes but not necessarily their candidates. Secondly, my reading of Mr. Timmer's comments were not that he was asking everyone involved in this issue to step down, I read it as he was making the point that going forward our expectations are that these types of mistakes and lack of follow-through will be a thing of the past, and any candidate that throws his hat into the ring better be ready to face accountability for their decisions, without the defense of "half mistakes" and "then what would you get".
I understand that this is a stressful time for you, running for Mayor while an issue like this comes up. But...rather than posting a rant, I for one would prefer to see the candidate I'll probably vote for just acknowledge the mistake, work to see things from a citizen's perspective, apologize, and do your best to fix it. Surely that would do more to strengthen the voting public's confidence in you as a leader, and you might get less of these types of comments in the future.
Maryalice Quinn, Ward 2
Mar Alice,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your response. I thought it was thoughtful and insightful.
I just wanted to mention that
Steve Gold did, in fact, admit to being wrong. Please see the post entitled "A Message from Steve Gold", especially #2 under where things went wrong.
They should have been more thorough and asked mroe questions. Definitely!
I Believe we have been awarded tree city awards the last 13 years. I also believe the republicans controlled the council for at least 10 of the last 13. Steve do not try to cover up the fact you did not know what you voted to spend 394,000 dollars on by saying the republicans do not care about the environment. I Believe it was a republican council that voted to shut down the incinerator.
ReplyDelete