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Post by lioneljoe on Jan 22, 2011 7:33:50 GMT -5
Speaking of Carol Fairbrother... Her lawyer, who is paid for by the town, has asked for a fourth extension for hearing her lawsuit against the Concerned Citizens. The case was going to be heard the 27th, now its March 11. The town doesn't have a case against Cathy and Ed and are stalling in the hope that CC will drop their case against the town. My question is, why hasn't Don Blackman publicly spoken out against this travesty?
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Post by clarencebunsen on Jan 22, 2011 19:52:51 GMT -5
I dropped the ball on something. I had said that I would contact Don Backman concerning his quote in the OD regarding Ms. Elefante. He got back to me within 7 minutes of my querry to him. Here is his reply.
"I gave a boatload of comments to the O-D, stunned, disappointed .... and the stupidest one I throw in there gets printed!
Yeah. I've been eating those words. They taste terrible.
When the reporter called, I had been napping on the couch and my mind was still in a fog.
Mea Culpa. I uttered stupid words. Please forgive me.
Please pass these comments on to those that I owe apologies to."
I think you'll find that if you have a question for Mr. Backman, ask him. He lists his personal email on the town web page and I haven't found him to duck the tough questions.
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Post by lioneljoe on Jan 23, 2011 18:19:57 GMT -5
"I think you'll find that if you have a question for Mr. Backman, ask him. He lists his personal email on the town web page and I haven't found him to duck the tough questions."
Strictly speaking that maybe true. He will answer emails, I'll give him that. However, he runs from the tough issues and hasn't publicly taken a controversial stand on anything when he should have. The most glaring is the situation with the town's lawsuit against the concerned Citizens. If there was any time to make a public break against the town board it was then. Anyway, the town's lawsuit drags on and on and Don remains silent. Personally, I’m not buying it that he was misquoted by the OD. Even if he was, where is the updated statement in the OD. Why isn’t he calling on Hillarie to resign? There are other situations too.
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Post by dgriffin on Jan 23, 2011 22:37:19 GMT -5
Thanks, CB. That answer certainly sounds like one most of his constituents would want to hear.
Doesn't sound like LionelJoe believes him, but I don't live in New Hartford, so I'll leave it at that.
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Post by clarencebunsen on Jan 23, 2011 23:26:42 GMT -5
Lioneljoe,
He didn't say he was misquoted, he admitted that the quote in the OD was one of the things he said, it was "stupid" and he regretted it.
He does seem to be the councilperson who most often responds when the OD asks questions. I've had the same experience, if I email him a question on town business, he responds in a timely manner by email or telephone. If you have a question for him, why not ask him?
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Post by lioneljoe on Jan 24, 2011 6:55:37 GMT -5
I have exchanged emails with Don. I know he will respond, that's not the point. Here's another example: He voted in favor of the pay raise for the new NH police chief even though he stated he was against it. He said voted for it because he has to work with "these people “for the next four years. My take on it is if he thought the raise was a bad idea, then he should have voted against it. If he is in favor of it and voted yes, then defend it. Another is with the eminent domain issue. H e states he was happy about but voted for it anyway saying he had no choice. BS, he did have a choice Don talks a good game but caves in when its time
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Post by Swimmy on Jan 24, 2011 13:31:08 GMT -5
I agree with Lioneljoe. As a self-proclaimed reformist, Don Backman is eerily silent and often supportive of the very corruption he claims to abhor. Where was his call for fairbrother's resignation when it became apparent that all this mismanagement of town monies occurred while she was raking in close to $100,000 in retirement and salary?!
Where was he when it was learned that fairbrother never in fact resigned (until November 21, 2010)? I do believe an ex-Rome police officer is facing a trial for doing exactly what she did. Why isn't Don asking for criminal charges to be brought against her?
Why does Don continue to stay silent about allowing the town to pay for her PERSONAL claim against private citizens?
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Post by lioneljoe on Jan 24, 2011 18:19:00 GMT -5
Swimmy,
The only statement Don should have made to the OD was calling for Receiver of Taxes Hilarie Elefante to resign immediately in order to restore trust and integrity to New Hartford Government. He should also have called for the end of the taxpayer funded witch hunt against the Concerned Citizens.
The problem is that we have become so conditioned by bad government, corruption, and inept politicians that we get all excited when someone comes along who can spell "reform." Then when these "reformers" inevitably cower in the arena we make excuses for them, all in the hope that they might finally start fighting for us. Right now we have the government we deserve because we don't hold our politicians feet to the fire.
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