From the Sidelines: Montville Township's New 'Open Session' Isn't Really so Open.

I had submitted a blog about the Purchase of Open-space on River road known as Market Place at Montville but Patch in their infinite wisdom said it was too strong and won't publish it. It can be found on my Facebook page for anyone interested. Facebook doesn't censor. Fortunately (or unfortunately) there is plenty to blog about in political Montville Township. So I will switch subjects.

There is a portion of every Township Committee Meeting where any member of the public can get before the Township Committee and bring any issue under the sun to the governing body. For the 15 years I was there, people had an open mic to ask their questions. Questions and issues were answered or addressed on the spot if possible. There was a back and forth with the resident. Many times one question would bring on a follow up question or exchange to engage the resident. Every member of the Township Committee was free to participate in this exchange. It shed more light than not and if the resident wasn't satisfied at least the exchange took place. It is called democracy.

I notice that has changed now. A resident will ask their questions and the mayor will write them down. When the resident is done asking they have to sit down and the mayor will review the questions and give whatever answer he thinks is appropriate. If there are follow up questions or the mayor's answer leads to additional questions, too bad for the public. Their moment in the sun is over.

That is not the way to run the public's right to address the Township Committee. We had times where a resident had multiple questions and stayed at the mic for quite a while. It isn't too much for you to ask of your elected officials to hear you out especially if the issue is a little complex. I preferred the open dialogue with people. The late Fred Eckhardt used to even bring his folders and sit down at the table in the front of the committee and raise several issues. Why not? He served the community for many years and knew the community well. I ran against him twice and ultimately ended his political career but many times he brought issues that the committee should hear. Sometimes it was just political. Again, why not. This is the portion of the public meeting where anyone has to right to ask questions, make statements and more importantly get answers.

Many times under the current system the Township Committee is more about protecting their image than they are about the public's right to know. A classic example is when they passed the ordinance to complete the purchase of the Market Place at Montville. They were asked who were the principals in Market Place? The mayor appeared to write the question down but when it came to the answer it was never given and for good reason. The answer would have raised a whole host of much more embarrassing question. That is not the way to bring "oppen government" to Montville Township.