Village Attacks resident for speaking out at Board meeting

The Village Board has the time honored tradition of permitting RVC residents to voice their opinions on any issue facing the village. I have spoken at and have listen to 100s of residents speak during the privilege of the floor. I have heard lots of pleasant and sometime harsh speakers over time. I have heard residents speak harshly to and about Board members. No matter how harsh, they are rarely told to sit down, threatened with legal action and given limited time to speak in mid-sentence.

The other night a resident spoke about several issues facing the RVC Housing authority. It sounded like the usual observations about needed improvements for tenants, the appearance of Housing Board improprieties and the lack of tenant representation on the RVC Housing authority.  I thought she had a very valid reason to speak out about the lack of tenant representation.  Apparently, the RVC Housing Board has had no tenant representation now for an extended period of time.

The last three times this speaker addressed the Board during privilege of the floor which is her right as a resident. At one time or another everyone on the Board has interrupted, threatened, told her to sit down, and closed the Board meetings in the middle of her speaking.

 I don’t know this to be true. I believe the Mayor is in charge of Board Meetings.  Now it appears that the Village administer is in charge and the Mayor takes his lead from him. The Village administrators’ harsh tone and threats of legal action and intimidation directed at this resident for speaking out about the Housing Authority are shocking and inappropriate.  

It appears this lady has already asked the Village Board several times to look into the RVC Housing Authority actions.  The Village Board tries to silence this lady whenever she speaks. Maybe it’s time somebody addressed these concerns and stop trying to shut up this concerned resident. In my opinion no one continually speaks out about issues that don’t exist.