RT found this in the "Letter to the Editor" section of Daily News. Full letter is found under Read More. Little does Brian know the village board meetings are where the village board conducts village business. It is not a public forum.
A few years ago Gil Frank created an anonymous facebook name, which is illegal based on Facebook rules. He attacked Richfield residents until he was exposed. He removed all his pictures and took the page down. Is this who Richfield wants for a Trustee?
Many people wonder why Bill Meyers floats from group to group and elected position to elected position. Can't he sit still? Do people get fed up with him?
Supporting documents were given to Sarah Mann, so if you do not believe what RT learned about Gil contact Sarah Mann at Daily News.
A few years ago Gil Frank created an anonymous facebook name, which is illegal based on Facebook rules. He attacked Richfield residents until he was exposed. He removed all his pictures and took the page down. Is this who Richfield wants for a Trustee?
Many people wonder why Bill Meyers floats from group to group and elected position to elected position. Can't he sit still? Do people get fed up with him?
Supporting documents were given to Sarah Mann, so if you do not believe what RT learned about Gil contact Sarah Mann at Daily News.
Elect Richfield trustee who favors public input
Last month, during the public comment period of the Richfield Village Board meeting, I wanted to ask the board to amend its public works ordinance to require a voter referendum before municipal sewer and water could be allowed anywhere within the village. (The current ordinance gives the Village Board “the sole authority” to bring sewer and water into Richfield along the Highway 175 corridor without requiring a referendum.) To my great surprise, I learned that the Village Board doesn’t allow Richfield taxpayers like me to speak about items they have not put on the meeting agenda. Also, the board won’t allow me to give them any written handout materials as part of my public comments (even for items that are on the agenda).
Unlike the Richfield Village Board, boards from neighboring communities encourage their citizens to bring up any issues of concern (whether or not on the agenda). These other boards also welcome the receipt of written handout materials so they can become more informed about the issues at their meetings.
If the Village Board’s goal was to squelch citizen input and deter people from attending their meetings with these unusually restrictive rules on public comments, they apparently got their wish. Since these rules have been in place, virtually no one attends Village Board meetings in Richfield. Why bother if the board doesn’t care what you think about community issues?
To restore democracy and maximize citizen input at board meetings, I strongly urge everyone to vote April 1 for both Gil Frank and Bill Meyers as new trustees.
Brian Sowinski Richfield
Last month, during the public comment period of the Richfield Village Board meeting, I wanted to ask the board to amend its public works ordinance to require a voter referendum before municipal sewer and water could be allowed anywhere within the village. (The current ordinance gives the Village Board “the sole authority” to bring sewer and water into Richfield along the Highway 175 corridor without requiring a referendum.) To my great surprise, I learned that the Village Board doesn’t allow Richfield taxpayers like me to speak about items they have not put on the meeting agenda. Also, the board won’t allow me to give them any written handout materials as part of my public comments (even for items that are on the agenda).
Unlike the Richfield Village Board, boards from neighboring communities encourage their citizens to bring up any issues of concern (whether or not on the agenda). These other boards also welcome the receipt of written handout materials so they can become more informed about the issues at their meetings.
If the Village Board’s goal was to squelch citizen input and deter people from attending their meetings with these unusually restrictive rules on public comments, they apparently got their wish. Since these rules have been in place, virtually no one attends Village Board meetings in Richfield. Why bother if the board doesn’t care what you think about community issues?
To restore democracy and maximize citizen input at board meetings, I strongly urge everyone to vote April 1 for both Gil Frank and Bill Meyers as new trustees.
Brian Sowinski Richfield
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