Beachcomber News - August 26, 2005

Dear Editor,

Whom does government represent? Whose taxes pay the costs of government? To whom is government accountable? To whom does government have a responsibility to report on its activities? The answer, obviously, except to some, is the people.

A part of "the people" in Brigantine is the Brigantine Taxpayers Association, a responsible, active group exercising its rights and responsibilities as citizens. We hold public meetings during the year in order to have open, informative and orderly discussions about our municipal government and public school system. We share facts and opinions and we all learn.

For our next such public meeting on Saturday, September 17, 10 AM in the Brigantine Library, we invited the Public Works Superintendent to be our speaker: He accepted, and in our confirmation letter to thim, we said this: "We are pleased that you are coming to discuss the functions, administration and achievements of Public Works. We believe such a discussion between those receiving your department's services and those providing them will be mutually ,beneficial. It offers an opportunity to ask and answer questions, provide factual, information, present problems and seek solutions, and, in general, promote cooperation and effective municipal government."

This past Monday, August 8, we were told by the City Manager that the Superintendent would not appear at this meeting nor at any others we will hold. Nor would any other City employee be allowed to appear. We do not "abuse" our speakers, and, yet, the City Manager feels it's his job to "protect" City employees from a public discussion about their jobs. Do City employees need to be "protected" from responsible people with questions and recommendations? Such an attitude is demeaning to these employees who feel comfortable appearing before the public they serve, even when, imagine, there are differences of opinion! That's democracy, Mr. City Manager. And, personal hostility should not guide public policy.

What happened is regrettable and a lost opportunity, an example of an unhealthy. Civic life here in Brigantine.

We ask City Council to review this City policy and decide if such a negative attitude is one it wishes to support and present to the people.

Sincerely,
Ray Schillinger, BTA President