Town Board fighting must stop; others should run for seats
SATISH MOHAN Amherst Supervisor
Every society deserves an honest government that uses the public money with maximum efficiency and that keeps the interests of the voters above the interest of its members.

A good government is one that provides all essential public services, maintains law and order, works toward balanced physical development that provides its residents the quality of life they desire, creates an environment that attracts the businesses and intellectuals to enrich the society, and runs its affairs with the highest integrity and is so perceived by the citizens. And, all of the above is achieved with maximum efficiency.

It is unfortunate that this is not happening in Amherst. The Town Board members don't trust each other and are continually fighting over petty matters that have nothing to do with the people's agenda. Some of them are convinced that spending more money will provide better services.

My fellow Amherstonians, all of this must end. You deserve an honest government that serves you diligently and selflessly.

To effectuate this, the people should come forward and run for the three Town Board seats that will be voted in the November 2007 elections.

After my last appeal, I have met only one resident who has shown interest in running. The town needs you; the future of our children is at stake. I can speak from my experience; it is hard and it can be frustrating, but it is a sacrifice worthy of your highest consideration.

The town needs members of the governing body, the Town Board, who can understand the functioning of the various town departments, who would keep the good of the people ahead of their own and who would be 100 percent honest and so perceived by the voters.

Sen. Ted Kennedy commented last week that "Politics is the art of the possible." This definition, if followed by politicians, can gradually lower the standards of efficiency and integrity. "Possible" has no lower limit. We must do better.

Campaign finance is the one evil that is hurting our democracy. The candidates need money to mail letters, to advertise in newspapers, radio and on TV, and for fliers and lawn signs. Several heavy campaign financing individuals and groups can later influence the vote of the recipient, and that can very unevenly skew the government policies, mostly against the people.

Since election campaigning needs finances, a prudent way would be to tax every household for election funding an amount from $1 to $10, depending on the assessed value of their homes and provide public money to eligible candidates.

The media, including newspapers, radio and TV, should pledge to provide equal time and space for all eligible candidates free of charge as their service to their readers or listeners.

I have promised the people of the Town of Amherst that I will serve them honestly, diligently and selflessly, and I am doing just that. I want to prove to you and to the world that success in politics can be achieved through honest means. It is hard, very hard, to change the status quo, but I have faith in the power of the people.