Be the leaders you were elected to be
Bee Editorial
In his first meeting on the Amherst Town Board, Council Member Dr. Barry Weinstein caused an uproar in regard to his proposed changes to the rules of order. When he required the board to follow its current rules it was seen as a disruption, by ending the meeting 20 minutes after the set end time.

But the board could certainly stand to make some changes. When conducting a meeting for four and a half hours seems reasonable, there are problems. It would be one thing if the board were voting on hundreds of resolutions, but the majority of the time is spent on wasted conversation and disorder.

Since Weinstein's resolution was proposed on Jan. 7, it seems everyone has something to say about what might work and what won't. From residents to council members, there is a lot of talk and a lot of complaining but no uniform plan.

The board decided at Monday's work session to form a committee to review the proposed changes and consider additional comments. Another committee? Surprise, surprise. Let's hope this one actually meets. And let's hope that the same names don't appear on that committee. There are some known favorites and some gadflies who have said enough. It's time to hear some new voices because the old ways aren't working.

When Weinstein presented his thoughts at Monday's work session he was accused of calling the board dysfunctional. Deputy Supervisor Shelly Schratz said the board hasn't had a chance to be functional.

We can name quite a few chances - such as the vote to approve the rezoning of Rensch Road even when Town Attorney Tom Jones said it was illegal. Only Council Members Bill Kindel and Deborah Bruch Bucki cast the no votes. The board was later sued and had to rescind its vote.

We don't know what chance the board was waiting for - the outgoing members, Mike McGuire, William A. O'Loughlin Jr. and Kindel can't be blamed for all the long meetings, arguments, lack of knowledge when voting, and confusion. Schratz said that last year would have been the time to propose changes, when the board was dysfunctional. Well, Bucki did, and those rules aren't followed. No other changes were proposed. So when Weinstein tried to light a fire, everyone has something to say, and the board once again ends with the decision to create a committee.

It's your meeting; make some decisions. If the board really thinks that it needs resident input on how to run a meeting, then we don't know how much faith we have in the board's ability to run this town.