031601 Bedford school board member says, 'Trustees first must represent the public'

To the Editor:

Marian Kelly addressed an issue of concern to our community in a derogatory manner [see "Letters to the Editor," The Record-Review, Feb. 23]. The issue was my right to express my views, vis a vis the Citizens Facilities Advisory Committee (FAC). The writer fancied that a trustee, because he is a member of the town board, somehow must move in lockstep with the other members of the board. This is not the case. As an elected government official, a trustee must first represent the public that he serves.

The cause for alarm was my letter to the editor (and a related story) [The Record-Review, Feb. 16] that documented the reasoning behind the Sunshine Laws. I wanted this information in the record. I neither praised nor faulted the FAC. I understand their decision to close some meetings, but believe that it is in the public interest to not only admit the public, but to engage the public, in matters so important to them.

I was prompted to write the letter after a call to me asking why a Citizens Committee would not admit citizens. The statement that meetings would be closed until Feb. 28 (starting with the meeting around Feb. 1) was made as an announcement at the Feb. 7 board meeting. I did not expect it and had not given it prior thought as it was not listed on the agenda for the evening.

Furthermore, I believe that Ms. Kelly's predilection for prediction disserves the community. While I envy those who can do the "Vulcan mind-meld" (Spock on "Star Trek"),

I had not yet seen the Facilities Committee presentation. How could this letter writer believe there "will be an ongoing campaign to discredit the Board of Ed?" Yes, I disagreed with an action that the board took to allow the meetings to be closed. Ms. Kelly choose to mischaracterize my action for her own reasons.

If the public sees board members acting as individuals, thinking and discussing spending independently and objectively and from the viewpoint of the community as a whole, then the community as a whole will be more likely to support the recommendations of that board.

Joseph G. Whelan Jr., Bedford Central School 

Board member Bedford