Wold: Nothing Has Changed

 

Screenshot (Public Domain)

Submitted by David C. Wold, Greenwich Resident and Veteran


The long-awaited announcement has taken place!! (not via any official Roster change, but anyway).

Bill Drake is still the Chair, but after last meeting the First Selectman has changed his assignment in that Bill Drake is no longer representing and liaison with the BET (as he was not re-elected for same, nearly a year ago). He is now appointed by the First Selectman to ‘represent’ the Greenwich Resident. This change is only taking effect now and does not affect his strong influence and vote to move the suggested MI forward to the Board of Selectmen, Board of
Parks and Recreation and Planning and Zoning as BET representative, despite not even elected. We find that also with several others ‘representing.’ 

I like to remind you that Bill Drake was the one that issued the last newsletter (February 2024) that got posted by Town Hall after only having a few Committee members support and drafted similar Newsletters in February 2022 and 2023, that states:

The First Selectman’s Rink User Committee for Design and Planning meets monthly, and public participation is encouraged.

Agendas can be found on our website.

Also, your input, suggestions, and comments are invited at any time.   Please contact the Committee.

While at the meeting this week, Drake, as sitting Chair, representing BET multiple times interrupted ‘the public member’ in giving input, suggestions or asking questions, despite DPW willingness to answer.

Drake, as sitting appointed Chair, by the First Selectman, would only allow the one-way participation of ‘public comments’ (to the agenda) after nearly 30min of Committee questions and answers, not allowing
DPW time to reply.

This is a view he has upheld the last 3 years, i.e. comments, are only ‘comments’ and not participation and as such is not necessary to get replied to by DPW or the Committee. (check previous minutes, read public comments) You will not find answers.

 As a committee member, he has already expressed that he will not share comments or questions that he receives from the public, and that view will likely not change as ‘Greenwich Resident’ representative.

Hard to believe he has been appointed by a Republican to lead a committee that has so much influence on multi-million-dollar project that seems to have double in cost from original intention under his leadership and run into multiple years of delay to replace the crucial ice slab that at the last meeting sounded like it was running by use of ‘chewing gum and duct tape’.

 

 


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