Thoughts on the hearing tonight

Unless you're new to this site, I can imagine you already know about the meeting tonight.  I hope all who read this plan to attend and listen, or even better, voice your opinion and be heard.  We need to show that we are concerned with how our town is run, and that as the customers and financiers of this government, that the board is accountable to us. 

The Journal News posted an article yesterday about the referendum hearing tonight.  You can read the article here: Link to article

I'm very curious to find out just what prompted this referendum.  Is anybody in this town besides Kathy and the board calling for this change?  If there are, its news to me (although admittedly I don’t know that many people in this town). According to the above mentioned article, one reason stated by Kathy is "Just learning the job takes two years".  Really?  Even though you have been a member of the board for years past and watched firsthand exactly what the job of the supervisor is and how its done, it still takes that long to learn?  While I do not discount the toughness of the job, I don’t think it would take that long to learn to become an effective supervisor and create positive change in the town.  As Kent Fiscal Watch member Joyce Mitchell said, "Frankly, if you're innovative and you show leadership skills, that can go on while you're cleaning up the messes (left by previous administrations)."  I must say that I completely agree. 

I would imagine that a Town Supervisor should be learning every day, as new and unique issues are thrown into the mix. Conversely, I'm sure there are many formalities and operational tasks that once learned become "old hat" and almost automatic. Which of these is she referring to?  I hope its not the formalities of the job...I'm thinking that’s learned quickly. But rather I would think its the former, and in that case, I don’t think that any amount of time will provide you with complete knowledge of how to do the job since there will always be unique situations to deal with. 

It’s your ability to learn and adapt that will allow you to be successful as supervisor.  Therefore, I think a two year term is advantageous to the voters, especially when voting in a brand new supervisor.  If indeed it does take two years to learn the job, you can really find out if the person you elected has any "chops" if they can manage to lead and affect change during the first term.

Regardless of your opinion I hope to see you at the meeting tonight.