The public speaks up...

At the City Council meeting Tuesday, the audience participation section proved to be something of a Greatest Hits compilation.
Among those who got up to talk were some residents who are frequent speakers, from Tim Gamache to Lewis Michaud.
I thought I’d give you all a taste of what gets said during the public’s section of the meeting.
First up was Stan Orzell, who is seeking a sign change on Route 69 near the Wolcott town line. His request sounded eminently reasonable.
Next up was Gamache, a near constant presence at municipal meetings. He talked about the “scripted meetings” issue, saying that making outlines is “simply good organization” but he has “serious concerns” that the outcome of the meetings were also orchestrated.
Following Gamache was Tom Doyle, who’s been addressing the council since long before I started attending meetings back in 1994. Doyle called for the city to leave the Roberts property undeveloped and defended the use of the older schools that educators are seeking to close.
Joe Geladino, a Republican council contender, got up next. Earlier this year, he threw in a white towel of surrender to express his disgust for the city’s administration. But last night, he merely blasted the council as “dysfunctional” and told its members that they are “not making the taxpayers happy.”
Mark Blaschke, an independent council candidate in the 2nd District, spoke next to say that existing schools should be renovate instead of pursuing a “really not solid” plan for new ones.
Michaud griped that a lot of people in town are not recycling, pointing to a neighbor who never has a recycling bin out. He said the city doesn’t take action against those who violate recycling rules because “you people are afraid you’re going to lose a vote” by cracking the whip.
Al Cianchetti, who once gave the mayor a failing grade during a long recitation of his record in office, rose to the microphone next. He said that the chief “told me to behave tonight.” He thanked the city attorney for clarifying the public referendum process and took a shot at city Councilor Ellen Zoppo for leaving Councilor Art Ward “out of the loop” in the scripted meeting about downtown last winter.
Finally, Maureen Carter addressed the council.
“I hate what’s happening in this city,” she said. “I hate seeing the decay.”
She said the council created the downtown corporation as a way of passing the buck so it wouldn’t have to deal with the mall issue before the election. Then she blasted the council for allowing themselves to be “led by the nose” on the scripted meeting issue, which she called “an egregious act that cannot and should not be tolerated.”

*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com