Conduct unbecoming of elected city officials
To the editor:
Well I got to attend my first City Council meeting last week. I sat and observed a bit before the meeting got under way, and was amused. Mr. Bennett and Ms. Smith, when you decide that you need to have an exchange of words or attitudes you really should do that in private.
I don’t know if anyone else caught the “whatever” you threw at Ms. Smith but I did. I also caught the totally unprofessional manner in which you responded to Ms. Smith.
Secondly and more importantly, the town meetings are open to the public, therefore you can guarantee that the public will respond. Ms. Smith, your treatment of a former council member in the person of Don Gardiner was reprehensible at best. There was no second guessing your contempt for the man. Here’s the kicker though Ms. Smith, Mr. Gardiner is a taxpayer of the city of Presque Isle, and has probably been involved in town politics longer than you have been alive. To inform him that you were not going to set by and let him comment on each topic being brought forth was not for you to decide. With the amount of work and hours that man has put in to trying to make this city a better place, he should have the right to comment on whatever he feels the need to comment on.
I think your power has gone to your head Ms. Smith, having control of the gavel does not make you the governing voice. I also believe that a public apology to Mr. Gardiner and a change in your attitude are in order. Don’t forget the people that voted you in can also choose to not vote for you next time.
Shelly Rogers
Presque Isle
