Citizen Editorial - 9/25/07
Much ado over what?The latest dust-up over who takes the minutes for the Gilford Budget Committee smacks of a cheap shot.
On Wednesday Chairman Alice Boucher of the Gilford Board of Selectmen told the weekly meeting that the Budget Committee should take responsibility for keeping its own minutes and not rely on the Selectmen's Office secretary to do so. Boucher called the change justified because some on the budget panel had been critical of the way Sandra Bailey was keeping the minutes.
What is puzzling about this affair is that word of any dissatisfaction with Bailey's skills came as news to the other two selectmen and Budget Committee Chairman Dick Hickok.
Moreover, Hickok was clearly caught off-guard by Boucher's announcement. If there was a problem of consequence, why didn't the chairman of the Board of Selectmen pick up the phone and call Hickok to discuss her concerns and possible ways to resolve them?
Boucher's suggestion that the Budget Committee designate one of its own to keep the minutes is ludicrous. Every member of the Budget Committee needs to be able to concentrate on the meaning of what they are hearing, to pose questions and to offer pertinent comments. It is not right that one of the committee members be reduced to being a stenographer — that's not why the voters send them there.
If it ends up that the Selectmen's Office secretary stops taking the minutes, the committee will have to hire someone to do the minute-taking.
Maybe she she just doesn't like the blog folks....
Comments
Even though I do not agree that the bud. com. should take their own minutes. I take offense to your comment regarding a bud. com. member being reduced to a stenographer. I used to be an Administrative Assistant to one of the top Medical Directors at Aetna Life and Casualty. It was the toughest job I ever had, even more difficult than what I am doing now, running my own business. See how easy it is to offend someone who you are not even aiming at. Can you imagine how Sandy Bailey might feel. Freedom of Speech I agree with but please for everyones sake a little less arrogant and a little more coothe would go a long way.
Posted by: Connie Grant | August 26, 2007 11:19 AM
Where is Alice getting her information perhaps she has been hanging around with the School board. Please stop Alice you have done a pretty good job just be yourself you know what is right and in the past have tried to be open minded. It is important that proper documentation be kept.Our towns runs pretty efficientily and I believe it is because people are provided with all the facts.
Posted by: pricilla | August 27, 2007 07:59 AM
Connie, I agree with you. In going to all these town hall / political events, I try to live blog what is going on (and have done a couple of the BudComm meetings - will do more in the future!), it IS difficult to do a good job. "Just a stenographer"? Not in my eyes. Sandy does a great job with the notes in trying to follow things, especially when you have multiple people crosstalking or during "spirited debates"!
Sometimes, difficult computer programming can seem easier.
-Skip
Posted by: Skip | August 27, 2007 09:26 AM