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Do We Have a Town Supervisor or an Ayatollah?
To the Editor:
After seeing the behavior of Bill Mazzuca at an April 11th meeting in Town Hall, the latter title seems more appropriate.
This meeting was held to discuss a proposed widening and re-routing of Moffatt Road in the Village of Nelsonville. Several neighbors adjoining the road were requesting re-consideration of this project.
The meeting opened on a sour note as Town officials expressed concern that the meeting had been "leaked" to the PCN&R. The meeting ended disagreeably when Mr. Mazzucca pointed to one of the citizens in the room and said: You're no expert on roads. Leave these issues to the experts. This meeting is over.
Then, he walked out.
Philipstown is at a critical time in its history. Our community is under relentless pressure of development that can alter, forever, the special character of the place. Only a concerned citizenry and enlightened, responsive municipal officials can help prevent the tragic destruction so many other towns have experienced. Open, frank and public discussion of projects like the Moffatt Road project is necessary if we are to make the best decisions for our community's future.
During the meeting Town officials made the point that Moffatt Road is "sub-standard" to State specifications. That's true, no doubt. Throughout Philipstown, there are many miles of "sub-standard" roads like Old Albany Post Road, Indian Brook, South Mountain Pass, Lane Gate and on and on. Should Philipstown undertake a massive project to modernize all of these roads up to standards while killing the character of this special place?
Supervisor Mazzuca appears to believe that such decisions should be made without full public debate.
During the meeting Town officials argued that "safety" was the primary motivation for undertaking the Moffatt Road project. Mr. Mazzuca commented that he, himself, was "afraid" to drive on Moffatt Road. Perhaps Mr. Mazzuca's morbid fear of Philipstown's roads is preventing him from getting around to observe the ever-quickening pace of development in the community. Perhaps we need Town officials of sterner stuff if they are to face down the pressures from developers.
They might take a lesson from the officials of the Village of Nelsonville who for nearly 20 years, with the support of its citizens, fought and ultimately stopped a massive condo project in the Village. The developer during this struggle sued the Village and sued the volunteer members of the Village Boards. It took guts and perseverance but the Village succeeded in preventing this lunatic project.
Mr. Mazzuca was not afraid to shut down a meeting with his own constituents. To him, it seems, the citizens should keep quiet and let the "experts" decide the future of this community. Will Ayatollah Mazzuca, crippled by his fear of the "killer" roads of Philipstown, show the same determination and leadership as the inexorable pressure to develop Philipstown continues?
God save us from experts who will pave paradise and put up a parking lot.
William P. O'Neill
Nelsonville
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