Camera at meeting? Whats up with that?

I finally got to watch the section of the Board of Selectmen’s meeting from Monday night regarding the DATV recording of a meeting last week. (The Lowell Sun reports on this here). I’ve pulled it into my computer and should have clips of it up later tonite.

In this one, I have to fall on the side of transparency and agree somewhat with Selectman Zimini.

There should be no question, or even an image of intolerance towards a citizen (be them an individual or via the press) attending any meeting of our town government.

The veil of intimidation that has been put out there, calling for the DATV director to respond to questions by members of the Board of Selectmen bothers me.. and Zimini should have been upset by it as a member of their board of directors.

All the information that Selectman O’Loughlin asked for is available at any time.. I spoke with Steve Russo myself yesterday at DATV about some of them myself and he was very open and accomodating. (I should note that I was one of many people picking up copies of that BOS meeting on DVD.. a great service they provide as well).

But the fact is, I don’t care if someone is a volunteer, being paid by DATV, by government grants, by Russia, or God himself.. the questioning of the citizens’ ability to participate in his government is wrong. They deserve courtesy, dignity and respect. Who asked for the meeting to be recorded has no relevance, other than to feed into continued inter-board division between the Planning Board and the Board of Selectmen.

To go further, I find that meetings held in “closets” such as that break room, or the small conference room at Harmony Hall, also intimidate and discourage observers. Meetings should be held in locations that encourage citizen participation, not discourage such.

I understand that the Walgreen’s project (which the Selectmen really don’t have much of a role in, other than expressing their opinion), and the recent election have caused some bitterness and division among the town boards. This happens. It is now, however, going too far and just making all concerned look foolish, and diminishing the image of our town.

 

 Selectmen argue DATV issue: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download