To the Editor,
CONFUSED? If you are, you are not alone!
One of the many reasons for your confusion is this:
Oswego County Legislature Chairman, James Weatherup, when asked, stated there will be a “Hands off” investigation. Hands off means Hands off! Well guess what? The county is going to hire two separate private agencies. They are going to be paid for by the county. When you pay for something, you have your hands all over it. You control what is investigated and what is reported. So it is not a “Hands Off” investigation.
Here is another reason you are confused:
In the same interview Chairman Weatherup stated the money was going to come out of the fund balance and because of that there would be a “Public Hearing”. That didn’t happen. They did their shell game. They moved money from the fund balance into a consulting line item, in the DSS budget. The newly created line item will pay for the investigation. The amount in the resolution went from $75,000 max up to $115,000. That covers one study. Then there is $31,300 for a lawyer out of Saratoga Springs. So, the total went from $75,000 max to $146,300. One more reason for some confusion.
Another confusing matter:
This past three weeks since the release of the news report regarding the arrest of two individuals there have been two “Special Meeting”. They were both posted on the Oswego County web site as is required by law. Both of those agendas were lacking a notice of any “public comment” either on the resolutions of the day or at the end of the meeting.
Looking at all other agendas there are notices of “public comments” both on the resolutions of the day and at the end of the legislature meeting. During the last meeting the chairman stated that they always have a public comment on the resolutions of the day. Well I’m sorry, if it isn’t in the notice to the public, they don’t know they can come to the meeting and make any comments.
Why no public comment?
If you are confused even more, now this will clear things up for you!
Almost three days before the second “Special Meeting” I received a phone call from Mr. Nate Emmons, Majority Leader. During that call we talked about my inability to refrain from talking to the press when asked questions. I told him that when asked, I will always give my opinion. In the midst of our exchange, I asked him why there wasn’t any “Public comment period”. His answer (wait for it) “What value would that be”. I said, “I can’t believe you just said that. Their comments are extremely Valued”.
Now you know why, there wasn’t any “Public Comment” period posted on the agenda on the web site. They don’t want you there to speak your mind.
Here is a notice you can’t miss:
There is an Oswego County Legislature meeting this Thursday at 7pm, there will be 5 public hearings. You may sign up to speak at any of these public hearings. Also, there will be a sign-up sheet for the public to speak on any subject you choose at the end of the meeting.
Please come and practice your 1st Amendment rights, give your “Valued” comments at any of the “Public Hearings” or your “Valued” input on any issue you wish.
Frank Castiglia Jr
Minority Leader Oswego county Legislature.
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Yes Legislator Castiglia you are confused about the facts as evidenced in your letter. Your titled is well stated and your fiction over fact even better. But hey, you have a right to say whatever you want to whether to be fact, fiction or something in between to gain a headline. And to be clear, we had special meetings that were called to vote on very specific items. We have always allowed the public to speak on resolutions of the day which we did for both special meetings. I would assume that as the Minority Leader who is back on the legislature after a self imposed hiatus would know that (or at least would do your homework to see if comment was available on the resolutions), but perhaps I am wrong. The public did have the opportunity to speak but you continue to be misguided in your remarks. Secondly, in terms of costs of the proposals, again misguided. Perhaps look the at the budget resolution/amendment next time in terms of the mechanics of the expenditures and the county share of those expenditures… Confused….yes you are….
Nate Emmons, Majority Leader, Oswego County Legislature
You are the clown they paint you as. Legislator Castiglia said it is what the public was told, you didn’t say in the agenda posted on the web site that there would be commit on the resolutions, as you did all the other times. I check the agenda every month. Also your notice to the public said the cost wouldn’t go over $75,000 so the facts are true, you changed it at the meeting. You are a disgrace to the party.
Again you amaze me with your brilliance. Posting in the paper is where and when the public finds out if there is Public commit allowed or not. It wasn’t posted. But you didn’t want them to speak any ways.