Two Queensbury councilmen disputed Supervisor John Strough’s attempt to prevent public comment at Monday night’s Town Board meeting about the controversial Warren County airport runway expansion project.
“That’s not a town issue. And I want town issues only tonight,” Strough said when Queensbury at-Large Supervisor Mark Westcott attempted to speak about the airport during the “privilege of the floor” portion to the Town Board meeting, when members of the public are allowed to speak for up to four minutes each.
Westcott is a leader of Upstate New York Taxpayers Advocates, a political action committee that opposes the runway expansion project.
Strough and his predecessors, former supervisors Ron Montesi and Dan Stec, typically have opened the comment period by saying comments should be about town issues.
Third Ward Councilman Doug Irish, responding to Strough’s attempt to cut off airport comment, said public comment should be open to any topics, even national issues.
“In my mind, it’s privilege of the floor. ... I think in respect to Mark’s time, at least let him get to the issue he’s trying to talk about,” Irish said.
Second Ward Councilman Brian Clements said the public should not be restricted from speaking about any topic, provided the discussion is civil.
“Both sides of any controversy should have an opportunity to express their opinions,” he said.
Strough, who supports the runway expansion, said Westcott and other runway expansion opponents merely wanted to get publicity because Town Board meetings are televised.
He eventually did allow Westcott and three other runway expansion opponents to speak.
Westcott said the issue is a town issue because the county-owned airport is in Queensbury, and because of implications eminent domain proceedings related to the project could have on a business park that developer Victor Macri has proposed near the airport.
Strough said the runway expansion project does not prevent Macri’s project.
Strough said public comment should be made at county Board of Supervisors meetings because the county owns the airport.
- Source: http://poststar.com
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