Guest Viewpoint: Vestal needs to move on from 'debt, dysfunction, disharmony'
This column references the unjustified criticism of newly elected Vestal board members, which appeared recently in local news. In these reports, some claim that our new board has committed "deliberate deceitful acts and cover-ups" about which they seem to know very little.
While very effective at raising their voices and pointing their fingers, what is apparently at the bottom of all this huffing and hyperbole is nothing more than an attempt to discredit the reputation of our new Town Supervisor Maria Sexton. Why? Because some apparently still remain captivated by our ex-Supervisor John Schaffer, whom they sadly describe as (ready for the Trump adjective?) “winning.”
In reality, Schaffer actually lost the general election by about 76% of the vote but the outcome became clear as early as the primary. Shortly afterward, the fear-mongering began and Vestal employees were led to believe their jobs were at risk under Sexton. Of course, that never happened. The only people who have left their positions are those that did so willingly.
Even when one of those, the Chief of Police, changed his mind after resigning and decided to stay, Sexton went out of her way to accommodate him – even turning away a newly hired replacement in order to facilitate his return. While some chronic complainers claim Sexton’s actions, "dismantled a superb police department," nothing is further from the truth: VPD remains a cohesive and functioning unit today because Sexton was able to bridge differences and seek resolution on behalf of the town.
Every new position has a learning curve and to err is human. Our representatives deserve the chance to make the mistakes they will inevitably learn from and in the meantime, our support. If others want to revive and relive the debt, dysfunction and disharmony of the Schaffer administration, they can enjoy themselves again this fall by voting for another consistently “winning” candidate, Donald Trump.
Anthony Barton and Erin Mairead are Vestal residents.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Vestal needs to move on from 'debt, dysfunction, disharmony'
