EDITORIAL: To Err On Side Of Inclusion Is The Way To Go

4-16-10

This spring’s village elections signalled the Cooperstown electorate wants a kindler, gentler more unified approach to charting our future.
That said, it took no longer than the village board’s April 5 reorganizational meeting for the first divisive issue to surface; the first of few, it can only be hoped.
In recent years, Mayor Carol B. Waller’s appointments were simply rubber-stamped.  New Mayor Joe Booan’s effort to add advisory members to trustees’ committees were disputed:  former trustee Eric Hage to the Finance Committee (4-2 in favor), and Cooperstown Youth Baseball’s David Borgstrom to the Village Gateway Committee (4-2 against).
At the second meeting with Booan presiding, three more appointments – Ted Hargrove to Adopt-A-Site, Nancy Morton to Human Resources and Milo V. Stewart, Jr., to Public Safety – by 4-2 margins.
The two consistant “nays” were Trustee Katz, who fell far short in his bid for mayor against Booan, and Trustee Mebust, who kept her seat by a slim margin.

•

Let’s take the case of Borgstrom, (the only one who was actually denied a seat, when Trustees Monie and Weiller joined the nays).
As CYB president, he organized agitation against Village Gateway plans that would have absorbed Beanie Ainslie Field, into the planned parking lot.
That, it was argued, disqualifies Borgstrom from helping decide what final form the long-stalled Village Gateway will take.
Let’s look at it another way. 
Perhaps if Borgstrom had been at the table from the beginning – after all, the CYB had a stake in plans that threatened a fine facility developed by decades of  dedicated volunteerism – the plan could have accommodated all parties.
If all stakeholders are brought to the table at the beginning, you avoid problems down the road.

•

That trustee committees are for trustees only is likewise questionable.
For years, the village Planning Board had historic preservationists sitting in as ad hoc members, providing expertise other board members didn’t happen to have.
Hage has been elbows-deep in village finances for years.  Hargrove, a long-time downtown merchant, has proved his interest in the trees he’s tended and flowers planted in front of TJ’s & The Homeplate Restaurant for years.  Nancy Morton is a retired county civil-service expert.  Stewart founded the pedestrian-safety committee.
If executive sessions are called, the ad-hoc members simply excuse themselves.
Given the margin of Booan’s victory, the trustees should give the new mayor leeway to try new approaches.  It’s a new day.
What’s heartening is the new mayor’s effort to bring everyone interested in the village’s future under the same big tent.
Just because people come at the same problem from different perspectives doesn’t mean they aren’t  people of good will.  It certainly doesn’t make them enemies.
Mayor Booan’s inclusive approach is a promising one, and shouldn’t be hindered simply out of contrariness.