Residents have a right to question and dissent — elected officials have a duty to respectfully listen and respond

On election night, when the Republicans declared victory in every contested election in the Town of Riverhead, Councilman-elect Bob Kern proclaimed Riverhead would become the town of “yes.”

“This ‘always no’ bullshit is just getting old, okay?” Kern said to the crowd. “No more of this crap — people coming into Town Hall making up garbage, okay? I just know things are gonna move forward.”

We find the sentiment expressed by Kern that night deeply troubling — and not just the idea of Riverhead as a “town of yes.” Of course, not every development proposal deserves a “yes,” and that should go without saying. But the notion that questions and dissent are “bullshit” and that residents who come to Town Hall to ask questions or express a different opinion are “making up garbage” is really disrespectful to constituents — shockingly so. We’ve witnessed disrespect on the town board dais prior to Kern being seated and we worry it’s going to ratchet up now. 

For the past two years, we watched Catherine Kent, the lone Democrat on the town board, challenge certain decisions of the town board majority, asking questions and sometimes expressing a different point of view. And while we didn’t agree with everything she had to say, asking questions and vetting things publicly is always important. She did so, however, to the great annoyance of her fellow board members, who were often not shy about showing it — even to the point of getting up and leaving the room before the meeting was gaveled closed. 

We know from personal experience how Supervisor Yvette Aguiar does not like to be questioned. And she stresses how the newly constituted town board will be “unified” and “cohesive.” We also know that not all members are of one mind on all subjects, but we wonder whether they will have the fortitude to speak up, ask questions and debate issues — publicly — or whether they will continue to fall in line. 

Despite proclamations of transparency, we’ve seen public discussion among town board members decline to an alarming degree. Things are often decided “off-line” and agreed to by email discussions in a manner that violates the spirit if not the letter of the Open Meetings Law. 

And based on what we’ve seen in recent years, we are concerned about a decreasing amount of engagement with dissenting residents who approach the podium and we’re worried about what discourse between residents and our town’s government may look like in the next two years.

So, this is a wake up call. 

Lively debate and discussion are at the core of our nation’s democratic principles. It is a foundation of all facets of our government and something to be valued and respected — by town officials, as well as their constituents.

But to be heard, you have to show up and speak out. Comments on Facebook don’t cut it. It may feel good to get things off your chest but online comments are not part of the public record.

It is crucial to make sure you are heard by your representatives, especially if you didn’t fill in the bubble next to their name on Nov. 2.  Everyone who cares about the future of Riverhead — for all those who live in our town — must pay careful attention to what’s discussed and especially to what goes undiscussed. Speak out about what’s happening in your neighborhood and make sure the town board understands what’s important to you as their constituent and where you stand on their decisions and why.

And to our elected officials who have a dissenting opinion: remember, it isn’t a sin to vocally disagree with someone in your political party. The town board is a board of five equals. It is  important for your voice to be heard, for you to ask questions, to listen to the opinions of  and the constituents who take the time out of their busy schedules to attend and participate in board meetings, and to consider, with an open mind, what they have to say. Engage with them at the podium and treat them with the respect they deserve — even when it is 9:30 p.m. on a Tuesday, you’ve voted on that evening’s resolutions, and all you want to do is go home and relax. 

No matter how they voted in the last election, you still represent them. You are still beholden to them. Don’t forget who you work for.