The grim reality is that we have been accepting a harsh truth for far too long. There’s a corrosive undercurrent of contempt and disregard running through the corridors of Town Hall, and it’s been poisoning the very roots of our democratic process.
The people of Riverhead are not just spectators in a political drama, they are the essential characters whose lives are shaped by the decisions made on their behalf. They are the lifeblood of the community, the ones who pay the taxes and live with the consequences. But for some unfathomable reason, the role they have been forced into is of the bystanders whose voices are muffled, whose concerns are dismissed and whose presence is seen as an inconvenience.
Elected officials, by their very definition, are chosen by the public to represent the public. The critical word here is ‘represent’, a term that seems to have lost its weight and meaning amongst the haughty echoes of the Town Board’s chambers. They are not monarchs gracing us with their rule, they are public servants. Yes, servants. Their duty is to listen, understand and act based on the collective will of the community they serve. It’s time to remind them of their roles.
The indignities residents have been subjected to during public meetings are not only discourteous, they’re abominable. It’s not a matter of decorum anymore, it’s a matter of basic human respect. When a concerned citizen is belittled, ignored, or insulted, the damage goes beyond that individual. The whole community suffers. The very concept of representative democracy suffers.
Moreover, it appears that the Town Board has engaged in a disturbing dance with developers, changing codes and disregarding public sentiment for projects that hold questionable benefit for Riverhead. This kind of unchecked favoritism raises serious concerns about the underlying motives of our elected officials and their actual commitment to the community’s welfare. Is their allegiance to the people, or to the developers with the deepest pockets?
The incident at the June 21 meeting is a grotesque caricature of what public service should be. It’s the canary in the coal mine, a clear sign that we need a change in leadership. The elected officials who sit silently while their colleague bullies a concerned citizen are just as culpacious. Their silence is complicity, and their complicity is an affront to the ideals of democratic governance.
Enough is enough. It’s time we clean house and reclaim the respect, dignity, and representation that we, the citizens of Riverhead, rightfully deserve. The board has had their chance, and they’ve shown us their true colors. It’s time to paint a new picture of what our town’s leadership should look like, a picture filled with respect, understanding, and an unwavering commitment to serve the public interest.
Robert Gass is a resident of Calverton.
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