To the editor:

Once again Sullivan County's five-man legislative junta is attempting to force through odious and suspect legislation, blocking public input and participation by calling a last minute, late in the day, end of the work week meeting last Friday, where it had already been announced that no public comment would be allowed, and possibly public access to this meeting would be barred as well.

These premeditated efforts to cut the public out of any say in how their government operates have continued to escalate exponentially since the majority Junta took over County government. Even with his tame appointed County Attorney in attendance, Chairman Doherty was unable to enforce his outrageous attempt to limit the duration and topics of public comment.

But as seen last week, Mr. Doherty and his cronies have once again packed the agenda with odious resolutions on hotly contested and highly questionable resolutions, dealing with areas that have been openly opposed by a stalworth group of watchdog activists, executing agreement with the takeover of the Care Center at Sunset Lake, setting of Public Hearing dates, adopting a nebulous County Code of Conduct, and amending the rules to provide censure, among other things. And why do we need a temporary County Attorney position?

The only explanation for these anti “Open” meetings restrictions is to try to push through questionable resolutions that might cause an uproar of disapproval if public attendance and participation are allowed.

The right of the people to express their opinions and have input in their government cannot be infringed upon. It is the duty of this Legislature to ensure they uphold the will of their constituents, not the self-serving ends of some backroom wheeler-dealers.

Come on people, time to stop the political machinations and do what you were elected to do, listen and vote your constituents' wishes. Do your duty!