Letter To The Editor – Dirty Politics In New Lebanon?

Dear Editor,
I am writing first, to thank your paper and Thaddeus Flint for the well written article concerning the dismissal of our Deputy Town Supervisor in New Lebanon.
Secondly, I am writing because I hope for the residents of New Lebanon to see via your article the seriousness of what the former Deputy Supervisor, Candidate Mike Benson and LVBA [Lebanon Valley Business Association] Chair, Fiona Lally, actually DID!
This attempted “coup” against our incumbent Supervisor was the ultimate example of dirty politics. The weak excuses of those involved were just that, weak excuses. The goal was to undermine our present Supervisor, win Hannaford back to Town and give the glory to candidate Benson, which in turn would have won him more votes.
This is deplorable behavior and should have resulted in the dismissal of Deputy Supervisor Clark completely and the immediate dis-qualification of Mike Benson as a candidate. Unfortunately, the laws protect the officials rather than the people, and Clark can only be removed by the peoples’ petition or by voting him out in two more years! Our incumbent Supervisor did as much as she was allowed to by law thanks to her hands being tied by undeserved official protections!
In addition, the “Empty folding chair” would not BE empty had Clark and Councilman Baldwin NOT voted against the Supervisor’s recommendation that the empty seat be filled months ago! Instead, they undermined her, as they always do whenever she tries to take our Town forward.
So far as eligible replacements for Clark’s position, Supervisor Robertson can choose from an entire Town full of good people, as the replacement does NOT have to be an official or Board member.
So to the people of New Lebanon, be aware that it is not new leadership we need, it is new council-people that will NOT fight against the Supervisor, but work WITH her! Besides, the “New Leadership” choice has just proven himself a dangerous one.
Joanna Johnson-Smith
Shaker Road, New Lebanon