As my fellow Councilman, Dave Fishman, says in his comment below (See comments relating to my Sunday, September 13th posting,) our next work session on October 7th, which starts at 5:00 pm, will address whether or not we should start televising our work sessions. All our meetings are open to the public and, except for Executive Sessions which are limited to narrowly defined topics under NY Law and which must be approved by a vote of a majority of the Board members during the meeting of the Board, everyone is welcome to sit in and observe.

One of the objections likely to be raised will be the possible expense, another will be the "logistics." Our conference room "A" where the work sessions usually take place, is not currently set up for a live TV feed.

We often have very frank, open discussions during "Work Sessions" and opinions or positions are changeable. Where we start out from may not be where we end up at after an hour of "give and take" on an issue. I would hope that the presence of TV cameras would not inhibit these discussions and make compromising more difficult.

My feeling is that once we decide to "do" it, we can work out the details and, yes, I know, "The Devil is often in The Details."

Bottom line, in my opinion, it's the peoples' business and they have a right to know what's going on.

Opinions and thoughts always welcome.

I have been getting more comments and viewership than I anticipated about subjects on this blog. What I haven't figured out yet is how to get my "responses" to the various comments appear on the blog, near or adjacent to, the "comment" that caused me to respond in the first place. Some folks, including me at first, didn't realize that all the comments show up and are viewable when you "click" on "comments" after scrolling down through all of my, what appear like ramblings, that precede other folks "comments."

One suggestion I got was to "comment" myself after I get one from a viewer rather than simply add to the blog itself.

Anyway, while I'm figuring it out, just scroll down to the bottom and figure out for yourself which of my responses go with which "comment."

Another question I have been contemplating is: How long do I leave a "comment" & or my response "up?" Also, when is it inappropriate to "publish" a "comment?"

Suggestions and advice always welcome.

It has been brought to my attention by various individuals over the years that they would appreciate the opportunity to view The Town Board Work Sessions as well as sessions of our Planning and Zoning Boards. Arguments for our doing this include the fact that "it's the people's business and they have a right to know what's going on." Objections raised by some suggest that "the glare of cameras will impede productive discussion and inhibit an open dialog between officials."

I personally am in favor of as much openness as is possible and sharing with the public, via LMC-TV , all Town Work Sessions and Commission/Committee Meetings as folks are willing to view. Our upcoming Budget Hearings are perfect examples of important discussions which will have an impact on all our citizens and only a handful of constituents will be in attendance. Is it because more of them just don't care, aren't available when we meet or just plain don't know about the hearings? As I have often said, "That's where the real discussions take place." When we actually vote on something it's pretty much a "done deal."

I would also like to figure out a way for our citizenry to communicate with us while we are in debate via e-mail or telephone. We would need to work out some "non-interruptive" method with time windows and or length of message restrictions. We might even need someone to help us make sense of the additional input. In my business (a Value Added Reseller in the Data Communications (IT) field,) we are often attending "Webinars" for training or sales presentations and as "the audience" we can ask questions, offer our comments and respond to simple "polling" questions. We should be able to do something like this on a Town Board basis.

Thoughts and suggestions welcomed.

I , along with fellow Town Council members Phyllis Wittner and Nancy Seligson and Supervisor Valerie O'Keeffe and Town Administrator Steve Altieri attended a Sustainability Forum at the New Rochelle City Hall on Wednesday evening Sept. 9th. The forum was sponsored by the Municipal Committee of The County Climate Change Advisory Council.

Nancy and Steve both made excellent, very "understandable" presentations and I think everyone in attendance left with some useful reminders about how we (individuals as well as governments) can conserve energy, minimize waste, help lighten and better manage the storm water crunch as well as address transportation issues.

The more of these "County Wide" events I attend, the better appreciation I have of how far ahead our Town is as compared to everyone else. Thanks mostly to Nancy and Phyllis's "nudging" and educating us over the past several years. There are always new ideas to pick up as well as contacts to be made to help us do an even more effective job.

A useful website was shared with us by a team of the presenters that offers many ideas we should and will be considering in the future. www.howgreenismytown.org It would be, in my opinion anyway, really good if some of our Town Residents picked up the challenge presented by the website and helped us form a local Town wide Greening Committee. Given some interested volunteers, I feel certain we can put something useful together.

I appreciate anyone taking the time and effort to comment on my activities as a Councilman.

The idea that I am a "senile liberal democrat" is partially correct.

I am a Democrat.

I consider myself a "liberal" although, like many other terms used in political dialog these days, the terms "liberal" or "conservative" are often over simplifications. One can be a "conservative" but hold what many might consider "liberal" views on conservation, environmental protection or human rights. A "liberal" may want to help those groups in society less fortunate or in need of assistance, or try some new approach to an old problem, but be very conservative when it comes to spending money or changing something that appears to work.

As one ages, and that includes myself, some "old" ways don't always seem that bad and are often worth retaining. As far as the "senile" part of your characterization is concerned, it's hard to argue. If forgetting things or misplacing stuff are signs of "senility" then I guess you may be on to something. Fortunately lots of my "old" friends are in the same boat as well as many of my "younger" ones as well. It's real fun though to get together and share with precise, accurate and minute detail, events that took place 40, 50 or even 60 years ago. Don't ask though about last week.

Sorry if my commentary about my pleasurable dining experiences with my fellow elected officials annoys you. Town officials often go through lots of extra effort to organize, arrange and present meals in a "fun" environment for our seniors or other community groups. Where I can, I like to acknowledge their efforts and show my appreciation. Also, as elected Town officials, we get invited to virtually every Philanthropic or Community Improvement dinner in Town. We do pay for many of these ourselves and usually make contributions to their causes as well. Where I can, I try to take the opportunity to aid the organization by helping publicize their event and what they are trying to accomplish. All that notwithstanding, I do really enjoy eating and like to share with friends those "good times."

I hate spending money, as my fellow Board Members will attest. It may appear during the televised portion of our Board meetings that "we all go along" with the various spending proposals presented to us but, what you don't see, unless you come to our work sessions, is the extensive give-and-take discussions which precede the actual vote. If there is a lower cost way to accomplish a worthwhile goal, I am for it. If we can use citizen expertise, in lieu of hiring a paid consultant, I'm for it. We are a very "professionally" run Town and the "cheapest" way of doing things, I have learned, is, in the long run, not always the best way.

Thanks again for your comments.

Ernie O.