Intolerance: The Aftermath And The Future

It always amazes me when individuals condemn others for the very actions that they themselves engage in. Perhaps this self blindness, this lack of self insight is the human condition. When this occurs in a private setting it is sad indeed. When however, it occurs in a public setting, within a public group this lack of self insight can be both sad and destructive. It is the very definition of hypocrisy. One would hope that such hypocrisy is harder to achieve in a group setting because group members would speak out and put a stop to it before it reached critical mass, but not always.

When this community chose to become a Village, the MBPOA (Mastic Beach Property Owners) exacted revenge by banning pro-Village people from their organization. This was outrageous and likely illegal. Those effected took the MBPOA to court and rightfully so. It was an angry response and had "poor loser" written all over it. Not all MBPOA members agreed with the policy. Unfortunately the cooler heads in the organization did not prevail.

The current policy of exclusion will ultimately be to the detriment of the MBPOA. Most people have a sense of fairness and shy away from those who don't. Demonizing those who simply disagree with you will soon result in isolation of YOU. Those who can only speak to those who agree with them are destined to be imprisoned in an echo chamber of their own making. Such is the relationship between the MBPOA and PCCA( Pattersquash Creek Civic Association).

Having been the victim of such discrimination, one would expect the PCCA to avoid the same sins. To their credit they have welcomed MBPOA members into their group. In fact many of those in leadership were once MBPOA members. Unfortunately some within the group have been unable to avoid the demonization of those who do not walk in lock step with them. To these individuals, even speaking to people who hold another point of view is tantamount to a cardinal sin and cause for expulsion from the group. There is no room for opposing views in their world. They live in their own echo chamber. They would do well to remember that there are "poor losers" in this world and there are also "poor winners".

A wise "winner" reaches out to those on the opposing side. They welcome views that differ from their own, knowing that diversity of thought widens their base and makes them more successful. A wise "winner" discourages those who would exclude others, or characterize them as unfit for civil conversation. To do so is the mark of weakness not the mark strength.

The PCCA is now at a crossroad. The leadership must decide whether they will be inclusive or exclusive. Can they tolerate diversity of views? Can they avoid following the example of the MBPOA with the concurrent result? Can they represent the concerns of all the community or just those who come from their small geographic area? Can they listen to the entire community or just those within their own group? The decisions they make now will determine the success or failure of the organization. The decisions will determine whether they possess self insight or self blindness.

Jane Powers

Meet the Candidates Night 1

 

 

 

 

Feb 28^th: The first Meet The Candidates night was held this evening at the Moriches-Shirley Library at 7pm. It was hosted by Osprey Point Civic Association with Beth Wahl as moderator. In attendance was Judge Barbara O'Malley, Trustee Bob Morrow, Alan Chasinov and Gail Cappiello, Trustee Olivo was unable to come. Well over 100 resident came to hear them. Beth expressed a little concern regarding the passion of the residents and asked us all to be polite. Except for a few rude people speaking loudly under their breath, most folks came to listen to what the candidates had to say and assess their leadership qualities.

When the questioning began it was obvious that the residents were interested in their Village but concerned about its progress. Many spoke of the still deteriorated state of Neighborhood Rd. Bob Morrow wants people from the community to improve Neighborhood Rd. Alan Chasinov and Gail Cappiello both felt that the Village should reach out for help from experts for some guidance to refurbish the business district.

Some were concerned that code enforcement was being unequally applied. There was concern that the elderly were being targeted but unable to comply due to age and disability. Bob Morrow insisted that the codes were enforced properly. Alan Chasinov thought the new warning system being instituted was a good idea other than for emergency situations. Gail Cappiello said the Village should have some mechanism in place to help the elderly or sick bring their homes into compliance.

When asked, Bob Morrow said he was against the commercialization of the waterfront that the Zoning Commission had proposed. Alan Chasinov felt that the community had clearly rejected the proposal because they recognized what a special resource we had. He said he would like to see limited development keeping in mind the delicate eco-system. He also felt we needed guidance from environmentalists to help with that goal. Gail Cappiello said she did not want to see hotels and motels on the water front. She also wanted to see some development but only if it did not threaten to destroy the reason she lives here, the waterfront.

They fielded questions about the lack of updates of the Village website which many residents use to keep current on meeting minutes and notices of same. Bob Morrow said they had fallen behind during tax season but were now training someone to work on the website. Alan Chasinov and Gail Cappiello both expressed the importance of the website in notifying residents about meetings. Both agreed that public participation in Village government was essential for a successful village and the website updates were key to that goal. Alan Chasinov felt that had the public had an opportunity to participate more in the zoning proposal, the final zoning codes would have reflected that.

Included in the questioning was the time worn issue about who did what to start the Village. Barbara O'Malley said she came to the effort late but did some e-mails. Bob Morrow said he really did not work toward the goal other than speak to his neighbors. Alan Chasinov said he attended the exploratory committee meetings and had questions about the Village viability. He has since changed his mind after attending all the workshops and Village meetings. He now feels that if run properly the Village would be a huge benefit to the residents. Gail Cappiello was the only one who actually had worked for the Village by getting petitions signed and attending meetings. She had dropped out when the rancor became too personal instead of focusing on the community's success.

There were some fireworks when the issue of openness in government came up. Alan Chasinov felt that some of the meetings held without the mayor were actually in violation of the Open Meetings Law of New York State and the Village Code. Bob Morrow shot back that Alan should sue the Village.

Alan Chasinov also expressed his dissatisfaction about firing the Village Attorney at a public meeting instead of a closed door session which is customary when someone is terminated. Bob Morrow insisted that it was necessary to fire the attorney at an open meeting. Alan Chasinov disagreed saying it was not handled properly. Gail Cappiello said the firing was an embarrassment and poorly done.

All in all it was a civil exchange of ideas and viewpoints. Beth Wahl, the moderator, actually expressed relief. After the meeting residents greeted the candidates and mingled with friends and neighbors. It was a well run and informative event thanks to the guidance of Beth Wahl. There was only one angry exchange at the door by some man who apparently had mis-read the tenor of the meeting and tried to menace another resident who to his credit simply walked away from the fool.

 

Jane Powers

 

Meet the Candidates Night 1

 

 

 

 

Feb 28^th: The first Meet The Candidates night was held this evening at the Moriches-Shirley Library at 7pm. It was hosted by Osprey Point Civic Association with Beth Wahl as moderator. In attendance was Judge Barbara O'Malley, Trustee Bob Morrow, Alan Chasinov and Gail Cappiello, Trustee Olivo was unable to come. Well over 100 resident came to hear them. Beth expressed a little concern regarding the passion of the residents and asked us all to be polite. Except for a few rude people speaking loudly under their breath, most folks came to listen to what the candidates had to say and assess their leadership qualities.

When the questioning began it was obvious that the residents were interested in their Village but concerned about its progress. Many spoke of the still deteriorated state of Neighborhood Rd. Bob Morrow wants people from the community to improve Neighborhood Rd. Alan Chasinov and Gail Cappiello both felt that the Village should reach out for help from experts for some guidance to refurbish the business district.

Some were concerned that code enforcement was being unequally applied. There was concern that the elderly were being targeted but unable to comply due to age and disability. Bob Morrow insisted that the codes were enforced properly. Alan Chasinov thought the new warning system being instituted was a good idea other than for emergency situations. Gail Cappiello said the Village should have some mechanism in place to help the elderly or sick bring their homes into compliance.

When asked, Bob Morrow said he was against the commercialization of the waterfront that the Zoning Commission had proposed. Alan Chasinov felt that the community had clearly rejected the proposal because they recognized what a special resource we had. He said he would like to see limited development keeping in mind the delicate eco-system. He also felt we needed guidance from environmentalists to help with that goal. Gail Cappiello said she did not want to see hotels and motels on the water front. She also wanted to see some development but only if it did not threaten to destroy the reason she lives here, the waterfront.

They fielded questions about the lack of updates of the Village website which many residents use to keep current on meeting minutes and notices of same. Bob Morrow said they had fallen behind during tax season but were now training someone to work on the website. Alan Chasinov and Gail Cappiello both expressed the importance of the website in notifying residents about meetings. Both agreed that public participation in Village government was essential for a successful village and the website updates were key to that goal. Alan Chasinov felt that had the public had an opportunity to participate more in the zoning proposal, the final zoning codes would have reflected that.

Included in the questioning was the time worn issue about who did what to start the Village. Barbara O'Malley said she came to the effort late but did some e-mails. Bob Morrow said he really did not work toward the goal other than speak to his neighbors. Alan Chasinov said he attended the exploratory committee meetings and had questions about the Village viability. He has since changed his mind after attending all the workshops and Village meetings. He now feels that if run properly the Village would be a huge benefit to the residents. Gail Cappiello was the only one who actually had worked for the Village by getting petitions signed and attending meetings. She had dropped out when the rancor became too personal instead of focusing on the community's success.

There were some fireworks when the issue of openness in government came up. Alan Chasinov felt that some of the meetings held without the mayor were actually in violation of the Open Meetings Law of New York State and the Village Code. Bob Morrow shot back that Alan should sue the Village.

Alan Chasinov also expressed his dissatisfaction about firing the Village Attorney at a public meeting instead of a closed door session which is customary when someone is terminated. Bob Morrow insisted that it was necessary to fire the attorney at an open meeting. Alan Chasinov disagreed saying it was not handled properly. Gail Cappiello said the firing was an embarrassment and poorly done.

All in all it was a civil exchange of ideas and viewpoints. Beth Wahl, the moderator, actually expressed relief. After the meeting residents greeted the candidates and mingled with friends and neighbors. It was a well run and informative event thanks to the guidance of Beth Wahl. There was only one angry exchange at the door by some man who apparently had mis-read the tenor of the meeting and tried to menace another resident who to his credit simply walked away from the fool.

 

Jane Powers

 

Mastic Beach Village Free Press 1st issue

Welcome to the first issue of the "Mastic Beach Village Free Press".  This site is dedicated to the residents of Mastic Beach Village and to the encouragement of a transparent, responsive, and open village government.

This site will be where the citizens of the village will be able to read and contribute to the unfiltered truth about Mastic Beach Village and it's government.  The site has become necessary to counter the problem of the absence of reliable local press coverage as seen in the "South Shore Press".
This was made all the more urgent when a motion was made by Village Trustee Gary Stiriz and passed by the village officers to enter into contract and hire the disgraced former county Legislator Fred Towle Jr,. to provide public relations services for the Village.

Mr. Towle is connected to the South Shore Press, which at one time was a true local press source until it was infiltrated by Towle, where he is listed under Columnist & Reporters and Sales & Marketing.  Today the South Shore Press should under no circumstances be mistaken for a true newspaper.   It is in reality an agenda-driven propaganda platform for a price.

However, it does seem very appropriate for this government to hire Mr. Towle, a convicted former County Legislator who was sentenced in 2006 on two counts; one for receiving a bribe and one count for scheme to defraud.  Thirty-three other counts were dropped due to his cooperation as a wired informant for the Suffolk County Prosecutor Thomas J. Spota.  Towle received a reduced 6 month sentence from a possible two-six years.  A crook and a rat, what a resume'. For the Village Trustees, we have now that might be the gold standard.

In recent months we in the Village have witnessed what was referred to in the February16th edition of the Long Island Advance as, "what appears to be a coup d'etat of Mayor Breshard's Administration."
And that is exactly what has been taking place, an attempted over throw of the Village Mayor along with a total disregard for the wishes of the majority of the village residents.  The four trustees Bob Morrow, Ken Alevo, Bill Biondi, led by Trustee and Deputy Mayor Gary Stiriz have shown an arrogance and open disdain for the wishes of the people of the Village and Mayor Paul Breschard.
The three trustees led by Gary Stiriz may have violated more than one of the New York State laws for open Government meetings and in their attempted dismissal of Village Attorney Joe Prokop.  Conflict of interests issues have also been raised by village citizens.

The sham of the so-called Zoning Committee, who presented a flawed product that was poorly written and the committee itself appears to have violated the open meetings law.  The end-product drew such ire from the residents and it was obvious that other motives were involved.  The committee and the process was discredited and the people so outraged that the Trustees were forced to scrap it and start all over again, just as the majority of the residents had demanded.  As many of the people have said who were supporters for the incorporation of the Village,"This is not the Village we voted for."

This is only the first edition of the Mastic Beach Village Free Press.  Staff and guest writers will be added to produce updates to keep you informed as to what is really taking place within your village, something you won't get with the South Shore Press.  Our village is in trouble, but we are a very historic village whose roots go back in time to the American Revolution, and its hometown hero sons, General William Floyd and General Nathaniel Woodhull.  And as in our past, the people of the Village have risen to the challenge and have said loudly, this is our village and not the new kingdom of Gary Stiriz and his three followers, Morrow, Biondi and Alivo.

On March 20th, we have an opportunity to reclaim our village and to help our Mayor govern and lead us forward into the future we envisioned. Vote on March 20th for the Unity Party candidates, Alan Chasinof and Gail Cappiello, for Village Trustees.  Support these grass-root candidates who have the best interest of the Village and it's residents at heart, and to furnish the support Mayor Breschard needs to make our village the Village we want for the future.

 Jamie Reason, Editor