Mayor Veto – In recent years, I have witnessed arcane attempts to force development projects on Jefferson County citizens.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

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Submitted by: David Nelson, Strawberry Plains

Dear Editor,

In recent years, I have witnessed arcane attempts to force development projects on Jefferson County citizens. Those attempts have failed upon strong opposition from residents, who were forced to fight those who should be working on their behalf. It should not be so.

Economic growth efforts fundamentally should be in line with the desires of our residents. But these failed attempts belie that is the case. Commissioner Seal’s resolution is a step in the right direction. It simply asks the IDB to seek citizen input, before fully embarking on a proposed development project. It asks the IDB to work on behalf of its constituents instead of against them.

County Commission voted by a wide margin to adopt Mr. Seals’ resolution. And for those of us attending the April 17th meeting, we heard an IDB member speak in favor of the resolution.

Yet Mayor Palmieri, who was not present at the April 17th meeting, chose to veto the resolution. Mr. Palmieri’s stated reasons for his veto would leave one scratching his head. There is no cause and effect for the facts he states as “reasons” for not supporting the resolution. They simply are facts.

Further, Palmieri said the resolution was an attempt for Commission to control the IDB. On the contrary, it merely conveys a message to the IDB. It is neither an order nor a directive, which inherently it could not be.

Apparently Mr. Palmieri has a personal agenda regarding this resolution. His veto clearly does not reflect the opinion of the IDB, of the majority of Commissioners, or of the residents his office should be representing.

Vetoing this resolution sends the wrong message to County residents. Let’s trust County Commission overrules Palmieri’s veto and sends the right message.

David Nelson
Strawberry Plains