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The OBSERVER headline of a Thursday, July 23, 2023 article by M.J.Stafford declares that Fredonia officials debate filmed workshops. In the article he quoted Trustee Paul Wandel as stating that " I think the reasoning for the concerns for having on camera, there were some sensitive areas of information that we didn't want publicized." A village trustee stating as recorded on camera, that as an elected official, he was discussing matters of public concern that he/they didn't want publicized.
Obviously confidential information should not be discussed publicly at village board workshops and meetings. That is what the executive sessions of said meetings are for. But Wandel didn't use the word "confidential". He used the word "sensitive." Fire Chief Josh Myers stated that he would be more "comfortable" having a conversation about his plans for the village's fire department with the village board in a workshop setting that is not filmed.
Village board workshops and meetings are not held, broadcast, recorded and posted on You Tube for the comfort or sensitivities of the Fire Chief, the Mayor or the Trustees. They are broadcast and recorded so that the taxpaying public can see what their government is doing and how elected officials are spending citizens' hard earned tax dollars.
So much for claims of transparency by Mayor Ferguson and two of his trustee followers who all voted to remove public comment from village board meetings for safety reasons. I am quite surprised that the trio didn't pull out the safety excuse as a reason not to televise, record and post workshop meetings on YouTube.
Watch the the July 27 village board workshop on YouTube. But be warned. The meeting is over three hours long. Watch this painful marathon of a meeting and you will see public officials contradict themselves and each other while discussing topics that include vendor laws, parking meters, sewer districts and their plans for joining the NCWD. These same public officials display an alarming lack of knowledge about the issues and policies they discuss and eventually enact into local laws.
More than 350 people viewed the July 27 village board workshop just two days after its posting. Village board meetings and workshops easily average over 200 views. Apparently there are citizens interested enough in the "sensitive areas" that Wandel doesn't want filmed to tune in to these YouTube recordings.
When I was an inexperienced teacher, newbie educators were encouraged to video record themselves for the purpose of self improvement. I have to wonder if the mayor and village board members have ever watched themselves and considered some much needed improvements in their performance. Comments on YouTube recordings of these meetings are not allowed. While it is understandable that some members of the public might take cheap shots and/or make personal attacks on our elected officials, not allowing comments also prevents the public from being heard. Hearing from the public is now more important than ever since public comment has been removed from village board meetings and our local government continues to make unpopular decisions. At least citizens can still watch Fredonia government on Local Access TV and YouTube. For now that is.
All one has to do is watch the July 27 village board workshop to see why Wandel, Ferguson and Brauchler might not want to have workshop meetings televised, recorded and posted. And those are the very reasons that these meetings must continue to be televised, recorded and posted on YouTube. For the concerned citizen, village board workshops and meetings are absolutely must see TV.
Andrew Ludwig is a retired math teacher and a retired public school and Catholic school administrator. He currently works as a substitute teacher in Chautauqua County.