Aldermen must listen

To the members of the Middletown City Council in upstate NY:

Make some noise! Last year, the residents of the City of Middletown made some noise over the Masada project. They came in record-breaking numbers, ranging in ages from 17-77. The publicity can be credited to the Times Herald-Record's reporter who gets paid to sit on Common Council meetings. Those who attended the meetings got a firsthand account of what was being said and a glimpse of who was saying it.

The Common Council received dozens of requests to televise the meetings at City Hall. They say they care and that they will look into it, but in actuality they could care less. Some of the aldermen feel the spotlight will be put on them if cameras are allowed into enter the chambers of the Common Council. One alderman in particular, John Parrella, feels that the Common Council meetings last only 15 minutes to begin with, so why bother?

Your poor attendance at the Council meetings has enabled your alderman to speak carelessly about issues that are important to you. Isn't it the residents who decide whether or not the Common Council meetings are televised? It is time that you let your voice be heard once again and call upon your alderman to listen to what you have to say.

This year is an election year – if there was any time to take a stand, it is now. Remind your aldermen that they are elected officials and the only opinion that matters is yours, not theirs.