Officials disrespectful at meeting

To the editor

By:
   I always believed that the government works for the people. I also believed that a "public hearing" was instituted so that the public could be "heard" on issues before the governing body made up their minds on issues.
   The Township Committee meeting on Aug. 10 was the worst display of government in action I have ever witnessed.
   At this Township Committee meeting, I was proved wrong. It was very obvious that Mayor Steven Sireci not only had his mind made up before the public hearing started about the Hunting and Wildlife Management Ordinance, but he had received the support of the entire governing body including Township Administrator Kevin Davis and Deputy Clerk Ann Marie Fuccello.
   To begin with the ayor started the meeting 30 minutes late and then changed the rules of the meeting. Giving each person only three minutes to talk was never done before in Hillsborough Township. He violated the rules he adopted in January at the reorganization meeting.
   Then, he even went as far as having people sign in on four sheets of paper declaring if you were a township resident or from out of town, and whether in favor or against the ordinance.
   It seems like he wanted to stack the deck in his favor and only pay attention to those who shared his belief.
   This was very apparent when the discussion took place. If anyone was against the ordinance, he would not pay attention. Ms. Fuccello sat there the entire evening laughing and trying to cover up her laughter each and every time Mayor Sireci rolled his eyes and became disrespectful to the speaker. It was apparent that Mayor Sireci had his "team" well in place to meet the opposition.
   I thought that the administrator and staff were supposed to be non-political and "neutral." This was not the case on Aug. 10.
   I am very disappointed in the behavior of the actions I saw by the mayor, administrator as well as the outright show of disrespect shown by the Deputy Clerk, Ann Marie Fuccello. These employees should be told on how to conduct themselves in a public forum.

Carol Knott
Merritt Road