On December 14, 2010, retired Westfield police officer and Westfield resident Greg Kasko addressed the Westfield Town Council during the time allotted for residents to speak. Kasko had referred to Westfield resident Maria Carluccio's concern that her neighbors feared retaliation by the town council and council appointed committees ......
if they appeared in council chambers and spoke in support of resident Adina Enculescu's attempts to have a recently installed traffic light moved from in front of her house on Central Ave. across from Cambridge Road.
As Kasko was engaged in a debate with Mayor Skibitsky over whether or not illegal background checks had been run on residents who spoke out against the proposed parking deck(s) construction in 2004, Councilman James Foerst can be heard answering, off camera, one of the questions Mayor Skibitsky asked Kasko. You will hear Councilman Foerst emphatically answer "NONE!" Then, laughter and "excuse me", presumably by Councilman James Foerst or Mayor Skibitsky can be heard, and a smirk on Mayor Skibitsky's face can be seen on the video. Mayor Skibitsky preaches transparency. The only thing transparent in this video is the Mayor's arrogance.if they appeared in council chambers and spoke in support of resident Adina Enculescu's attempts to have a recently installed traffic light moved from in front of her house on Central Ave. across from Cambridge Road.
That is when Kasko turns to Councilman Foerst and asks him about an email the councilman sent to Administrative Assistant Joan Thermann that was later exposed. Go to http://07090.blogspot.com/2010/12/councilman-foerst-gets-defensive-after.html and http://07090.blogspot.com/2010/12/last-week-fact-of-matter-presented.html to read related stories of email embarrassment.
After Kasko asks Councilman Foerst a question, there is a pause giving Councilman Foerst the opportunity to answer....he does not. Another question is asked concerning the content of the email sent by Councilman Foerst, there is another pause, Councilman Foerst remains silent. It isn't until Kasko says, "I thought so," does Councilman Foerst speak up.
Councilman Foerst would later attempt to "debunk" (as Mayor Skibitsky put it), Kasko's questioning of the councilman.
Councilman Foerst would also accuse Kasko of insinuating that the councilman sent an email suggesting background checks be run on people when clearly that is not what Kasko had asked the councilman. In Councilman Foerst's own words, his accusation is a "complete falsehood".
Go to http://07090.blogspot.com/2010/12/first-for-foerst.html for details/video of Councilman Foerst's attempted "debunking" of Kasko
This council has gotten away with anything and everything for years. Now they are being questioned and their backs are up against the wall. Whatever Kasko's agenda is, its about time someone is holding the council accountable for their actions. They are not used to being questioned or having someone challenge their authority.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteI just read the Leader story from way back.... the councilman apologized to the mayor for the existence of this email. Now he's acting like no email ever existed? Wow this is so thin. This is why people shouldn't sit on councils for 7+ years. What was that line from Lord Of The Flies?
ReplyDeletekeeping tabs on citizens, enemies list...what's next, Minister of Truthspeak and Office of Strategic Influence?
ReplyDeleteThat councilman is an arrogant jackass!
ReplyDeleteI have watched TV 36 for years and am amazed by how the School Board and the town counsel -- with many different members, not just the current bunch -- have guffawed and eye rolled at their constituents, not to mention spoken to them in a condescending way. I get that they don't get paid for these jobs, but they signed on for this. RESPECT the people who put you there and LISTEN to what they have to say. You may not agree with the opinions you hear, but for God's sake, be respectful and thoughtful. The only class acts (over the years) in my opinion were Caruana and Eashaw (sp?)
ReplyDelete