In all municipalities, and especially in a small village such as Plandome, a mayor and board of trustees ("Board") are elected by their constituents, and hold their public trust, to fulfill their responsibilities in an open, responsive, diligent manner. No board can satisfy all residents at all times given fiscal restraints, conflicting objectives, or practical limitations; however, a board must at all times learn the mind of its constituents to a reasonable degree of certainty before making final decisions. The mayor of Plandome has not allowed the board of trustees to do this!

In the process of the administration of government, differences of opinion between members of any board or amongst residents will evolve at public hearings or otherwise and are healthy, as such dialogue often provides the genesis for either new ideas or the rekindling of old ones. It is important to remember we all have a common goal of doing what is best for the village...we just vary sometimes how we get there.

Open discussions at public hearings provide alternatives to and pros and cons of issues so that a board may identify a course of action that will both reflect the wishes of the village residents and resolve the issue or objective before the board. Unfortunately, "working sessions," while well intended, do not offer either resident input to the board or an understanding by the residents of why the board has decided to pursue a course of action. This practice, coupled with the mayor's refusal to hold a public hearing on an issue of such significance as Plandome Road, led to my resignation at the March board meeting.

Contrary to the recent article in the Manhasset Press, neither "personalities nor Plandome Road" prompted the last minute write-in candidacy. Individuals and projects are business as usual for those who are willing to give their time for the benefit of others. My decision to be a write-in candidate was to focus the village residents on the administration of our government; Plandome Road was simply the catalyst.

Any administration has a choice as to how to govern the affairs of the village. A mayor can technically comply with the minimum statute requirements or adopt a practice of posting notices wherever possible for maximum distribution of issues and feedback. For example, sending a meeting notice (such as the March 22 "working session") to the Manhasset Press that one knows cannot be published, together with only posting a copy of the notice on the Village Hall bulletin board is minimally compliant, yet falls short of the Sunshine Law's objective to advise residents of meetings and agendas so constituents are aware of pending matters before decisions are made. Meetings would be much more productive for the residents and the board if the meeting notice and agenda were posted at the train station, post office, and on the cable station. For public hearings, a notice letter mailed to the residents would be appropriate. Absent this citizens' input, well-intended boards may not be accurately representing the objectives of the village, and the residents may not be aware of important decisions affecting the quality of life in their village.

Hopefully, the issues of this election will serve to open up working meetings and public hearings for the residents by the board, and will prompt our residents to share their thoughts with the board so informed decisions can be made. Together, the residents, the board of trustees, and the mayor can meet any challenges ahead to preserve our village as we know and love it.

Michael J. Donoghue