Letter: Those Who Serve Well On Town Committees Are Entitled To A Second Term
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Editor’s note: The following letter was sent to Amherst Town Council President Lynn Griesemer on March 9.
If I was describing what is good about Amherst, I would certainly prefer to brag about fair policies in the government.
I’m writing to urge you to advocate for a meritocracy on the Planning Board, so the town benefits from thorough discussion of issues, with a reasonable range of perspectives offered. Supporting the continuation of board members who have completed one term, and thus climbed the learning curve, into a second term is a reasonable and effective approach to running a board. With very few exceptions in the last 20 years, renewal for a board member’s second term is appropriate.
One would think the planning board would support diversity of thought, honest examination, and the wisdom of “measure twice, cut once.”
I am told that the CRC [Community Resources Committee] would like to change the practice of renewing members who have served one term. I can see not renewing Planning Board members who are not capable of the clear thinking the role requires. But to eliminate a planning board member for their interest in proactive planning is just not the democratic way that was kind of promised, in changing from Town Meeting to Town Council.
I certainly would hope that the Council, and all of our governmental bodies, would respect those on our Boards, especially on our Planning Board, who ask for planning and strategy discussions to occur prior to jumping on execution of, in this case, miscellaneous but impactful zoning articles
I’m sure you realize how much consolidation of power has occurred in this change of governance structure. It will now take an absurdly small number of people to change zoning bylaws, which affect so many people! It will now take a very small number of people to determine what other small number of people will make giant decisions.
Having a brain trust that can challenge each other’s assumptions, and innovate by combining ideas, is crucial to any effective organization. Groupthink is never the way to achieve greatness, as I’m sure you know well.
Please do what you can to encourage logical reappointments to second terms of volunteer board members.
Ira Bryck
Ira Bryck has lived in Amherst since 1993, ran the Family Business Center for 25 years, hosts the Western Mass. Business Show on WHMP, coaches business leaders, and is a big fan of Amherst’s downtown.
Having applied for eight vacancies on the Planning Board on three separate occasions, I am left with the distinct impression that diversity of opinion and viewpoint are not desired or welcome. The criteria that were used to try to justify a third term for Greg Stutsmann, were eliminated so that Michael Birtwhistle would be eliminated from his second term. Likely the same fate will happen to Janet McGowan. The Planning Board used to be nine members. There are many citizens that are qualified and willing to serve. Amherst is no different from politics everywhere. The power holding few do not welcome or include those that disagree with them. This, as you point out, is to the detriment of our polices, practices and outcomes. Yet, refusing to be silenced into insignificance, we write letters and comments. The next election will be important. Thirteen people now have the power of 240 Town Meeting members.
as you know, Bob, if Amherst follows the new state practice, zoning could be changed with a simple majority (no longer 2/3), so 7 people (sponsored by and aligned with a political action committee) could make major unwanted and unfortunate changes to our downtown and neighborhoods
Ira Bryck