Over the course of the past month I have had occasion to attend several public hearings in Great Neck and the Town of North Hempstead. This has allowed me the opportunity to observe the public advocacy of several of the local community activists who appear to be well known and are frequent contributors to the letters to the editor sections of this and other newspapers.
I admire the passion and commitment of these residents. In some regard their advocacy acts as a system of checks and balances which helps insure transparency and fair play in the workings of public governmental bodies and officials.
However, I would like to point out that often times the presentations made are so off-putting that the point attempting to be made gets lost due to the manner in which it is being made.
Many spoke far beyond the allotted time and in a manner which left no room for the possibility that any other viewpoint besides their own could possibly be correct.
Other residents who did not agree were not just wrong but were charged with being sneaky, under-handed and conspiratorial.
Community activism is important. But please, when advocating for a cause, let us all keep in mind that it is important to be correct in the use of facts; cognizant of the rules of law (particularly when making challenges to such rules); and courteous to the other residents who are waiting to speak.
To use public hearings as an opportunity for theatrical performance, long-winded rhetoric and the creation of a bully pulpit is self-defeating.
Phil Bornstein
Great Neck
