RSS 2.0 FeedApril 21, 2011, Freeport-Baldwin Leader
Concern expressed on mayor’s safety
Mayor discusses threats and that he carries a firearm.
Mayor Andrew Hardwick, who first revealed at the February 28 village board meeting that he carries a gun for protection following threats to his safety, read a prepared statement at Monday’s trustees meeting in response to a full-page story based on an interview in Sunday’s Newsday.
The mayor said, in part, “After receiving a number of threats over a period of time, a series of security initiatives were put into place, in full cooperation with law enforcement authorities and with unanimous board approval. Incidentally, some of these measures go back to 2009, soon after I took office. Due to the sensitive nature involved and because there is an ongoing police investigation, it would be imprudent for me to provide further details at this time.”
He also said that, while he has “complete confidence” in the protection provided by the Police Department, he is within his rights to have applied for a gun permit. “I have had multiple threats. People have come at me when I was with my child; when I was with my wife.”
The mayor added that he is “not the only public official that has a license to carry [a gun], including a number of representatives that have served and currently serve the residents of Freeport.”
Commenting on the mayor’s statement and the Newsday article, resident Mary Reilly said she does not want “to see the village portrayed as the Wild West where people walk around with guns.”
She also criticized the prayer offered at the recent organization night meeting, calling it a “mix of religion and politics. There’s no need for a prayer from a member of the clergy,” she said, referring to herself as “a practicing Roman Catholic.”
Cable TV franchise
Most of the meeting’s focus, however, concerned a proposed cable TV franchise renewal agreement that will be the subject of a public hearing on May 2.
Several residents voiced concern about rumors that public comment would be eliminated from future broadcasts of the village board meetings.
Resident Peggy Lester asked that the public receive more information about the proposed hearing before the May 2 meeting. “I would be opposed to going further with the meetings,” she said, if comments from the public were not included.
“It’s important to broadcast meetings in their entirety whenever possible. Residents are entitled to get a fair and more balanced feel of how these meetings go.”
Mayor Hardwick had appointed trustee Jorge Martinez to head a committee to develop a proposal for the new agreement. The committee consists of Mr. Martinez, along with trustee Robert Kennedy and department heads.
The mayor replied that, under the current agreement, the village has a 2 1⁄2- hour time limit because of limited technology.
“It is difficult to put everything on,” he said. In addition to the meeting, other information about Freeport is also featured on the broadcast. He added later that “We cannot take up all the time for public comment; sometimes it goes over an hour. The main focus has to be on the agenda so people know what we’re spending their money on.”
Mr. Martinez said that a “solid draft” for a new agreement should be ready “in the next three or four weeks.”
Deputy Village Attorney J. Barrington Jackson added that the new proposal being developed “is still a work in progress.”
Resident Stephen Malone urged the board to “include an extended time frame for disc and technology” to expand the programming.
Following the board’s approval of an agenda item for the emergency repair of a water main break at Merrick Road and Albany Avenue for $15,112, a discussion followed on the village’s Master Plan that identifies areas of Freeport where improvements are most needed..
Mayor Hardwick stated that the board will hold a capital plan meeting on May 2, at 6 p.m. in his office.
Pat Lewis said a Master Plan committee should be created “for the entire village,” adding, “I think it’s important for us in the community to know what’s going forward.”
The mayor agreed that preparing a master plan is “very critical,” especially in dealing with flooding problems in the south part of the village.
Unanswered questions
Mr. Malone asked about the status of the village treasurer, who last year had been suspended without pay, whether the mayor planned to fill several key department head positions that had not been staffed at the board’s organization night meeting, the rumors of the elimination of public comment from the cable broadcast and demanded an apology to the Jewish community for holding Monday’s meeting on Passover, and to the Catholic community for referring to a nun (an acquaintance of the mayor for several years) as “Sis.”
Mayor Hardwick did not respond to Mr. Malone’s questions on the village issues and said he meant no offense to either group.
Recreation center issues
Anthony Miller raised the issue of requiring activity cards at the Recreation Center for senior citizens attending dances there and why no department head has been appointed for the center.
He questioned the necessity for a fee, as the dances are sponsored by the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee and the senior center operates under a $5,000 grant from state Senator Charles Fuschillo.
The mayor said the card, required for anyone using the center, reminds users about the rules of the center and about liability to protect the village from a lawsuit. Users are required to sign the cards. He also said that the center currently has management personnel.
Traffic cameras
Resident Jim Butler asked if rumors that the county plans to install 16 “red light” cameras in the village were true.
Mayor Hardwick said the county intended to install the cameras, which he thought “was excessive” and that the village has not participated “in adopting the program, nor have we approved of cameras going anywhere.”
He said the village’s concern is “being on the revenue side,” as part of the traffic fines from violators would go to Freeport. He also said he was concerned about the effect on the many volunteer firefighters that could be affected when they respond to a fire.
”We’re looking to be much involved prior to its approval,” said the mayor. He noted that one major hurdle is “not a lot of people are in favor because they are hurting economically. Poorer people can’t afford the fines.”
Trustee Carmen Pineyro said she was concerned because the county was “looking to put the cameras in the minority communities.”
Festival duration
In a discussion about the upcoming Nautical Mile Festival, Mayor Hardwick said “We’ll do everything in our power to go back to a weekend event this year,” and expressed hope that sponsors could be found to underwrite the costs, especially the insurance liability. He said he “received thousands of e-mails” urging that the festival revert from last year’s one-day event to its traditional weekend duration.
Resident Frank Rizzo said he started a petition among business owners regarding the festival, as some have voiced concern that they do not want to have to close their businesses for the duration of the event. “It’s not fair for you to shut down 50% of the businesses. The businesses don’t want this.”
Regular business
Trustees approved a small number of agenda items, including awarding a contract for water treatment chemicals to JCI Jones Chemicals Inc. of Warwick, New York, for $113,925, and sidewalk repairs for $10,553.
The board voted to submit a grant application to the state Housing Trust Fund Corp. for improvements to building facades on North Main Street.
