Skaneateles Press, June 9, 2004
From the mail bag
Jeff Ireland speaks out
To the editor:
It’s my third year of my first term as a town board member in Spafford. I am saddened at what has happened to our town. The town board meetings have become a disgrace with the bickering name calling, video cameras and outright lying.
When I decided to run for town board, I did so because I wanted to do something for the town a town that I care very deeply about. I have a great interest in this town because as a farmer the land is our life and without it we will no longer exist. My family has been here for several generations and always been wellrespected in the community, but in the past few months we have been accused of illegally running the town.
Joyce Barnett has stated that I have no job and that is why I can make the meetings on time and she can’t. If! have no job Ms. Barnett, can you provide an explanation to my wife of 18 years and my 11-year-old daughter, why I leave our home at 5 a.m. and often don’t return until 10 p.m. seven days a week? I guess I didn’t realize I was unemployed. Bamett doesn’t feel should be chairman of the ethics committee because my father is supervisor. She and Peter Pirnie have alluded to the fact that my father and I are nothing more than dumb farmers. Pirnie always is referred to as Peter Pirnie, Ph.D. I am very curious as to what Mr. Pirnie’s doctorate is in. Obviously, neither one of them with all of their credentials learned a basic skill called respecting people.
As Jesse Jackson said, “Never look down on anyone unless you are helping them up.” Farmers are what have made our town what it is today. We have a big stake in Spafford because without us, all you have left is the development of our land.
Pimie is disruptive to the future of our town. One example of this is his ”Unsafe Building Code.” If it was to go into effect, almost every property in Spafford would be demolished. Bamett, if you want to gain the respect of the people of Spafford, you need to respect its residents. (Hint: writing editorials comparing the town board to the Ku Klux Klan and you having the audacity to compare yourself to Frederick Douglas, isn’t going to do that.)
As a town board member I feel comfortable in knowing that I have represented the town to the very best of my abilities. I don’t have a hidden agenda and am there to represent the people of Spafford. We are all there for one purpose, to make our town a great place to live. Let’s start by acting like the mature adults we are.
JEFF IRELAND
SPAFFORD TOWN BOARD
Editor's note: This letter was edited meet the 500 word limit.