Lyme councilmen show a double standard ~ Letter

Watertown Daily Times Lyme councilmen show a double standard
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 2010
On June 9, the town of Lyme held its monthly board meeting. There were two items on the agenda that had significant meaning: Under New Business, "Haying of State Road Ball Fields," and Under Resolutions and Motions, "Scheduling of Wind Law Work Session."

I was in attendance at the board meeting. Why did board members Mike Countryman and Don Bourquin abstain from a vote to have Bourquin Farms cut hay and keep the hay, in lieu of payment, around the ball fields? This is very puzzling. As the Supervisor Scott Aubertine said after the vote, they didn't have to abstain as no money was involved.

However, last year Mr. Countryman assured everyone at a public meeting that there were no conflicts of interest with the Bourquin family who holds wind lease contracts, even though they are related through marriage. Yet to cut hay, he abstained on the vote. Mr. Bourquin, who has a clear conflict, also abstained on the simple vote to cut hay.

Where is their integrity regarding leases held by family members involving thousands of dollars and impacting everyone in the town of Lyme? The public deserves an answer. This is an obvious double standard, and this is why our small towns have been torn apart and have developed a class warfare splitting the very fabric of our communities

Because of this conflict, integrity and honesty have been compromised so family members and friends can secure monetary rewards from wind contracts.

This inconsistency regarding their conflict of interest must be addressed by both men.

Let's be honest with the residents of Lyme who have grave concerns with the trustworthiness of BP and other wind companies. We the people have had enough of this political poison that believes they know best for the rest of us.

This is happening in nearly every small town across the state and country as big industrial wind companies move in on our communities with this plan of action so they can secure themselves profits on the backs of innocent residents.

Steve Rutigliano

Three Mile Bay