Yorktown Supervisor Apparently Doesn’t Believe in Freedom of Speech
Opinion Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the author/producer’s interpretation of facts and data.
It gives me no pleasure to find it necessary to write this letter.
At the Oct. 1, 2024, Yorktown Town Board meeting when I tried to speak during Courtesy of the Floor, the supervisor angrily shut me down, at the very beginning of my comments as soon as I mentioned the name of The Examiner’s Rick Pezzullo.
Courtesy of the floor is meant to allow anyone to respectfully speak about anything town related. Before even knowing what I was about to say, the supervisor told me it was inappropriate. How could a name be inappropriate?
Perhaps the supervisor was anticipating concerns about the recent Northern Westchester Examiner article questioning the connections between the Town Board and an attorney with business before the board. He told me he would not tolerate it!
As a Yorktown resident, I have a right to speak and be heard. And while I feel the supervisor violated my First Amendment right to free speech, the bedrock of democracy, we still enjoy freedom of the press where I can make my voice heard. This is not a Democratic or Republican issue. It is an American issue. His abuse of power was echoed by many that I personally heard from on both sides.
In considering whether to file an ethics violation related to the potential conflict of interest referred to in The Examiner article and the very topic of my comment, it is worth mentioning that on May 14, 2024, the law was amended. The word “indirect” was removed from the law making it virtually impossible for a complainant to get a fair result.
If a project came before the board just five months ago, we would be having a very different conversation. The supervisor repeatedly said he had an opinion from the Board of Ethics claiming that there is no violation. Hypothetically, I ask, if a doctor finds nothing wrong in your x-ray does that take away your symptoms? Similarly, I ask, when the Board of Ethics issues an opinion, does that take away the obvious ever-present conflict of interest that any reasonable person can see?
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.
Jo-Ann Sillik
Yorktown Heights
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