We have lost valuable talent on the assembly over the years through resignations, largely due to uncivil public discourse. We have also had people refuse to run for office or to run for a second term because they don’t want to subject themselves or their families to the ugliness. Having an unusually thick skin and being willing to put up with nasty behavior should not be prerequisites for the job. Furthermore, having the ability to take abuse does not make you intrinsically better at the job.
It’s past time that we make some changes.
As a start, I think our community needs to hear from past and present assembly persons about what they think might be solutions to this problem. One possible suggestion: that assembly members have advertised office hours for communicating with the public (in person, or via phone or both), and that the public be strongly encouraged to honor those times. Perhaps at the very least, this will reduce how often the assembly members get interrupted to discuss borough business while at parties or the grocery store or while sitting down at dinner with their family.
It looks to me like the job of being on the assembly is underpaid and underappreciated and a pain in the butt. Being on the assembly is a valuable service to the public; let’s find some ways to make it easier for them.
PS. I am very,very sorry to see Tyler Huling leave the assembly. I wish her well.
Cindy Buxton