I am still reeling from the unprofessional and nasty criticism of Town Meeting member Doug Koplow at the Sept. 8 Select Board Meeting. I have been active in Belmont government for many years in many roles, including the Select Board, and have never seen anything like this personal attack initiated by member Taylor Yates.
Mr. Koplow has provided ongoing clarification, comments, and questions about the proposed Belmont Center/Concord Avenue overlay zoning. His edits are thoughtful and thorough, reflecting the concerns voiced by many Town Meeting members and residents. His suggestions are solid and would improve the plan.
A professional board would have invited Mr. Koplow to collegially discuss his information with the board. Sharing wisdom could benefit all parties and result in a stronger proposed bylaw. Instead, Mr. Yates led an attack on Koplow’s motivations, his prior voting record, and his data. Elizabeth Dionne and Matt Taylor piled on. Town Meeting members were warned not to listen to Koplow. On live television, Koplow was bullied, labelled an obstructionist, and dismissed for his point of view. Wow! Transparent? Respectful? Diverse? None of the above!
This kind of rude display toward anyone with a different idea is chilling. Why is the Select Board apparently so intimidated by knowledgeable citizens with legitimate questions that those citizens must be publicly discredited? Are we all to fall in line, lockstep behind the Select Board with no debate or different viewpoints? Why bother holding a Town Meeting if no alternate opinions or facts can be voiced? Yes, it was the facts Koplow presented that were dismissed. What a sad day for Belmont government!
Anne Marie Mahoney, Goden Street