2 weeks Ago By By Pete Burton
Returning from vacation yesterday, I saw a photo of four candidates for Richmond Town Council in the crosswalk at the new roundabout, reprising the iconic Abbey Road album cover. I couldn’t help but think about the stark contrast between these joyful volunteers and the slate led by Councilman Colasante. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Mark Reynolds, Jim Palmisciano, Dan Madnick and Samantha Wilcox.
They are all energetic, thoughtful and honest volunteers knowledgeable of the workings of this town who work well with others. They listen. I’ve also met Michael Colasante.
He joined the audience at the Economic Development Committee last December shortly before its conclusion. After the meeting, he approached me and launched into a long rant. Perhaps he was upset with my characterization of the conflict he was creating on the Town Council.
You can view it here: https://youtu.be/RGF2rtGHlX4?t=4823. He offered no input concerning economic development whatsoever and left after yet another personal attack.
I currently chair the Economic Development Commission in town and hold the seat allocated to Richmond business owners. Like Mr. Colasante, I too have over 40 years of experience in business, but my approach to it could hardly be more different.
Collaboration, communication and especially, listening skills are more important today than ever before. Living that approach can be difficult, as it requires a good dose of emotional maturity. Recently mailed propaganda has suggested that the Richmond Planning Board is supporting “large-scale, non-resident affordable housing.
” This statement is a lie. Beyond the absurd concept of nonresident residents, the Planning Board acts on facts, not emotion. It does not and cannot solicit bids.
The board is comprised of intelligent and dedicated volunteers that I am proud to be associated with. Decisions are based on logic and law, available to the public in real time and archived on YouTube. Saying “No” if Mike doesn’t like it gets the town sued.
Guess who pays. There’s no quick fix to high property taxes in Richmond, and to suggest otherwise is another lie. 80% of our property taxes fund our schools; the remaining 20% fund our municipal budget.
In my opinion, the solution is a concerted and maintained effort by the many volunteers in town government, supported by Richmond voters, to reverse the reputation of dysfunction and encourage business development rather than scare it off. The decision of two Republican councilors not to run for reelection and a third to run as an independent should leave little doubt as to who doesn’t work well with others. Business owners and developers want to see stability and openness before they commit to Richmond, not personal attacks from one town councilor that requires intervention from the chief of police to stop.
It’s embarrassing. Richmond deserves to be led by people that care more about the town than themselves. Please join me in supporting Samantha Wilcox, Mark Reynolds, Jim Palmisciano and Dan Madnick in their bid to move Richmond forward.
Pete Burton Richmond The writer is chairman of the Economic Development Commission in Richmond and a member of the Planning Board..
