Editorial Say No To Videoconferencing for Legislators

The Suffolk County Legislature is holding a public hearing this evening on videoconferencing for legislators who can not attend meetings. The public is invited to attend the meeting and speak or to share comments with Presiding Officer Gregory. SC Legislators Want Your Opinion On Doing Their Work By Videoconference Below are the comments I submitted. Pat

Presiding Officer Gregory,

Thank you for the opportunity to give comments via email addressing the video conferencing public hearing.  As the owner/editor of the online news site Smithtown Matters, I am a fervent supporter and user of technology. I appreciate and support incorporating technology for the speed, ease and unencumbered distribution of information.

I often watch Smithtown Town Council, Planning and BZA meetings as well as Suffolk County Legislature meetings in my office. I am proud of the role I played while serving as a Smithtown Councilwoman in bringing taping and online access to Smithtown residents.  The use of technology goes far in allowing the public to see their elected officials at work.

The subject of the public hearing is not about the use of technology for the benefit of the tax paying public, but rather it is about providing a very well paid (Suffolk County legislators are the highest paid county legislators outside of NYC) county legislator the opportunity to give the appearance of being attentive and involved while they are off premises on vacation, place of business or another venue.

I oppose this proposal. Attending and participating in legislative and committee meetings is in fact the responsibility of the legislator. 

For too long elected officials have made attending functions, where they are recognized for their mere presence, synonymous with legislating. They are not!

Legislators owe it to their constituents to be physically present at meetings, to be versed on subject matter and to represent their constituents interest. That is their job, that is what they get paid to do. I suggest to those legislators who support video conferencing that they link in at a scout function, ribbon cutting ceremony or veterans event and see how much support they get.

I urge all legislators to vote NO on the videoconferencing proposal.

Thank you for your time and consideration of my opinion.

Patricia Biancaniello