It is now a time for great concern by all Wellington residents and taxpayers. Last night's Village Council meeting was a display of ineptitude, political maneuvering and bizarre ideas.
Unfortunately the litigation continues and there is no resolution to the inability of the equestrian community and charities to use the Horse Park year round as it was originally approved.
It needs to be pointed out that council members Anne Gerwig and Howard Coates are champions of the equestrian community. Unfortunately they form a minority against the three-member voting block of Mayor Bob Margolis and council members Matt Willhite and John Greene.
The members of the majority voting block continually insist that they really didn't mean any harm by shutting down the brand new $ 30 million Horse Park at Equestrian Village.
They keep saying that they didn't really mean to deny use of the venue by charities this past summer and that they want to have a year-round equestrian industry.
They boldly claim they want to stop spending money on lawyers and litigation.
But then they take actions contrary to their professed desires. They talk in circles to give the impression they are well-intended.
The many in attendance who were there to support ending the litigation and allow year-round use of Horse Park were not allowed to speak.
There was also an army of lawyers and lobbyists there on behalf of the special interests that oppose the Horse Park. Their presence was intended to ensure the litigation continued. They won !
The council decided by the usual 3-2 vote to continue the litigation with an abstract promise of finding a solution.
But the solution is simple. Revoke the revocation. If there is a bona fide problem with a barn as alleged, then resolve that.
Instead the Council discussed their desire to redesign the Horse Park which led to the most bizarre recommendation of the night. Councilman Matt Willhite, whose interests in this matter don’t extend beyond those of the special interests that oppose progress, suggested a land-swap be considered to move the Horse Park to State Road 7. When the spontaneous outburst of laughter subsided, everyone was stunned that Willhite was in fact dead serious.
The many in attendance who were there to support ending the litigation and allow year-round use of Horse Park were not allowed to speak prior to a decision being made (Their comment cards were read at the end of the meeting).
To cap off the evening, Presented by Matt Willhite and seconded by John Greene, the Council majority of three fired long-time Village Attorney Jeff Kurtz effective in thirty days. There will be an interim attorney while a permanent attorney is sought. So there will be two transitions during a period of unprecedented litigation. Councilman Howard Coates, himself a lawyer, called the action “ Reckless “. The meeting attendants applauded Coates.
Nevertheless, the unseemly firing of Kurtz was approved by the usual 3-2 vote on such matters. ( The vote was to terminate the contract with Kurtz's firm, which in effect was a firing of Kurtz ).
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