To Air or Not to Air
Feb 18th, 2009 | By eSecaucus | Category: On tap, SecaucusAs Secaucus moves toward televising its town council meetings, Oradell is looking to pull the plug on some of its public confabs.
The borough’s council is considering switching off the cameras during Board of Adjustment meetings because some are concerned that those seeking variances, or those in opposition to such zoning changes, could be intimidated. (Vote in embedded poll)
The Record reports that the borough zoning board’s chairman, Joseph Polyniak, continues to support televised council meetings, but he said homeowners could become nervous in presenting or opponents could fail to speak out because of the intimidation associated with broadcasting.
Councilwoman Donna Alonso suggested only important variances — “big ones” — should be televised, while others said broadcasting fosters accountability and openness.
The Secaucus council last week moved closer to implementing a televised system for council meetings, but it continues to take public input.
The council is considering switching off the cameras during the public comment period, after council Democrats expressed reservations about allowing the public to air accusations and comments that could carry legal repercussions.
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