Riga officials appoint new board member

As one of the final acts as Riga supervisor, Tim Rowe appointed David L. Smith to fill the unexpired board seat of Ron Trinkl, who resigned. Trinkl's term expires December 31, 2006.

Smith, a resident of the village of Churchville for 18 years, said he decided to seek appointment to the board because he has a desire to serve his community.

"Riga has been a wonderful place for my wife (Melissa) and I to raise our children," he said. "We have great neighbors, and have thoroughly enjoyed being part of this community."

Smith said he has been interested in politics for most of his life but has only become more involved in the past year-and-a-half after his appointment to the Republican Committee in Riga.

An employee of Roberts Wesleyan College, working as the grounds and landscape manager, Smith is responsible for budgeting, writing contracts, bidding work and supervising a full time staff of eight.

Smith's appointment came at the December 30 year end meeting without any input from newly elected Supervisor Pam Moore.

"I was not involved in the process to appoint Mr. Smith. I don't know him and I think his appointment should have been discussed and decided upon by the new board," she said.

Board member Robert Ottley said the Riga Republican Committee has been searching for a new board member since Trinkl announced his resignation. "I have every confidence that Dave will serve the town effectively," he said.

Moore said that she has nothing against the individual who was appointed but she did have a problem with the process. "Because the normal interview process was thwarted, the town board and the residents of the town are dealing with an unknown entity," she said.

Past procedure, Moore said, was to gather resumes and applications from residents interested in filling vacant board seats, interview candidates and decide, as a board, who to appoint. "You (Rowe) have short circuited this process," she said.

Despite the controversy over his appointment, Smith said he feels that Riga faces a very positive future. "I realize our need to consider the future carefully - town taxes have been eliminated, we have many new quality facilities for our townspeople to enjoy, and most folks living in our town enjoy the rural character and desire that small town quality to be preserved," he said.

As we move into this next administration, Smith said, he looks forward to serving with the board to see the citizens' interests are preserved.

"Involvement of the residents of Riga as we look at the Comprehensive plan, waterline and drainage issues will be imperative," he said. "I hope to see civility and grace restored to the town board meetings."

During his term on the board, Smith said he hopes the businesses, families and each individual will prosper in the coming year.

"As people realize what a great place Riga is to live, work and play, I believe we will sense the increased pressure of development," he said. "I am sure as a town board we will not agree on every matter that comes up but, again, am hopeful we can see our differences as benefits and move our good town forward in a respectful manner," Smith said.

January 8, 2006