It could be argued that the newsletter the Town of Clarkson publishes at the expense of taxpayers has been used as a political advertisement. In the past, when the current and previous town supervisors are up for reelection, they have released an issue just prior to Election Day featuring a picture of the supervisor with an accompanying self-promoting article. Furthermore, other issues published in election years also have political slants.
Take, for instance, the most recent June issue distributed a couple of weeks ago. The front page of the issue featured a stock print photo of schoolchildren posing in front of a blackboard in their classroom (these were not local kids; the photo can be easily found by Googling images of school children in classrooms). The picture had absolutely nothing to do with any message or article within the newsletter. The picture was featured above information about stimulus funds that are being provided by the federal American Rescue Plan. The funds can’t be used for education, so the picture is a deceptive political ploy that undermines the intelligence of town residents.
Since the newsletter had to have been provided to and approved by Supervisor Christa Filipowicz, it leaves questions about her judgment. Having served on the Town Board and as Town Supervisor for a combined 30 years, it demonstrates either a cavalier attitude, lack of oversight, or as we have seen through very brief town board meetings, a “do the bare minimum” administration covered up with false messaging. Using taxpayer money for political purposes is wrong, period, but since the supervisor is intent on continuing it, she should at least have more respect for her constituents and not make it so obvious.
William Fine
Clarkson
