The difficult decisions faced by the town of Rutland board came from the previous boards' budget and spending, not the current highway superintendent.

I find it hard to believe that one person, Colleen Woolley, has brought financial expertise to the board. The financials should be reviewed and approved by all five members, not one. Each individual brings strength and business acumen to the table, not one.

Furthermore, I find it appalling that an elected Town Council member, Mike Gillette, addresses only three board members in the paper when there are five. The Town Council members are elected officials who are supposed to work together as adults, not single out various individuals for praise as if in elementary school.

If Mike Gillette can't function without Colleen, maybe he is not the right individual to support the town of Rutland's interest. You have only to attend a board meeting to see the clear division of the members. It seems Doug Main, Colleen and Mike only have an interest in opposing suggestions from Gary Eddy or Claude Phelps and not trying to address the business at hand.

I strongly urge the residents of the town of Rutland to attend the monthly meetings and put a stop to this childish behavior. This should be run as a business, not a popularity contest or buddy system.

We need people on the board who can function and make a business decision on their own. That person is Ken Gleason. I am confident Ken is well aware of the economics and financial constraints and will not be imposing a tax-and-spend mentality.

The residents should also be aware their interests are not being fully represented. There was a meeting and the Plan to Rehabilitate Highway Department and Salvage 2008 budget suggestions resulted. Note, it was signed by only three members: Mike Gillette, Doug Main and Colleen Woolley. Again, there are five council members, not three. Let's give the town the benefit of all five.

I urge you to attend the next board meeting, the second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. on Route 126 at the town hall.

Herbert L. Waite

Black River