COMMENTARY
Bruce Andriatch: Vox populi has its say about Mohan
I need to get a clue. I demonstrate the logic of a fifth-grader. I should be ashamed. Those were some of the kinder things people said by e-mail, phone call and even one old-fashioned, typewritten letter after reading my last column on Amherst Supervisor Satish Mohan.
In that piece, headlined “The promises were empty, Dr. Mohan,” I argued that Mohan set out to do lofty things but that once he was elected, he didn’t understand that Amherst was not a monarchy he could shape in his image. My position is he never figured out during his time in office that in order to accomplish his goals—cutting taxes and spending was the big one—he needed to be able to compromise and work with other Town Board members.
That was my say; I thought it only fair that you who disagreed with me get yours.
Several of you said the blame for Mohan’s failures rests not with him, but with the other elected officials who— unlike the supervisor— were afraid to stand up to entrenched interests.
“The reason for not going along with Mohan’s ideas to cut costs is basic,” said the letter writer. “For years the supervisors and board members gave in to all the demands by town employees and police. Why? Simply because there is a large voting bloc of town employees, police and union sympathizers.”
A couple of writers referred to my statement that Mohan was not good at building bridges with people who had opposing viewpoints.
“That is exactly what WE wanted him to change, the ‘you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours’ backroom deal making . . . that takes place in politics,” one of them said. “Apparently, you believe in the adage of ‘If you can’t beat ’em, then join ’em’ and ‘Everyone was doing it, so it must be OK.’ It is that thought process that has left us where we are today.”
Said another: “ ‘Building bridges’ is fine on paper, but when his opponents would not budge an inch [select your topic . . . any one will suffice], I believe Dr. Mohan held [somewhat] true to his stated positions,” he said. “In addition, I contend that he represents a stark reminder that everyone’s political belief/ position is based on meeting their own needs first. In this case, the powers that be had and have a vested interest in continuing to operate a ‘business as usual’ approach.”
Not content to simply criticize me himself, the above writer then forwarded an e-mail from his mother. She said Amherst government had changed for the better under Mohan, citing among his achievements: fair and intelligent representatives on the Planning and Zoning boards; a drainage plan that will provide flooding relief to a huge number of residents; and securing the future of Nature View Park as undeveloped land.
“Satish had no political experience when he was elected but [it] was clear that the people wanted change; there are factions that felt threatened BUT he kept the budget the same for the last three years and most importantly kept his honor,” she said.
The theme from most people who objected to the column was best expressed by this writer: “Anyone in political office who goes against the regime is black labeled. I applaud Mr. Mohan and what he TRIED to do.”
In the responses I e-mailed to people who disagreed with me, I said that maybe the next reformer who comes along will do more than try; maybe that person will figure out a way to make lasting changes.
But that’s just me. After all, as the gentleman who left me a 90-second telephone message will attest, I’m not too bright.
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