tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1868411920004717596.post4900369804278351401..comments2024-03-21T02:46:31.260-04:00Comments on The Mountain Eagle: Cherry Blasts Mann, Airey over Blenheim Covered Bridge DisputeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1868411920004717596.post-84658549830848102862013-12-19T11:41:24.912-05:002013-12-19T11:41:24.912-05:00Mr. Cherry’s attempt at a hatchet job on outgoing ...Mr. Cherry’s attempt at a hatchet job on outgoing Supervisor Mann and community volunteer Don Airey is unfortunately typical of the County Treasurer’s behavior. Mr. Cherry favors venomous attacks on those he considers to be impediments to his political agenda and prefers to do so not by engaging in reasoned debate but instead by making personal attacks in the press and through direct mail campaigns. If Mr. Cherry spent half the time he does on political maneuvering on the tasks to which he is assigned by the Board of Supervisors the people of Schoharie County would be far better served.<br /><br />Mr. Cherry’s letter contains excerpted quotes (several from newspaper coverage of a meeting he did not attend) that he attempts to weave into a misleading narrative that is neither accurate nor supportive of his stated contention. Mr. Airey, the latest target for Mr. Cherry’s vitriol, has been a tireless leader of Blenheim’s flood recovery and revitalization, chairing the long term recovery and comprehensive plan committees, both of which produced landmark roadmaps for a renewed and sustainable community. <br /><br />Mr. Airey, a fellow activist who’s work I know and admire, has personally developed and submitted grant applications on behalf of the Town for nearly $5 million in flood recovery funds, secured a high speed Internet pilot program to directly help a community underserved by technology, arranged for the transfer of a church building to the Town for use as a community center at no cost to the taxpayers and spearheaded the Town-wide arboretum project. Mr. Airey has been instrumental in reversing the FEMA denial of funding for the replacement of the Blenheim Covered Bridge, a national historic monument and vital component of Blenheim’s potential tourist economy. <br /><br />What has Mr. Cherry done for Blenheim? He has refused to meet with the Town’s long term recovery committee blaming a “toxic environment” that he, ironically, created.<br /><br />In sending a copy of his letter to the press, Mr. Cherry failed to mention that he also sent an email with similar content, not to the entire Board of Supervisors, but, instead only to select members of the Board with whom he is politically aligned, his “team” if you will, in which he suggests that outgoing Supervisor Mann and community volunteer Airey were “liars.” He did so because his style is one of subterfuge and personal attacks. In reviewing Mr. Cherry’s missive, I am reminded of his recent pre-election mailing attacking incumbent Jefferson Supervisor Singletary. While I disagree with Mr. Singletary on most issues, I absolutely agree with the perception that Mr. Cherry’s campaign against him was an inappropriate and crass attempt to influence a local election and an effort at political assignation. Now, only a few weeks later, Mr. Cherry is at it again. His latest antics further diminish Mr. Cherry’s reputation and the integrity of his office.<br /><br />- Bob Nied<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04840827107510077184noreply@blogger.com