There's usually two sides to every story...

but Mr. Adler didn't want to make documents supporting his side of the story available to residents so they could have it to review prior to the Public Hearing on Wednesday.

Upon his arrival at tonight's Planning Board meeting where his rezoning request was to be reviewed, Mr. Adler passed out documents to include letters, colored maps of the area to be rezoned and his responses to recommendations from DEC, Oneida County Planning, Mohawk Valley Authority, Dept. of Transportation, etc.

Copies were given to the entire Planning Board; to each of the people present at the meeting that signed petitions in favor of Mr. Adler; and to Town Attorney Cully...Highway Superintendent Rick Sherman was also given copies of documents.

Ms. Lawrence noticed that Mr. Adler had extra copies so she presented her press pass for identification and asked Mr. Adler if he would share copies of what he had handed out earlier.

Mr. Adler denied the request saying that he didn't know who Ms. Lawrence was [we find that hard to believe...she was in the back videotaping throughout the entire meeting...kind of gives away who she is...not many other people videotape meetings and Mr. Adler is no stranger to this blog.].

Mr. Adler also said he had no way of knowing if the press pass was legitimate. [Sorry Sheriff Maciol, guess Mr. Adler isn't impressed by your signature or the NYS Sheriff's Association seal that is affixed to the card.]

Ms. Lawrence then asked Town Attorney Cully for copies [that was right after Attorney Cully asked Ms. Lawrence when her video would be available online because the town might need to review it for clarification when writing the Planning Board minutes].

Town Attorney Cully said...sure, Ms. Lawrence could have the documents if she sent in a FOIL request first. Imagine...give me, but FOIL YOU!

The public hearing is Wednesday, March 14, 2012! We would be lucky if the town clerk even responded to us by Wednesday telling us the day we might expect to receive the documents.

What possible reason could there be to deny access to supporting documentation presented by Mr. Adler at tonight's meeting? We will leave the answer to that question up to our readers.

Mr. Adler's attorney said the documents would be on the website [we presume the town website], but she couldn't confirm when they would be there.

Anyway, since we only have one side of the story, that is the one we will present to you. Jerome Donovan was kind enough to give us his thoughts and response to each of the questions that have to be answered by the Planning Board as they develop their recommendation to the town board.

Jerome Donovan's observations on pertinent zone change criteria.

Jerome Donovan's responses in answer to the questions the Planning Board must answer in their recommendation to the Town Board.

The meeting was videotaped and will be online tomorrow.