By Dana Benson
Save Our Towns/Save Our Schools
Why did First Selectman Bindelglass file a complaint with the State Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Commission against an Easton citizen in November 2023 for requesting information about the Riding Academy’s compliance with zoning, and why didn’t he tell the other Selectmen or the citizen?
The citizen, June Logie, was shocked to receive a letter from the State a few weeks ago saying the FOIA Commissioner was going to recommend dismissal of the complaint at its August 14, 2024 meeting. How would you feel if you got a letter like that out of the blue?
Bindelglass alleges Logie disrupted Town Hall’s ability to conduct business by asking for some data. The Freedom of Information Law says citizens have the right to go to Town Hall, ask to see documents, and copy them.
It is absurd that Logie, who is experienced in FOIA requests, would “harass” town employees. She requested Zoning Enforcement Orders, Building Inspection Reports, and other data about the Riding Academy.
Town officials may not have appreciated her scrutiny of their decisions, but that comes with the territory. Because of Logie’s research, issues regarding the Academy’s Certificate of Occupancy have been exposed.
Is it “harassing” town employees to ask them for documents that a State Law says is the town’s duty to provide? Is this how Easton wants its First Selectman to treat whistleblowers?
Beverly Dacey grew up in Easton and raised her family here. She spoke about the town’s harassment of Logie at the 8/1/24 Selectman Meeting. She said (I paraphrase):
We’re witnessing a sea change in Easton in terms of the kind of community this has been and the movement towards commercial development. The Community feels like it has been boxed out of this decision. It feels like the future the public wants for this town no longer matters. It feels like decisions are being made behind our backs. This FOIA complaint is consistent with the pattern of how Easton is being ruled, it reinforces what people have been feeling for some time, and it’s a problem.
David, in your recent letter, you wrote about your commitment to civility and to trying to lower the level of vitriol in our discourse. I want to say that filing this complaint this way, in secret, was incredibly vitriolic.”
Link to Bindelglass’s complaint:
Link to State FOIA Commissioner Ruling:
