At the recent Planning Commission, Commission Chairman, Gil Paist relied on bantering to communicate with town resident Kelli Grim after she gave public comments to the Commission regarding the need for more communication between the Town Council and Planning Commission with "the people" of Purcellville. Ms. Grim wanted to assure that sweeping zoning changes, like those made in 2008 have proper input from the residents [people].
Grim stating, “an overwhelming response regarding a developer who felt that exceptions for the square feet of restaurants should just be eliminated altogether and you all agreed to do that.” Paist interrupted stating, “okay, you time is up, actually you’re out of time. I have a question for you. When you talk about "the people", who do you define as "the people."” Ms. Grim's requested clarification for when she used that statement and Mr. Paist stated it was in the very beginning, “sometimes you give meanings out there and I have no idea exactly what you mean.” I need to stop here for a second and interject the fact that if the Town's Planning Commissioner does not know who the people of Purcellville are, maybe he should find a less critical position to serve. Let me give you some direction Mr. Paist, look at the top of the Town's organization chart, who's at the top? Consider this an open book test.
"Myself and the residents that…are the people served by all of the Committees, Commissions and Boards,” stated Ms. Grim. Chairman Paist continued to badger Ms. Grim even though her time had expired on Public Comment in what I believe was an attempt to belittle a citizen and show superiority. He continued to question Ms. Grim as though she were on trial, “so the people to you are just the residents. What do you do with the businesses that are in town, or the people that work in town, or students that are in town. Don’t they also have a say in town?”
Ms. Grim began to respond that "they are the primary as defined by looking at the town roll.... you even argued in the paper that residents are supposed to speak first." Ms. Grim continued to define "the people" as those that bring in the majority of the tax revenue. As she continued to respond to the Commissioner's questions, Paist interrupted her once again and said, “I didn't ask for another thing, just for a definition of that one thing. Thank you for your opinion, I just wanted a definition of "the people". Does this conversation remind you of a public media frenzy of a certain political leader wanting the to know what the definition of IS is?
Mr. Paist did ask her more than just that one question, it was the answers he did not choose to hear for the reason he abruptly cut her response. He wanted an opportunity once again to use his gavel as he did earlier in the meeting, he said declaring, "And I did that just because I wanted to." The fact is that when the Woodgrove location was on the agenda, never did the County, School Board, nor Town asked the students where they wanted their school. Do you remember that Mr. Paist? Do you think the 5 to 17 year olds are engaged in Town business? Do you think the businesses are engaged in Town business? How many business owners attend Planning Commission or Economic Development meeting which both have a direct relationship on their business?
Mr. Paist could use communication training because according to the Public Meeting Conduct, item 3, Interruption of speakers, name calling or boisterous remarks. Under the General Process section of the Conduct rules, "The public body is empowered to cause the removal of any and all persons violating the provisions of its rules and include a procedure for implementing said removal of said individual(s).The presiding officer shall preserve order and decorum at Council meeting." So who calls out Mr. Paist? No one. This type of behavior continues to go on not only in the Planning Commission meetings, but the Town Council meetings. In fact those on staff, Committees Commissions and Boards fail to remember that "the people" are the ones that pay their wages.
