Kulpa Disrespects the Star Spangled Banner
Date: Town Board Meeting – 12/18/23
The last town board meeting of the year was anything but short of antics & unprofessional behavior by elected officials. The meeting started off with Supervisor Brian Kulpa rolling his eyes around his head and disrespectfully saying “Jesus Christ!” when he had to stand up for the Star-Spangled Banner after the pledge of allegiance.
View clip here:
The town board was ready to vote on the adoption of Local Law to Amend the Zoning Map (4774 & 4780 Sheridan Drive, Z-2023-07) to make way for construction of ~22 new apartment units less than 30ft from a longstanding neighborhood residents’ home, and when residents wanted to voice their concerns about their neighborhood, Councilmember Jacqui Berger immediately said “He’s out of order, rule him out!” to Brian Kulpa and continued to say to the concerned residents “it doesn’t matter”.
View clip here:
https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxFqKmQvCqYA3tQW010VhtJdL-nGDlkneu?si=iyP93HmwfKHCh5yK
Supervisor Brian Kulpa then yelled and screamed at concerned residents in an extremely unprofessional display.
View clip here: https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxRM4X25wJl5q6dypQQ5jOVtAaW1r6j6QP?si=zowOt4FS7NKdR2Mr
As the residents asked the town board to table the vote, the town board then appeared to put on a fake display of conversation amongst themselves about the project, talking about L & T shaped buildings, to make it look like they were in true deliberation and to lead the way to save face to table the vote as they dare not, 1) vote YES given the push back in the room, 2) vote NO when they likely know they want this project to move forward. Also, it shined through that Councilmember Shawn Lavin and Jacqualine Berger were ill equip in knowledge to handle simple procedures.
View clip here: https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxJpXcg9eirLsXO4UvzcU3c6X9M5KjeWHm?si=v5bAgkN_ok79PGQJ
A key moment was when Councilmember Jacqualine Berger interrupted residents to admit that she was the lead on spending over $33 million for LED streetlights and that she has been working on it since 2018. However, Berger was unable to provide one reference of knowledge to the cost or details of the project. Kulpa was not forthcoming with the actual payback period or total cost. They hinted it would take over 12-13 years to see any return. Quick math is if the cost was $33 million, and the savings were $500,000 a year that it would take 66 years to break even. The loan is for 20 years so tax money had to increase to pay off the loan sooner due to the realized gains from the savings take 46 more years to come to light. When Berger was questioned why the information is not on the website or emailed, she got angry and in a sassy yet disgruntled voice told people that it was up on the website before COVID but then needed changes…. news for Berger its almost 2024. She also admitted to the project could’ve been done for roughly under $15 million but they settled at $33 million, for Kulpa to note they got a $100,000 tax payer grant though to help relieve the burden.
Residents voiced their concerns regarding the 11.42% tax increase, how the tax levy override and budget meetings were held, Councilmember Shawn Lavin’s half-baked attempt for “transparency” after 6 years of silence, the PUD plan to completely remove residents from having any input, part or knowledge of what will be done with Westwood dba Amherst Central “Park”, and more.
A key moment at the meeting was when a resident asked each town board member if they were in favor of term limits. Deborah Bucki hinted to yes, she is in favor. Michael Szukala said yes, he is in favor. Brian Kulpa refused to answer. Jacqualine Berger started yelling and getting angry and refused to answer. Shawn Lavin, the councilmember that has gone on tour the last month about his love for “transparency” and better communication and openness with the public stayed slouched in his chair with a smug look on his face staring at the resident, like a tough guy, in silence… refusing to say anything except for “you have a limited time to speak, get to your point”. Shawn Lavin is anything but transparent… he won’t even answer or have a conversation about a concern of the public after he parades around town as “Mr. Transparency”.
Residents also brought to attention a petition to rescind the tax levy override to 11.42% to which the town board had no response to. Supervisor Kulpa did have a very aggressive reaction, yelling and screaming again, at a resident when the topic of Kulpa’s ownership in an architect firm having any interest in the Town of Amherst. Kulpa responded saying his firm does not do any business with Benderson in the Town of Amherst… before more yelling and screaming and pointing to tell residents to sit down occurred. What does Kulpa mean when he says his firm doesn’t do business with Benderson in the Town of Amherst?
Another key moment was Senior Deputy Counsel Town of Amherst, Samuel A. Alba, after hours of heated and serious discussion in the room - had the nerve to try to be Mr. Funny and joke that a resident was out of time to speak. This came right after hours into the meeting when then randomly Alba made an announcement saying now he is deciding to enforce 3 minute public expression and a resident asked why start in the ninth inning. Alba the entire time looked like he thought this entire meeting was just for amusement and like it doesn’t matter anyways because the board and partners don’t care about the residents anyways.
In summary, the town board have made Amherst NY an embarrassment. They are not looking to have any transparency with the public. They are not even willing to present themselves as if they are interested in the public’s thoughts of their town. The Amherst Town Board acts in selfish, narcissistic, & childish ways to the residents they work for.
The next town board meeting will be posted on the Amherst Budget Minder website & Facebook page as soon as it is announced. It is encouraged the public continue attend and express their opinions about the Town Board, after all Brian Rusk won’t.