WATCH: Jan. 13, 2021 Town Meeting Recap
Acting mayor John Abrams took a tyranical approach using police power to dominate and silence an Elected Official so she could not expose his illicit acts concerning sale of old town hall.
COMMUNITY APPALLED BY BULLYING TACTICS
Edgewood’s January 13, 2021 Town meeting verified that acting mayor John Abrams is every bit the bully that Bassett was, maybe worse as he refuses to let elected officials or the public be heard and fails to follow legitimate meeting protocols.
KEY TOPIC
A key issue at Wednesday’s meeting related to the sale of Edgewood’s former town hall (on Route 66). State regulations require the Town to get the best highest price when disposing of publicly-owned property or equipment (afterall, it is the people’s property and the people’s money). As representatives of the people, it is the governing body’s responsibility to assure that happens.
INVALID REMOVAL
Sherry Abraham (currently longest-serving elected official) discovered that there was a higher offer to buy Old Town Hall and tried to bring that information to the attention of the other governing body members (as she is duty bound). However, acting mayor John Abrams was intent on keeping that information from being heard. He first illegally called upon Abraham to recuse herself from the matter. Having no conflict or grounds for recusal, she did not. Rightfully so.
Next, Abrams sought to illegally exclude Abraham (and her information) from being heard in the meeting. Abrams refused to count Abraham’s ‘nay’ vote on the motion, and instead claimed his motion passed (2-1, with Holle enabling Abrams’ misguided motion). When Abraham correctly declared the vote was not valid, John Abrams directed Edgewood’s chief of police (present for another matter) to physically remove Abraham from the meeting.
BULLYING TACTICS
This is not the first time John Abrams has resorted to overbearing and controlling actions to get his way in a town meeting. Yelling, fist pounding, and finger wagging have long been part of his behavior in public meetings.
He uses these tactics toward elected officials and members of the public, often mocking and belittling anyone who expresses opinions different than his own. Is this how an elected official should behave? Shouldn’t he listen to all viewpoints and represent the people’s interests?
Instead, Abrams is following in the footsteps of his friend and predecessor John Bassett who was removed from office for his illegal behavior.
READ: ABQ Journal: Councilor Removed from Meeting by Police Chief
