Residents press Parkside council for transparency, accountability during public comment

During the special meeting, several residents criticized past council leadership and urged stronger transparency and oversight in the wake of allegations against a council member.

An unnamed resident sharply criticized council members who had supported 'Nick Cappabianco' for council president and said the ethics committee had found misuse of taxpayer funds, stating, "Shame on every council member who voted for Nick Cappabianco to be our council president and to continue as our code enforcement officer after the ethics committee found that he took tax-payer money." Judy Saunders called on the council to treat public speakers with respect and said it is residents’ duty to oversee elected officials: "...it's not only our right to question you, it's our duty to oversee you." Anthony Fritz thanked the council for new leadership and urged elected officials to use the change to "right these wrongs" and regain trust.

Residents asked multiple procedural questions about who reviews credit card statements, how line items are checked and whether asset-tracking exists for tools. Council members and staff said statements go through the treasurer and outside auditors and that firehouse purchases are being reviewed; the chief said those purchases are being reviewed "as we speak."