Hypocrisy, according to the Oxford dictionary, is “the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one’s own behavior does not conform.”

Ryan Smith is a new member of Auburn’s Planning Board. This is not only subtraction by addition, it is also hypocrisy at its worst.

First, Smith’s appointment removed longtime member Evan Cyr. Cyr’s wealth of historical knowledge, procedural oversight, and commitment to the subject matter exemplifies what cities dream to have on their planning boards, leaving enormous shoes to fill. Not a smart move from our new leadership.

While I applaud Smith’s attendance at meetings, it’s difficult to identify his platform. Other than committing to any opposing position, he lacks consistency with his views.

He argued against rezoning, yet benefited from it with the sale of a non-conforming property.

He promotes transparency, yet was appointed after an executive session — a process which offers zero transparency.

And he accused a former Planning Board member and real estate professional (yours truly) of having a conflict of interest in a development project, despite knowing I couldn’t “line my pockets” from a development that rents units versus selling real estate.

Mr. Smith’s stated view is that real estate professionals have a conflict of interest within a leadership role of the city. Mr. Smith is also a licensed real estate agent. By his own definition he should not be appointed.

If that’s not hypocritical …

Brian J. DuBois, Auburn

Editor’s note: This letter has been edited to remove a claim in dispute. We apologize for the editing error.