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Concentrate on the facts of village disollution

Posted 9/26/11

To the Editor: It is amazing how fear and headlines based on supposition will sell newspapers. It appears that the possibility of dissolving the Village of Potsdam is the worst thing that could …

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Concentrate on the facts of village disollution

Posted

To the Editor:

It is amazing how fear and headlines based on supposition will sell newspapers.

It appears that the possibility of dissolving the Village of Potsdam is the worst thing that could happen since the great depression!

Focusing on the “what if” part of dissolution, will not allow you, the taxpayers, to make an informed decision on dissolution. Here are some facts to consider.

There are those who believe better relations between the Village and Town and potential shared services will solve our problems.

1. The fact is, there was a proposal to eliminate the Village court and thus save Village taxpayers money. This proposal never got the necessary interest from the current Village board to have an open discussion on the subject. It would not discuss it.

2. The fact is, there are no current proposals on the agenda for any type of shared service between the Town and Village at this time. If shared services or consolidation were important, then you would think this would, at least, attract a conversation on the subject.

3. The fact is, lack of a good working relationship between the Town and Village over water and sewer versus annexation is costing us economic development. The town allowed the Potsdam Plaza to annex and the Town allowed Lowes to annex. When the Village was asked to allow sewer to be provided to Walmart as a good faith gesture, it denied sewer and thus fell flat on its collective noses in support of cooperative development. Wal-Mart was willing to give the Village monies over and above the charges for sewer. We were told we couldn’t use this money for lowering taxes, but only for the sewer district. The result is that we now have faced an increase in sewer rates to repair and replace some aging parts in the sewer treatment plant. The fact is this increase would not have been necessary if the Village had allowed sewer to Wal-Mart.

4. The fact is it is hard to actively market our area for economic development as long as the two boards are so far apart on the water/sewer and annexation issue.

5. There are those who sensationalize the issue of Police protection to sway voters away from dissolution. The fact is, not one person involved in the Dissolution study, one person on the Village Board or one person on the Town Board has said anything publically about not having a Police force in the Village if dissolution were to occur. Having our three largest employers tied to a suggestion that policing will not be here at its present level post dissolution and that it could hurt them is ridiculous at best and sensational at worst.

6. Fact is: 28 percent of the appraised property value in the Village pay for 100 percent of the expenses in the Village. This should be a concern. The issue with our Police is not the level of service, or the job satisfaction. The issue is the post retirement benefits for officers able to retire after a working career of twenty years. Through no fault of anyone in Potsdam nor the current officers, this benefit package will result in huge tax increases in the future and/or bankruptcy for the Village. This fact was pointed out by Trustee Steve Yurgartis to our current board and didn’t get any reaction. It seems that neither the current board nor the negotiating body representing the Police are concerned over escalating costs in this area. If you are a taxpayer, you should be concerned that your taxes will go up significantly if this issue is not settled! Unfortunately this issue can only be settled with dissolution and that will reopen contract negotiations.

7. I have heard people say that any vote in Potsdam will affect Norwood and the TOV. The fact is, voters will decide the fate of Potsdam when it comes to dissolution and nothing else. During post dissolution, all parties will have a say in how to move forward. If you sell your house, would you ask permission of your neighbors to see if they approve of who you sell to? This sale would have a profound effect on you, the value of your home, the quality of your neighborhood etc. At least in post dissolution everyone would have a say in moving forward and what our new neighborhood will look like and cost

8. The fact is, Village taxpayers will save money under any scenario of dissolution. Attrition of the workforce and new contracts will insure will this fact.

Focusing on the negatives has never been my strong suit. My goal in seeing dissolution occur is threefold.

First, it would eliminate the need for the courts to decide the issue of annexation when water and sewer is requested.

Second it would allow one government to make decisions about future economic development.

Third, it would allow us the best avenue to attack high taxes paid by only 28 percent of the assessed properties.

Fact: Around 10 percent of Village workers live in the village. Why is this?

Fact: There is no guarantee that current levels of service will remain post vote, given the current economic climate.

Fact: There is no guarantee that taxes will not go up significantly in the next budget year if you elect to keep both a Village and a Town.

Fact: There is a guarantee that you will save money on the operations of the Village if you opt to dissolve it.

It seems a lot of people who do not pay taxes in the village of Potsdam are weighing in on dissolution.

It is easy for them to spend your money. It is time you decide how you want to pay for things and how much.

Remember, you can have what you want as long as you, the taxpayers, are willing to pay for it.

You can read articles that sensationalize the maybes, perhaps, mights, almost can happen with dissolution if you want to.

I would rather you concentrate on these facts.

Dissolution is about taxes, now and in the future. Dissolution is about how to combine resources to move forward. Dissolution is about having a new vision for the Town. Dissolution is about change. Remember, a vote against dissolution is a vote for the status quo and a clear message that we need not change. Vote for dissolution in November.

Steve Warr

Potsdam Village Trustee