Dear Editor,
I am writing to set the record straight about the misinformation being put out by our opponents, the Rebuild Owego Party. The assertions made by the Rebuild party distort our record and attempt to confuse the voters about our true positions on important issues facing our beloved Village. Let me state the Taxpayers First Party’s positions on these issues clearly.
Despite what Rebuild Owego members or supporters have said, no member of the Taxpayers First Party has cast a single vote against the Owego Police Department (OPD).
We care about public safety in Owego as much as anyone and we fully support the OPD in their mission to keep us safe. While we have voted to delay hiring a particular OPD candidate or another because a full background check was not complete, or a Training Academy slot was not available, we have never denied Chief Vinti a requested hire. Our votes, which are being represented as “against OPD”, were in the exercise of responsible oversight of the OPD. This is a legitimate function of the Board; indeed, it is one of the most important functions of the Village Board.
Our position is that we want maximum police protection at the most reasonable cost to residents. The Village will always require policing in order to ensure public safety; but its residents should make major decisions about how our Village is policed. If an alternative option for policing were to be pursued it would be because the majority of Village residents desired it and made it happen. The Taxpayers First Party has pledged that any decision in this regard will be made by public referendum, not by the Board.
When I am Mayor, I pledge that we will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of policing in the Village.
The Mayor and Rebuild Party candidates are suddenly supportive of the Owego Fire Department (OFD) and are now committed to making the long neglected repairs to the Historic Central Fire Station. This is in sharp contrast to previous statements made by Rebuild members in Village Board meetings that they did not care if the roof fell in on the building. The Fire Commissioner and the Fire Chief(s) have petitioned the Mayor and DPW to make much-needed repairs at Central Station repeatedly. These requests have largely been ignored. Rebuild members have even suggested that the OFD volunteer membership complete repairs on their personal time.
When the OFD explored the option of creating a Fire District in an effort to preserve the essential public safety services it provides, the Mayor worked behind the scenes to ensure that a public referendum on the subject never came to be. When I am Mayor, I pledge that OFD will be given my full support in determining how to continue to be an effective force.
The Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU) billing system for sewage billing was conceived in 2012 under Mayor Millar’s administration when the Public Service Commission (PSC) told United Water that they could no longer provided water consumption data to the Village. Water consumption data was for many years used as the base for sewer billing. Without this data the Village had no way to bill for sewer usage.
An engineering firm recommended the EDU system since other municipalities had successfully used it. The firm devised the “unit” classifications and advised the Village how to implement the system. This proposal languished in the hands of the Mayor until it became a potential legal issue. It was then rushed through the vetting process with the promise that Mayor Millar would ensure the new EDU system rates would be equitable to the water consumption rates previously used.
In many instances the EDU rates were not equitable and have been a source of financial stress for many Village taxpayers. Residents who have been impacted by this have vigorously protested since the system was implemented but have been met by indifference from the Mayor. The Taxpayers First members have listened to these complaints and taken the first steps towards correcting the EDU rate structure in order to make billing more equitable.
When I am Mayor, I pledge that we will devise a better system for sewer billing.
Members of the Taxpayers First Party strongly support all of the vital services provided by the OPD. We believe that the Board must work hard to set out a sustainable path to continue to pay for these essential services. With a declining tax base, rising Village expenses and a hobbling State tax cap, we must find new ways to continue to make ends meet. And we must put the voters in charge of all major decisions related to these services.
Toward that end, Taxpayers First members supported surveying Village residents about their preferences regarding policing in the Village. A survey was devised in order to gauge public support for different options. The survey was unanimously supported by the Board but has been tied up in litigation by two Village residents (residents aligned with the PBA and Rebuild party) who feel that their family situations may be threatened if residents are able to express their opinions.
When I am Mayor, I pledge that we will listen to the voters of the Village about how best to provide police protection.
Our Village finances have deteriorated under Mr. Millar’s administration yet there is no plan or even a sense of urgency to get our finances back on track and to put the Village on a sustainable footing going forward.
The NYS Comptroller ‘s Chief Examiner performed an audit of Village finances in late 2014 and issued a scathing report on his findings. In it he stated “we found that the Clerk-Treasurer was not meeting the fundamental expectations of his duties” and that “while the Board has contracted with a certified public accountant to perform an annual audit of the Village’s financial records, it is not completed in a timely manner because the inaccurate financial records have delayed it. Further, the Village has not filed its annual update document with the Office of the State Comptroller within the required time frames.”
The Village’s auditing firm, CDLM, in reference to preparation of Village financial statements stated, “It is our opinion that management has not demonstrated the experience to prepare such financial statements.” They went on to state, “Without having the experience to prepare financial statements, the Village cannot be sure that its financial statements are being prepared properly.”
When I am Mayor, I will hold the Clerk-Treasurer responsible for executing the duties of his office. No longer will required financial filing deadlines be ignored. I will also pledge to make our Village finances transparent so that any residents can see for themselves what shape the Village finances are in.
Mr. Millar and his team, in the absence of a positive record or governing agenda to run on, have attempted to take credit for some developments, which have occurred during the past legislative session. Let me state clearly where the responsibility for these developments lies.
In a recent radio interview, Mayor Millar cited as one of his Party’s accomplishments the recent refurbishment of Evergreen Cemetery. The truth of the matter is that former Trustee Ann Lockwood was responsible for her endless work and involvement, which made that happen. Trustee Lockwood’s tireless efforts and dedication are the reason that Evergreen Cemetery received any attention at all.
In that same interview Mayor Millar claimed credit for changing all Village lights to LED to save electricity. The truth is that this is a program provided and encouraged by NYSEG for nearly all municipalities within NYSEG’s service area. NYSEG approached the village board with this proposal and it was the village Board that authorized the Mayor to sign the agreement. Is it a good project? Absolutely, and it was supported unanimously by the Board. Thank You NYSEG.
The Rebuild Party claims credit for paying off the Fire Department’s Fire engine bonds / loans. The truth of the matter is that the loans in question were paid off by a contract with the Town of Owego that was negotiated years ago under a previous Mayor and administration. But like many actions that worked out and were put into motion by others or even before they came to the Board, the Rebuild Party is never hesitant to take the credit for the work of others.
Sincerely,
Steve May
First Ward Trustee
Candidate for Village of Owego Mayor
