Time for an open and honest discussion

Dear Editor,

Mayor Steve May and some of the trustees have documented and publicized serious financial problems facing the Village due to our declining tax base and increased operating costs. Town of Owego Supervisor Donald Castellucci makes similar warnings in his year in review column where he stated, “Building permits for new single family homes remained stagnant, while there has been little commercial activity in the town.”  

How many more warnings must we hear before it’s too late and we are faced with dramatic and calamitous consequences that are forced upon us?

Taxpayers, are you listening to these dire warnings? It’s time to take a long hard look at services we would like as opposed to services we actually need. Consolidation of village, town and county services needs to be considered.   Some services may even need to be eliminated. No service should be taken off the table for consideration, be it the Police Department, Fire Department or Department of Public Works.

It’s time for all of us, particularly those carrying the load by their payment of property taxes, to have an open, honest and factual discussion and debate about the future economic health of our community. Believing we can continue down the same path, in hope of things getting better, is wishful thinking. 

Sincerely,

Dieter G. Dauber

Owego, N.Y.