Opinion: The citizens of Owego ‘do care’

Dear Editor,

I am tired of people telling me that this is a small town, so you must write simple thoughts using little words. Living in a small town is much more challenging than living in a big city. Every vote, every public comment, is directed to, or about a neighbor, rather than urban or national political anonymity. We must always strive to make these comments based on principle, not personality.

Charles Yaple, writing in his book, Jacob’s Land, about his Revolutionary War relatives who settled in New York introduces Kentucky philosopher, Wendell Berry. Berry (Yaple) discusses the “combination of characteristics that make a place special and unique…” It involves the human experience in a landscape, the local knowledge and folklore. 

Sense of place also grows from identifying oneself in relation to a particular piece of land on the surface of planet Earth…” it can be argued such a relationship, especially for children, may be a building block for good character development as the child realizes they are part of something bigger than themselves and thus avoids the burden of selfishness.”

At the May 14 Village Board meeting we witnessed the continuing discussion regarding the fate of 239 Front St. Statements appeared to portray the homeowners as “victims (of capricious citizens and boards), surprised (they only learned of Board meeting that afternoon), and saviors (nobody cared about property before they stepped in.)”

All citizens hope for a positive solution for these owners. These arguments have less to do with this property than principles. Changing use of the property does not change the principles of conservation. The trustees bent over backwards to try to craft a compromise, and both sides’ efforts should be noted.

If one is grounded in basic principles, founded in working in the community or the built environment then what might be portrayed as personal attacks, or a “sudden interest in a vacant property” fall away. The upheaval of the last Village election has its roots in the dissolution of the OHPC. A majority of Village voters have cared deeply about 239 Front, and every other property in the Village, occupied or vacant. 

The greatly increased attendance and testimony at Village Board meetings is specifically attributable to concern over all properties. There were almost 40 people in Evergreen Cemetery last weekend raking leaves and picking up debris. Significant funds were raised to restore the “Fireman’s” statue. So it cannot be said that we citizens of the Village do not care; we care!

It is true that the Trustees are guilty of putting off the decision to staff an historic board. They also rebuffed an offer (from local historians and preservation experts) to write a new set of preservation guidelines. But “flippers” know the game. Basic principles have been apparent as this process started some time ago. As stated in last weeks’ Pennysaver, the Village Board needs to separate emotional arguments, from the principles that inform the signature vitality of the Village, our historic charm, and good governance.

Sincerely,

Peter Gordon

Village Resident