Watkins speaks out as candidate, and taxpayer

Dear Editor,

I am writing this letter not only as a candidate for mayor, but as a taxpayer with a compelling concern about the truth surrounding the true state of the Village of Owego. The current mayor would like you to believe that all is well in our village. That is the furthest thing from the truth.

Mayor Arrington’s past track record is one of unchecked spending and overburdening our citizens with backbreaking tax increases. In 2005, Mayor Arrington was the deciding vote in a 4-3 vote to increase taxes by a whopping 14 percent. For those of you who attended that meeting you may recall that he also chose not to move that meeting to a larger venue, knowing full well the controversy that would arise from such an increase. I like to think of it as his Gold Medal of Shame that hangs on his chest - paid for by both residents and businesses on your backs with your hard earned tax dollars. That meeting was also another example of Arrington’s unwillingness to listen to the people when it really counts.

Roll the clock ahead to last year, and the controversial meeting over the termination of volunteers in our community. The current mayor and board had the option of moving that meeting to the Hubbard Auditorium, but chose not to do so. Once again, this decision not only ignored the voice of the people - but created a situation that further incited the anger of village residents.

I also find it interesting and unfortunate that it takes an election year to motivate the mayor to publish his state of the village letters, as well as minutes finally being updated on the village website. I would also like to note that minutes from December to the current time have not been voted on and approved by the board. These are glaring examples of inefficiency and disregard for keeping the public informed to the business of the Village of Owego.

When this administration took office they reversed a long-standing courtesy of privilege of the floor to the residents at both the beginning and the end of the meeting. Once again, as election time neared, that policy was changed.

Another point of fact that few people are aware of was the sizable salary increases and bonuses given to union members and certain department heads. Mayor Arrington and his board voted four percent over four years to these employees and their department heads, as well as increasing head count of full-time employees on the village payroll. In these difficult economic times, can we really afford an administration with this track record of tax and spend negotiating those contracts this year? It is also interesting to note that there has been no mention at any recent board meeting in regards to the tentative budget for next year, which has always been the practice of the village in past years.

In regards to controlling cost and spending, I find it interesting that this mayor has supported spending between one million to a million and a half on two fire trucks, an ambulance, and a street sweeper. I FULLY support all of our departments, but I do question if these purchases are absolutely necessary in these difficult economic times. If we did not pay cash for these items, then how did we pay for them? The answer is you borrow, which is essentially bonding or borrowing money to pay for capital purchases. By the way, in the latest campaign literature his party clearly stated they "Would Not Bond"!

No where currently does the mayor or his party clearly state what their plan is for the future of the village; just more empty rhetoric and vague promises of what their platform is for OUR future. The members of the Citizens Party and Krista Welch for Clerk / Treasurer on the Green party ticket clearly state in our platform what our plan is and how we intend to get to where we need to be; and to insure not only the present well being of the village as a priority, but the future is more secure as well for future generations. Government By The People. For The People! Please Vote Row B for better Government, as well as Row E for efficiency in our Clerk’s office.

Sincerely,

Richard Watkins

Citizens Party

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