As I remember this is how the 'Dissolution Group' got people to sign their petitions. Slant the facts and lie about tax savings ! Some things never change...

JC committee accused of slanting dissolution information

Reported in the Press & Sun on Jan 6, 2009
A committee tasked with creating a plan to dissolve the Village of Johnson City into the Town of Union is being accused of slanting the plan towards dissolution despite being months away from making a full public report. Mayor Harry Lewis and Trustee Bruce King said people have complained to them about committee members spinning numbers to make dissolution look favorable. King said the impression he got from a few people is not all the facts are being presented on certain subjects such as waste collection. King and Lewis declined to say who had these concerns.

For the full story click the link below
http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20090106/NEWS01/1060316/1001/news

The Other Side of Dissolution       December 2008 Edition

A monthly newsletter written by Johnson City residents opposed to dissolving the Village of Johnson City.   Our goal is to help Johnson City residents make a better-informed choice, when this goes to vote.

Dissolution Study Committee Meetings: Article #8

Planning for Post Dissolution Refuse Collection
Written by Julie Deemie

It had been previously announced that our “consultant” Charles Zettek would be attending the December 15th meeting.  Once again Charlie was a no show.  Instead, Dissolution Committee member, Fred Shaheen presented an overview of data, which has been gathered and compiled for planning post dissolution refuse collection. Both Lou Caforio, Town of Union’s Commissioner of Public Works and Johnson City’s Director of Public Services, Bob Bennett, have met with “the consultant” to discuss post dissolution refuse collection in detail.  A computer generated refuse collection route map has been presented to dissolution study committee members.

Johnson City Residents:

Since December 2007, volunteer committee members have been conducting a study to develop a plan to dissolve the Village of Johnson City.  Once this plan is completed, there will be at least one public hearing where residents may ask questions and voice their concerns. When the hearing process is complete, the plan to dissolve Johnson City will be put to a vote for registered Johnson City voters.  If the outcome of the vote produces a majority in favor of dissolution, all village property would be forfeited to the Town of Union, and all unpaid village debt would be taxed to the residents of Johnson City until paid in full. At the same time, we would also begin paying the full Town of Union tax rate. The Town of Union would have jurisdiction over all future activities of the village, including but not limited to: water and sewer rates, local laws, taxation, police and fire protection, parks and recreational usage, public works, and refuse collection.

All Village of Johnson City residents who are not currently registered to vote are encouraged to pick up a voter registration form at any local post office, complete and mail it to the address on the form.  It is vital that residents take an active role in this critical decision. If the choice to dissolve the village were made, the change would be permanent. It would be nearly impossible to reverse this decision in order to get our paid fire and police departments and our water rights back in the future.

Therefore, it is our goal that all residents are informed with the best and most reliable facts available regarding the dissolution study and plan.  We want our fellow citizens to be able to make the most educated choice when this issue goes to a vote.

The following outline is a collection of information retrieved from presentations given to the Dissolution Study Committee members during the public portion of their meetings. This information may be obtained through Freedom of Information Law, by contacting the village clerk’s office and filing a F.O.I.L. request.

The Other Side of Dissolution              August 2008 Edition

A monthly newsletter written by Johnson City residents opposed to dissolving the Village of Johnson City.   Our goal is to help Johnson City residents make a better-informed choice, when this goes to vote .

Dissolution Study Committee Meetings: Article #7
Department of Public Works and Water

Written by Julie Deemie

Unfortunately, I could not attend the June 2nd Dissolution Study Committee meeting.  Thanks to a fellow Johnson City resident, Barbara Thompson, I was able to obtain some very well written notes from the meeting.  I also want to thank Mr. Bob Bennett for filling me in on some details.

The June 2nd meeting consisted of a presentation given by the Johnson City Department of Public Works and Water.  Representing the departments was Bob Bennett, Director of Public Services (DOPS).  Bob delivered information on department structure, the types of services provided to our residents, and associated costs.  Besides overseeing Water Department operations, Mr. Bennett also oversees Street, Sewer, Refuse, and Parks Departments.  Bob is responsible for a wide array of engineering duties including reviews, proposals, inspections, reporting, training, and standards adherence.  He also maintains and reviews budgets for the Public Works and Water Departments.  Whew, that’s a lot of responsibility!

Employees of the Johnson City Water Department are responsible for all aspects of delivering safe water to residents and businesses.  This is a revenue generating utility, which is fully funded, by revenue collected.  Our water is sold to Westover, Fairmont Park, Broome County Airport and Landfill, and parts of the Town of Dickinson.

The Other Side of Dissolution               July 2008 Edition

A monthly newsletter  written  by Johnson City residents opposed to dissolving the Village of Johnson City.   Our goal is to help Johnson City residents make a better-informed choice, when this goes to vote.

Dissolution Study Committee Meetings: Article #5

Let’s Talk About the Dissolution Process

Written by Greg Deemie

Because I have heard so much misinformation recently, about the Dissolution study process, I thought this might make for a timely newsletter topic.  I will do my best to give you an overview of the process of dissolution, which will ultimately lead up to being put on a ballot for vote.  The vote is speculated to be held in November 2009, during the general election.  However, there are efforts by some individuals to speed up the process, therefore this could ultimately be put to a special vote.  We will all need to keep a watchful eye on this situation.  It would be a shame to miss our opportunity to vote on this crucial issue.  I urge all residents, 18 years and above, who are not currently registered to vote, to do so.  Voter registration forms are available at any post office.

The Other Side of Dissolution June 2008 Edition

A monthly newsletter written by Johnson City residents opposed to dissolving the Village of Johnson City. Our goal is to help Johnson City residents make a better informed choice, when this goes to vote.

Dissolution Study Committee Meetings: Article #4
Police Services: Local vs. County & State
Written by Julie Deemie

The May 5th Johnson City Dissolution Study Committee meeting brought some much-welcomed news. The Village has received a $193,200 grant from New York State. This grant will help ease the taxpayer’s burden of the dissolution study expenses. There are many costs associated with this study. The consulting firm, which has not yet begun working with the committee, will cost approximately $58,000. There are also village lawyer’s fees, copy fees, and many more, I am sure. Let’s hope the cost of this study can be kept within the bounds of this grant. Otherwise, right out of the gate this study will increase our tax burden, not decrease it.

The May 5th meeting consisted of an overview presentation, given by the Johnson City Police Department. Representing the department was: Chief Doug Potts, Captain Ted Wido and PBA President Paul Burnett.

The Other Side of Dissolution May 2008 Edition

A monthly article written by Johnson City residents opposed to dissolving the Village of Johnson City. Our goal is to help Johnson City residents make a better informed choice, when this goes to vote.

Dissolution Study Committee Meetings: Article #3
Fire Departments: Career vs. Volunteer
Written by Julie Deemie

The April 21st Johnson City Dissolution Study Committee meeting focused around an enlightening presentation, given by the Johnson City Fire Department. Fire Chief Michalovic, Marshall Dempsey and Captain Meaney took the front of the room, dressed in full uniform. It was Marshall Dempsey who presented most of the evening’s facts and data. The committee had furnished the department with a list of questions, to be addressed. The fire department gave the committee members packets of information and data, as well as copies of state protocol, codes and procedures; which the department must adhere to. Marshall Dempsey was very well prepared and answered committee questions well, along with offering his availability to the members for future questions.

The Other Side of Dissolution April 2008 Edition

A monthly article written by Johnson City residents opposed to dissolving the Village of Johnson City. Our goal is to help Johnson City residents make a better-informed choice, when this goes to vote.

Dissolution Study Committee Meetings: Article #2
Written by Julie Deemie

The March 17th Johnson City Dissolution Study Committee meeting was a short 36 minutes long, following a one-hour closed-door executive session regarding (labor) union contracts. My understanding is, that due to the sensitive nature of the contracts discussed, this information may not be fully divulged to the public; or perhaps at later time in the study.

The public portion of this meeting focused around a presentation given by Town of Union Supervisor, John Bernardo, despite not being listed on the meeting’s agenda.
John gave an overview of his office staff, budget, and duties. He painted a fairly rosy picture of the town’s services and relationships with residents, county and state police, and fire districts. One exception was the outlying fire districts, which he claimed minimal interface with. Please note that the Village of Johnson City Fire Department covers parts of the Town of Union. John stated that the Town of Union Fire Districts prepare their own budgets, which the town must accept as is, with no room for debate. John described the Town of Union as being “well managed financially” and that there is a “terrific relationship” with police coverage. He also stated that the residents “seem tickled by it” and that there has been no need for any mediation between the town and the police coverage. The Sheriff and State Police decide their own positioning and number of patrols needed.

March 9th, 2008

A monthly article written by Johnson City residents opposed to dissolving the Village of Johnson City

As taxpayers of the Village of Johnson City, we feel the need to get information out, regarding the dissolution study, to our fellow residents and neighbors, as well as Broome County taxpayers including those in the Town of Union. If voters choose to dissolve the village, the actions that may result could impact everyone. Our goal is to help Johnson City residents make a better informed choice, when this goes to a vote.

We would like to point out that, initially; we thought that the study was an unbiased pro/con study. We have since learned, through conversations with the Village Clerk and Attorney, and by attending the meetings, this is not the case. We have been informed that since the petition was written to study dissolving the Village of Johnson City, that is exactly what the study is, a plan to dissolve the Village. We believe residents may not fully understand this, they might assume that the study is to find out if dissolving the village is in our best interest. We want this to be clear to Johnson City voters; this study is a plan to dissolve the Village, its services and its government.

Information taken from : (download the full report below)
Consolidation for Towns and Villages
JAMES A. COON LOCAL GOVERNMENT TECHNICAL SERIES

VILLAGE DISSOLVES --TOWN REMAINS

FEDERAL AID
Federal revenue sharing aid after merger less than sum of the aid being received by each separate government before merger.

STATE AID
A. Total per capita aid will eventually be less than aid received when village existed.
B. A five-year phase-out of aid after village dissolves