The Other Side of Dissolution - May 2009

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 the Dissolution Plan goes to vote.

Dissolution Study Committee Meetings: Article #12

Sketchy Plans

Written by Julie Deemie

The Johnson City Dissolution Committee met for public meetings on May 11th & May 18th, 2009 after having cancelled the April meeting.  Dissolution Committee Chairman William Klish was absent from these meeting due to continued health problems. Committee member Gerry Putnam bravely led the meetings.  The consultant, Charles Zetteck Jr., did not attend either meeting.

The May meetings took on a new forum, as public comment was invited for the first time since the meetings began at the end of 2007.  Many residents were unsure of the purpose of public comment with no plan details presented to them to base questions on.  It was eluded that the committee would consider the public comments while developing the dissolution plan.  At the May 18th meeting Putnam stated that he felt that the residents questions were telling him we are “looking for lower taxes”.

My gut feeling is that some of the committee members and/or the consultant are looking for justification to cut services to a bare minimum to allow them to show a larger tax savings.

The May 11th meeting was a full house, with every chair filled.  Those in attendance were a divided audience with those in favor and those against dissolution being clearly distinguishable. The meeting began with 5 sub-committee reports totaling about 12 minutes.  Not much was said about the actual “plan”.  A lot of sketchy details were laid out, but nothing concrete.  Bob Carr, police sub-committee chair, reported that his committee has met with Sheriff Harder and Chief Potts.  Bob claims that the plan will provide “what we think is suitable for the people” and that they are trying to do what is best and affordable without sacrificing public safety.  My phone conversation with Sheriff Harder revealed that the County Executive directed him to prepare a bare minimum plan for police protection in the village.  Steve Andrew, fire sub-committee chair, openly confessed that our village demographics may not be conducive to having a volunteer force.  He said it would be irresponsible to stake such a claim without a study.  He also reported that the Endwell Fire Dept. has informed him that they were not interested in providing fire protection services to the village because they already have too much area to cover.  John Hussar, D.P.W. Chair reported that a rough plan has been developed with some areas of disagreement remaining.

            The May 18th meeting was not as well attended by residents, roughly half the previous week’s attendance.  Again, not much new information was presented, nothing concrete in regard to the “plan”.

            We were informed that the final plan will only address dissolution.  Alternatives will not be a part of the plan, but will appear in an appendix as the final pages of the plan report.
                                                                                                                       
The plan is reported to be on the way and expected to be delivered by mid-June.  The web site reportedly should be launched around June first.  It is June 3rd as I write this newsletter and I have not found it yet via the village web site where we were informed it would be.

This month’s quote:
There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction.
       Winston Churchill

It is important to remember that there are no “guarantees” with dissolution plans.  Resident voters and taxpayers have no recourse once the vote is complete.  According to the way the law is written - no village officials or committee members may be held liable if the plan should fail….. in any way.

Public Dissolution Committee meetings are now being held twice monthly. This is a public forum now allowing public questions and comment.  I would encourage all interested taxpayers, regardless of your residency location, to attend.  The June meetings will be held on June 8th & 22nd at 7pm in the Village of Johnson City Justice Bldg, 2nd floor.