The final monthly newsletter written by Johnson City residents opposed to dissolving the Village of Johnson City.   Our goal has been to help Johnson City residents make a better-informed choice, when the Dissolution Plan goes to vote on November 3rd.

Dissolution Study: Article #14

Think About Long Term Implications of Dissolution

Written by Julie Deemie 

       I was asked to sign a petition to look into saving money on taxes. When the top of the petition was unfolded it revealed that it was a petition for dissolution. I did not sign.  Instead I became involved. 

      I attended the Dissolution Study Meetings, wrote monthly newsletters, and read the Dissolution Plan. After listening to facts presented and continuing to research dissolution, I feel that dissolution is the wrong solution for Johnson City.  Instead we must address the root cause of our demise. 

      Lower taxes for Johnson City lies in the revitalization of our downtown area. Urban decay increases public safety costs, drives out businesses, and decreases our home values.  49% of JC housing units are rentals. Crime has increased dramatically since last year. Business growth is stagnant. The Town of Union has not expressed interest in revitalizing downtown Johnson City nor have they earmarked any funds for such.  In order to increase our revenue, decrease tax burden, and attract businesses we must renew what has become an eyesore.  Johnson City has the potential it just needs advocates with vision. 

      During a committee meeting Consultant Charles Zettek Jr. presented the term public perceptual masks. He explained that this meant taking a service and with out much change making it look like a substantial change, often without monetary savings. The Dissolution Plan reads like a puzzle. Stand alone text takes on a completely different context when linked to similar information several pages later. Either the writer(s) did not possess good organizational skills or it was intentional. I believe the Dissolution plan is a product of marketing strategy.  

      At a recent presentation, Chairman Klish was asked if the JC Sheriff’s Station would be open 24 hrs. with an officer at the desk. Klish responded “more so on days, maybe for 3-11; I know it won’t be staffed 24 hrs.” This is one example of pertinent information not written in the Dissolution Plan that would affect the Johnson City community negatively post dissolution. How many other details have we not been told? 

      Who calculated the savings and what methods and data did they use? Financial calculations cannot be checked for accuracy without this information. How much will we truly save and for how long? 

      We would forfeit our valuable assets, our local voices in government, and our full time police force. Our village is comprised of more than a boundary line. Its elements include our local government, skilled workforce, aquifers, police station, firehouses, parks, carousel, history, schools, library, hospital, mall, businesses and Main Street.  Many of these elements will change with dissolution. They will no longer be ours alone. At what price should we surrender the assets and elements of our community?   

      Broome County has released an economic impact study that shows that economic growth from gas drilling would benefit our communities. The near future holds great economic opportunity for Johnson City. Is this a good time to take risks on a plan with no guarantees?

      On November 3^rd Johnson City voters have an important choice to make; to dissolve the village or not. JC voters should think deeply about the long term implications of dissolution and not act on impulse. If we are short sighted we may later regret our decisions.  It is your responsibility to be educated.

       
Quote: “A popular Government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy or perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives."

-James Madison

      The Dissolution Committee wrote a plan to dissolve the Village of Johnson City. Below are the “Cons” that should have all been a part of the Dissolution Plan, had it been written as a Pro-Con plan.   

What the plan tells you:

• JC would be the first village of its size and complexity to dissolve. (pg.12 first addendum)
• The Village residents will be taxed for outstanding debts.  (Village law 19-1912)

What the plan should have told you but doesn’t:

• The proposed JC Sheriff’s Station will not be staffed 24 /7.
• There are no allocations of funds in the plan to improve parks, roads, etc.
• There has been no mention of Town of Union interest in the revitalization of Johnson City.
• The Dissolution Plan was written for “Day 1” and to allow opportunity for Endicott to easily follow suit.
• Anything beyond “Day 1” is not factored into the Dissolution Plan.
• Endicott taxes will decrease because of our dissolution.  Why is this?
• There has been mention of a central garage to house all DPW equipment at one location.
• AIM incentives (State Funds) are not guaranteed beyond year one.
• No one is liable if the predicted tax savings prove false. The plan IS NOT guaranteed!
• All across NYS there is a push toward dissolution so that NYS can become a pilot (experimental) state.  Dissolution is not being proposed just because JC has been mismanaged.
• The bulk of JC taxpayer’s current Town of Union bill is county tax, which will not decrease.
• Taxpayers will receive a larger tax bill than accustomed to just after Christmas each year. (This tax bill will contain tax levies for: County, Town of Union, JC Police & Fire Districts, JC Debt Pay Down and Retiree Benefits Taxes).  Does this sound like LESS layers of government?
• How much will the debt pay down and retiree benefits cost us? Will we be told the tax levy rate for these before we vote?

Dissolution will not stop:

•  Downtown blight and decay 
• Absentee landlords 
• Parks disrepair 
• Rising crime levels 
• Infrastructure deterioration
• Flood & drainage threats
  

Dissolution will not make JC safer or more prosperous! 

    At best, dissolution may save taxpayers a little money yearly.  Your quality of life will not improve because of Dissolution.  In order for quality of life to improve in Johnson City you must elect an administration who:

• Knows the needs of the residents by getting out on the streets
• Understands and begins a revitalization effort
• Advocates for your local needs

 
    After two years of diligent research and many hours of time devoted I hope that I have proven my commitment to the people of Johnson City.  It is now up to you to decide who to trust and how to vote.