Look for my opinions on issues about the Village and the Webster community. And remember if you want to contact me just EMAIL at pelder@villageofwebster.com or elderp2001@yahoo.com. The columns are organized by most recent date of writing
2010 State of the Village (speech given April 8, 2010) Neighbors and Friends, The State of our Village in 2010 has never looked brighter. As we sit here tonight engaged in the most ancient of democratic ideals – debate and decision for our local community – I see around us a Village in transition. New development, new ideas, new people are infusing our Village with new vitality. New work is being done – on East Main, on West Main, in the north part of the Village, on our infrastructure and in our parks. New Committees have been formed for residents to assist in charting the course for THEIR Village. A new Comprehensive Plan is being formulated. A Design Committee will assist in making recommendations for how Main Street may look. A Water Committee is being formed to look at our water supply. The Parks and Recreation Committee is already having a major impact on our open space with new signs and new equipment and new partnerships. A Senior and Disabled Committee is investigating how we as a community can be more sensitive to all of our residents needs. The Business Improvement District is looking to expand and each year delights us with new events that bring people into the Village to see all of the wonderful retail opportunities and beautiful neighborhoods. And in the background is the solid foundation of a stable tax rate – for the fifth straight year, the tax rate will remain flat. No tax increase in a time when costs are increasing and when Village government has even expanded service by staying open on Thursday evenings. Low property taxes are also a boon for business and every year we see new businesses coming to our Village. Even while our Village is in the midst of change, it retains a traditional charm. Homes from the early 1900’s blend with neighborhoods from the 1950’s and 1970’s and the newest subdivisions from today. Here is a sense of community, a strong identity, a bond that defines a Village. On a summers night, Village residents can walk to a Village Band concert at Harmony Park, take in the Jazz Festival on Main Street, listen to a musical group or watch a movie at Veterans Memorial Park, or just stroll down Main Street or North Ave to visit one of our many businesses. My fellow Village residents, this Village is strong and vital. We are a community embracing change but honoring our past. We will continue to be a place where Life is truly Worth Living.
The Village and Our Parks (March 31, 2010) At the March 25, 2010 meeting of the Village Board, the Parks and Recreation Committee presented their revised (and improved) Parks brochure to the Board for approval. The Board was very pleased with the brochure and authorized 225 copies to be made and distributed to over 10 locations in the Town and Village. With the advent of warmer weather, our Parks can offer amenities for almost every taste from active playground to passive nature area, to community events. This is a list of our Village Parks and a description of each with language borrowed from the Parks and Recreation Committee brochure. Wilmorite Park: Located off Iroquois St, this park has lots of land for those who like to play frisbee or just give their dog a good run. Some of the amenities include a baseball diamond, swings, climbing bars, picnic tables and open space. So whether you love sports, dogs, picnics, or just need some quiet time to unwind, Wilmorite Park is waiting for you! Schantz Park: A beautiful multi-purpose recreational park located in a pleasant neighborhood setting of Webster Village. Parking is located on State Road between Phillips Road and Rte. 250. The park is also accessible at the corner of Hawley Drive and Southwick Dr. Schantz Park has tennis courts, a basketball court, baseball diamond with bleachers, toddler climb & slide, new adolescent climb & slide featuring a 2-sided rock wall, swings including infant swings, monkey bars and a slide. Milton Case Park: This park provides approximately ½ mile of relaxing trails. Starting at Wood Street and winding your way across to the South Ave. entrance. (Map posted) Also, there is another trail leading into the back of Spry Middle School’s fields. Explore and enjoy the beautiful trees and the sounds and sights of nature in 14 acres of woods. Veterans Memorial Park: Located in the heart of the Village, Veterans Memorial Park is host to a variety of community events throughout the year. Visitors strolling through the park are welcomed by the gazebo, benches, clock and the memorial to those from Webster that have proudly served our country. Veterans Memorial Park is often filled with people enjoying the outdoors while surrounded by beautiful roses and colorful annuals. Harmony Park: Located on the corner of Phillip’s Rd & Foster Dr, this park has the Village Band Shell and wide-open spaces for outdoor activities. Enjoy summer band concerts or a picnic with a blanket on the grass.
Why Enclosing the Existing Dumpsters Will Not Work (March 25, 2010) In December, I was asked to author a local law to enclose dumpsters. At the time, at a cursory glace, this idea did not seem a bad one. When the issue was brought before the Village Board, critical issues, not in that original code, were brought up, so I re-wrote the law. The Village Board examined that law in early February and it still had significant problems. Finally, knowing that support for any law that enclosed present dumpsters was waning, I composed a third law that would apply only to dumpster installed in the future. That law was also not acted upon after the general determination was made that the Planning Board has tended to require enclosed dumpsters on new construction anyway. The Board then instructed me, as liaison to the BID, to ask for voluntary compliance. At the BID meeting on March 22nd, I did ask. I remain hopefully that a renewed awareness of this issue will result in the BID members ensuring their dumpsters remain closed, that they be sensitive to smells and that they make sure they conceal their dumpsters as best as they can. Most of our businesses already do this. It would not be in the interests of the economic development of the Village to implement a compulsory enclosure law on existing dumpsters. The cost for each dumpster (or set of dumpsters) would range from $350 to $1200. A quick estimate would be a cost of roughly $43,000 across the entire business district. That amount is simply too much to bear and I could not support passing a law to require it (especially given the current economic climate). While we all want our Village to look good, it even more important that it look like a community of people. Pristine environments are almost sanitized. I am more in favor of a Village that looks lived-in. When people live in it, a community will have dumpsters. We can always do more to make the Village look better. But we should never forget that it is our residents that make the Village a place where Life Keeps Getting Better.
March 11, 2010: Jude Lancy appointed Village Trustee. At the March 11 meeting, I appointed Jude Lancy Village Trustee. Judy has served on the Historic Preservation Committee for many years. She is well versed in Village code and issues facing the Village. Judy has been a stalwart attendee at our Village Board meetings for years and is familiar with Board procedures. She is a welcome addition to our Board (Jude is pictured at left with her uncle, former Mayor "Deke" Beh).
March 11, 2010: Dumpster Law not considered. The third proposed Dumpster Law was not acted upon by the Village Board.
March 8, 2010: Village Board will not consider Massage Law. At the March 2, 2010 Workshop, the Village Board unanimously decided not to pursue the Massage Law. The Law, after careful examination, was too cumbersome and likely interfered with State licensing requirements for massage. In addition, adult activities are already dealt with under Chapter 93 of Village Law.
February 25, 2010: Revised Proposals for the Dumpster Law and the Massage Law are submitted to the Village Board. I have drawn up new proposals for these laws. You can see the text of them by clicking on "Resident Resource" to the right. There are three changes in the Massage Law that make it less restrictive: there would not be a need to annually renew the license; suspension of a license can only occur if the individual is arrested; and revocation of the license can occur only if the individual is convicted. There are many changes to the proposed dumpster law that will likely result in a new public hearing being scheduled.
January 11, 2010: Swearing in of new Village Mayor, Peter Elder by Judge Elma Bellini. The text of the speech I gave after I was sworn in:
Friends, residents of our Village, members of the audience, fellow Board Members:
I want to first thank Judge Elma Bellini for swearing me in tonight. Judge Bellini is an outstanding jurist, and a good friend.
I am honored to be Mayor of the Village of Webster.
I come to this position with the perspective of almost 20 years of involvement in the Village starting way back in 1991 when I was just 19. I have witnessed five Mayors in that time as they worked for our Village and I have seen each of them elated and humbled by the job. Each contributed initiatives, with their respective Boards, to make the exceptional Village we have today. Theirs is a legacy to live up to and I pledge that I will.
Many Village residents remember my positions first taken from the audience and then from the issues I championed in almost five years as Trustee. Issues like a low tax rate, quality services, economic development in our business corridor and open government. But if you have seen nothing else, I trust you have seen my work. Because I believe that an elected official must do more than just represent their residents – they must work for them. My fellow Village residents, I will work for you!
This Board works for you and for the betterment of this Village. You will not find a better group of Board Members and I compliment Dave Kildal, Donna Rickard and Christine Reynolds for their dedication to our Village.
Likewise, you will not find a group of employees and the members of our various Boards like Planning and Zoning and the Parks and Recreation Boards that work harder. They are committed to this Village and its advancement.
Many of you drive down Main Street or North or South Avenue each day. I invite you to walk these same paths. You will see up close the wonderful assets we have in the Village and all the good that is happening here from the new Irish Rover Pub on W Main Street to the new Prime Steak House and Webster Hots on E Main Street. And you will see businesses like Nest Things or Hanks – mainstays prospering here in our Village.
Going forward, our Village government will help businesses and residents by containing costs, by controlling property taxes, by keeping our roads repaired, our parks maintained, and our outstanding services in place. We will continue to commit ourselves to groups that help bring people to our Village and showcase its assets like the Village Band, the Farmers Market and Business Improvement District. And we will continue to partner with the Town and with the Webster Economic Coalition.
We will do more and this Board and our employees are always striving to do more. For instance, starting in March, the Village office will be open until 7pm on Thursday nights. Night hours - at no extra cost to the taxpayers. I will be available after hours from 5-7pm on any week we are having a Village Board meeting as well. I tip my hat to Mayor Beh for that idea. Like Mayor Judge, I will be walking to each business in our Village to gauge their concerns and offer whatever help we can. I have been a member of the Business Improvement District Board of Directors for five years and I intend to stay on that Board.
Village government is closest to the people and it must remain open government. I will continue to champion posting these meetings on line and I will begin to submit a twice monthly column to the Webster Herald. I credit Mayor Ruoff for his inspiration for that idea.
I offer my thanks to this Board, to our Village employees, to all of the people who have supported me over the years and to my family. I must single out my father whose advice and comments only seems to get better over the years; to my wife Pam, who is incredibly supportive and tolerant of all the activities I do; and to my children, Benjamin and Michael who constantly delight me and humble me. I remain in awe of them as they grow older.
My fellow Villagers, we have much to do. And we will get it done. Our Village is full of hard-working people who want their Village to work as hard for them as they work for their families. They want government that listens to them, that lessens their burdens, and that provides quality services. The Village of Webster does that and will continue to do that. Together, we will make this Village a place where life keeps getting better. Now lets get to work!
UPDATE: February 2, 2010: I am appointed Mayor of the Village.
January 29, 2010: I am interested in being Mayor. For some weeks, there has been discussion about my interest in the vacant Mayor's position. I have spoken to many residents and sought advice from former Trustees and Mayors from the Village Board. Those discussions have been positive. With over 15 years of active political experience, almost 20 years of activity in our Village, including 5 years on the Village Board (the senior member of the Board) and about 2 years as Deputy Mayor including now a stint as Acting Mayor, I would be honored to have the support of the trustees on the Village Board. I have served for 5 years as a member of the Board of Directors to the Business Improvement District, as liaison to the Parks Committee and liaison to the Village Band. I have authored 7 local laws and the Board has passed them in the last five years. I guided the Board through the file issue and led the effort to establish the Parks and Recreation Committee and the Comprehensive Plan Committee. I have made many contacts throughout the years both within our Village and with officials outside of the Village. I believe that the most important asset a Mayor can bring to the position is recognition that they are only one vote of five votes, that they must work as a team with the Board, seeking their advice and listening to their comments. I also believe that the most important assets of Village Government are the employees that day-to-day do the work that inexorably moves our Village forward. Finally, a Mayor must never lose sight of the residents that ultimately elect us and who we must listen to. Our job as elected officials is to represent them, to hold their opinions in the highest regard and to always consider their comments. As Mayor, I will use the example I have learned from five Mayors I have witnessed over the last 15 years, from the numerous residents I speak to daily, from our excellent Village employees and from knowledgeable officials, to keep our Village a place where life keeps getting better.
January 29, 2010: Public Hearing set for BID expansion. At its February 28 meeting, the Village Board passed a resolution to set a public hearing for March 11 at 7:45pm to consider an expansion plan for the Business Improvement District. The Plan is the culmination of three years work by the BID and would expand the boundaries of the BID to cover the businesses north of the Route 104 expressway. The Village already includes these businesses in many Village events. For instance, over the last four years I have organized the Trick-or-Treat Trail, we have included Kittleberger’s Florist, Hanks Ice Cream and other businesses at the north end of the Village. The expansion will mean that many businesses on the north end will have their taxes increased by $50-$100 per year. However, they may also benefit from grants that can only be given through the BID and by services (like beautification) provided by the BID.
January 14, 2010: Board set two public hearings on zoning issues. At the January 14th meeting, I presented the Village Board with proposals for two new Local Laws. One would require that all dumsters of a permanent nature be fenced by June 30, 2010. This will largely effect dumsters in the Central Business area. The other law is designed to license massage services. After the arrest of two individuals involved in massage for promoting prostituion in December, the Village Board informally began to look at how this activity could be better policed in the future. Both public hearings will be held on February 11, 2010.
January 14, 2010: Board appoints new Superintendent of Public Works. Mayor Swingly was appointed by unanimous vote of the Village Board to a one year provisional position of Superintendent of Public Works. Bill Southwell, who has been Superintendent since 2005, retired effective the end of December, 2009. Several applicants interviewed for the position, but the Board felt that Jake's qualifications were well matched for the position.
June 18, 2009: Posting the Meetings.UPDATE January 5, 2010: After looking at this issue and the Village's ability to post large data files, the Village Board unanimously voted to spend not more than $200 to aquire a new website to post the meetings on and provide for a link from the main Village web site. We hope to have the meetings posted in the next month or so. I strongly believe that residents of our Village should have the most open government possible. To that end, I have asked the employees at Village Hall to investigate the possiblity of posting video of our Village Board meeting on the Village website. I have been informed that we can and the Board has agreed we will. Please look for that website enhancement in the near future.
June 17, 2009: Name that Park. The Village owned land infront of the bandshell on the corner of Foster Drive and Phillips Road is set to become the Village's newest park. The Village Board asked for resident input into the name of the park. The students at State Road School (most children in the Village attend that elementary school) were also asked for their input. Over 150 resposes came in from the school in addition to recommendations by our residents. The Village Board will be making a decision about the park name at our July workshop.
June 1, 2009: It's all about signs. The issue of towing is again on the Village Board agenda. While the five members of the Board do not all agree on this issue (and the issue, though affecting the whole Village, is practically impacting only one property), the issue really boils down to this: in order for towing to occur in the Village under the law, certain conditions must be met. These are: signs must be posted in such a manner as provided for by law; towing companies must ensure that the signs are in compliance, towing must be be done to a location in the Village; and towing companies must inform the Village Board each month of cars towed. At this point, there is no action to be taken on this issue since there is no towing being done. In fact, there is no action that the Village government needs to take at all. Having passed the law, it is prudent to allow private citizens and government enforcement to work within the law and work out the ramifications of a law that is barely six months old.
April 10, 2009: Town-Village Intermunicipal Agreeement. At the Village Board meeting of April 9, 2009 we were joined by Town Supervisor Ron Nesbitt who, with Mayor Swingly, signed an agreement that was first talked about almost 15 years ago. When I came on the Board, it was one of the projects I was determined to get done. After numerous discussions with the Village Board and with Town Supervisor Nesbitt we came to an agreement whereby Town taxes have been completely eliminated from Village property in the Town and the Village out of district sewer rate has been lowered to a level acceptable to the Town. Pictured to the left, in order, are Supervisor Nesbitt, Mayor Swingly and myself.
April 7, 2009: The 2009 Budget. The 2009 Village budget is a seminal achievement. It proposes to leave the tax rate at 2.22/1000 for the forth straight year AND IT ACTUALLY CUTS SPENDING. Few governments can claim that they reduce costs, but Village government has.
April 7, 2009: Even More on Wheel-Locks. The Village Board will be considering an amendment to the anti-wheel locking and towing local law that went into effect in January. The proposal is to modify the present local law that restricts towing companies to those within the Village to any towing companies within 2.5 miles of the Four Corners. At this time, I am against this proposal for the following reasons: (1) the local law has only been in effect for four months and during that time, the only local business that is towing has not even followed the law; (2) the Village Board should carefully consider whether two and half miles is too far. Our initial goal was to allow people to walk to their vehicles; (3) the Village Board should carefully consider whether we should change a Village wide law to accommodate one individual.
January 15, 2009: Happy New Year! More on Wheel-locks. There have been several news reports and interviews about the wheel-locking and towing law passed by the Village Board. The Village Board is NOT attempting to infringe on anyone's property rights. This law, as you can read below, establishes permissible CONDUCT, and that is an appropriate - perhaps essential - function of government. The Village Board, through resident input and business input, has made a decision that wheel-locking is not an appropriate method to deal with individuals parking on private property. Property owners can still tow, if they wish. Our feeling is that in a Village, one of the most essential elements is to be neighborly. Wheel-locking isn’t. This is the full text of the local law, now in force:
1. No person shall tow, remove, impound or otherwise disturb any motor vehicle other than an abandoned vehicle as defined in 156-27 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law, without permission of the vehicle owner, from privately owned property in the City of Rochester, other than property which is solely residential and contains fewer than five residential units, unless there is posted on the property, in a clearly conspicuous location at the entrance to the parking lot, a sign or notice conspicuous both day and night relating, in clear and concise English, and of a size at least 12 inches by 24 inches, with lettering at least 2 1/2 inches high and in a color contrasting to that of the background, that unauthorized vehicles will be removed at the vehicle owner's expense and providing the towing company's name, telephone number and address where towed vehicles may be retrieved. The towing company shall be responsible for assuring that signs meeting the requirements of this section are posted and maintained. 2. No person shall tow a vehicle from privately owned property in the Village of Webster without permission of the vehicle owner, to a location outside the Village of Webster. 3. The towing company shall immediately notify the Webster Police Department of all vehicles towed from a location within the Village of Webster without permission of the vehicle owner and shall provide the Webster Police Department with such information as the Police Chief may require. 4. The towing company shall notify the Village Board of Trustee at the end of each month of all vehicles towed from a location within the Village of Webster without permission of the vehicle owner. 5. No person shall place a parking boot on, or otherwise immobilize, a vehicle owned by another person which is parked on private property.
Penalties for offenses Violations of this code shall be as follows: for first time offense: $75; for second offense: $175; for each offense thereafter: $200.
Exemptions. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the towing of a vehicle through the Village of Webster from a destination outside of the Village of Webster to another destination outside of the Village of Webster, nor to the towing of a vehicle from or to a destination outside of the Village of Webster as long as said vehicle is towed with permission of the vehicle owner by a towing company without a place of business or storage lot in the Village of Webster.
December 16, 2008: Comprehensive Plan. The Village Board will consider a resolution on December 30 for the creation of a Comprehensive Plan Committee. I submitted this proposal to the Board and will re-submitt it with some modifications for approval on the 30th. The issue with the TNOD, Wheel-locking, crosswalks and so forth are all areas that can and should be dealt with in the Comprehensive Plan. The Committee would consist of 17 Village residents. We do really need that broad particiaption to ensure we have good plan. The group would have 10 months to complete the project and submit it to the Village Board. This is a critical component to keeping our Village on a sound developmental path.
December 2, 2008: Vandals caught. Two of the vandals who have placed graffiti in a number of structures in the Village have been caught. The story is covered well at the WHEC TV 10 website at http://www.whec.com/article/stories/S683963.shtml?cat=565.
December 2, 2008: TNOD: A Supreme Court Judge has struck down the TNOD (Traditional Neighborhood Overlay District). The Village Board will be filing a notice to appeal the ruling and, in cooperation with the Planning Board, will look at a new approach to the TNOD.
December 2, 2008: Catching Up. I have been unable to update this site for some time. Wheellocks and Towing. The Village Board passed, by a 3-2 vote a new local law that prohibits wheel-locking and mandates that any towing done in the Village must be done with a towing company within the Village. The local law also clearly states how all towing signs must be formated. I both wrote the law and, after the removal of one provision that I was uncertain of, made the motion to approve it. This law will establish a "code of conduct" that will govern the relationship between private property owners and those they wish to tow. With our Village growing and developing the Village Board needed to step in and make sure this issue was addressed.
August 14, 2008: Non-Refundable Sign Fee. The Village Board has approved the non-refundable sign fee for temporary signs requring a sign permit (most of them). The Planning Board Chair and Building Inspector recently met to clarify when a permit is required. With the passage of this local law, the Village can now recoup some of the money spent on enforcement of signs.
August 1, 2008: Crosswalk Update. New York State DOT has approved the construction of a crosswalk between Harmony House (old Grange) and the old Key Bank. Now, we have to find the money for the engineering study and construction. The crosswalk will also serve residents with disabilities. It may be a good idea for the Village to form a small group to spearhead efforts to make our Village more accomodating for our neighbors with disabilities.
July 15, 2008: Surveys. The first survey the Village Board approved regarding Quality of Life in the Village yeilded more than 310 responses. The second survey about our Parks is still showing a strong respose and another survey about our services will be coming out soon. Another survey will be distributed in the Fall. All of the information in the surveys will be collected and published in order for the Village Board, Parks and Rec Board and Village staff to have a better idea of what our residents think. This information will also be used to help in the formation of the next Comprehensive Plan.
Updated June 6, 2008: Redesigning Main Street. What could Main Street look like? That was central discussion of a presentation by the Rochester Regional Design Center at the Village Board workshop on June 3rd. Click HERE to link the RRCDC web site. It was a very informative discussion. There is a fairly large upfront monetary cost for utilizing the RRCDC services. It would be about $3000 to engage them for training, and much more to use them to organize a “charrette.” Their presentation had some compelling components: the essential involvement of the larger community, the development of a community “vision,” the graphic display of any design standards adopted for Main Street. It also had drawbacks. Would the “vision” endure? Do design standards “fix” a Village at certain era and create obstacles to change? Training is a critical component for all of our Boards (even the Village Board), but I remain convinced that less expensive alternatives offered by Monroe County are a better value both in content and quality. I am more of the opinion that as we embark on a new Compressive Plan in 2009, this organization might assist our Citizens Committee – perhaps even lead it – in a professional direction that would be more efficient in terms of shorter time and better quality. Many communities employee professionals to lend support to their comprehensive plans. With all the changes in the Village, maybe some professional guidance is called for (if we can afford it).
Updated June 6, 2008: Proposal for New Crosswalk/Review of Village Crosswalks. At the Village Board workshop of June 3, the Board agreed with me and asked Bill Southwell, the Superintendent of Public Works, to request the State perform a walk-through of the proposed crosswalk with him. I am proposing to the Village Board that a new crosswalk be placed between the Harmony House (Grange) and the old Key Bank. The photo at the left shows my proposal. Almost every Friday night, there is a teenage dance at the Harmony House and many kids are crossing the street from the Harmony House to Burger King. Burger King will soon leave the Village but the property has been sold the Cams Pizzera. So the pedestrian traffic might actually increase! The approval for this will was sought on May 22. The Board on that date did agree to investigate the possbility of a crosswalk at the Harmony House location, but went further and asked that a letter be composed to the State asking for a comprehensive review of ALL existing Village crosswalks, as well. This is a timely issue and reflects our Comprehensive Plan's intent to make this a "walkable village."
Posted May 12, 2008: The Webster Economic Coalition. I am a huge proponent of cooperation between the Village and Town, the Chamber of Commerce, BID and school district to forward economic development in the Village. That said, I am cautiously optimistic at the efforts to composed an RFP in anticipation of hiring an Economic Developer. Cautious with regards to the price tag: $60,000 to $100,000 for ten months work; optimistic because we do need a concerted effort in the Village to foster a positive economic climate with special emphasis on securing help from the state and federal governments. That kind of money demands accountablity and clearly defined goals. I want to thank the Mayor for actually writing my suggestions into the present RFP. Now I would ask that very clear and consise goals be included as well. I also think a greater time horizon must be considered along with potential costs: 10 months will go quickly; we need to be prepared.
Posted May 11, 2008: Laptops. The purchase of the laptop computers by the Village Board has generated some discussion and concern from some of our residents. I voted for the puchase because I believe the laptops can save time and provide more accurate information for the entire Board to make decisions. At the same time, I recognize that the laptops are expensive - over $6000. In the weighing cost versus utility, utility just barely won out for me, but it did win out. I think our Village is on the leading edge of this issue. It will save paper, it will save office time, it will result in all Board members getting the same information, and it will facilite standarding the way the Village office interacts with the Board. It also isolates the information at every meeting that is potentially subject to FOIL requests and thus allows us as trustees greater freedom in releasing that information without a FOIL request being necessary. Time will ultimately tell if it was a good move, but I believe we were right.
Posted February 29, 2008: Beautiful Mural. The Village meeting room is undergoing extensive renovations. Trustee Rickard is spearheading those efforts. In addition to moving the Mayor's photos into the meeting room, she has lead the effort to restore the beautiful historical mural donated to the Village in 1991. At that time, I remember it being in back of the Board table over in Village Hall in an area that is now offices. Well - what's old is new again and now the mural is restored, with a beautiful new frame, right behind the Board table. Congraudalations Donna and the DPW employees that assisted her in this effort.
Posted February 28, 2008: Rezoning in the Village. The Village Board passed a rezoning of certain parcels on Lapham Park at its meeting on February 14. I was in favor of the re-zoning and look forward to a comprehensive analysis of Village zoning. This might best be done in conjunction with the update of the Village Comprehensive Plan – an effort that will begin in 2009.
Posted February 20, 2008: 2007 in Review. Wow, what a year! The Village Board went through its greatest change with the resignation of Jack Judge and the appointment of Jake Swingly as Mayor. I was shocked and saddened at Jack's resignation, but voted to appoint Jake (the vote was 3-1 for) because of my personal knowledge of Jake's outstanding abilities and his incredible work ethic. In Jake, we have an excellent Mayor. But in 2007 we also: approved wide-ranging building code changes to Village Code; voted to cease being an assessing unit (I opposed that and it passed 3-2); approved annual training for Planning and Zoning Board members; initiated the effort to sell the Webster Museum building to the Webster Museum and Historical Society; the Traditional Neighborhood Overlay District for Lyons Dr, Baker Street, and Kircher Park passed (4-1, I voted in favor); completed an investigation into the missing documents issue and issued a very detailed report (and for the first time utilized the Hearing Board procedure outlined in the Village’s employee handbook). These were the highlights, but the Board did much more. It was a busy, enjoyable and sometimes stressful year, but it was a pleasure to work with the Board and staff at Village Hall and an honor to represent the residents of the Village.
Posted April 6, 2007: Publishing the Village Budget. One of he major efforts I am undertaking in the next year is to further open up how and what Village government does to Village residents. I am delighted that the Village Board voted to publish the Village Budget FOR THE FIRST TIME. There was an expense involved. There is almost always additional expense involved in keeping our residents informed. I believe it is worth the cost. Armed with the budget, I hope residents can see we are trying to spend their money wisely. There will be no tax rate increase this year. We are holding the line on many items while expanding our commitment to improving Village infrastructure and our support for the Business District. The Budget Hearing on the Preliminary Budget is at 8:15 on April 20. Since Village residents pay about $250 or so a year on taxes, it is very important that if anyone has any concerns, the come to our meeting and let us know. If you have any comments for me before that, please do not hesitate to call me or email me.
Posted March 1, 2007: Traffic in the Village. Recently, the Village Board heard from the residents on Elm Street regarding challenges they have had policing their own neighborhood about parking. Cars have been parking on the street directly across from each other and blocking traffic. The first suggestion was to restrict parking to one side of the street, but that would bias that side and perhaps create a worse problem as demand for each space increased. Also, the presence of “No Parking” signs on the street would compromise its beauty and charm. The Village Board resolved to send the residents a letter reminding them to be friendly and co-operative. Subsequent to that discussion, I spoke a gentleman on Kittleberger Park and he expressed some of the same concerns. At the Village Board meeting on February 22nd, I introduced a resolution for the Planning Board to review and make recommendation on one of two possible local laws attempting to maintain the free flow of traffic. I am not against parking in any way (I park in front of my own house), but we need to keep parking from impeding the flow of traffic through our Village streets. I respect the idea of neighbors patrolling their own streets, but we should have a general local law expressing the very common sense idea of keeping our streets for safe and effective travel.
Posted February 7, 2007: Village Zoning. I am concerned about the present zoning in the Kircher Park and Baker Street corridor. I live in this area and know first hand the type of homes we have on both streets and and traffic that would be produced by more intensive development. At the February workshop of the Village Board, we referred this question to the Village Planning Board for their review. It seems to me that the present zoning, which allows townhouses, is out of character with the homes on Kircher Park and Baker Street. I am in favor of extending the zoning or zoning similar to that on Elm Street and Lapham Park (for instance) to encompass the north side of East Main Street, Kircher Park and Baker Street.
Posted February 1, 2007: The Attorney’s Bill. There has a great deal of discussion about the Attorney Bill generated in the initial investigation of the missing documents. I have included on this website both the non-confidential report by Jim Hollihan, the entire bill, and my letter to the Board expressing my opinion that we have a strong position in NOT paying the bill since no retainer agreement was signed between Hollihan and the Village (click download area). I am OPPOSED to Village residents paying this bill. The investigation was not authorized by the Board and there was no retainer to define the scope of the investigation. The Board did allow the investigation to continue so I have put forth the option of the BOARD MEMBERS paying the bill (assuming it should be paid at all): the Board did not favor that solution. However, I have grave reservations about the Hollihan report and concerns about its cost and its conclusions. I will not vote to use tax payer money to pay this bill and do not favor paying the amount charged. See the Hearing Board’s report for a better understanding of the omissions and errors contained in the Hoolihan Report (click download area).
Posted January 31, 2007: Assessing Power of the Village. I believe it is very important that the Village maintain its assessing authority. I respect the Town Assessor and historically, the Town has generally gone to great pains to ensure the accuracy of their assessments. However, I am not a proponent of consolidation. While the centralization of government and services looks attractive in the short term, I believe it actually costs more in the long-run. Additionally, I firmly believe that the more options residents have to appeal a ruling of their government, the better. The Village provides a way for residents to seek relief from a poor assessment, even if it has been sustained by the Town. Furthermore, the Village has special circumstances the Town does not. We have a unique business district and unique zoning. It is important that we retain authority, if only as a last resort, over the assessment function.
Posted January 25, 2007: The Hearing Board. Most Village Boards do not also act as Hearing Boards if disputes are filed by employees. Our's does. It has been a long process - taking about 8 months - for us to hear from witnesses, investigate laws and come to final decisions. This is the first disupte heard by this Village Board since the Village was formed in 1905. The results of the Hearing Board will be made public at the meeting on the 25th and can be FOILed or accessed after that time. It is my hope that the findings and recommendations of the Village Board will answer many of the questions our residents have asked regarding the removal of files from Village Hall and the three missing documents.
March 11, 2010: Jude Lancy appointed Village Trustee. At the March 11 meeting, I appointed Jude Lancy Village Trustee. Judy has served on the Historic Preservation Committee for many years. She is well versed in Village code and issues facing the Village. Judy has been a stalwart attendee at our Village Board meetings for years and is familiar with Board procedures. She is a welcome addition to our Board (Jude is pictured at left with her uncle, former Mayor "Deke" Beh).
January 11, 2010: Swearing in of new Village Mayor, Peter Elder by Judge Elma Bellini. The text of the speech I gave after I was sworn in: 
June 17, 2009: Name that Park. The Village owned land infront of the bandshell on the corner of Foster Drive and Phillips Road is set to become the Village's newest park. The Village Board asked for resident input into the name of the park. The students at State Road School (most children in the Village attend that elementary school) were also asked for their input. Over 150 resposes came in from the school in addition to recommendations by our residents. The Village Board will be making a decision about the park name at our July workshop. 
April 10, 2009: Town-Village Intermunicipal Agreeement. At the Village Board meeting of April 9, 2009 we were joined by Town Supervisor Ron Nesbitt who, with Mayor Swingly, signed an agreement that was first talked about almost 15 years ago. When I came on the Board, it was one of the projects I was determined to get done. After numerous discussions with the Village Board and with Town Supervisor Nesbitt we came to an agreement whereby Town taxes have been completely eliminated from Village property in the Town and the Village out of district sewer rate has been lowered to a level acceptable to the Town. Pictured to the left, in order, are Supervisor Nesbitt, Mayor Swingly and myself.
April 7, 2009: Even More on Wheel-Locks. The Village Board will be considering an amendment to the anti-wheel locking and towing local law that went into effect in January. The proposal is to modify the present local law that restricts towing companies to those within the Village to any towing companies within 2.5 miles of the Four Corners. At this time, I am against this proposal for the following reasons: (1) the local law has only been in effect for four months and during that time, the only local business that is towing has not even followed the law; (2) the Village Board should carefully consider whether two and half miles is too far. Our initial goal was to allow people to walk to their vehicles; (3) the Village Board should carefully consider whether we should change a Village wide law to accommodate one individual. 
Updated June 6, 2008: Proposal for New Crosswalk/Review of Village Crosswalks. At the Village Board workshop of June 3, the Board agreed with me and asked Bill Southwell, the Superintendent of Public Works, to request the State perform a walk-through of the proposed crosswalk with him. I am proposing to the Village Board that a new crosswalk be placed between the Harmony House (Grange) and the old Key Bank. The photo at the left shows my proposal. Almost every Friday night, there is a teenage dance at the Harmony House and many kids are crossing the street from the Harmony House to Burger King. Burger King will soon leave the Village but the property has been sold the Cams Pizzera. So the pedestrian traffic might actually increase! The approval for this will was sought on May 22. The Board on that date did agree to investigate the possbility of a crosswalk at the Harmony House location, but went further and asked that a letter be composed to the State asking for a comprehensive review of ALL existing Village crosswalks, as well. This is a timely issue and reflects our Comprehensive Plan's intent to make this a "walkable village."
Posted February 29, 2008: Beautiful Mural. The Village meeting room is undergoing extensive renovations. Trustee Rickard is spearheading those efforts. In addition to moving the Mayor's photos into the meeting room, she has lead the effort to restore the beautiful historical mural donated to the Village in 1991. At that time, I remember it being in back of the Board table over in Village Hall in an area that is now offices. Well - what's old is new again and now the mural is restored, with a beautiful new frame, right behind the Board table. Congraudalations Donna and the DPW employees that assisted her in this effort.