Court has diminished voters' power
We have had a government that supported uneven distribution of wealth, so the division between the haves and have-nots is greater than it has ever been. Now our courts are saying greater wealth gives greater voice in government.
We have created a corporate democracy without a legislative action. I am alarmed at the loss of power of the voter engendered by this court decision.
Dr. Thomas Lucas
St. Lucia and Cooperstown
Town of Oneonta isn't paying its fair share
The proposed merger between the city of Oneonta and the town of Oneonta needs to address more than just the potential cost savings.
What should be discussed and fully disclosed are the differences in contributions the city and the town make to the infrastructure of our community.
The city provides the main support for water, sewer, ambulance, hospital, bus, fire department, airport and library. The city is also burdened with half of its real-property tax base exempt from taxation. This includes the hospital, churches, parks, colleges, schools and other organizations.
The town also enjoys the benefit of building new homes right on the edge of the city and then hooking into the city water and sewer systems for much less than the cost of building its own systems.
The town enjoys all the benefits of an organized city in its center but does not step up to the plate to support it.
Over the years, I have read in this paper that the city struggles to get the town to pay its fair share for bus, ambulance and fire service. Several years ago, I read in this paper that the town negotiated a deal to support our library for about $5 per resident. My property tax bill shows I am paying $216 toward the library.
It is easy to see why the residents of the town are not interested in a merger. Why pay to support the infrastructure of your community when someone else is stuck with the bill?
Russell T. Griswold
Oneonta
