Taxes and Government are out of control

A little restraint is in order. I have no complaints about the DPW departments which I believe everyone is aware. The fire company comment was also out in left field, I have always commended volunteers on the time needed and spent with fire companies. I would have been a fireman had I not needed the time for my enterprises. I don't know anything at this point about the Fire company inner workings nor is it an issue in my campaign. They are both separately run operations with their own administration. My campaign is about common sense property rights and use. I want to be sure that our new regulations are minimized and fair to all property owners large and small. I would also like to know that they would be accepted by the majority of those same owners. The Master Plan committee had become unbalanced; they needed a business point of view to round out their zoning restrictions. Please no cop out that the M. Plan is not zoning, just look at the map outlining the zones. I provided a new view, reminding them that many large corporations started in their garages and they were amenable. During these economic times, restricting business expansion was absurd. This country was founded by small business. Becker construction is a perfect example of what a business in my town would be requested to design, with the use of a natural growing maintained screen and landscaping. I also wonder about creating rules without enforcement. Of course this was brought up at the last TB meeting. Do we really need more rules, junk yards and cell towers are already impossible to get approvals. The committee would like to commercialize the Rt 49 area, and again, I am not in opposition. Sewer extension will be necessary. Additionally, I would like to add recreation to the mix. We certainly have the assets, but they have been overlooked for years. We should tap these assets because they have very little expense to them compared to Commercialization of the Town. Fishing, Boating, Ice Fishing, Winter Sports, and Summer Events are all cheaply available programs that will benefit the Town. Look at the success of The Old Home Days. We can grow our town even in a recession, Old Forge did it during the last recession, I know because I was there rebuilding their water treatment plant at that time. The master plan is the foundation for the future; it is much easier to work from a level and square footing so you are not correcting every step of the way. The M. plan worked out for most of us so there was no stampede at your meetings. I will provide a new view to your current government workings that is certainly needed on higher levels of our government. I am open minded and do not work without the help of other supporting personnel, if I am not knowledgeable I seek out the expertise that’s why I have been so successful in my ventures. I don’t propose to be “the all knowing Expert”. I am running on the Indepence Ticket (the same as DeDe and Bloomberg and Ross Perot) not Independent, and have been endorsed by the Democrats. The others are Dems and collectively have the Old Common Sense Independent Party. I am not on that ticket.

West Monroe Blindsided

Dear editor: We need to give power back to the people. Should governments create more rules without taxpayer’s approval? Granted we may need to refine a few of our regulations, but not at the cost of our collective property rights and our children’s future. We already have enough rules to make people find loopholes and even the cracks to slip through them. More regulations create more problems for officials not less. We need to think about enforcing our current rules before taking on more. The same council members continue squandering our taxes, taking our property rights, while implying that it won't affect us. We need community input not just appointed panels for any future regulations. You need to volunteer for your benefit and your community! Remember “government of, for and by the people” Now we need to call on you “the people”. Does the West Monroe Town board understand the economic times and the source of town funds? Remember if they maintain a blind eye to property assessments, they can continue to spend more without our approval. Why not just give them all of your property? Anyone heard of Grants, referendum and public voting? We elect them for their views only when they align with ours. Now they need a big reminder this November 3rd election day! John Messere life resident, taxpayer, volunteer

West Monroe Master plan clashes (Oswego County Weeklies) To the Editor: We respect the time spent on the West Monroe Master plan, but wasn't it meant to be a general plan for the future? As a town with rural land mass, recreational areas and business districts, each area has its own unique issues that have been looked at, but not into. The West Monroe Town Board paid $20,000 to a planner, to tell us the number of cars allowed our driveways, and what I may or may not use my property for. They are restricting business expansion throughout the Town. We have limited funds for the road supervisor to clear an over filled drainage ditch, or resurface another road. What's wrong with this picture? The committee certainly means well they just need to capture the essence of the town! They need to refocus on the needs of the residents, not the agenda of the Town Board. There is a need for clarity and participation with the taxpayers, a need to communicate not just spend. When will West Monroe Town Board ever realize we don't need big city rules and can't afford more taxes for fancy ideas? Let us be! Just respect our money and maintain our services and utilities! That's your job. If we need zoning, it must be common sense zoning, not BIG CITY RULES with BIG TAXES! John Messere life resident, taxpayer, businessman

TAX DOLLARS DOWN THE DRAIN

$20,000 spent on Master plan consultant! Drainage ditches cost labor,trucks and excavator. We already pay the labor, own the equipment but lack funds! Let's see, which is more important, a master plan which already exists or spring runoff flooding cellars and yards? Resolutions involve mutual agreement among all parties.

Tread Lightly Town of West Monroe

West Monroe is in a state of expansion and development. We need help planning for the future. The Master Plan Committee has developed a specific plan for you. They have a diversified group but are requesting additional input. Their projected view of the town may not match yours. You’re welcome but not responding! Zoning is quietly wriggling itself into place. The master plan divides up the town for zoning. Do we already have zoning? We have a zoning Board of Appeals. There have been Town Board meetings to place a moratorium on commercial site plan reviews. That means months without any new building. If the Master plan has no teeth, why the moratorium and why the zoning board of appeals? They are all tied together. So what’s the beef? Were you notified, and can you vote on this issue? We already have a Town Planning Board. The planning board certainly can limit the use of property, with current regulations and also by occasionally adding retroactive regulation. We are required to have site plans reviewed before any construction begins and an inspector also checks our progress. Common sense is also applied to each decision. Example, placing a trucking company on a restricted weight road is understandably unacceptable. The same company doesn’t belong in the midst of multiple housing, but if it does fit with the neighborhood, maybe a natural screen would be in order. This seems to be the common sense that the planning board uses, along with health and safety requirements. We need modern thinkers who can lead us to more advanced ways of doing things to minimally regulate our life. Bring your talent to Master plan committee Public town Board Meeting. Doing this will help you appreciate your new Town. Remember, it’s your town too. What do you want urban expansion or metropolitan design? Be cautious, too many regulations only make the regulator and the Tax Assessor happy. Public Master Plan meeting June16, 2009 7:00 pm Town Hall Your input absolutely needed John Messere Life resident, landowner, businessman John Messere 51 Luther Rd West Monroe NY 315 6763406 Please do not print address or phone number

Master Plan needs help

A Master Plan for West Monroe is being drafted. The current proposal for West Monroe designates the Rt 49 corridor as the only Commercial area. It cripples business expansion of the numerous small businesses’ that we are fortunate to have located throughout the town. Business owners won’t be able sell their business property unless they are zoned Commercial or are located on Rt 49. They won’t be able to expand their current buildings, or build new ones. Your equity vanishes, Goodbye retirement! The major property owner’s rights are also endangered. The plan will restrict any property away from the Rt 49 corridor to be Residential. That means you, the property owner, will have no right to orchestrate a sale to Corporate America…. So long Home Depot! The current plan does not thoughtfully review the possibilities of the town. Creating a town with a massive majority of residential use and not allowing future expansion of a current business is outrageous. We are a working, commuting, recreational and business community. Land owners have rights too. They pay taxes, vote and supply your beautiful scenic view we all enjoy. Should you dictate who can sell or what their property must be used for? Rt 49 will become an even more dangerous and congested nightmare by making it the only commercial business area for our town. The road supervisor can certainly advise about traffic issues relative to the current transportation system, and I am sure has already done so. If the traffic count increases, I would guess NYS will add another exit to Rt 81 and change the current master plan. Alternate areas will develop on their own, if allowed. Some members of the committee selfishly want to create rules that that eliminate their own problems with the neighbors, or unsightly items across the street. The responsibility of restriction belongs to all of the local property owners in conjunction with the Town board. The Planning board administrates rules that the town and property owners must agree upon, through public meetings. We are a rural community and we need to think urban expansion, not metropolitan design