note: this article was posted in the Post Standard as the lead article for Opinions.

They supplied the above picture,..... Thank you Post Standard

West Monroe

A little slice of Heaven

• Dear editor: The Town of West Monroe borders on the North Shore of Oneida Lake, a recreational and fisherman’s haven. It also includes our most famous landmark, the beautiful Country Clubs on Route 49. We have used the golf course reference to give directions to outsiders for over 40 years. We also are part of the the O&W railroad, Oswego county snowmobile trail system that directly accesses the Tug Hill Plateau. I think we need photos of all our recreational areas golf, trails and Oneida Lake property as the cover page on our latest Master Plan.
• The West Monroe Town Park which contains a large amount of land, adjacent to the snowmobile trails, would easily lend itself to recreational development if the board wished. We can certainly build on the natural recreational foundation to the benefit of our community as other towns have done. Old Forge didn’t just happen, it was created. I know I was there in 1980 rebuilding their water treatment plant. The town board might actually contact the DEC to police and unblock Three Mile Bay launch site one of our large untapped Jewels. Town board, use your imagination about building on this foundation, you have major unexploited assets. This is a likely candidate for a state park. This would increase revenue into town and enhance our recreational attractiveness. We could even create a balance between recreation, leisure and commercial development.
• Our Town Supervisor called West Monroe his “small slice of heaven.” Heaven is overtaxed and needs help! If you’re waiting for Corporate America the only Big Box Stores your likely to see in the next 20 years are my Blue & White storage buildings. Recreational development will most likely be the only State or Federal aided programs available to upstate in the near future. Master Plan Committee, Town Board get off your neighbors back, open your eyes and become creative we need to be a destination not a pit stop. Revenue can come from areas other than Corporate America and overtaxing residents. http://www.townofwestmonroe-ny.us/ Master plan Meeting John Messere. The Common Sense Zone