Politics Or Due Cause

A strong wish, that is what so very many residents of Owasco have. A strong wish that our Town be removed from the constant cloud of suspicion once and for all.

Recent print and television headlines have prompted this post. First and foremost, the article on the brand-new recycling truck. It is obvious there was an alternative to a nearly $110K purchase, equally as clear was Mr. Klink did not want to even consider an alternative. If Councilpersons Lattimore or Alberici, rather than Councilman Wagner, had brought this cost analysis to him, would there have been a different response by our Supervisor? Why was a councilman even doing a cost analysis? Do we not pay Mr. Wilson to SUPERVISE the recycling center? For that matter, do we not pay Mrs. Wilson to keep the books/budget? In these financially challenging times, ANY opportunity to keep funds in taxpayers wallets MUST be considered and acted upon, egos have to be checked at the door.

Speaking of new vehicles, how much did insurance go up after the fire at the recycling center? For that matter why did insurance even pay out? Pure luck for us taxpayers, millions of dollars at stake in equipment and buildings, our water treatment plant nearby and NO fire detection/suppression system in place. This is negligence in its best form. According to recycling center workers, a system will be in place so perhaps our investment will be better protected. Of course training the workers and having a pre/post, use checklist will prevent future disasters like leaving the master switch for the newest snowplow on, thus causing an avoidable electrical fire.

There is a common problem with Mr. Klink’s leadership. He does as HE wishes without thought to the cost to taxpayers or reputation of the Town. Remember folks, we pay elected and appointed officials… is it politics or is there cause for investigating and prosecuting? Some of the history…

*Recycling center once again has become lax in monitoring procedures causing losses in revenue. Although when this was first brought to the public over, $40,000 was recouped in a year. Where was the money going before that…How about now?

*Still no monitoring of fuel use per vehicle, driver etc….

*Cost of bulk water goes up when policies are questioned and hundreds in quarters appears when a financial accounting is requested. Water Department workers not making weekly deposits to the Town Clerk for bulk water sales. It has been nearly a year since Mr. Klink assured everyone at a town meeting that the money would be deposited weekly.

*Owasco residents are STILL paying more for water than Fleming, against their own Codes.

*Steel being cut up and sold by town employees for their own profit. Mr. Wilson’s response “no one said they could not do it.”

*Sewage being pumped into stream that goes to Hoopes Park where children play. Nothing done until DEC issues fines and consent order. Years of pumping raw sewage into outlet where boats and people go and Auburn’s emergency water intake is.

*Paying $50K to a law firm to lobby stimulus money for third sewer district. Same law firm donated $500.00 to Owasco Democratic Committee last election cycle.

*Town employee with hundreds of dollars in cell phone use. Mr. Wilson’s answer, “no one said we could not.” Town highway workers seen talking with cell phones to their ear while driving as recently as last week.

*Mr. Wilson hires his son for a $14 an hour part time job because 'no one else wanted it' as he stated in his election letter. It is a known fact that there were at least three other people who had applications in. These same people spoke informally to Mr. Wilson about employment with the Highway Dept. and were advised to submit an application by Mr. Wilson. Also, the hiring of people from out of town when town code calls for Owasco resident preference.

*Mr. Wilson allegedly falsifying son’s time card.

*Mr. Wilson with an $87,000.00 dollar job and his wife with a $40,000 dollar part time job with no set hours for either. Perhaps the Attorney General should investigate Owasco for offenses against the taxpayer like nearby communities, as has been reported on local news channels.

*Violating recent DEC consent order for not following the monitoring requirements. More fines???

*Giving paper dropped by residents for recycling away and delivering it to farm West of the lake, when money could be obtained and paper picked up. (Remember, we need a $100K vehicle for this purpose.)

*Recycling employee being paid in cash for metals and not getting receipts. Receipts not being given at the recycling center, even when requested.

*Mr. Wilson paid only minimum use water bills, $12.00 per quarter. Considering the swimming pool, family size and lawn watering this is highly suspect.

*Mr. Wilson paid NO ad valor em taxes when he resided on Honeysuckle Road.

It cannot go without notice that the same names and departments come up repeatedly. Mr. Klink, Mr. & Mrs. Wilson and their supporters may want to cry ‘politics' the history says due cause. A Grand Jury that has seen the evidence and heard the testimony ADDED charges and a Judge dropped only one charge at a dismassal hearing. Crying politics at this point only speaks to the desperation of those involved. It is past time that this go to trial and concluded.