Mayfield voters face choices

To the editor:

Primary Day is September 13. Please join me in re-electing Supervisor Rick Argotsinger and Town Clerk Dorothy Hart  of the Town of Mayfield. Elections are often decided on Primary Day.

As a former Councilwoman for the Town of Mayfield and a tax payer, I am thankful that Rick and other members of our County Board of Supervisors have had the objectivity and courage to make difficult decisions for the overall good. Most people realize that government must  make cuts, but when it gets to specifics, some of those same people only want cuts to programs that only affect other people.  

Rick, a graduate of Cornell University, was elected Town Councilman in January of 2006. He was appointed Supervisor by the Town Board following the untimely death of Supervisor Alan “Herb” McLain in February of 2009, having served as Deputy Supervisor prior to that. Rick made a smooth transition and has been Supervisor since.

Rick’s leadership skills were tested shortly after becoming Supervisor when the Hudson River-Black River Regulating District proposed radical state rule changes regarding the Great Sacandaga Lake which would have had very negative impacts on our town and the  Sacandaga region. Rick exhibited a well-informed and reasoned approach working cooperatively with other area leaders.  Former Governor Patterson’s suspension of the rules provided a temporary respite, but Rick continues to monitor the situation. Rick hopes to help  resolve the more recent problem with the HRBRRD regarding its inability to pay its town, county and school taxes in a timely manner. This problem needs a permanent solution.

He remains committed to finding efficiencies that will continue to keep the Town of Mayfield’s tax rate one of the lowest in the County, while maintaining the excellent services provided by the town such as highway, sanitation, town website, town beach, and others.

The town’s Comprehensive Plan is currently being updated, another goal of Rick’s.

Dorothy Hart has been our Town Clerk for nine years. She was Deputy Clerk from 1994-2000 and has been Tax Collector since 1989. Dorothy conducts the business of the Clerk’s Office competently, professionally and quietly. She is Vice President of the Fulton County Municipal Clerk’s Association, a NYS licensed  Notary Public, and a New York State Registered Town Clerk.  

Rick and Dorothy have a wealth of experience and serve our town well.

Kathy Sieg,

Mayfield

Another vote for representation

To the editor:

I urge you to vote in the primary election on Sept. 13 and cast your vote to keep Rick Argotsinger as supervisor for the town of Mayfield.

I strongly feel as residents of the Town of Mayfield, we need to ensure our representation on the Town and County level is performed by an individual who exhibits the leadership qualities, experience, and knowledge to be Supervisor as well as having the ability to listen objectively to ideas and suggestions brought to him.

I have personally worked with Supervisor Argotsinger and can testify to his desire to have the future of the Town of Mayfield meet the needs of the population of our Town. He works diligently for the people of the Town of Mayfield with a hands on approach, whether it is from the perspective of the Town Planning Board, (my second term and present Chairwoman) the Comprehensive Plan document, (member) and the organization and streamlining of departmental duties to enhance services to the Town peoples.  

Supervisor Argotsinger is totally aware of the awesome responsibilities of the office of Supervisor on the Town level as well as the County level. With the Town of Mayfield being the second largest township within Fulton County, the varied aspects of the Towns makeup requires a Supervisor to be able to make the tough, forward thinking decisions, without having those decisions marked by bias or favoritism to any individual or other entity.

Supervisor Argotsinger’s only agenda is to serve the Town of Mayfield residents and he does so, in my opinion, with sincere desire and lack of bias. I urge you to vote to keep  Supervisor Argotsinger as our Supervisor.

Marilyn J. Salvione,

Town of Mayfield

Northampton voters take notice

To the editor:

As a Town Board Member for the last five years, I take pride in what we have accomplished.

We have been able to maintain our equipment in excellent shape and keep a good balance in our different accounts for future budget years. We do not spend frivolously, and have excellent long-range planning. What has come to my attention is that the Village of Northville continues to try to interfere with the towns resources.  In this economic climate we should not be spending on special interest projects.

In the last couple of years I have seen the Village stop contributing to the meals on wheels (we picked up their share for a couple of years) now they have picked it up this year. They stopped contributing to the flags for the veterans on Memorial Day (again we picked up their share). I have seen the many joint ventures between the town and village that benefit the village to the expense of the town.

Recently the Village garbage truck quit and we as a joint committee agreed to split the cost 50-50 to repair it. The town is now responsible for 2 trucks. At a recent joint committee the three village people on the committee tried to push past me a 73 percent town share to a 27 percent village share for the new truck when needed.  The second truck would be the total responsibility of the town. I stated that I would not agree to raise town taxes to benefit the village.

Remember, the Village tax rate is $7.65/per thousand to the town’s $.90/per thousand, perhaps the lowest town tax rate in the state.

It is not in the town’s best interest for the village to control the Town Board as well as the Village.

Remember Sept 13th is primary day and re-elect me to the Town Board.

Guy Poulin,

Northville

A few more things to consider

To the editor:

Mr. Poulin’s letter to the editor, is a perfect example of why he should not be on the Town Board. Apparently Mr. Poulin has forgotten that the Town of Northampton used the Village garbage truck for nearly ten years at no cost or expense, a truck entirely paid for by Village taxpayers. When the Village’s truck was no longer useable, instead of just having one truck, Mr. Poulin insisted a second truck be obtained as a spare for the Town. The Village agreed and paid half the price of the second truck, more than our fair share. This benefited the Town more than the Village due to the fact that the Town requires two trucks to complete garbage pickup.

Mr. Poulin misstated facts again about the flags and Meals on Wheels reimbursement. There was a time that the Village questioned the contribution because the Town pays for these items out of the Town wide fund which includes Village residents, but these issues were always resolved and the Village is paying for these items.

Apparently, Mr. Poulin doesn’t realize that all Village residents pay Town taxes. He has a habit of comparing apples to oranges; the Village of Northville’s assessed valuation is approximately one quarter of the entire Town’s. If you take the Village’s budget and apply the Town’s assessed valuations and revenues to it, our tax rate would be comparable to the Town’s current tax rate.

Both the Village and Towns Boards are working diligently together to save money for taxpayers within our community. Mr. Poulin’s actions and words are counterproductive for everyone.

These are only a few of the facts why Mr. Poulin should be replaced as a Town Board member. He does not represent the people of the entire Town and should be replaced by someone who meets the needs of the public.

James Groff,

Northville