Letters & Comments

To the Editor:

I am again compelled to respond to last week’s letter to the Editor entitled, “Transfer Station Agreement Unfair.” The Town of Petersburgh has always worked to make general improvements and reduce finances in cooperation with its citizens. Apparently this way of handling things is not the case of some, who have decided to take a confrontational approach in addressing Town matters.

I myself have been working on this matter diligently for the last several months, as have our new Town Board members prior to their even assuming office.  The Town of Petersburgh has always had a good relationship with our neighboring Town of Berlin, and it is unfortunate that these aggressive opinions may risk destroying this avenue. Again, not to be repetitive, but the Town is aware of and working to rectify this situation; at the January Regular Town Board Meeting, I made it publicly known that the Board is working on the situation. Elaboration was not provided, not because the Town is trying to “hide the facts,” but rather to ensure continued cooperation and friendly discussions with the Town of Berlin in regard to the Transfer Station agreement.

In the meantime, this office is spending a lot of unnecessary time answering accusations instead of spending time where it is really needed. Prior to my knowing this particular letter appeared, I went to the Transfer Station to deliver recyclables and was hostilely confronted by the attendants, all due to Mr. Berry’s statements that appeared in the letter. This unprofessional and undiplomatic method of addressing Town operations has been extremely counterproductive.

I am available at any time to listen to and discuss any concern that citizens may have. It is my belief that our Board would extend the same courtesy. Since I took office I have attempted to form many committees for Town-related business in order to encourage involvement from the public. Hardly any positive interest has been shown despite the Town’s repeated attempts to involve the community. Now that these negative interpretations of the Town’s intentions have been displayed, it only helps to create further problems instead of solutions.

Siegfried Krahforst

Petersburgh Town Supervisor

To the Editor:

This is a reply to Tom Berry’s Letter to the Editor entitled “Petersburgh/Berlin Transfer Station Agreement Unfair.”

If a tree falls in the forest does it make a sound?  If a person doesn’t attend the public budget workshops meetings in the Town of Petersburgh does that mean they can accuse the Town Board of not being accountable?  That is what Tom Berry did!  He didn’t attend the budget workshop hearings last year. It’s possible he didn’t attend any in past years either.  Therefore he did not hear the Supervisor and former Town Board openly discussing the costs to the town for the Transfer Station.  Many of us did hear. Since Mr. Berry was not present he felt it necessary to form the opinion that the Town officials are not informing the citizens.

Over the past few weeks one question comes to mind. Is aggressively accusing your Town government by Mr. Berry and others a helpful way to move in the right direction?  To use Mr. Berry’s words, is that a “healthy well-functioning democracy?” I suppose that is for the public to decide. I do see a silver lining. Mr. Berry’s questionable statements may get more residents to take an interest in the Town government and attend Board meetings. It would certainly be beneficial for more Petersburgh people to get involved in the Town.  It would be even better if folks attended Board meetings throughout the entire year.  If you don’t wish to attend, we would like to hear from you in other ways (emails, letters, phone calls).  We welcome your concerns and questions. We need to know what all of you are thinking, not just a handful of people.  Please speak up!  We are your town government.  We represent ALL of you!

I do agree with some of the points Mr. Berry brought up in regard to Petersburgh’s cost to use Berlin’s transfer station.  However, things cannot happen overnight.  The cost for Petersburgh to use the Berlin Transfer station has been close to or the same for the past 15 years.  Recently, the Town Supervisor and the Board as well as other Town officials have begun working toward a solution that is best for our town.  That doesn’t mean we are leaving the Berlin Transfer station out of the picture.  Also, it doesn’t imply we shouldn’t try to reduce costs when possible.  However, let’s not jump to something we’ll be sorry for later.  Let us carefully weigh all our options.  The Supervisor and the Town Board will continue to speak to vendors and other towns in our area to see what refuse programs they have and how successful they are.  We will keep trying to convince Berlin to come to the negotiation table as well.  You can help too. Please come to the Board meeting with, or send in, your ideas for garbage and refuse collection.

With that in mind, Mr. Berry is correct to say the payment to Berlin is substantially more than the revenue in.  However, he is wrong to label it as a “deficit.” In reality this is an expense for a service.   Other municipalities consider the cost of garbage collection a service for their residents. I believe that past Petersburgh Supervisors as well as past Town Boards considered this expense a necessity in order to provide a service to the Petersburgh residents.  Going forward, Supervisor Krahforst, along with the new board, is taking a different approach on many issues including the Transfer Station.  When we feel it’s necessary, we will rethink what has been done in the past.

We know full well the struggle Petersburgh faces with this year’s bleak economic condition.  If we are dealing with uproar and bullying how can the Town officials focus on what needs to be done in an efficient and sensible way?

Yes, the previous Board had to raise taxes.  No one was happy about that.  Budgets in most Town departments were cut to the point of bare bones.  The brand new Town Board has just begun.  I can say sincerely the new Town Board will do its best to make improvements across the board, even in spite of the minimal resources we have. I am confident we will work hard and make decisions that are best for the Town.  One step at a time.  It will get better.  Together we can make good things happen for Petersburgh.

Denise Jacon Church

Petersburgh Town Council Member

Dear Editor,

I feel compelled, as the Town Supervisor, to respond to the letter entitled, “Genuine Intentions” that appeared in the Eastwick Press last week. The comment that I most strongly resent is the statement that the taxes will again be raised in 2015. This false prediction was assumed without any facts, opinions or information from the Town being taken into consideration. As the Financial Officer for the Town of Petersburgh, it is my intention to have a zero tax increase this year.

Additionally, in regard to the Youth Program finances mentioned in the article “PVMCC Starts Raising Funds For Youth,” the amounts quoted were incorrect as well. The total amount cut from the budget equals $4,665, not $6,000; also the amount allotted for 2014 is $3,000 not $1,600. This total amount includes $1,500 for salaries, and $1,500 for all contractual expenses. As for the State and County monies received, these figures are reimbursements, not additional funding for the budget. This fact was explained previously to Mrs. Bowman-Kluck, yet was still incorrectly accounted for within this particular article. Again, these statements were made incorrectly without making any sort of attempt to verify correct information with the Town.

I regretfully agree that this was a substantial amount cut, and would like to see the former budget amount from 2013 reinstated next year if possible. The current financial situation of the Town has forced many budgetary cuts in various important areas; although the Youth Program is an important asset in our Town, the fact is that our Town is struggling to function in light of so many drastic budgetary reductions. The functionality of all Town departments are at risk due to forced operation on minimal finances, and I hope that the taxpayers will take the entire situation into consideration and realize that these cuts were a very difficult decision to make.

Siegfried Krahforst, Supervisor

Town of Petersburgh

Editor’s note: Bowman-Kluck has since revised her figures and her revised article on the PVMCC fundraising will appear next week.

Dear Editor,

It has recently come to my attention that a handful of people have inquired about the efforts of my husband Gene and myself in regards to the town of Petersburgh. Let me assure the people that our intentions are genuine and aimed at advocating for the residents and taxpayers of the Town. Those folks that already know us realize this provocation has always been a part of who we are, whether at work or volunteering at the library and the school or coaching sports or assuming leadership roles within our church.

Last Spring, Gene was considering the possibility of running for the Highway Superintendent position. We began attending Town Board meetings in an effort to educate ourselves on how the Town operated. Generally, the meetings were sparsely attended; a select few were involved with decision making, and information was not forthcoming. Asking questions, learning the governing laws and researching the current processes by which the Town operated was a natural focus. We also spoke directly with many of the Town’s officials and sought out and encouraged feedback from the residents of Petersburgh.

Although faced with personal attacks and resistance from some Town officials, Gene and I continue to be committed to advocating for the residents and taxpayers of Petersburgh. Our efforts are not personal or directed towards any one individual. This year our taxes were increased by nearly 7% (originally figured at 13%), and it is likely that next year will be a substantial increase as well. Many of the Town’s valuable programs, such as the Youth and Senior Programs, received vast cuts, constraining their efforts to run effectively. It makes sense for our community to work collaboratively to explore ways in which the Town can be run more efficiently and current spending can be minimized, thus reducing the need for more significant cuts next year.

I feel confident that the current Petersburgh Town Board will do what is right for the residents and taxpayers of Petersburgh while maintaining an open and informative process without bias or the involvement of personal agendas. This can be achieved by a diverse group of community members attending meetings, becoming informed and offering to assist the Town with committees or appointed positions. We can all make a positive and cost savings difference that will affect our Town for years to come!

Sherry Bowman-Kluck

Johnny Cake Hill Road, Petersburgh

To the Editor:

I wanted to publicly thank Gene Kluck of Petersburgh and spread the word of his kindness in stopping to help me on Wednesday, January 22.  My car had died on Route 22, in a particularly cold and windy spot, and he pulled up ahead of me and tried to find out what had happened.  When we couldn’t get it started, he then drove me all the way home so that I could call AAA from the warmth of my house.

It was a wonderful, selfless act, and I am very much appreciative, as I might have been frozen in place – along with my car – had he not stopped to help.

Sincerely,

Susan Womersley

Watson Road, Petersburgh