Hope this note finds you in good health, high spirits, and a spring mood. Because it’s time to return to our task of government reform.
Winter provided ample opportunity to determine our goals for this year. I spent it researching Albany downsizing, local government merger, and school district consolidation; and most important, listening to many of you on what our next steps should be. In the coming weeks, we’ll use the work of winter to achieve a spring of change.
In the meantime, I thought you might like to see this poll of New Yorkers’ views on government consolidation and downsizing. It was published yesterday by Marist College, under the auspices of The Dyson Foundation.
The poll’s most significant finding is that a majority of state residents want their local government to consolidate. And perhaps most satisfying, the poll that finds that Western New York leads the way in support for reducing government size and cost.
It appears that our work to both educate citizens on the benefits of reform, and give them a voice in downsizing votes, has made a difference. Our challenge now is not only to continue to make a difference, but to make it better.
April 13, 2011 at 8:11 am |
Dear Kevin & Staff,
Thank you for all your hard work and devotion to making NYS a better place to live. With the recent population loss figures from the census, it has to dawn on the slowest wit that we can’t afford and no longer require elected positions at the levels of the past. I can’t think of an instance where more “heads” led to better ideas, let alone quality of life. The ongoing waterfront renewal efforts – more than fifty years and counting – clearly illustrate that more voices aren’t necessarily a guarantee of success ( to be fair, not all the voices are elected officials). And the waterfront has come a long way, but when compared to Cleveland, we’re way behind the curve. Thank you for keeping up the pressure and keeping the argument factual and sane.
April 13, 2011 at 4:25 pm |
It is satisfying to see that the perceptions of New Yorkers are starting to change in regards to “rightsizing” government. I think the fact that the majority of those in Western New York are supporting downsizing is in response to your efforts. It is time for New Yorkers and all Americans to realize that times have changed, and government needs to change accordingly. Especially in New York state with its population shifting out of state, we no longer need or require the same number of government positions.
Congratulations. Job well done on starting the conversation and pushing people to participate more in their local governments.
April 20, 2011 at 9:09 am |
Why can’t something be done to take a look at cosolidating Akron and Newstead governments? We have a complete duplication of services out here at great expense to the residents. There is no need to have duplicate governnments when in reality they are one and the same.
Akron police patrol Akron and Newstead. The court systems are housed in one facility. There are many other instances where the distinction between Akron and Newstead are lost.