Concerned Citizens for Neighborhood Preservation email

To: Concerned Citizens for Neighborhood Preservation

To review: The Ad Hoc Committee originally came up with six options regarding the South Main St, Randall & William St. properties. Upon the recommendation of the Chair of the Legislature, the Ad Hoc Committee revisited the six options and decided upon two that they felt should be forwarded for the General Services and Budget and Finance Committees for review and recommendation to the full Legislature:

Option #2:
Do not purchase any of the properties and have the County Attorney negotiate with the sellers to get out of the deal.

Option #3: Purchase only the commercial properties and negotiate settlements with the residential property owners.

The General Services Committee met today to discuss both options sent to them by the Ad Hoc Committee. The General Services Committee voted to recommend Option #3, and then forwarded it to the Budget & Finance Committee for consideration.

The resolution is titled, "Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Properties and Authorizing the County Attorney to Negotiate the Settlement Options with the Other Property Owners." By voting for Option #3, the General Services Committee agreed to recommend to the full Legislature that they proceed with the purchase of the two commercial properties, not consummate the residential purchases and have Rick VanDonsel negotiate settlements with the residential property owners.

Ron VanDee, Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, decided not to call for a vote of the Committee on either option until he had time to poll his Ward and other concerned residents on those options. Because of medical issues, Ron will be unable to call a ward meeting prior to the full legislative session, and he has asked that Concerned Citizens of the Neighborhood be polled for their opinions on which option is agreeable to them.

You may send an email or contact Ron directly by phone with your opinions regarding these two options. Ron's email is: rvandee@cortland-co.org. His phone number is 423-2595 or 753-1328. Keep in mind the next full Legislative session is on Thursday, April 26 at 6pm.

There is also a meeting of the South Main St. project to be held at Randall School on Tuesday, April 24 at 6:45pm. We hope to see you all there.

Kathy Wilcox
Ann Gebhard
Barry Batzing