To the Readers' Forum:
I have been to the Chautauqua County Web site and read the County Home financial viability report. It basically says the assumptions of those saying that selling the home would financially benefit the county are overstated and optimistic, but the writers of this report assumptions on financial viabilty are sound and correct.
An almost astounding statement is concerning the $300,000 in additional taxes that a private owner would pay would be less than the County Home pays to the county not in taxes but payments to other county agencies for services this is stated to be $500,000 per year.
Now I know that this is difficult arithmetic but take a moment and in your own houshold budget put $500 in for groceries Then move it to say transportation costs. Did you get $500 additional? Now assume the $500 is still in groceries and you recieve $300 from abenevolent aunt. Now do you have more money?
Our county is broke because our legislators believe they can spend the same money two or three times.
The report goes on to recommend huge burdens on any buyer or lessor . I am still trying to understand how that would effect the financial viability of the home if it remaind county owned. Another interesting recommendation is that if sold, part of the proceeds be set aside to make the current employees whole. There is a total belief by the largley CESA members of this union that they will lose some - but perhaps many will benefit from private sector employment.
I do hope that it does not take a super majority to send this report to its proper place in the recycle bin.
Contact your legislator and tell them what this report points out if you blow away the smoke and mirrors is that the only way the County Home is financilly viable is if it is privatized.
We know they will spend all the proceeds from the sale. That is what the legislature does - spend. After all the sheriff will need a new boat, the lake still has weeds etc.etc. We are only asking that they slow the rate of spending and taxing.
Jim Walker
Falconer