To The Reader’s Forum:

My name is Rich Fischer and for approximately five years I was a trustee in the Village of Lakewood. As I was voted in by the residents of Lakewood it was my duty to represent them and not outsiders. Saying that I currently see members of the current board that in my opinion often do not really represent the residents of the village.

Here are just a couple of reasons why I make that statement. The first deals with Airbnb’s or short term rentals. Back in early 2024 the village board after many meetings, public hearings, conversations with consultants and attorneys and spending thousands of dollars passed a new zoning code law. The main change to the zoning was to restrict any short term rental businesses in a R1 residential location. This was mainly because of year around homeowners and the way it affects their neighborhood. My point of this is that already some out of town owners have been granted variances by two current board members and the mayor. If this continues how many more short terms will these board members allow. Does that represent our residents who voted them into office?

The second deals with sidewalks along West Fairmount Avenue. All of this started back in December of 2023. This whole project was being backed by the New York State Department of Transportation and the Chautauqua County Planning Board. The NYSDOT at that time was applying for a federal grant for the sidewalks which they did not receive. The state and county also took into consideration Lakewood Plans and policies from many years previous and when actually looking at these plans there was nothing that said anything about sidewalks that the state was proposing. The big factor in all of this goes again back to two current board members and the mayor. Even though they have not taken the time to speak to the businesses or residents this project will effect they are saying the county and the state are more important than these property owners. If the current board voted against the sidewalks would the county and especially the state think differently. Again does this represent our residents who voted them into office

Early voting and the November election is near and the important thing is to get out and vote. In the village it makes no difference what party you represent, but it does make a difference if the elected officials want to represent you the voter and resident or do they represent out of towners, county or state.

Rich Fischer

Lakewood