Residents, Legislators Share Concerns At Town Hall Meeting

OSWEGO – Around five dozen residents from around the county took part in a town hall meeting Tuesday night with some county legislators. In attendance were Tom Drumm (District 16) and Marie Schadt (District 19) – both Democrats. Roy Reehil (District 5), a Republican, provided some input via email.

At the close of last week’s Oswego County Legislature meeting, Suzanne Stout, representing We the People of Oswego Indivisible, invited all members of the Legislature to attend the non-partisan town hall event.

We the People of Oswego Indivisible is a group of concerned citizens attempting to educate themselves and the public, affect positive change and hold elected officials accountable, according to Stout.

Questions dealt with a variety of issues.

One concerned migrant workers’ pay and services for their children.

“I certainly support farm workers for our area and anything that can be offered to the children,” Schadt said.

“We value our farmers. We know how hard they work,” Drumm added.

Another question was in regards to whether the county had any regulations concerning the spraying of pesticides and agricultural drainage.

Schadt pointed out that if anyone sees any violations they should report it to the DEC.

Both legislators said they were in favor of consolidation. However, Drumm noted he wasn’t in favor of the deal to have Onondaga County handle purchasing for Oswego County.

Schadt noted there were too many legislators and would be in favor of downsizing the legislature.

Drumm said they need to level the playing field to make things equal for small businesses. The county should also plan for the time when the nuclear plants are phased out.

The legislators believe the criteria under which PILOT (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) programs are awarded aren’t stringent enough.

Drumm said he was opposed to a recent wind power proposal not because he’s against alternative energy but because the PILOT the company was looking for wasn’t in the county’s best interest.

“You have a voice. Bring your concerns (to the legislature), and do it frequently,” Schadt told the audience members. “I am so encouraged that so many people showed up tonight. But, please, come and voice your concerns in exact detail.”

“I agree,” Drumm said, adding more county meetings should be held at night to allow more public participation. “It’s asinine that someone would have to take off from work to attend a county legislature meeting.”

He encouraged people to attend the county meetings and if they can’t, contact their legislator with their concerns.

“We need you. We need your thoughts, your wisdom, your ideas – your help,” Schadt added. “So, please come.”

“I’m disappointed that the other side isn’t here,” Drumm said. “I’m willing to sit down and work with the Republicans. There is certainly room to build that relationship in the future.”

He urged everyone to stay involved, and even consider running for office.

“Things went better than I expected. I was hoping for a few more people, but we did get a really good turnout,” Stout told Oswego County Today following the 90-minute event.

At their town hall meeting this spring, they had “about 125 people,” she added.

The group started focusing on national issues because they were so unhappy with the way things were going, she said.

“Then, we thought we should narrow it down to something we’d have more control over,” she said.

The group meets every other Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the Oswego Public Library and is open to all.

For further information or questions, We the People of Oswego Indivisible can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WeThePeopleOswegoIndivisible/

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