In an average year, $1.2 million in spending cuts would produce a tax cut or, at worst, no increase. This isn’t an average year.
At Monday night’s Common Council meeting, city officials spoke with one voice: “We won’t give up our fort without a fight!” The councilors encouraged the community in joining them in contacting state officials in an effort to keep the historic site open.
Closing state parks, such as Fort Ontario, to help reduce the state’s budget deficit is a short-term fix for the state and a long-term headache for communities, some Oswego residents say. Ironically, the fort is now under attack by the very state that it has defended for more than two centuries.
BREAKING: New York State would close Fort Ontario and 54 other state parks and historic sites to save money, under a plan released today.
The first Fort Ontario was built in Oswego in 1755.
It’s a safe bet that school superintendents did not hear what they wanted to hear when they met Thursday with State Senator Darrel Aubertine about state aid for next school year. Hannibal Superintendent of Schools Mike DiFabio summed up Aubertine’s message: “Chances of an on-time state budget are slim and the Governor’s numbers (on state aid to districts) are about the best we’re going to get.” Oswego’s superintendent, Bill Crist added the senator told everyone what they already know – “the state of the state is not good and we all will need to make some difficult decisions in the next year(s).”
Budget discussions kick into high gear for school board. The superintendent will present his budget proposal to the board in the middle of next month. Board members say they want to keep the tax rate at zero, or even reduce it. Through all of the budget talks, the specter of staff cuts looms.
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