Another Year
Of Multi-Layered Govt.
The clock is ticking and within hours
we approach a new year with many resolutions, promises and hopes for an improved
economy we question government in Sullivan County and ask if they understanding
the realities that multi-layered government is antiquated?
The Hudson Valley Pattern For
Progress has previously issued a "White Paper" from their Government Efficiency
Task Force titled "Government Efficiency In the Hudson Valley-Creating A
Positive Approach to Change."
If politicians running our local
governments have not read this report then their heads must be buried in
sand.
The five-page detailed report truly would help
local governments ease the many burdens they face today with having to downsize,
consolidate and do away with much of the duplication of services they presently have.
The report points out that it's a
clear fact that much of "New York State's multi-layered form of government is
viewed as antiquated, arcane and redundant."
The report clearly states that "our
conglomeration of villages, towns, counties and the State plus overlapping
independent school and special districts drives higher costs and highly visible
service inefficiencies."
In addition this five page detailed
sheet notes that these "inefficiencies lead residents to question the utility
of this outdated system," and "the cost of maintaining so many units of
government with multiple levels and overlaps is no longer
sustainable."
Lets just briefly look at these
multiple levels and overlaps here in Sullivan County......in the Town of
Thompson we have the Town government and the Village of Monticello government,
in the Town of Fallsburg we have the Fallsburg government and the Village of
Woodridge government, in the Town of Liberty we have both the town and village
governments, in the Town of Mamakating we have the town and Village of
Bloomingburg governments and the Village of Jeffersonville shares government
with the Town of Callicoon.
Does the taxpayer in Sullivan County
with a population of 75,828 get the benefit of 1 county government, 15 township
governments, five village governments, 8 school districts, 13 fire protection
districts, 45 lighting districts, 26 sewer district and 20 water
districts?
It's up to the folks that pay the
bills in this county to tell these many forms of government to cooperate, have
shared services, consolidate, dissolve and to do away with so much
duplication.
A Happy, Healthy and Wealthy New Year
to everyone.
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