GUEST VIEW:  New Hartford has done developers a tremendous disservice

By DR. ANTHONY J. PALUMBO

Special to the Observer-Dispatch

Posted Dec 02, 2009 @ 08:00 PM

When I first read the story that the town of New Hartford will not be returning mitigation fees to developers, I felt very disappointed. This sum of money was money we borrowed in 1998. The money was to help facilitate the construction of the medical building — a dream we had nurtured for many years.

The sum — $62,600 after tax dollars — was used to pay the town’s mitigation fee and it was a very large sum of money. This was compounded by the town of New Hartford’s mandated retainer fee for an additional $15,500. Again, this was paid with our after-tax dollars.

In today’s government-mismanaged economy, this is an enormous loss of our retirement savings. If it was not for town Budget Director Heather Mowat’s efforts, I would never have learned of the money owed to me — approximately $79,000. As a result, her commendable work has resulted in her termination of employment, albeit, to “save” the town money.

Needlessly, to allow this to happen is very hurtful. Perhaps for another faceless individual to assume a cavalier demeanor and simply approve of the town’s bold approach is reckless and ambiguous. To accurately relate to our feelings, this person needs to walk in our shoes to then feel our pain.

Later, following discussion with my wife, we disagreed with the town’s self-righteous and self-serving decision. This insensitive and possessive approach is an egregious manifestation of government power. I really do not wish to air my perceptions via the news media, but I am very upset with the manner in which law-abiding taxpayers are so treated disrespectfully.

At this point, normally government would have exceeded the standard “statute of limitations” — but it appears to have not. To seize our money is both shameful and embarrassing on the government’s part. The government, by its actions, is perceived as contemptuous and deceptive and furtherly provides a shadow of doubt in most taxpayers’ minds.

The good people of New Hartford want what everyone else wants — namely, the pursuit of happiness for their families and their children. However, this bold and self-righteous demeanor defies the classic role model and allows for failure for our young people to emulate. The attorney who wrote the letter giving action to seize the people’s money (from 1998) lends itself to clear and unmitigated examples of government power, politics and poetry.

In my unsolicited opinion, the urgent need is to unify and establish a coalition of proactive taxpayers. These interested individuals are then charged with the task of electing qualified officials to a position of ethical representation. Such action should then result in the election of responsible people who accept accountability for their actions.

When taxpayers’ money is misplaced, responsible elected officials are compelled by law to repay such shortfall in revenue via bond on insurance premiums as well as forfeit their salaries relative to a breach of fiduciary trust. It appears unconscionable to shift the burden of blame to the taxpayers in the form of a 54 percent, (or 48 percent) tax increase. One can perceive, futuristically, for every revenue shortfall to government one can expect a tax increase in order to balance their books — will this be 65 percent, 85 or more? You figure!

Soon, homeowners will either speak for accountability or file for bankruptcy protection. Meanwhile, government officials simply relocate out of state and escape scrutiny. Until the sage homeowners of the community are heard loud and clear, their demands for accountability will fall on deaf ears and business will continue as usual. And, as the shadow of doubt lingers, the insatiable element of greed shall prevail.
Only in God do we trust. Thanks for the opportunity. No one else seems to listen.

Anthony J. Palumbo is owner of the Dove Eye Center, 4350 Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford.