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Letters to the Editor: This is a SMALL Village

August 03, 2010

To the Editor:

I guess I missed something here. I did not see Mr. Vatter attack Barbara or Bob Gosda. It appeared to me that Mr. Vatter simply stated that there may be a conflict because Barbara’s late husband Bob was a 50-year member of Storm King. I personally don’t think that poses a conflict, but that is just my opinion. I certainly do not see it as an attack. Bob Gosda was in fact a 50-year member of Storm King, for which he was very proud . He lived quietly and simply in the Village serving his community for 50 years! Many village residents were probably unaware of that. He did not do it for recognition. He did it because he was a good man and he will be missed.

This is a SMALL village! There are going to be more “conflicts” then not. Like any organization, it seems as though the same people are the ones to step up and volunteer their time over and over again. There are many residents that serve this community in various roles. The Gosda family has ties to Storm King Engine Company. This can not be disputed. Mr. Vatter is a member of Storm King Engine Company and is or was a tenant of Burns and Whalen. You can not dispute this either.

Are any of these facts a big enough concern that the officials should be excusing themselves from matters associated with the issues at hand? Not in my opinion. I am rather certain that Mr. Vatter did not seek out a building owned by Burns and Whalen to rent. I would venture to guess the building happened to be available and met his needs. I know I have never been personally involved with any landlord I rented from. Usually they are just a name on a check. Mr. Whalen and Mr. Burns have been members of this community, living and doing business here for longer then I can remember. They have families here. It’s a small village! I venture to guess most people know them, with out ever having rented from them.

As for Mr. Edsall, he has always been up front regarding his relation to Mr. Whalen. Mr. Edsall is a highly respected engineer and member of this community! He is a tremendous asset to the board in general and especially regarding the Highway Garage situation. No one on that board wants to jeopardize anyone’s safety! I am certain that Mr. Edsall will excuse himself from voting when and if it comes to determining if the Village is going to seek legal action against the builders of the Highway Garage. But when it comes to the nuts and bolts of the matter, let the man use his expertise in this area to serve the village.

Lastly, I would like to comment on Mr. Gross wanting to form an advisory committee to help with the decisions regarding the highway garage. I do not agree with that at all. I realize he is not an expert on all matters, (or am I) and am grateful that he recognizes this as well. But as a tax payer I elected my officials with the expectation that they collectively as a group will be making decisions in the best interest of the Village. Some of those decisions will be easy and relatively irrelevant, and others will be difficult and have tremendous impact. No one said the job will be easy. You have hired another engineering firm to look into the matter of the highway garage, which was wise, all things considered. But now it’s up to you as the Mayor, and the Board to decide what to do. It’s part of the responsibility that comes with the office.

This is not Washington. Let’s not form committee after committee and bog things down further. I want the elected officials to make the decisions and get things accomplished! You are never ever going to please everyone. You need to make your decisions based on what is best for the village as a whole. It’s difficult and you are going to take some flack for those decisions, but it is your job and a job that you wanted and were elected to do.

For the record, I too have ties to Storm King Engine Company and I personally know everyone whose name I mentioned in this letter.

Kerry Merritt
Cornwall-on-Hudson

Comments:

Why did Mr Edsall and vatter recite the mantra "its a good building because it hase'nt fallen down yet"? Why were they un willing to persue leagal action aganst the builders insurance? The law requires written disclosure so anyone can know of potential conflicts of intrest.Recusal is a prosses that is laid out in the village code why not follow it?

posted by Andrew Argenio on 08/03/10 at 12:22 PM

Kerry,

Excellant post. There is no need for committee after committee. We elected a Mayor and Four Trustees. That's 5 votes. Make a decision and vote. The attacks on Mr Vatter and Mr. Edsall are unwarranted and uncalled for. It certainly is not Mr Vatter who has been creating dissension in the Village. Come election time in March I believe we will have an end to this dissension on our Village Board.

To the Gosda Family. The entire Village shares your grief over your loss. Your loss is also the Village of Cornwall's loss. Bob was truly a good man. I remember not so long ago him telling us a funny story about the local utility he worked for. He had us all laughing so hard. He was tall, strong, and the picture of health. It's with heavy heart that I wish Barbara and the entire Gosda family the strength to get through this tough period in their lives.
Pat Welch

posted by P W on 08/03/10 at 3:03 PM

Fire the lawyer, 5 min for the inspector, occupy the building regardless of the engeneer's report and the state and atack the widow! Pat i know you are mad at Joe over a 10 foot peice of wood please wake up you are missing the big picture. you dont see any conflicts here? and at the villige's potental expense.

posted by Andrew Argenio on 08/03/10 at 4:58 PM

Hi Andrew,

Being our daughters our in the same grade in school I'd rather no dabate you on this issue. I wish no bad blood. I'll only say it is many, many things I disagree with the Mayor about. Good Luck

posted by P W on 08/03/10 at 5:35 PM

Debate, sorry for the typo.

posted by P W on 08/03/10 at 5:35 PM

I guess we agree to disagree ;)

posted by Andrew Argenio on 08/03/10 at 5:37 PM

Kerry Merritt has written an outstanding piece that makes more sense than anything I have seen in a long time. She has a great sense of the "village", having lived and worked here for a very long time. Thanks Kerry - maybe pick up a petition for office in the spring? :)

posted by Nancy Bryan on 08/04/10 at 1:07 PM

Nancy,

I must agree Kerry would make a fantastic candidate. She exemplifies
a person with quality people skills something sorely needed to bring the village back together.
Pat Welch

posted by P W on 08/04/10 at 4:09 PM

Why the continual sarcasm Cumming? I made it plain why I don't wish to debate Andrew. Too boring so you must stir the pot. Get a life.

posted by P W on 08/07/10 at 10:28 PM

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