By RACHAEL OSBORNE
Staff Writer
March 13, 2008 04:00 am
—
ROUSES POINT -- Thomas D. Batha is challenging incumbent Mayor George A. Rivers in the upcoming village election.
Batha, who himself served as mayor for four years, said he would like to move the village in a different direction, both fiscally and operationally.
"We have a debt load of more than $6 million. I would like to pay down that debt significantly.
"I'm afraid if we don't make changes fiscally, we could very easily end up like the City of Plattsburgh in a couple years. It might not be too late to head that off now."
Rivers said the village is in debt for its water and sewer because of mandates from the state.
"There is no debt in the general fund. (The debt) doesn't affect the tax rate. We owe for a fire truck. That's it," he said. "We haven't raised taxes in 10 years."
Although the tax rate hasn't changed, Batha said, the amount of property taxes that village residents pay has increased dramatically.
"With increased sales-tax revenues predicted, we feel it is time to investigate a tax decrease," he said.
Batha said he would also like to see the village complete its public works projects in a "more timely and cost-effective manner."
SPECIAL PROJECTS
Rivers thinks the revitalization project is coming along nicely. The scenic pier will be completed and dedicated this spring, he said, and more than 10 new businesses have opened in the last two years.
"I think the major projects have been accomplished," Rivers said. "And we've been able to do that without any major increases to people."
Rivers would like the village to continue its course. The next major project he would like to tackle is restoring the Rouses Point railroad station, he said.
The village acquired the D&H Railway properties in 2002.
"We'd like to turn it into a museum of some type," he said.
AKRIMAX
Both candidates are optimistic about the sale of Wyeth to Akrimax Pharmaceuticals.
"The possibility of Akrimax really brightened up this village," Rivers said, adding that the Wyeth Transition Committee worked hard to attract a new pharmaceutical company to keep 800 jobs in Rouses Point.
"I don't think you're really going to know the outcome of this for at least two or three years," Rivers said. "We're very optimistic."
Batha said he is "cautiously optimistic" that the new company will work out.
"The ramifications of that failing would really hurt the village," he said.
WATER QUALITY
Batha is also concerned about the quality of village water.
"Rouses Point used to be envied for the quality of its drinking water," he said. "Something has gone terribly wrong. Year after year, we receive deficiency notices from the Health Department."
Batha said that, if elected, he will review water-plant operations and correct any problems.
Rivers said nothing is wrong with the village's water.
"We sent out a simplified explanation (of the latest Health Department notice) to residents so people can understand the water is not bad."
VOTE
"If you like what you see, re-elect us," Rivers said. "I think we've come a long way."
Batha said he thinks the Village Board has done the best job it can. He said his experience as budget officer taught him the importance of planning projects in advance to save up for things the village needs.
"I think we can bring the village back," he said.
The election will be held noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Rouses Point Civic Center.
rosborne@pressrepublican.com
Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.