This letter was printed in the Skaneateles Press, October 2, 2003. Borodino Bullett
29 September 2003
1789 East Lake Road Skaneateles, NY 13152
Editor, Skaneateles Press
As a long time supporter of Tri-County – Skaneateles Lake – Pure Water Association I was disappointed to see the Association's enthusiastic description of the Spafford Party in the Town of Spafford just in time for the upcoming election. The new party was afforded front-page coverage in the Association's quarterly report. As a Republican incumbent and candidate this is somewhat painful for one who has attended many of Lake Association meetings and supported the Association's positions before the Spafford Town Board. A phone call to see what we Republicans were offering would have been appreciated.
The irony is that the three incumbent Republicans who are farmers individually spend thousands of dollars on soil and water conservation projects, all of which benefit either Skaneateles or Otisco Lakes. For example, this week I am taking quotes on a roughly $1500. auger to replace fence posts that I am obligated to maintain by my contract with the Skaneateles Lake Watershed Agricultural Program. Expenses of this type occur each year for every farmer. It is nice that the Spafford Party candidates really, really care but it is even nicer that the Republicans are actually doing something about watershed preservation.
A further irony is that if they are elected, the Spafford Party candidates promise to think up even more "guidelines" to impose on the farmers and other residents of the town – this was the part of the platform that apparently most appealed to the writer of the publicity article for the Spafford Party. I find that the DEC, USDA, Department of Health, City of Syracuse and other government entities have this front pretty well covered – although I am sure they will appreciate the help of the Spafford Party.
The rest of the Spafford Town Board and I continue to support the Lake Association in their opposition to the excessive truck traffic on our rural roads. We share the concern of the Association for potential catastrophic pollution. The difference between the protection afforded the NYC watershed and the Syracuse watershed is astounding. Pairs of NYC garbage trucks roar past our drive, twenty to thirty times each day, often with mufflers wide open or jake brakes on as they speed through the village of Borodino. Any encouragement to the State Police or Sheriff for enforcement of existing law is enthusiastically endorsed.
Bill Vinzant
Candidate for Town Councilman, Town of Spafford
Phone (315) 673-3852
E-mail : bvinzant@earthlink.net
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