WNYresident
June 28th, 2003, 04:19 PM
Lancaster Town Supervisor Robert Giza said he felt betrayed when Lancaster Village Mayor William Cansdale announced his candidacy in the upcoming election. I know the feeling.
Like many other concerned citizens, I favor having candidates who are attuned and committed to representing residents' best interests; candidates dissociated from special-interest groups.
Several individuals sharing similar thoughts presented candidates to the Republican and Independence parties for consideration. Their requests were denied, at the eleventh hour. Too little time and resources prevented these people from pursuing primary challenges.
Many residents, including myself, agree with Cansdale's assessment that Giza lacks leadership skills and that uncontrolled growth in Lancaster has adversely impacted our town in many ways.
However, one should closely examine Cansdale's administrative record and hold his feet to the fire on how he intends to make positive changes. Is he going to set building-permit limits to control growth? The moratorium game doesn't work once you let your builder friends fill the pipeline.
Will either candidate commit to advocate public input at Planning Board meetings, a concept favored by many residents? Will either candidate present a platform with vision and resolutions to address the issues that residents have presented at Town Board meetings: uncontrolled growth, traffic, overburdened schools, roads and infrastructure, loss of green space, the indiscriminate filling in of wetlands and flooding and drainage issues.
Change is meaningless unless the change brings positive results. Election promises made are mere inane rhetoric unless commitment and completion are realized.
LEE CHOWANIEC
Lancaster
Like many other concerned citizens, I favor having candidates who are attuned and committed to representing residents' best interests; candidates dissociated from special-interest groups.
Several individuals sharing similar thoughts presented candidates to the Republican and Independence parties for consideration. Their requests were denied, at the eleventh hour. Too little time and resources prevented these people from pursuing primary challenges.
Many residents, including myself, agree with Cansdale's assessment that Giza lacks leadership skills and that uncontrolled growth in Lancaster has adversely impacted our town in many ways.
However, one should closely examine Cansdale's administrative record and hold his feet to the fire on how he intends to make positive changes. Is he going to set building-permit limits to control growth? The moratorium game doesn't work once you let your builder friends fill the pipeline.
Will either candidate commit to advocate public input at Planning Board meetings, a concept favored by many residents? Will either candidate present a platform with vision and resolutions to address the issues that residents have presented at Town Board meetings: uncontrolled growth, traffic, overburdened schools, roads and infrastructure, loss of green space, the indiscriminate filling in of wetlands and flooding and drainage issues.
Change is meaningless unless the change brings positive results. Election promises made are mere inane rhetoric unless commitment and completion are realized.
LEE CHOWANIEC
Lancaster