Post by finster on Jul 12, 2006 21:29:45 GMT -5
I was surprised to find out today that Middle Island's Bond Proposal for a new firehouse was voted down.
I moved to Middle Island three years ago after leaving Port Washington, but haven't joined out here. It's interesting to see things from the "taxpayer" perspective after being very involved with Port for 14 years.
My wife and I attended one of the public sessions a few weeks ago to educate ourselves around the proposal. We were amongst probably 10, maybe 15 residents, the rest of the attendees were department members, commissioners, etc.
We were told that the session we were at was the "best attended" by the public.
I have to say, Middle Island really did a great job in putting together a reasonable proposal; I thought they did a good job balancing needs vs. wants, and in the end, my wife and I both decided that we were in favor of the proposal.
Our house is on the high-end of assessed value in their district, and we estimated "worst case" it would hit us about $125/year more if it passed, something we thought was reasonable. The reality is that construction costs money. These buildings aren't wood frames with some vinyl siding; they're major structures with concrete, steel, and industrial materials. That costs money. They weren't building a Taj Majal, they were building a reasonable structure that actually was more or less the same square footage of their existing firehouse!
It was my first time in Middle Island's Firehouse. Without being disrespectful to the brothers.. it's a dump. These guys absolutely need a new building.
I have to say I was shocked, but not surprised (if that makes any sense) when I heard that the bond failed by over 400 votes (the # I heard was ~900 total votes, and ~500 no votes). 500 No Votes without people even taking the time to educate themselves about what was being proposed. In talking with some of my neighbors, they were convinced that it was going to be "another Coram" as one of them put it.
To the brothers from Middle Island - keep you chin up. You guys did a good job of putting forward something reasonable. As one of the presenters said at the public hearings "there is no Plan B", but I hope something can be put together that will improve things there.
--dave
I moved to Middle Island three years ago after leaving Port Washington, but haven't joined out here. It's interesting to see things from the "taxpayer" perspective after being very involved with Port for 14 years.
My wife and I attended one of the public sessions a few weeks ago to educate ourselves around the proposal. We were amongst probably 10, maybe 15 residents, the rest of the attendees were department members, commissioners, etc.
We were told that the session we were at was the "best attended" by the public.
I have to say, Middle Island really did a great job in putting together a reasonable proposal; I thought they did a good job balancing needs vs. wants, and in the end, my wife and I both decided that we were in favor of the proposal.
Our house is on the high-end of assessed value in their district, and we estimated "worst case" it would hit us about $125/year more if it passed, something we thought was reasonable. The reality is that construction costs money. These buildings aren't wood frames with some vinyl siding; they're major structures with concrete, steel, and industrial materials. That costs money. They weren't building a Taj Majal, they were building a reasonable structure that actually was more or less the same square footage of their existing firehouse!
It was my first time in Middle Island's Firehouse. Without being disrespectful to the brothers.. it's a dump. These guys absolutely need a new building.
I have to say I was shocked, but not surprised (if that makes any sense) when I heard that the bond failed by over 400 votes (the # I heard was ~900 total votes, and ~500 no votes). 500 No Votes without people even taking the time to educate themselves about what was being proposed. In talking with some of my neighbors, they were convinced that it was going to be "another Coram" as one of them put it.
To the brothers from Middle Island - keep you chin up. You guys did a good job of putting forward something reasonable. As one of the presenters said at the public hearings "there is no Plan B", but I hope something can be put together that will improve things there.
--dave
