Village of Baldwinsville

RESIDENT: IT'S TIME TO ABOLISH VILLAGE:

A Baldwinsville resident is gathering signatures on a petition he hopes will lead to elimination of the village's government.

Jon Alvarez, of 67 Brown St., says taxpayers can save money by consolidating services that the towns of Lysander and Van Buren already provide.

"This is the only solution offered to us," Alvarez said. "Members of the Baldwinsville Village Board won't talk about anything to save us money."

Alvarez says he has collected more than 300 signatures on a petition. He needs at least 1,400 - one-third of the registered voter population - to place the matter before voters during the next village elections in March.

Even if Alvarez collects the required signatures and voters decide to dissolve the village, the towns would have to agree to take over village responsibilities.

"I think the support . . . has been overwhelming," Alvarez said. "People are just fed up. Taxes keep going up and up."
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Mayor Dan O'Hara says village taxes have stayed flat or decreased slightly over the past several years. Alvarez says his taxes have increased 63 percent - from $437 in 2000 to $713 in 2006.

Alvarez criticizes O'Hara's refusal to discuss eliminating village government.
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The mayor disagrees the village is spending taxpayer money frivolously.

"I think the village offers tremendous services and great value," he said, "and it's been very evident over the last 10 to 15 years. Our population . . . and property values have increased. People are very positive about what's been going on."