Archive: Opinions

Lansing is going to experience a significant sea change in January.  The Town Board is losing two of its most conservative members, and possibly a third.  It will be made up almost entirely of new members who have, at most, two years of experience as board members.  When you pair that with the significant challenges Lansing faces at this point in its history, development as it impacts threatened revenues and the impact of fracking to name two of the big ones, the next four years are going to be important and very different for all of us who live here.

Even though they have been in agreement on many issues since the campaign began, Kathy Miller seems to me to be a moderate Democrat, and Connie Wilcox a conservative one.

It was no surprise to me when Lansing Democrats chose not to support Town Supervisor Scott Pinney at their July caucus.  Pinney is the most Republican Democrat I think I have ever met, at least where taxes and fiscal conservatism are concerned.  It has been a matter of pride for him that he has led a board that has cut spending within the Town, and consistently cut the tax rate each year of his term, and the levy most of those years.  Given party philosophies, it stands to reason that Democrats would want a more Democraty Democrat.

He was not able to attend Tuesday's final budget meeting, and without Pinney driving the agenda, it was interesting to see how the wind was blowing.  With Miller and Wilcox leading the attack, a lower tax drop was voted in, as well as an approval of a Highway Department expenditure.  That looks like a sea change to me.

Wilcox and some of her supporters have argued that one reason to vote for her is that both women are valuable members of the board, and because Miller is half way through her four-year term as councilwoman, a Wilcox win would mean keeping both.  I am not sure that is why you cast a vote, though.  I want to elect a Supervisor, not a situation.  I think Miller and Wilcox provide enough of a contrast that they give voters a real choice and should be elected on their own merits. 

Wilcox has argued that if she wins she will be the most experienced board member with eight years as a councilwoman under her belt.  But if Miller wins the Board could appoint a former board member to finish her term, even Wilcox herself.  I agree with keeping experience on the board, but see different ways of doing that.

On the issues the candidates are fairly close.  As election day has come closer I have noticed the two candidates acting almost as a voting block, coming together on how much of a budget cut there should be, how the Highway Department should be funded, increasing the legal budget to handle possible litigation to do with fracking and other issues.  So the election doesn't especially come down to issues.  In my opinion it comes down to approach.  How each candidate would lead us into the future, not if one would and the other wouldn't.

That future could come sooner if the new supervisor takes the Economic Development Committee's advice and become the developer for a new Lansing light industrial park, and possibly for the roads and infrastructure for the whole town center.  Pinney has come out against that, saying private developers should do that task.

On fracking Miller has tried to be more pro-active, saying that Lansing is way behind on dealing with potential consequences of gas drilling in the Town, while dealing with a recalcitrant board.  Wilcox also says Lansing is behind, but has advocated a more reflective approach, waiting to see how Dryden's lawsuit progresses before exposing Lansing to the risk of high legal fees.

Miller has been adamant that she does not want to raise taxes.  She has been a stalwart advocate of a modest tax rate reduction.  She argued for 15% reduction, citing a litany of what-ifs that either threaten Lansing in the near future, or impact its growth, and worrying that if the Town gives back too much all at once it will be forced to ask for more in a few years.  During this year's budget discussions Wilcox was torn between giving back to the voters and providing better services.  She ended up agreeing with Miller that a 15% tax rate drop is appropriate, but it took her longer to get to that figure.

Miller has strongly advocated making a difference in Lansing school taxes, which account for a whopping 59.3% of what we pay (town taxes are only 6.3%).  The only way the Town can make that difference is to grow the tax base by locating new businesses here that will take on some more of the property tax obligation, relieving pressure on homeowners.

The Town can speed that development by developing the town center itself, building roads and infrastructure to attract developers who want to build quickly.  Then the Town will recoup its expense when the plots are sold to those developers, assuming the project is successful.  The more business taxpayers, the less strain on homeowner taxpayers.  And with Lansing's biggest taxpayer losing value faster than a leaky hot tub loses water, that strain needs serious relief right now.

One argument says that the Town has to build its new center as quickly as possible to fight that revenue threat.  An agressive investment in developing will save taxpayers a looming tax strain that could break many of our budgets.  Another says that waiting for developers who will front the cost of infrastructure saves the Town from risk that could have a tax impact if the town center isn't as successful as hoped.  Which approach will the candidates take?

If you have ever invested your broker probably asked you whether you want to take more risk and have the possibility of a greater return or take less risk and have a smaller but more certain return.  My general sense is that is the choice in approach voters are faced with.

I like both candidates very much, both on a personal level and for their contributions to Lansing.  I feel that no matter who loses, Lansing wins.  But it's going to be a hard choice.  When my broker asks me that question I want it both ways.  Greater return at no risk.  Wouldn't that be loverly?

Both women are incredibly valuable to the town, and have contributed enormously, both in the town government and out of it.  But only one can win.  It comes down to the future of the town and the approach voters are going to be most comfortable with.  It will not be an easy choice.

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