Shared government services makes sense and saves money, says Republican candidate Bob DeMore. He is running for the 12th District seat in the Onondaga County Legislature.
“Consolidation makes sense where people want to do it. It’s a direction to move towards. I’m big on shared services. I would be open to anybody in any village or town that wants to join forces.” [Bob DeMore]
DeMore is running against Democrat Victoria Lightcap and Conservative Lee Stemmer. This seat opened up after Dale Sweetland left after 14 years to run unsuccessfully for Onondaga County executive. The 12th District consists of Fabius, Tully, Pompey, LaFayette, the Onondaga Nation, eastern Onondaga, part of the village of Manlius and neighborhoods south of the village.
For government consolidation and shared services, DeMore is among many local politicians who say the county and other governments need to go on a diet. Local experts say consolidation of services can give a tune-up to local government. One of those is Sandra Barrett, executive vice president of Onondaga Citizens League. The Citizens League is an independent and nonpartisan organization to promote citizen education and involvement in public affairs. Barrett says government consolidation can take many forms:
“If the members of the community are not behind consolidation or merger of police services for instance, you might still take a look at ways to consolidate some of the functions of the police department. Consolidation of services is not one-size-fits-all proposition. You have to take a look at individual function — where does it make the most sense to provide that service, who should delivery it, and how.” [Sandra Barrett]
Another expert is Joan Johnson, president of the Syracuse chapter of League of Women Voters. It is a non-partisan group that promotes public engagement in elections and public affairs. Johnson describes why consolidation can only help save money:
“Today it’s a different story with communication the way that it is. We just don’t need all these small towns and villages. Plus, the cost of running of them has exploded. And taxpayers have enough burdens with other things that are necessary to give us good services that we want from the government. I think it’s a coming thing. We can’t just afford additional taxes. Everyone has to tighten their belt including our government.” [Joan Johnson]
Consolidation of services gets praise from at least one member of a smaller local government. Hank Chapman is the town supervisor of Manlius:
“I am very much in favor. I think it’s a very necessary thing for governments as we go forward in the future. I think right now the cost of doing business the cost of government is increasing. It’s harder and harder to keep tax rate down for residents. And I think by working together and collaborating and being able to share services, we can provide a much more efficient services for our residents” [Chapman]
The village of Minoa share a lot of services with neighboring communities but the town supervisor of Minoa — Richard Donovan — says consolidation won’t work for everyone.
“Consolidation has become a political word that people are trying to say what the public wants to hear. The impression is consolidation is going to save money and its been proven that consolidation per se does not necessarily save money. ” [Richard J. Donovan]
Donovan also adds:
“You can’t when you start talking about consolidation, you can’t put everyone in the same box. One size does not fit all. I think it has to be with discretion and involving all players. If it’s going to work it has to involve all the decision makers at all levels. And at this point I don’t see that happening.” [Richard J. Donovan]
As he campaigns for the 12th District seat, DeMore says he will make changing the shape of local government into a top priority if he’s elected to the Onondaga County Legislature. He has already began the process.
“I promoted that. In the southern part of the county that four towns and two villages share a trash district. We pick up trash under one contract and we save people probably $300,000 a year in trash cost.” [Bob DeMore]
The election will be on Nov. 6.
For Democracywise, I’m Joyce Ogirri.
(Joyce Ogirri is a graduate broadcast journalism student.)
-30-
