County hears budget concerns
By Donna Comella  

Yesterday's meeting of the Wayne County Board of Supervisors ended with local businessman Dave Williamson encouraging cuts in what he called 'exploding' county costs.

Saying he represented 60 individuals and businesses, Williamson told the board, 'We cannot continue to have a 2 percent increase in revenue and a 30 percent increase in taxes....We're headed for disaster.' He asked the board to work with them 'to obtain the goal of a balanced budget without a tax increase.'

Williamson, who owns eight Pal-Mart convenience stores in the county, was accompanied by businessman James Hollingsworth of Ontario, former Arcadia Councilman Mike DeJohn and former County Sheriff and NYS Assemblyman Jim Hurley. Williamson told the board that some supervisors had asked him to address the board and offer some cost-cutting suggestions. When he was finished speaking, Arcadia Supervisor Joe DeSanto asked which supervisors had asked Williamson to come. Only one raised his hand - Macedon Supervisor Bill Hammond.

DeSanto looked at Williamson, Hollingsworth, DeJohn and Hurley, telling them that each supervisor represents all of the people - not just the wealthy businessman, but also the poorest and those who can't speak English. He said he would not resort to cutting county positions, 'laying off single moms who make $21,000 a year.'

After the meeting, Hurley said to reporters, 'The county is a 51 million dollar business. Business people need to be running it.'

'Not farmers,' chimed in Hollingsworth.

In other business, Supervisors:

Authorized a first-time eBay purchase. E-911 Coordinator Jim Lee had requested to buy 25 used mobile computers for a cost not to exceed $5000 (includes shipping). According to Lee, the cost-saving purchase would be from Ventura County, California, which has a policy of placing all surplus equipment up for auction on eBay.

Approved of a Joint Municipal Project that will help with the costs of replacing sidewalks adjacent to the Lyons National Bank, downtown Lyons.

Voted to administer Flu and Pneumovax vaccinations to all county employees at no cost to the individuals. Supervisor Charles Frederick and Marv Decker voted against the resolution. Frederick said that the county shouldn't be giving the vaccines away free to county employees when many of the young and elderly have to do without. The cost: $10.47 for flu; $19.60 for Pneumovax.

Hosted 4-Hers as Supervisors For The Day. Frederick is pictured here, with his young counterpart, Elizabeth Conklin of Arcadia.

Appointed Peter Evans as the new County Historian at a salary of $26,000. Supervisor Jim Fabino (Lyons) voted against the provisional appointment.

Authorized a 5-year contract with Time Warner for a fiber optic transmission line from downtown Lyons to the county complex on Route 31. Referring to the current T-1 line as inadequate, the county will terminate its lease for it from Verizon, and pay Time Warner $1,090 a month.

Approved the purchase of various equipment for the new County Nursing Home. Washers, dryers, refrigerators, etc., totaled up at an estimated $23,708. Long-time opponents of the project, Jim Fabino and Dave Spickerman (Butler) voted 'no.'

Agreed to a letter of intent to interested parties that the Board will consider selling or leasing the old nursing home building. 'Can we put the new on in there, too?' asked Fabino.

The Board of Supervisors meets the third Tuesady of each month at 9 a.m. in the upstairs Supervisors' Chambers.

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