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Letters to the Editor Chili Democrats Hope for BetteerVemment Dear Editor: As Democratic Leader in the Town of Chili and on behalf of the Democratic Party in the town, I wish to extend holiday grestings to the residents of Chili. For the past year, 1 (along with everyone else) have watched with amazement the \management\ of our town by the Republican Town Board and by the Republican Town Supervisor, Each item of business is debated twice; first at the town board mectings and then in the weekly newspapers. Debates quickly escalate into battles. These battles become sensational enough to spill over to the larger readership of the Rochester daily papers. Yes, our town is in the news, but not in a way likely to promote confidence in Chili's ability to attract vital new businesses, to retain existing businesses, or to appeal to families considering whether to settle in our town. The latest (at this writing) skirmish in the board wars was fought over the budget. The budget officer presented a budget with an over 50% tax increase. This was whittled down to 24% by the supervisor (would that include vital services like snow plowing?). When the dust settled, the final tax increase was 39%! Now we have a new round of supervisor- generated letters to the editorjustifying the 39% increase on the grounds that most other towns have higher taxes, and besides, our employees are paid less than HH. yat [ GATES-CHILI NEWS 1635 BrooksAvenue, Suite 2 Rochester, New York 14624 Tel (716) 436-1200 Fax: (716) 486-8515 \We publish only the plain and m truths dedicated to our readers ith unbiased facts, wholesome opinions and malice towards none.\ Samuel J. Snaith, Founder IS Patricia M. Smith Editor, Michael Murphy Asst. Editor, Michael J. Russo The Gates Chili News is published weekly, 51 weeks a year, except the first week, in January, by the Gates Chili News, Inc. (USPS21 4820) Second Class e Paid at Rochester, New York malkadlm\ e: Friday Noon f , Business Service ~ Deadline: Thursday at 5 p.m. ;] Gates Chili News is the official newspaper of the towns of Gates, Chili and Village of Scousille, glue: gases-CMB School {aim (351th istrict, Campgie District Board of Commissioners. Postmaster: Send address changes to Gates Chili News, Inc., 1685 Brocks Avenue, Suite 2, West Ridg., Rochester, New York 14624 The opinions expressed in this publication are not fecessary those of the publisher. All Editorial and Artwork is gape? of the GatesChili News, nc. and may not be reproduced in any manner without the writen consent of the Cates Chili News, Inc. \,, those of other towns. (What would our tax increase be if our town employees' salaries were brought into line with those of neighboring towns?) One has only to go to some of those other towns cited to see the facilities available to town residents. New town halls, judicial facilities, town garages and computerization and utilization of equipment by larger staff. Many of these towns also have police forces, which warrant a substantial percent of a town's taxes. . We have watched and waited for many years for realistic preparation for new town facilities. We have observed committees meet and endlessly debate. What has happened? No compromise could be reached that would both meet our needs and satisfy our fiscal constraints. The end result was that a portion of the very committee charged with arriving at a viable solution expended enormous effort to sabotage the majority proposal. What a huge waste! In the year 1993, the Democratic Party intends to put forward candidates for the supervisory post; for the council post, and for the other offices that will be up for election. We will offer the people of the Town of Chili an opportunity to change the direction of the town. I ask your help in this endeavor because I believe - in the best interest of the future of our town - that control of Chili's town government must be wrested from those who have created this chaotic state of affairs. I extend an open invitation to anyone in the town who wishes to assist the Democratic Party in nominating and electing the most competent citizens to govern Chili. We will work, not from a partisan position, but from a position of consideration for Chili's best interest. All those concerned with working toward a better Chili, please feel free to contact my home, 594-9646, or attend the Democratic meetings that are held once a month at the American Legion Post, 450 Chili-Scottsville Road, on the fourth Monday of every month at 7:30 p.m. Let us have a crusade for better government in the Town of Chili in 1993. Alfred J. Heilman Chili Democratic Leader Happy Holidays! Dear Editor: Speaking on behalf of the Gates Recreation Commission and staff I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy and safe Christmas and New Year. I also want to take this opportunity to thank all those individuals who participated in the various programs, activities and services that the department sponsored throughout the year. The commission and staff will continue to develop activities and programs that the residents of Gates enjoy perticipating in. We are proud to impact upon your quality of life in a positive way. Frank X. Alikofer Director, Recreation and Parks Departrtent .\ \** Téxpayers are the Uitimate Squrmé of Income Dear Editor: h In November, the citizens of our country decided that we needed change in the leadership of this nation, President-elect Bill Clinton was selected to bring about changes identified during campaigns as major concerns of voters. Mr. Perot was ~ the candidate who identified the problems, recommended solutions and rallied the citizens to get to the polls and vote. Mr. Perot's message was loud and clear, the government belongs to the people and it is time for them to take charge to get this country back on track. Well, maybe we should apply this same effort to our education system in New York State and Monroe County. For the past decade, the Rochester School District and Teacher's Union have bullied and threatened parents and taxpayers to achieve pay raises that were deserved? However, raises without performance was an unheard of act never before accepted in industry or any other work environment. Since inception of the program, good salaried industrial jobs have and continue to be phased out locally. This in turn lowers the tax revenue resource base and has an impact on retirees of 20 to 25 years on low income with no increases, The larger part of our population now consists of senior citizens who are on a fixed income. Like most workers in this area, they have for the past five years received cost of living increases of 3% or less per year along with reduced medical coverage and increased premiums. Not everyone works at Kodak, Xerox or General Motors and many are fortunate if they gross $25,000 per year. Tax increases of $500 to $600 per year are more than most senior citizens and young couples can afford. Our children deserve a good education, but not on promises or at the expense of the young and older people having to give up their homes. Rochester's school reform package has had a major impact on the tax structure throughout Monroe County with little actual improvement to justify the salary increases demanded each year, The Morin/Ryan Sales Tax payments to the City of Rochester of which 70% goes to the city schools has created financial short - falls in Monroe towns and villages along with unforgivable school tax increases. Is it fair for county taxpayers to pay for city schools as well as their own? School boards are elected to support taxpayers and rot surrender to all school demands on the pretext that it is for the good of the children. If that were the case, maybe school districts and teachers would be willing to forfeit their bonus for one year to help the starving children of Rochester. Huge reductions in Federal School Aid to states on a continuing basis with impact on state school aid dictates financial restraint in all areas of government as well as education. Industrial property tax reductions are shifting greater tax burdens to local home owners as well. School Boards should take heed and recognize that reductions in pay raises are a source for consideration as well as pension and medical benefit packages just as other employers in the county. It should be understood that taxpayers are the employers and should be able to exercise some control over expenses that they are required to pay for services rendered on their behalf and request as an employer. How do other salaries and benefits compare to education? An average supervisor or engineer earns around $50,000 per year; can invest 15% of income in a 401K Plan; and now usually pays about 30% or more of medical plans. After age 55 with 30 or more years, they can retire at between 40% and 45% of salary. . Now, let us compare that with an E9, CMSgt, equivalent to a Major with in most cases, a masters degree or higher. Between $30,000 and $36,000 per year plus allowances of about $9,000 per year more or less. They can invest $2,000 per year in an IRA account to supplement retirement and receive 30 days leave per year. Medical payment sometimes required co- payments, Retirement after 20 years equals 50%, and 75% for 30 years on, basic pay only. Current and proposed further reductions indicate that many will not reach their retirement goals. Some will be terminated with only 15 years of service or less. Retirees who now enter the civilian work force have to use civilian medical benefits as a primary health care provider. Cost of living increases average around 3%. Now, how does Monroe County educators compare to others? The average Monroe County teacher and/or supervisor received $48,000 per year. They can invest up to 20% of salary in a 401K Plan and about 12 weeks vacation per year. Retirement after 20 years is 50% and after 30 years is 75% of salary at age 55. Fully paid dental and health care plans, far better than others, plus straight day time hours, no shift work with weekends off. No doubt, these conditions are what every employee would cherish. Recent local educational studies by a task force, by a research group in October US News and a congressional research committee chaired by Congresswoman Patricia Schroder highlight the following conditions. Locally in newspapers, local engineers from industry are teaching science and math at local schools to reach industrial requirements for jobs in manufacturing. Local education supervisor and administrator salaries exceed comparable jobs in industry. The school reform program has not reached projected goals in the past six years due to in part, variable changes being implemented yearly, plus excessive staffs. US News, World Report and congressional studies indicate in some instances, at all levels of education in many classes, teachers and professors are not in class rooms. Assistants, aides and even upper class students carry out instruction. In all cases, there are indications that salaries are not in line with performance. One point concerning salary indicated that 750,000 college professors in the country cam 15% less income that Monroes County school teachers. This should be a canse for concern to local school boards and taxpayers. When the economy is in recession everyones must share the burden of sacrifice with no exceptions. Other existing problems deal with inconsistency in education in schools, Continued on page 3 meres f ue: Cone ovr come- nitt ieee ~. =% ses sme mme
