Is this any way for a politician to act?

Max Stoker, County Legislator

Preble Town Board meeting 9/11/2000

During Max Stoker's report to the town board, a female citizen asked an innocent question. Seems an elderly neighbor called her to report that she had seen the trash pickup company put recyclables in with the trash. She was wondering was that OK, or should she do something. Stoker lashed out at the woman in a surprising and shocking manner. He didn't answer her question and was incredibly rude about it. The woman persisted, to her credit, and Stoker finally answered her question. It seems that some trash haulers that work in Cortland County do not use Cortland County landfills and thus avoid the tipping fee. If your trash hauler does not use Cortland County landfills, then you should consider changing to one that does. This does not explain why Stoker reacted in a manner inappropriate to the proper demeanor of a county legislator.

Then the question of roadwork on Song Lake road was asked of Stoker and he exhibited the same belligerent response. Early this summer neighbors along Song Lake road came home to find trees on the west side being cut down. They were concerned, as they should be, and could not find out from anyone what was going on or why. The trees in front of Song Mountain Ski resort had a nice blocking effect for the noise and light from the resort. I don't know why our elected officials don't inform citizens before a project starts, to avoid confusion and problems. But, Stoker was very harsh, saying that people should just wait for the project to be finished before judging it. However that would be too late to do anything about it, wouldn't it? Why not tell people what is going on before hand? After much tortured questioning, we were finally able to pull the details from Stoker about what is going on.

They are widening the road... duh. On the west side, where the farm fields are, it will be 8 feet wider from the edge, 4 feet wider in front of homes. On the East or lake side, it will be 12 or 13 feet from the center of the road. Your mailbox may have to be moved and you may have to do it yourself. This will provide for parking along most of the road, which will be a good thing. I assume that it will have painted lines similar to 281. Stoker was not sure what the total width of the road is now, or would be when done. However if you assume the same four feet in front of the houses on the West side, and take that from the 13 feet from the center of the road it would make each lane 9 feet wide. Therefore on the West side it would be 9 feet plus 4 feet in front of houses or 9 plus 8 in front of open fields. Clear? Yeah right.

While a smoother road may encourage faster driving, at least with the new wider width there would be somewhere for walkers and bikers to go to get out of the way of oncoming vehicles. This should be a good thing.

Too bad Stoker couldn't be nicer to citizens when they rightfully ask a simple question, instead of responding in a condescending and patronizing way. I don't understand why our local officials feel the need to keep so many things secret from us. They only make problems for themselves that way.

Frank Hogg