Preble NY

In retrospect, thoughts on the public hearing.

Frank Hogg (draft) 7/9/1

I remember watching movies and documentaries about how life was years ago. Back then people did not have the freedom we have today. It was the time of gangsters and the rich and powerful controlling life. People who spoke up were beaten up or worse. While watching those things I was glad I lived now and not in the past. Two weeks ago at the public hearing was a shock for me. I watched as public officials laughed and did not denounce or stop when the freedom of people they did not agree with were shouted down and intimidated to silence. It was an eye opener for me. I've had two weeks to ponder it. Like so many in Preble who, over the years, were beaten into the submission of silence I could go the same way. But then I remembered my father . . .

Many years ago a new sales manager was hired where he worked as a salesman. The new guy wanted to make his mark and created new procedures for my dad to follow. One of these was a report that my father felt unnecessary. He wrote the report as required but did so on toilet paper. I can see him now in my memory cursing over it. Trying pen after pen to find one that would work without ripping the fragile paper. It took him hours but he finally succeeded. After the new boss got the report he told my dad that he didn't have to do that anymore. That is but one example of my dad and the legacy he left me. If he could do that report on toilet paper and the many other things he did to fight for his rights then I can surely put up with the childish workings of our town government.

I remember some moments at the public hearing.

Lydia Oliver being shouted down and not quitting when she wanted to give her time to her lawyer, a time honored legal practice that was refused by the town board.
Multiple comments about fictitious 'hog' farming directed at me that the town board found amusing. Didn't bother me but I have not heard that sort of thing since I was in grade school.
People being called 'trash' because they didn't agree with their point of view.

It was obvious that the town board had staged this 'dog and pony' show so that people could not say, with the freedom guaranteed by being Americans, what they wanted to say. I despise the town board for their un-American actions, but strangely I understand why they are doing this... They have no other choice.

For many decades they have held power by their tactics of intimidation and threats. In the past they have used tax assessment overcharges, code enforcement abuses, and other subtle moves to ensure their hold on power in Preble. Many would ask why anyone would want power in such a small place like Preble but then just look at the people who hold it. They are small in mind and scope. This to them is the pinnacle of their existence. They are the big fish in this very tiny pond but to them that is an accomplishment. This is as high as they are ever going to get because they are at the limit of their capabilities. They cannot hold power in any other way but by taking it by force. It is sad when you think about it. That people can be so limited that to them this is an accomplishment. However that doesn't excuse it, it just explains it.

Meanwhile it seems that the corruption extends to the county level. The reason for the 15% increase in assessment of the Lake District seems to be a penalty for fighting the Song Mountain well. At least that is the only reasonable explanation for it. I guess it is supposed to be a shot across our bow for the future. If we oppose things in the future we can expect to be penalized further. Just my humble opinion of course. Recently the headlines in the infamous Cortland Standard talked about an $856K shortfall in the Cortland budget. Almost the same amount they were hoping to get from Flying J sales taxes. They knew this was coming months ago right about the time of the last days before Flying J said they were leaving. Since then this hokey business of the Knapp rezone and the Cortland Standard stopped reporting on Preble. Recall that the IDC's Hartsock and Slowey stating they were trying to find other areas in Cortland for Flying J also appeared in the paper. The pressure is on to do something to get that $690K sales tax revenue otherwise the county will have to cut spending, or horror of horrors, will have to raise taxes. Politicians like spending money more than a teenager at the mall so it will be very interesting to see what happens.

Is this a fine mess or what? Actually it's just a mess; there is nothing fine about it.

Just how big a mess is this? Let's recap.

1997 or there bouts. Peter Knapp, then supervisor/code enforcement officer, after telling his colleges on the town board he would wait, instead signed a permit for his brother to build the cell tower and in the process allegedly falsified official documents, which I'm told is a felony. Case status: They won't say.
1998 or there bouts Peter Knapp had his assistant code enforcement officer Doug Staley tell the former owners of Song Mountain that it was ok to drill an illegal well on Marilyn Stoker's residential property. It was stopped by the ZBA. Case status: Waiting on the new owners plan.
1998 or there bouts Peter Knapp had his assistant code enforcement officer Doug Staley write a letter that approved Flying J's violation of the buffer zone law. This was later turned over by the ZBA and also in Judge Rumsey's court. Case status: closed.
2000 or there bouts supervisor John Steger and close colleague of Peter Knapp had Doug Staley sign another letter telling Flying J it was ok to violate the buffer zone law again. Again turned over by the ZBA and Judge Rumsey. Case status: Really closed, Flying J left the building. . . for now.
2000/2001 John Steger and the town board are again trying to get around (violate) the buffer zone law by rezoning Peter Knapp's brothers farm commercial. Case status: Waiting on the next action of the Town Board.

If you see a pattern here you are not alone. Town officials violating town's laws have caused all of the problems in Preble for the past 5 years or more. This is really odd when you realize that it was this same town board that created these laws in the first place back in 1997! Go figure.

Frank Hogg

Remember to come to the caucus of your party in August.