According to newspaper accounts, asbestos removal is to be completed this November and then the buildings at the old BOCES Campus in Fleming will be demolished.

It's been three years since the taxpayers approved a bloated $43.5 million budget for the new 192,000 square foot facility in Aurelius and the BOCES hierarchy still doesn't have a plan as to what to do with the land after the demolition.

May we suggest that BOCES hold off on demolishing these old buildings and try to sell the facility, as is, instead? Why?

First, it will save us taxpayers about $1 million in demolition costs that were included in the $43.5 approved bonding by the nine school districts.

Second, BOCES can probably realize close to half million, if they sold the facility to some enterprising individual or company. We're quite confident that many local contractors could demolish and recycle much of the materials for less than $1 million.

Not that we're recommending this, but if BOCES gave the facility away, we, the taxpayers, would still be ahead by the $1 million that they wouldn't have to spend on the demolition.

Third, in doing so, this property would get on the tax rolls and generate additional property taxes and reduce our horrendous tax burden.

This site could include a senior citizens housing complex, some affordable residential housing or a storage facility in the existing buildings.

And while we're in the suggestion mode - the city and county should get our federal and state representatives to push for converting the recently closed Kalet Nursing Home - which is next to the New York National Guard Armory - to a veterans retirement or hospital center or something similar.

Let's hope that this doesn't turn into another white elephant like the Kalet's store on State Street because of decades of indecision.

It's your money.

Bill Balyszak

Auburn