Strategic planning for the village of Weedsport and town of Brutus program, which is funded by the village, town taxpayers and a state grant, started with locked doors, a late start and rushed speakers.

Also the village meeting was scheduled for the same time at a different location.

The strategic planners had the locals scratching their heads, confirming statements, adding information about the area and voicing their concerns.

First was the plan for a paved non mobile trail layout and design to be put into place. But why? The village has sidewalks. Most residents enjoy the stroll of the village sidewalks.

The snowmobile club had some just concerns. One was that their path ran through the residential district. One of the public attendees suggested that a new route be established on Route 31 along the non-residential zone. The other issue was that the club has maintained the existing path through their own volunteerism.

Usually a maintenance income would fall under the organization's responsibility and can be obtained through various resources (i.e. volunteerism, fundraisers, dues, etc.) I think that a proposal designed to address safety, and potential disastrous structures (i.e., dead tree on route, poor bridges, and visual obstruction) would be viable grant funded issues for the town and village.

Weedsport has improved quite a bit in the last few years by the adding of merchants that meet the locals' and visitors' needs and desires. What else does Weedsport need?

Here are a few suggestions: Community center where children/teens will want to socialize and communicate their energies positively back to the community; large vehicle detour connecting routes 31 and 34 on the south end of the village; large vehicle parking along Route 31; public trash cans; public parking signs for visitors and lost locals like me.

Cheryl Schoonmaker

Weedsport