Every time I pick up the newspaper I have to wonder what is happening in our community. Why is there so much conflict between government and the people they represent?

Can we not sit down and work with each other?

At a time when population has decreased, why do our county legislatures seem to think we need more and bigger government, more new buildings, etc.? The county in addition to the courthouse, and county office building, also occupies the old jail, and the old Post Office, new buildings on County House Road and has also acquired a building for new offices for the district attorney. They just get bigger and bigger when they should be downsizing.

While other areas of the state are vying for the right to build casinos, Cayuga County continues to turn a deaf ear to those that would welcome them, creating new business, revenue and jobs for our people within the community.

We have county trails for people, but not all people, to enjoy. The ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act, mandates that all facilities must be handicap accessible. Where are the handicap designations on these county trails? Disabled people pay taxes too.

School boards seem to ignore the people while blowing monies on frivolous things. One area school is now crying that they do not have enough funds to send all the students to BOCES. This same school just sent three bus loads of grade school students to the Baseball Hall of Fame, a three-hour drive each way. One has to wonder, which is the higher cost in the school budgets, teaching or after-school activities, sports etc.?

Town boards have plans in place, to work with new businesses and growth within our communities. They also have a means in place, in case of conflicts, to work out solutions and provide relief where necessary. One local town seems to be having a terrible time trying to get this right.

Our governments are in place to help the people, it seems they have lost sight of this.

Robert Yeomans

Weedsport