Cooperstown Crier - Your Source for Hometown News - Cooperstown, Baseball Hall of Fame

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April 1, 2010

Mayor, board deserve praise

Hats off to the mayor and village board for their work on formulating a budget for the coming year that calls for a reasonable tax rate increase while maintaining services and planning for capital improvements.

This is the second year Mayor Carol Waller has opened up the process to include significant input from the trustees as they examined revenues and expenditures in a line-by-line review and it has worked well.

No one likes tax increases, but in the current economic climate, three percent is an acceptable hike in the rate. For many years, the village held the line on taxes. That unwritten policy may have pleased taxpayers at the time, but the board should have been putting away additional funds in reserve accounts for capital projects that were on the horizon. Small steady increases are easier on taxpayers in the end than the rollercoaster ride of ups and downs that can occur when municipalities are faced with unexpected expenses.

Deputy Mayor Jeff Katz, who chairs the finance committee, said the board wanted as minimal a tax increase as possible for the tentative budget without dipping too deeply into the surplus. Katz believes they reached that goal with a three percent increase.

``I think the budget was a good balance. I think we did a good job,’’ he said.

We agree.

Katz said that compared to some of the increases he has seen in other municipal and school district budgets, the village is in good shape.

``I think we are in good financial standing, but I’d like to see increased revenues,’’ he said.

The proposed budget is still subject to change before it is adopted by the board of trustees in late April. With new Mayor Joe Booan taking office on Monday it is possible there will be changes to the budget, but right now, the village is on track.

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    April 8, 2010

  • Mayor, board deserve praise Hats off to the mayor and village board for their work on formulating a budget for the coming year that calls for a reasonable tax rate increase while maintaining services and planning for capital improvements.

    April 1, 2010

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    March 18, 2010

  • Katz is our choice for mayor Next Tuesday’s annual village election has a full slate of candidates for mayor, trustee and justice. Our choice for mayor is Jeff Katz, the senior member of the village board and the current Deputy Mayor.

    March 12, 2010

  • We’re in this together This year’s village election offers an interesting look at a pervasive aspect of small town politics _ newcomers versus native sons or daughters.

    March 5, 2010

  • Jump is annual highlight Our hats go off to all jumpers who took the plunge into freezing-cold water during the 15th annual Goodyear Lake Polar Bear Jump held on Saturday.

    February 26, 2010

  • Classic changes should enhance fans’ experience After last year’s inaugural Hall of Fame Classic, we wrote an editorial outlining some changes that we felt would make the game more appealing to baseball fans. Coincidentally or not, we’re pleased to see museum officials have addressed most of those concerns for the second Classic, which is scheduled for Father’s Day, June 20.

    February 21, 2010

  • Every little bit helps The village’s attempt to capitalize on some of its unique baseball heritage is a step in the right direction. The plan to take advantage of the village’s iconic Doubleday Field by licensing the commercial use of images of the field and marketing a newly developed logo creates a welcome new revenue stream.

    February 12, 2010

  • Village should speak up Two weeks ago, Congressman Michael Arcuri said what should be obvious to everyone _ our water supply is our most valuable resource.

    January 30, 2010

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