Waddington Citizens Upset Over Leishman Pt. Sale
BY DICK STERLING
WADDINGTON - The Waddington Redevelopment Association's effort to convince the town board
to hold off on a decision to put Leishman Point up for sale ended in a shouting match
between Mark Brady, a member of the association, and Waddington Town Supervisor Reggie
Greene during the monthly Waddington Town Board meeting on Monday night.
The group was questioning the board's decision to divide Leishman Point into a development
of 16 two-acre building lots that will be put up for sale. The land was given back to the
town as part of the New York Power Authority (NYPA) relicensing agreement. Engineering
work on the site is expected to begin this week.
Brady and Mark Scott, who is also a spokesman of the 30 to 40 member association, were
told before the meeting that they would have 15 minutes to make their presentation.
Between 20 and 30 people were at the meeting, most supporters of the Waddington
Redevelopment Association. The group made the presentation with the help of a computer and
projector screen.
"We're here to present the results of a survey that involved about 80 Waddington
residents," said Brady. "What we really want is to have all of the people in
this community have a say in this matter and not just have a half dozen people tell us
what is best for Waddington."
Only eight percent of the people surveyed, according to Brady, were in strong agreement
that more luxury housing was needed in Waddington, while 39 percent were strongly opposed
to more luxury housing. The survey pointed out that 80 citizens signed a petition in June
asking for a community planning process for developing surplus NYPA lands at Leishman
Point and Whitehouse Bay, a 550 acre site that the town is still looking to market.
Other ideas the association presented to the board for consideration included a conference
center and hotel that would be a replica of Ogden Mansion including lighthouse features.
Other ideas include:
- An amphitheater and marina, with areas for walking and biking trails with beautiful
landscaping and several scenic vistas.
- An independent retirement community.
- A retreat for institutions or organizations.
- A recreational vehicle park and campground. Or a combination of any of the ideas.
"Of course, if we present this fairly to the people and they come back with a plan to
develop Leishman Point into 16 beautiful homes, fine. But give the people of Waddington a
say," said Brady.
The group argues that the current plan, after the initial money raised from selling the
subdivision lots, would only generate about $10,000 per year in town taxes. The average
homeowner, according to the report, with an assessment of $80,000 would save $60 per year.
Brady and Scott continued to present each idea on development of Leishman Point. They gave
the positives and negatives to each idea. They continued to press the point that the
people of Waddington were not given an adequate chance to oppose the plan, which has
already been approved by the board.
"We need to have more dialogue as a town, a village and a people. You'd be surprised
to know the number of people in this community that have no idea what is going on with
Leishman Point. Let's consider the alternatives and let the people have their say. One or
two more years isn't going to make a big difference after 50 years. We need to find
something that will keep our kids here for generations," said Scott. "And 16
luxury homes isn't it."
"Tourism may be the key here," said Brady. "We now have the land, let's
hire someone to see what can be done. It's now government property and once you sell it,
it's gone forever. We really need to keep it in the community."
After about 20 minutes of the presentation Greene attempted to put a halt to the
presentation. "It's time to wrap it up Mark," he told Brady. "Besides your
figures are completely wrong," said Greene without going into detail.
Brady and the members of his group didn't take kindly to being limited in their
presentation. "So that's it? After a few minutes you just shut us up and send us on
our way. What's wrong with the people having their say. Is this how government really
works?" asked Alicia Murphy, who resides in Waddington with her husband Mike.
"I've only lived here for a year, and this is the first I've ever heard of this plan.
Whatever happened to the people getting their say."
Green said that the talks started about 12 years ago and "we've done everything we're
required to do to let people know what we're doing. This is not a surprise. We've had
people at meetings in the past. The bottom line is the decision has already been made.
We've already heard all the talk All we're doing tonight is voting on hiring an
engineering company to start work."
With that Green asked for a motion on hiring the firm of Bernier and Carr, Watertown to
begin site work at Leishman Point. Board member William Dalton made the motion and the
board approved the motion unanimously.
"Please reconsider this," said Brady. "We think that this very well could
be a huge mistake. I don't see you listening to me!" said Brady as the board ignored
him and continued with other board business.
"All I see", shouted Brady. "Is a one-way meeting where nobody listens. Is
this what our elected officials are supposed to do. Ignore us."
Green shouted back. "Where were you 12 years ago when we started these discussions.
You're too late. The decision has been made."
"I was fighting for my country," added Brady, a colonel in the U.S. Air Force
Reserves. "Where were you?"
Brady and other members of the group continued to loudly object to the proceedings as the
board went on with other matters of town business.
"Maybe you should just call the cops and have me escorted," said Brady. "I
think I might like that."
After the meeting members of the Waddington Redevelopment Committee, including Brady and
Scott, met at the Murphy home to discuss what had taken place and what the next step might
be.
"We were trying to present our ideas," said Scott. "We really want to work
and cooperate with the board. By presenting details, we were just trying to offer other
ideas to consider. We wanted to show them how the community might benefit in the future.
There are viable alternatives, and they just refuse to listen to them. The main idea of
the petition was to ask for a master planning process."
Brady added, "what's really surprising is that over 80 people of this community are
saying to let's take another look at this, and six people sit there and tell them no and
say they know what's best for all of us. I firmly believe that there are more opponents
than proponents to these 16 properties. Just who is that's going to benefit? It was a done
deal when we got here tonight. They listened with no intention to do a thing. It's amazing
that so many people can go to a meeting and be totally ignored. As I see this 16 affluent
families will benefit from Leishman Point, and the people of Waddington will get nothing.
All we're asking for is additional dialogue. Let the people of this community, who feel
they haven't been informed about this issue, have their say."
Members of the association said that they would continue to talk to people in Waddington
and would be back on Nov. 11 for the next regular board meeting.
"We're not about to give up. No matter what they tell us," said Brady.
News 10-15 ras Waddington
Publication: Ogdensburg Journal Category: LOCAL News
Pub. Date: 10/15/2002 Pub. Page: 7
Used with permission