Waddington Residents Ask About Referendum Wording
By Molly Gushea
A group of Waddington residents want to know how the town plans to word the referendum on
Leishman Point that will be on Waddington's ballot in November. Several community members
were in attendance at the Monday night meeting to voice opinions on what the people would
read when they go to the polls to vote on residential use of Lieshman Point.
Mark Brady told board members that there is a petition circulating which calls for a
referendum for voters to say whether or not they would like to see Lieshman Point sold off
for residential housing. "Why not do something here to see what people have to
say," Brady asked the board, "help people give real, hard feedback."
"The referendum must read the same as the resolution from the town board,"
replied Waddington Town Supervisor William Dalton to Brady's questioning, adding that
"it has to be a yes or no question."
Brady continued his line of questioning, this time aiming at Town Attorney Natasha Hill.
"Is it illegal to give a second option?" asked Brady, who questioned the town
board as to why the referendum could not include other options in the vote, as opposed to
just asking, 'do you think the land should be used for residential housing or not.'
"My job is to give advice to the board and the town supervisor," answered Hill.
At that point, Dalton stepped in to tell Brady that from what he had heard and understood,
options are not part of a resolution, and that it had to be a yes or no question.
Other members of the community wanted information about what a voter would read when they
go to the polls. At which time, Waddington Councilmen Lawrence Sears replied that they
could not honestly answer that question at this time.
"It's misinformation - people think no means that nothing will happen with the
land," said Brady, "it should say, do you support residential housing, or do you
support a mixed use."
"People are just asking for input on how this is represented," reiterated Mark
Scott of the Waddington Redevelopment Association.
"If you come up with something reasonable, we'll consider it," noted Sears.
Dalton ended the discussion after the 15 minute time period for community input had
finished.
After the meeting, several Waddington citizens gathered outside to further voice opinions
on the Lieshman Point matter. "We've got a unique opportunity to do something that
would be an asset to our community," commented Alison Charles, "I don't think 16
homes are an asset."
"You could have 16 homes and still do other things," added Paul Larkin.
Mark Scott repeated what he said in the meeting and commented that he just wanted more
time to explore all the options. "There is no need to hustle," noted Scott,
"once it's gone, it's gone"
Originally published 08/12/2003
Ogdensburg Journal
Used with permission