Voters OK Leishman
Waddington project gets go-ahead, 389-364
By Itai M. Maytal, Times Staff Writer
Amid a frenzy of last-minute political stumping by town officials and residential
development critics, voters gave slim approval Tuesday to building homes on Leishman
Point.
In a referendum presented by the town council, voters agreed, 389-364, to allow town
officials "to sell for residential purposes that portion of the Leishman Point lands
not reserved for public use." The property is 22 acres ceded to the town from the New
York Power Authority during its relicensing negotiations in January 2002. The referendum
drew out 753 of the 1,486 registered voters, which included both the town and the village.
From the town, voters approved resolution 187-130. In the village the vote was reversed,
234-202 against the proposal.
Town officials viewed this result as a mandate to increase the tax base through what they
perceive as the most affordable development plan. They cited the revenue generated from
Clark Point, a previous residential development project, as proof of the money they would
reap from new houses at Leishman Point. "We have the results of what the taxpayers
want," Councilwoman Shirley L. Robinson said. "They want the Leishman Point
property on the tax roll." Building on the momentum from this yes vote, the town
expects'to implement a development blueprint already proposed by Bernier, Carr &
Associates, a local engineering firm.
For critics of the residential deyelopment plan, the referendum result was discouraging,
but not completely disheartening. The mere fact feat the town allowed the community to
voice their opinion in a referendum shattered the critics' perception of the town council
as a closed government. "This is a victory for democracy," said Mark Scott, who
heads the Waddington Redevelopment Association's Surplus Lands Committee. Mr. Scott also
said that the democratic process should not end as the town moves forward on the details
of the development. The town still has to conduct a state environmental quality review in
which officials will assess the environmental, social and economic impact of the proposed
development. They will also have to devise a land use management plan for the remaining
NYPA property that buffers Leishman Point. "The town has a large development process
ahead of it and they
need to include a diverse array of opinions in the discussion," Mr. Scott said.
"They need to respect the opinions of people who lived here 40 years and people who
lived here only six months. Ultimately we all have to live together."
For the past two years, debates between the town and its critics have appeared on radio,
on television and in print. The day of the referendum proved no different.
In clear view of the of Municipal Building, where eight St. Lawrence County certified
election inspectors watched voting in automatic voting machines, a battle of posters was
raging. Development advocates had placed the sign "Vote Yes — Return NYPA Land
to the Tax Roll." In response, town critics locked the sign by parking their cars in
front of it. The vehicles were covered with posters saying "Leishman Belongs to
Waddington — Vote No on Oct. 14" and "Waddington — If You Love
Leishman Point — Vote No" In retaliation, posters on one of the vehicles were
covered up. The political noise near the voting booths may not have swayed many voters.
"I voted no today because I want Waddington to remain a small town," said NYPA
employee and 32-year Waddington resident Jim E. Palmer. "I moved here because it was
a small town and I would pay more taxes to keep it that way."
Alida M. Murphy, a recent business graduate and a three-year resident, said she voted no,
in part, because she demands more responsiveness from her government. "I feel very
isolated here as a new person in town and I don't feel the town board has had any
intention of listening to any other option other then the residential one," Mrs.
Murphy said.
For Betty J. Sharpe, an unemployed 34-year resident, voting yes meant granting the town
taxable property "they fought so long and hard to get back." Ultimately, though,
Mrs. Sharpe said she doesn't care too much about where the debate goes, as long is it
doesn't increase her taxes. "It will take 20 to 30 years for any development to
happen," Ms. Sharpe said. "I will probably be long gone before I see anything
built."
Originally published 10/15/2003
Watertown Daily Times
Used with permission