September 01, 2005

DEMS: GATES CAN'T AFFORD TWO MORE YEARS OF ESPOSITO (GATES-CHILI POST)

Counter-punch: Democrats are out of touch, says the town's supervisor.

By CHRISTINE CARRIE FIEN / cfien@mpnewspapers.com

The town's finances is quickly emerging as the number-one issue in this fall's elections in Gates with Democrats accusing the Republican administration of driving the town to financial ruin and the administration charging its opponents with deception, distortion and ignorance.

"I'm just extremely concerned about the town's fiscal condition," said Susan Swanton, Democratic candidate for Gates supervisor. "(People) need to know that all is not well in the town of Gates and they need to start asking some serious questions."

Both parties agree that the town is going through a difficult time financially. Swanton blames the town's leadership and what she calls a pattern of "borrow, tax, and spend," warning that the problems are only going to get worse.

Gates Supervisor Ralph Esposito says the problems will be short-lived and that the town is already well on its way to resolving them. And Democrats, he said, have proposed no practical solutions and instead are picking at things like elected officials' salaries that sound good in an election year but will make no real-world difference in the town's fiscal condition.

"It's easy to throw stones," Esposito said. "But look at the positive side of their campaign ... What are they going to do? How are they going to bring in more businesses? How can they cure where we are financially? They are out of touch with reality and out of touch with the issues."

In particular, Democrats have zeroed in on the $1.9 million the town borrowed earlier this year. About half the money is being used to cover a loan the town took out last year and the other half is for 2005 operating expenses.

Swanton also points to what she says are unfair privileges afforded the supervisor, like a new car every two years while town employees scrimp by on 25 cents a mile reimbursement when they travel on town business.

Swanton said, if elected, she'd use her own car, give up the supervisor's cell phone and roll back elected officials' salaries to 1999 levels.

"Belt-tightening starts at the top," she said. "There are inequities there and that's what makes me see red. I'm against 'death by privilege' and you can quote me on that."

None of the remedies proposed by Swanton would do anything to significantly improve the town's financial condition, Esposito said. Even the Democrats admit that rolling back salaries and wiping out the car and cell phone would only save about $50,000 - peanuts, Esposito said, when you're talking about an $11 million budget.

"We've done an awful lot of door-to-door (campaigning) and people are asking about it (the finances) and are satisfied with the response," he said. "Look around, every municipality in the world is borrowing money.

"It's a clear issue, but even then they've fudged and misrepresented facts on the one issue they had," he added. "This has gotten to be the issue because they have a lack of issues. Sue Swanton is out of touch with the important issues in Gates."

Esposito has said the town's financial state can be tied to a number of factors, including the financial fallout from the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks; the 2001 withdrawal of Eastman Kodak Co. - previously the town's biggest property taxpayer; and Gates' inability to expand the tax base. Gates is the smallest geographic town in Monroe County and is almost fully developed.

To right the ship, Esposito has instituted a hiring and bonding freeze - meaning no new vehicles will be purchased for police or highway - and has cut road work. A tax increase in the 2006 budget, additional revenues like a bigger share of mortgage tax from the county, and cuts in expenses will put Gates back on course, Esposito said.

"If we take out a loan next year, it will be a very small one . . . (in the) low hundreds of thousands (of dollars)," he said. "I think we'll be in very good shape. We're turning things around."

The Democrats' plan

Democrat Susan Swanton outlines the steps she will take to improve Gates' finances if elected supervisor this fall.

Susan Swanton, the Democratic candidate for Gates supervisor, has unveiled a five-step plan for improving the town's finances and overall operations.

The town has a severe cash-flow problem and Swanton blames the practices of the current administration.

"This is our big issue," she said. "The town of Gates' financial condition is deteriorating . . . and deteriorating rapidly. We cannot afford to continue with the present administration, period."

If elected, Swanton said she will:

Rollback salaries of elected officials to 1999 levels. No increases until there's a balanced budget and "we are debt free." Also, give up supervisor's car and cell phone.

Appoint a bipartisan budget-review committee.

Immediately implement recommendations from the state Comptroller's Office, which is auditing the town. The audit report isn't due until after election day, Nov. 8.

Create "quality circles" - groups of town employees brought together to discuss "how to do things more efficiently and save money".

Name an employee-of-the month. The winner would get a gift certificate to a restaurant of his or her choosing and the supervisor's parking spot.

Gates Supervisor Ralph Esposito, Swanton's opponent, said that Swanton is out of touch and that none of her proposals will do anything to repair the town's finances or improve its operation.