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December 17, 2009

Residents voice concerns about gov't at town hall meeting

By JOE LoTEMPLIO The Press Republican Thu Dec 17, 2009, 07:14 AM EST

PLATTSBURGH — Wednesday night's town hall meeting in Plattsburgh did not elicit the anger that a similar session in Glens Falls did earlier in the day.

But the message about state government reform was just as clear.

"To do business in this state is crazy," Tom Schulz, a sign-business owner from Malone, said.

"I've got to pay a $50 fee just to collect state sales tax. That's ridiculous."

Schulz wore a T-shirt and carried a sign with the phrase "Dwell at your own risk" emblazoned across a map of the state.

He and many others in the crowd of about 65 people expressed dismay at how state government has functioned in recent years during the two-hour forum at a meeting room in the offices of the Plattsburgh Area Development Corp.

The forum was one of several to be held across the state by Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb (R-Canandaigua).

They are designed to drum up support for a constitutional convention that would enable delegates to change the way business is conducted in Albany.

Since 1957, voters have been given a chance to hold a constitutional convention every 20 years, or earlier if they approve a special referendum.

Voters turned down the chance to hold a convention in 1977 and 1997, but a convention was held in 1965 after a special referendum was approved.

Kolb and supporters are hoping to get approval for a convention that would take place in 2012 instead of 2017.

If approved, each of the 62 Senate districts would get three delegates to the convention, and there would be 15 at-large statewide delegates for a total of 201.

All delegates would have to be elected.

Kolb said he would like to see all delegates be non-politicians or lobbyists.

"We want everyday people involved," he said.

"We're trying to put pressure on Albany in ways that have not been done before. We believe this is a real shot at nonpartisan reform."

If a convention is held, issues such as property-tax caps, state spending caps, term limits and length of terms can all be addressed.

Any changes the convention comes up with must still be approved by all state voters.

"That is the final check and balance," Kolb said.

Kolb was joined at the forum Wednesday night by Assemblywoman Janet Duprey (R-Peru). Earlier in the day, he hosted a forum in Glens Falls with Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward (R-Willsboro).

Some of those attending that meeting loudly voiced their disgust with the state's performance in recent years.

"People are just sick and tired, and they want to vent," Sayward said.

But after the anger subsided a bit, the crowd had a good discussion, she said.

"The inner workings need to be changed, and we need to look at that."

The crowd in Plattsburgh was civil, and many wanted to know how a convention would work and how they could be ensured that a convention would not be as inept as the legislature.

"I think there is support for a convention, and I think that is why these people showed up," Duprey said after the meeting.

One concern came from the New York State United Teachers union, which is concerned about losing pension benefits that are guaranteed in the state constitution.

"A lot of our members are frightened by that," Michelle Bushey, a teacher, said.

Duprey said that she, herself, has 36 years invested in the state pension program and she doubted it would be jeopardized.

Kolb reminded Bushey that the voters of the state ultimately would have final say on any changes to the constitution.

E-mail Joe LoTemplio at: jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com