No one is Pushing Town-Village Consolidation in Madison

“The push is on for consolidation,” Madison Village Mayor Barbara Clark tells us.

Consolidation of what? And who’s behind this push anyway?

As Mayor Clark knows, pressing the “consolidation” hot button is likely to focus anger against anyone who proposes it and energize support for those who are against it. It brings unwelcome reminders of school district consolidations and the prospect of proud and independent communities losing their identities.

So why did Mayor Clark press it? Because she does not want her village consolidated with Madison Town government. And who is calling for the closing Madison Village government? Not Jim Murphy, candidate for Town Supervisor. Not Ed Sitts or I, candidates for Town Council. And no, Mayor Clark, not Stan Roe, who was on the Town Planning Board when the all-Republican town council adopted a master plan ten years ago.

In it, as one example of seeking ways to improve delivery of local government services at lower cost, it declared that the town should “Be open to receive the Village of Madison fire, water and lighting districts if its citizens choose to dissolve the Village of Madison.”

What Stan has said is this: “Only the people of the village have the power to choose.”

Murphy, Sitts, Blackmore and Roe have NOT called for consolidation. It is up to the residents of Madison Village to make that decision. If village residents choose to consolidate, that is their business, not ours. What Murphy, Sitts, Blackmore and Roe do stand behind is efficiency, openness, effectiveness and responsiveness in Madison Town government. Part of that entails municipalities working together to share equipment and services – not only by towns and villages, but by the county and state.

Democrat Highway Superintendent Roy Kirley does this routinely. When a road needs repaving, he calls upon his counterparts in Hamilton and other neighboring towns to lend a hand, and they return the favor. Roy is exploring ways to utilize specialized county equipment, so the Town does not have to purchase and maintain vehicles it only occasionally uses.

That saves money. That makes sense. And, yes, Madison Town and Madison Village already share buildings and some services. We welcome that, Mayor Clark. It’s just the kind of economy and efficiency we are promoting, and hope to see increase. Bravo. So please, Mayor Clark, refrain from painting us with the broad brush of consolidation. What we are promoting is services sharing and cooperation – just as you are trying to do.

John Blackmore, Madison

No one is Pushing Town-Village Consolidation in Madison

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