Thanks for your questions. I do support the consolidation of government
and school districts. There are too many layers of government. Why do
we need so many townships in a county with a population of under 140,000
people? In regards to county services, I would like to see one county
wide police department with 4 to 5 command posts strategically placed
within the county. Other services I feel that could be consolidated are
public works (snow plowing, mechanics, etc.) and real property tax
assessment. As far as school districts, I believe there are 16 which is
about 8 to 10 too many.
In regards to the County Legislature, I did vote to reduce its size to
15. On second thought, I think a 40% reduction to 15 might be too much.
I feel 17 or 19 is more realistic. If you downsize to 15, I have a
concern that some rural district would be too spread out. Maybe we
should eliminate the legislature all together and go back to the Board of
Supervisors with a County Manager.
In regards to your second question, I don't have an issue supporting a
county law requiring all county bids over a certain dollar amount (say
$10,000) to be posted online and/or in the newspaper. Taxpayers have a
right to see the bids and who they were awarded to. After all, its the
taxpayer who is footing the bill.
Respectfully submitted,
Chuck Nazzaro
County Legislator
District 16
