Town of Montgomery Supervisor

I was misrepresented and overtaxed

By Rod Winchell
Posted 4/17/19

When I took office 15 months ago I felt a deep anger and shame by the lack of planning, policies, procedures, very poor infrastructure and the condition, in general, of our beautiful Town. I always …

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Town of Montgomery Supervisor

I was misrepresented and overtaxed

Posted

When I took office 15 months ago I felt a deep anger and shame by the lack of planning, policies, procedures, very poor infrastructure and the condition, in general, of our beautiful Town. I always thought I was supporting and voting people into office that best represented me. Instead, I learned I was being misrepresented by being over-taxed and our Town assets were not being maintained and repaired, while there was plenty of money to fix things. Tax money should not have been raised or taken if there was no plan for it and nothing was going to be done with it except increase fund balances.

We are currently working with a comprehensive plan from 1988 because the 2002 plan was thrown out in court more than 10 years before I took office. There should have been a new plan in place years before I took office in 2018. What was the Town Board doing for an entire decade? I felt my government had failed me.

I have continuously given you a clinical, honest education of bad news and exposed bad practices that did not put us, the Town residents, first. I am very aware that I am “rough around the edges” and sometimes come across very salty, but it is with the best of intentions for the residents of the Town of Montgomery. I am not an ear-tickler or a politician and I do not need a job. My loyalty lies with you, the people of the Town, not with a political party.

That is why I am running for re- election on my own petitions and merits not with candidates I feel did not represent you or me, have no accomplishments after sitting on the Board for years and want to use me for my work ethic. I would have felt like I was giving an endorsement if I allowed my name to be used. My honor and my reputation are not for sale. “At the higher levels of leadership an individual must be willing to stand alone”. There are too many self-serving, unprincipled people in politics that cover for each other. I want to continue as your Supervisor and finish fixing what has been neglected and get more done (including finishing the Comprehensive Plan; work has already begun). I will continue to fight for you with grit, integrity and truth.

The challenge I’ve faced as your Town Supervisor is figuring out how to uphold my reputation and values and earn your trust. I cannot do that with words; it must be with actions, results and follow through. To me duty is actions; not empty words and promises.

I am aware of some propaganda being circulated about me that I would like to address. I hear I will be bringing large warehouse projects into the Town. These projects are ultimately approved or denied by the Town Planning Board; not the Town Board where I chair a board of five equal voters. It has been said that the $9 million dollars in cash that was exposed at a Town Board meeting last year does not exist or that it is monthly operating funds. Not true, the year end statement of net position done by the Town’s external auditors shows this money does exist and would be depleted by the year end if it was operating money. You can FOIL these statements and see for yourself. I have heard I am spending large amounts of money recklessly. I’ve actually cut waste and abuse and put a previously non-existent financial department in place. The money being spent has been for the safety and security of our employees, to fix our neglected and run down Town assets and to bring us into legal compliance with multiple issues to prevent the Town (you the taxpayer) from lawsuits.

I’ve heard I am “hand picking” candidates to be on the Town Board. I cannot do that. Thankfully, we live in a representative republic where we, the voters decide who will sit on the Town Board, that’s the America that I love. I do believe the more candidates we have to choose from, the better the outcome. I like competition and choices. If you hear something about me that you are unsure of, I ask you to get the facts before you decide what my true character, values and principals are. Do not listen to hearsay or negativity about anyone; decide for yourself.

When you evaluate and research what candidates you will vote for this year I urge you to put merit, integrity, and character at the top of your list of qualifications and ask yourself which candidates truly represent you and your values and why they are running. Is there a claim to be running on issues I have already been addressing? What have the people running accomplished in their lifetime? You should have high expectations from your elected officials, expect to see results, and hold them accountable.

I have a vision for the Town and I DID NOT RAISE YOUR TOWN PROPERTY TAXES!!!