Editor, OBSERVER:
There was a recent commentary by County Legislator Timothy Hoyer regarding the County Home.
I would say that Mr. Hoyer's efforts to make it sound as if the seniors in Chautauqua County cannot and do not receive care except through the County Home is false. The issue of selling or leasing the home has always said the residents would stay put and receive the same or greater levels of care than they now receive.
The employees of the County Home would be offered employment with the new owner and the taxpayers would win by a non-taxed entity becoming a taxable property, a $16 million infusion of cash and a drop in taxes. So what Mr. Hoyer is really saying is the sale of the County Home would cost the taxpayers an increasing tax burden, most of which is given to the union through employee dues at the County Home. They then aid numerous legislators in keeping their seats.
If we should consider the taxpayers for once, the winners are the current residents at the Home, the employees of the Home, the taxpayers of the county and the county itself. The loser would be the union. Several of our legislators say they are willing to raise your taxes even more to keep this a county and union operation. This is done under the banner of "Save Our Home."
I just got my school tax bill and would ask the County Legislators to consider actions which will "Save My Home" and many other Chautauqua County residents.
How about this; if this decision is too tough for our legislators put it on the ballot and let the taxpayer and voters decide.
JIM WALKER,
Falconer
