To the Editor:

To all the Potsdam Village residents still undecided about dissolution: I can’t say I blame you. After all, there is a mountain of information on the subject that has been generated in the last 2 years. Add to this the stumping, rhetoric, and drama coming from some quarters and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

Those opposed to dissolution cite the inherent lack of guarantees for the future of our services and the lack of meaningful “savings.”

The vocal minority, who would have you vote to dissolve our Village, claims that this concern is “alarmist”, that we are “fear mongers,” and that we only want to “preserve the status quo.”

You have read my letters. You have seen me involved, you have heard me speak, and the opinion of the Vote No majority I support does none of those things.

Folks committed to the Vote No effort are as sick of the status quo as everyone else – they’re just prepared to work to erase it.

Truly, the dissolution process has been immensely cathartic for our community.

The number of highly informed and involved citizens has skyrocketed because of this study.

These are folks who don’t flinch at the hard work needed to improve our Village and they are also people eager to include you in the effort, if you are willing.

If you’re not willing to help, all I ask is for your blessing to try.

If you have even the slightest misgivings about dissolution, please VOTE NO.

Should we fail in our efforts, state law guarantees you’ll have another chance to get rid of a “layer of government” in just two short years.

Tim Connolly

former Potsdam Dissolution Committee Chair