Logel calls for cooperation

Newly elected Chili Supervisor Tracy Logel called on Republican members of the town board to put aside political differences in order to focus on the important issues facing the Town of Chili. Logel was responding to recent actions taken by returning town board members to reduce the ability of the incoming supervisor to make changes needed to control town finances and make town government more accessible.

"I am disappointed by the board's decision to play politics as usual," said Logel. "It was my hope that we will put this type of politics behind us and work together for a better, more responsive town government."

On December 31, the town board joined outgoing supervisor Steve Hendershott in making a number of unannounced changes to town government, including the hiring of a new comptroller for a two year term, attempting to prevent Logel from making her own appointment (which she is entitled to under New York State Law) and limiting the ability of the incoming supervisor to control the town budget.

"It was a mistake for the town board to make a midnight appointment on the last day of the Hendershott administration," said Logel, who noted that the board's actions were done without any advance notice or public input. "Clearly, their decision to put a Hendershott appointee in charge of town finances during the first two years of my administration will make it much harder to make the changes needed to repeal the Hendershott tax increases."

Logel is asking the returning town board members to reverse these last minute changes in order to ensure that she, as the current town supervisor, retains the tools she needs to manage the town budget. "I believe there is still an opportunity for us to work together," said Logel. "The people of Chili deserve to have a well managed town government that focuses on protecting taxpayers rather than playing politics."