Board member, supervisor face off in Riga primary

Landfill and water issues are topics on the minds and agendas of those running for a ballot position in the Town of Riga supervisor race. Incumbent Tim Rowe is attempting to keep his seat, while incumbent council person Pam Moore is also vying for the town's top spot. Rowe received the Republican Party endorsement while Moore has been endorsed by the Independence, Working Family and Key Parties.

Pamela Moore has been a town council person since 2001 and is seeking the supervisor seat because she said "there is a lack of leadership in the community that is threatening the quality of life."

The chief responsibility of the supervisor, she said, is to serve the citizens of Riga and to put their interest first; that is not happening.

"The supervisor should first listen and then work with citizens, community groups, businesses and other government officials to develop and execute plans designed to improve the quality of life for Riga residents," she said.

With more than 25 years experience and a proven record of successfully negotiating on behalf of the federal government, corporations and individuals and also serving on and leading multi- disciplinary project teams, Moore said she is the best qualified candidate.

The lack of open government is one of the major issues facing Riga, she said.

"Our team's campaign (she is running with council candidates James Fodge and Ken Kuter) is not just about the landfill and the decision of the majority of the town board to amend the host community agreement," she said. "However, that decision clearly illustrates that citizen input is not welcome, that decisions are made in secret and in violation of the NYS Open Meetings Act, are not fully examined for potential legal, fiscal or quality of life consequences and a number of recent decisions were made before there is a plan for execution in order to create the impression of good performance."

She cited examples of decisions made by the board which, she said, demonstrate the board's lack of communication including: the decision to change town engineers without discussion by the board and without interviewing candidates; using the town newsletter to report decisions instead of notifying residents of upcoming issues and encouraging participation; refusing to address resident concerns over water and the decision to suspend work on the Comprehensive Plan until after the election.

Moore said the town should have considered hiring a professional negotiator before signing the landfill host agreement. She also said the town should look into setting up a reserve fund as away to monitor the landfill proceeds.

"The landfill money has been used as a piggybank to decrease taxes and create the impression of fiscal responsibility," she said. "This is an illusion and continuing down this road will have a negative impact on future generations. Reserve accounts and more rigor in the budgetary process are imperative."

Moore considers herself both a native and a newcomer to Riga as she moved away for school and employment but has been a resident again for the past 11 years. She lives in the town with her husband, Gill Budd.

As for the landfill, Supervisor Tim Rowe said having a landfill situated in the community is not a "negative thing."

"It's there and it isn't likely to go away," he said. "Monroe County owns 600 acres near the current landfill. It's our job as town board members to ensure that Riga gets the greatest benefit possible out of the landfill and protect the town's interest if there is future landfill development."

He said the town has one of the most lucrative host community agreements in the state and that Riga's agreement is in place for any future landfill development. Additionally, Rowe said, the town has water now within a two mile radius of the landfill, and the funds to put in water throughout the town, if approved by the residents, and if it gets NYS legislation passed.

"The landfill is a business in our town, a business that must be monitored, a business that must be safe and clean, but a business that has proven to be a good neighbor and source of substantial revenue for our community," he said.

Rowe, who has been on the board since 1990 and has been supervisor since 2001, said he is seeking re-election because, "Town of Riga voters need a candidate with proven leadership ability."

"I am a supervisor that studies the issues, keeps the people informed, listens to all sides and makes decisions that are in the best long term interest of our town," he said. "The decisions may not be popular with everyone, but hard decisions never are."

In addition to landfill and water, Rowe said town officials have to determine how to best utilize excess landfill income.

"Once taxes are eliminated, it is an important issue that must be considered," he said. "Tax rebates, reserve (savings) accounts, town-wide water improvements, parks and other public works projects are alternatives we need to balance. We must also strive to maintain Riga's rural character in spite of development pressure."

Rowe said his experience and longevity on the board make him the most qualified candidate.

"During my tenure, we have built the Sanford Road Park and Maher Lodge, as well as the Buffalo Road Park. I started publishing the Town Newsletter to keep residents informed. I have worked with neighborhood groups to put in over seven miles of waterline," he said. "We have also restored the Ray Adams Cobblestone Hall and built a new town hall. We have helped maintain the Newman-Riga Library's financial stability by increasing funding from $15,000 in 1990 to $100,000 currently. The recreation budget has been increased more than 300 percent since 1990. This has all been accomplished while keeping Riga debt free."

Rowe and his wife, Pat, have three college aged children, Susan, Bill and Ted.