Last Thursday the Cortland County legislature voted to continue a legal investigation of questionable expenditures at the Public Defender's office. It was a close vote, 10-9. Those who wanted to end the "witch hunt" cited costs of legal fees, conflicting claims, and concerns for constituents who pay taxes to maintain county government.
We wish these same people were as concerned with costs and taxes when they voted to spend $14 million* rather than $6 million on an emergency radio system a year ago. The ramifications of that vote, 18-1, have caused a redistribution of sales tax and placed property tax pressure on smaller units of government.
Obviously, consistency of principle is not every county legislator's rule of thumb.
* Based on 10 year lease and bond payments. Estimated $24-26 million based on 20 year lease and bond payments.
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