Vishion takes his case to Albany [Tonawanda News, North Tonawanda, N.Y.]

Dec. 20--TOWN OF TONAWANDA -- Recent town board candidate Michael Vision has written a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo concerning the board's abrupt cancellation of his company's catering contract serving two local golf courses.

Responding to the board's collective assertion last week that the move was based solely on a desire for increased revenue -- and not "political reprisal" for his recent failed run -- Vishion said either way the move is unjust.

"It is at least unethical and foolish," he said at Monday's board meeting, citing the board's decision Monday to spend $17,542 for new, commercial cooking equipment to further its plans to take over concessions at Sheridan and Brighton golf courses.

The town, however, had the option to use an "opt-out" clause in the contract to cancel it for next year. Youth, Parks and Recreation Director Dan Wiles said the plans have been on the table since Vishion's contract was negotiated in 2008, and are being executed in light of the state's 2 percent tax levy cap.

One way to offset the need for future tax increases, Wiles said, is to pocket such revenues.

Noting the $12,000 per year his former contract had paid the town, Vishion said he's seen no business plan by the town to justify Wiles' assertion that the town will earn "exponentially more" money by selling beer, wine and other concession goods on its own next year.

Vishion stated publicly on Monday it will take at least $30,000 in equipment, liquor license fees, insurance and other costs before any money is earned by the town.

He said he started an online petition to block the town from taking the relatively rare position of a municipality licensed to sell its own alcohol.

Vishion said the petition had 170 signatures as of Monday, after four days online.

He also echoed previous comments that it is "morally and ethically" wrong for the town to enter into the food service business, and thus take profits from small businesses like his

Vishion's company, Comfort Concessions & Catering, is an offshoot of his main firm, VCMS. The contract to provide concessions at both courses is in the fourth year of a five-year principle agreement.

Wiles and others on the board have stressed the move isn't political despite the appearance and that raising more money is in the best interest of taxpayers.

In other news, Director of Water Resources Ken Maving presented a report to the board on plans for the second phase of the town's massive Parker-Fries interceptor project.

Before authorizing a $17 million bond resolution for the second phase, Maving said the second phase of the four-phase project involves 10,000 feet of sewer lines and 2,700 feet of new pipe lining to be installed without digging, as well as other work. The new round of work to begin in April or May is expected to last 18 months along Fries and Koenig roads, and south along Ogden Road.

Part of what will help pay for the massive project are increases to residents' water and sewer rates also approved by the board Monday night.

Councilman Joe Emminger said rates are adjusted every two years, including next year when they will again rise 5 percent.

"The water rates and sewer rates definitely go into that equation," he said regarding the revenue to be used to help pay for ongoing water and sewer work.

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(c)2011 Tonawanda News (North Tonawanda, N.Y.)

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