BY Stephanie Specchio
YATES COUNTY--In the meeting Monday, June 12, the Yates County Legislature discussed their response to the crisis declared in May by New York City officials regarding the influx of migrants. Like many counties, Yates declared a state of emergency to control housing and mobilize resources. In addition, the county has created a nine-member committee of leaders to develop a plan should a relocation of migrants to Yates County happen.
“I can assure you we will be better prepared to meet the humanitarian needs with the plan that is being developed,” said Chairperson Leslie Church.
Penn Yan community member Alex Andrasik spoke during the public comment period and asked legislators to reconsider the emergency declaration; to not declare emergencies where none exist, although noting that this is a “dangerous environment for migrants and people perceived to be migrants”; to choose words carefully and refrain from saying that actions are being taken to “preserve the character of the community.” Andrasik requested the emergency declaration be rescinded, that committee work be completely transparent about the progress and plan’s content; and legislators/committee members seek input from agencies and individuals from throughout the community who have an eye for compassion and empathy.
“It cannot be a process and plan about county resources and numbers on a spreadsheet and comparing this group’s needs to that one’s,” Andrasik said. “We can’t have a scarcity mindset and zero-sum thinking. The plan must include full and complete recognition of the human suffering and human need at play.”
Resident of Barrington Peggy Soule was “appalled at the language used” regarding the situation with immigrants. She believes county residents would be willing to take immigrants in, and asked that the resolution be rescinded, noting that it “makes us look horrible throughout the state.”
Claudia Guthrie lives in Yates County with property in Keuka Park and questioned how the resolution was created, expressing concern that the county is now telling her who she can house.
In other news, legislators had much discussion regarding a resolution for a proposed natural gas pipeline to the new Highway, Office of Emergency Services/Public Health Facility. Some legislators believe the state may have good reasons for their negative position on natural gas while others believe that the alternative technologies are not advanced enough to support business owners, including farmers. In addition, it was noted that compressed natural gas is used by many corporate and public organizations, and the state is currently making exceptions to the requirement to move to electric for some. Legislators identified the need for a plan to move forward, so that businesses are not forced out of the state because they can’t operate, with some even speculating that special taxes may be assessed for fossil fuel installations in the future.
Doug Rapalee, highway superintendent, was asked to explain the rationale for choosing national gas.
“Findings were presented in August 2022 with the information available at the time,” Rapalee said. “Natural gas was determined to be the best way to go. … We can question all of our decisions back to August, but I still believe in the C & S documentation that natural gas is the best option. … We will run the building with propane if I don’t have gas in the ground. But all of our calculations that we have done, and C & S has done, point in the direction that this gas line will save the county money in the long run, not just for 20 years but for the life of the building, which has been our goal.”
The legislators first amended the resolution to table the decision, which failed. At that point, legislators voted on the original resolution to install natural gas service to the new Highway, Office of Emergency Services/Public Health Facility, which passed by a vote of 8 to 3, with one abstention.
YATES COUNTY--In the meeting Monday, June 12, the Yates County Legislature discussed their response to the crisis declared in May by New York City officials regarding the influx of migrants. Like many counties, Yates declared a state of emergency to control housing and mobilize resources. In addition, the county has created a nine-member committee of leaders to develop a plan should a relocation of migrants to Yates County happen.
“I can assure you we will be better prepared to meet the humanitarian needs with the plan that is being developed,” said Chairperson Leslie Church.
Penn Yan community member Alex Andrasik spoke during the public comment period and asked legislators to reconsider the emergency declaration; to not declare emergencies where none exist, although noting that this is a “dangerous environment for migrants and people perceived to be migrants”; to choose words carefully and refrain from saying that actions are being taken to “preserve the character of the community.” Andrasik requested the emergency declaration be rescinded, that committee work be completely transparent about the progress and plan’s content; and legislators/committee members seek input from agencies and individuals from throughout the community who have an eye for compassion and empathy.
“It cannot be a process and plan about county resources and numbers on a spreadsheet and comparing this group’s needs to that one’s,” Andrasik said. “We can’t have a scarcity mindset and zero-sum thinking. The plan must include full and complete recognition of the human suffering and human need at play.”
Resident of Barrington Peggy Soule was “appalled at the language used” regarding the situation with immigrants. She believes county residents would be willing to take immigrants in, and asked that the resolution be rescinded, noting that it “makes us look horrible throughout the state.”
Claudia Guthrie lives in Yates County with property in Keuka Park and questioned how the resolution was created, expressing concern that the county is now telling her who she can house.
In other news, legislators had much discussion regarding a resolution for a proposed natural gas pipeline to the new Highway, Office of Emergency Services/Public Health Facility. Some legislators believe the state may have good reasons for their negative position on natural gas while others believe that the alternative technologies are not advanced enough to support business owners, including farmers. In addition, it was noted that compressed natural gas is used by many corporate and public organizations, and the state is currently making exceptions to the requirement to move to electric for some. Legislators identified the need for a plan to move forward, so that businesses are not forced out of the state because they can’t operate, with some even speculating that special taxes may be assessed for fossil fuel installations in the future.
Doug Rapalee, highway superintendent, was asked to explain the rationale for choosing national gas.
“Findings were presented in August 2022 with the information available at the time,” Rapalee said. “Natural gas was determined to be the best way to go. … We can question all of our decisions back to August, but I still believe in the C & S documentation that natural gas is the best option. … We will run the building with propane if I don’t have gas in the ground. But all of our calculations that we have done, and C & S has done, point in the direction that this gas line will save the county money in the long run, not just for 20 years but for the life of the building, which has been our goal.”
The legislators first amended the resolution to table the decision, which failed. At that point, legislators voted on the original resolution to install natural gas service to the new Highway, Office of Emergency Services/Public Health Facility, which passed by a vote of 8 to 3, with one abstention.
