I’d Rather Be Wright II: In praise of the Village of Amherst’s public workers
The Village of Amherst’s maintenance crew comprises (left to right) Assistant Director of Public Works Nic Lea, Director of Public Works Travis Stuczynski, and Public Works/Utility Operator Dale Peterson.
By David Wright
Almost 20 years ago, I drifted into the hardware store having recently moved to Amherst from Colorado. We saw the move here as an opportunity to semi-retire by residing in a community with a much lower cost of living. One of the things we noticed was the level of property tax being dramatically greater than out there in the Wild West, but we had lived on a working ranch, so there were some breaks for agriculture.
In the hardware store, I ran into Harvey Olson, the congenial proprietor and local position holder in the county government, possibly a county trustee. I, in my conservative way, mentioned how high the taxes were, implying that I was accustomed to something less. Harvey, with great confidence, said, “Yes they are high,” but then after a brief pause added, “but, you get a lot for your money.”
I thought about that having been here for at least a few months and found myself noticing how well the town was being run, with all its tidy streets and well-maintained public spots. The school was full of enthusiasm, and the locals were all congenial and not mumbling about government waste. The place looked good, felt good, and there was little belly aching.
I met Dave Dombrowski, the Village’s Public Works Manager, and, like Rich Stuczynski who followed him, they never slowed down, and things got done without any leaning on shovels or doing useless projects. As a result, I never complained again because we were getting a lot for our money.
Moving forward a few years, like maybe today, I thought I would review the efforts of our recent public workforce because I can’t help but notice how things get done here. Now, I am not doing this because my property tax for the Village of Amherst went up 3.7%, which, in the big scheme of things, is no monster change, the school at 21% being a touch of an eye-opener. Toss in the other entities and the total change for me was 12.3% My first thought might be, “Wow, where does that all money go,” but once again I thought of Harvey’s comment and once again went, “Yes, we do get a lot.”
After the recent dump of a snowfall, the Village streets were cleaned before I was up and around, and when I say that, I will mention the sidewalks were cleaned, the piles of accumulated snow were hauled off, and the last little bit of accumulation was brushed and nothing seemed undone. The crew was hell-bent on their work while none of it was done in a haphazard way or intrusive manner. Even the smaller snowfalls and ice accumulations are disposed of and every parking spot downtown is available and cleared. Gotta give them credit.
It doesn’t stop there because the other season’s projects are also well attended to with public right-of- ways cleaned, mowed, and well maintained. That is not just the grass, but the well-placed trees and the park spaces. I have to say there are no lay-abouts or cellphone jabbering junkies on our present crew. It seems to me, having been a mayor of a one-horse town out West, that there is a genuine effort being made here to keep this place shipshape much more so than many places in the country. It looks good! So with my new tax bill in hand, I have to say, we get a lot for our money. I for one, and I do believe I speak for others, appreciate the work of Travis Stuczynski and his crew of Nic Lea and Dale Peterson.
Now, I know that there might be some grumbling about the school taxes but there, too, I believe, we get a lot. Every event is well attended and many options are offered, many not seen in other Districts. The Village Board, who is actively encouraging our well-kept community, should also get some applause as should the School Board.
So for the New Year and the last one exited behind us, I’m giving three cheers for the entire package.