Published: November 02, 2007 04:09 pm            

THE ISLE FILE: Facing a choice on Election Day

Islanders on Tuesday will vote to either retain Peter McMahon as town supervisor or elect Mary Cooke to take his place. Neither has a sign on Isle File’s lawn.

Isle File tries to avoid personal politics. However, over the past three-plus years, a neighborhood zoning issue put us in close contact with both candidates. We will attempt to fairly describe our experiences.

The dispute, widely publicized, concerned an Island businessman (Doug had him in scouts) who proposed to convert property near us to apartments. It had once been a private home, then a medical office. Seven of nine adjacent property-owners petitioned against the plan, feeling this would adversely alter the character of our single-family neighborhood

Foolish and naïve, we felt this overwhelming opposition would deter the Town Board from approving the requested change. Years before, with a completely different Town Board, we had won a dispute concerning a second business operation on that property. This time, a sub-board, which included more than one close friend of the petitioner, voted with us, 9 to 4, but it was ominous to hear Supervisor McMahon referring to the businessman, in chambers, by an old high-school nickname.

McMahon always returned our calls, genial and patient-sounding, but the rules as to what notification was required seemed flexible, at best. He would either claim no knowledge of incidents that seemed obvious, or say that he already knew something when we were certain that we were his first source. It seemed to us that the petitioner had far greater rights to change our neighborhood than we had to defend it. Nonetheless, we thought just cause would carry the day. Our naivety knew no bounds.

Councilwoman Cooke, a bit newer to the Island, took a more contemplative approach. She actually called us, to seek more information. She said that she had spent many hours researching the property’s history and now concluded that the rezoning was in the best interests of all Islanders. In a few stunning seconds one Monday night, the rezoning passed, unanimously. We were crushed.

Since then occasional events have confirmed our contention that apartments fit poorly into an otherwise single-family neighborhood. The party bus was a rude awakening. We have written to the owner, and await a response.

Two “Cooke” signs have sprouted on the rezoned lawn. Funny, it always seemed to us that Supervisor McMahon was the prime mover. Another neighbor, who had joined us in fighting the rezoning, has countered with a “McMahon” sign. Go figure.

Now it is time to vote. We will go to the polls but can not in good conscience pull either lever. The styles differed but each voted against neighborhood stability. We wish there were another choice. Still, we urge you to vote your own.

Isle File idea? Write Box 1186, Grand Island, NY 14072 or e-mail pollyndoug@hotmail.com.

        

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