Hammondsport village candidates push for unity and harmony
BY MARY PERHAM GATEHOUSE MEDIA

HAMMONDSPORT All three candidates for trustee in the village of Hammondsport say its time to put the divisiveness of the past few years behind and move on.

Incumbent Democrat trustees Ann Green and Lawrence Foster will face a challenge by former trustee Republican Dr. Sam Pennise for two two-year terms when the polls up at noon Tuesday at the Fred and Harriett Taylor Memorial Library..

The election follows a turbulent time in the village, marked by strong disagreements between officials in the village and surrounding town of Urbana about the use of the now-vacant municipal building.

With a court decision last month determining the project could go forward as the municipality's only senior housing complex, all the candidates said it was time to move on with other village issues.

"I'm not running to get back on the board to reverse a court order," Pennise said. Pennise and other residents believed the project should be subject to a final review by the village planning board. "It's moot, now.

It's time we accept it, and move on. I'm not a one-issue person, and I'm not a vindictive one."

Foster and Green, both elected in 2006, supported using the town-owned hall for senior housing through the town's use of urban renewal law. Both were later attacked for their continued support.

"I think the majority of the people in the village were for it," Foster said.

Foster, 75, is a former social services caseworker in the adult protective division.

He said seeing the senior housing project through is one of his accomplishments during the past term.

Currently the village deputy mayor, Foster said trustees also have worked hard to keep taxes down.

As trustee, Foster has served as assistant police commissioner and planning board liaison.

If elected, Foster would work toward sharing village and town services and finding ways to reconcile their sometimes-bitter differences.

Green, 63, a retired International Chemical Workers Union employee, has been village board's police commissioner, liaison to the Keuka Watershed Improvement Cooperative, Keuka Lake Outlet Compact, and joint town and village Parks and Recreation committee.

A volunteer at the local food pantry, Green said there is a great need in the village for housing older residents.

"I will say, with the last lawsuit, I supported it to clear the water and to put to rest the legal issues, and hopefully prevent other lawsuits," Green said. "I think it's done that."

Green recently attended a land use seminar on assessment problems common to resort areas like the village.

That information is important to help keep taxes down, and encourage young families to move into the village and build up the school system, she said.

Other issues are the use of the Curtiss school building, set to close in 1.5 years, Green said. Preliminary plans call for the building to be converted into a medical and community center.

Pennise, 60, has practiced dentistry in the village for 28 years, and was a trustee for 22 years before being defeated two years ago.

Now a member of the village planning board, Pennise said if he is elected trustee he would resign from the planning board if legally required.

Pennise said he is running for the post at the request of some residents and because "no one should be in office by default."

While he has no specific agenda, Pennise said his priorities would include shared services between the village and town, maintaining a "reasonable tax rate" and expanding the under-used village water system.

Originally built to include service to the Taylor Winery, system usage dropped dramatically when the winery closed, Pennise said. And other users, such as Pleasant Valley Winery and Mercury Aircraft are not drawing on the system as much as they have in the past, he said.

Pennise also has been questioned on his ability to serve on the village board because his home is listed for sale.

"My house is up for sale, has been for two years. Frankly, right now, my prospects are not too good, like many people's around the (region)," he said. "Naturally, I would have to resign any elected or appointed offices if I do sell it."

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