Steuben County Officals: We Feel Violated

The Corning Leader and Steuben Courier have reported two separate instances of broken promises from Albany. In Corning, a $200,000 state grant, secured by state Sen. George Winner Jr,. that was to assist the city in renovation of City Hall, the Police Department and City Court has been rescinded. A $300,000 grant secured by Assemblyman Jim Bacalles for the same project appears to be on the chopping block as well. In Bath, a $50,000 grant for Bath Police Department radio communications has been yanked, after most of the equipment has been purchased. While Corning mayor Tom Reed was stating the obvious, “It’s not good news, not good at all,” Bath Mayor David Wallace told it from the heart, stating, "A promise made to us by the state in my opinion has been broken...It seems to be a strictly political move to punish Republicans in the Senate."

Both towns are in a pickle. Improvements for Corning's buildings are necessary to comply with Office of Court Administration mandates (see Allegany County). The City of Bath still has to come up with the money to pay for what has already been purchased, but perhaps the Village Board was hasty in approving a $50,000 measure without the cash in hand.