Auburn and Cayuga County speaks up: Letters to the editor for the week of May. 9, 2025
- Updated
Our weekly round-up of letters published in the Citizen.
- Craig Diego
- Updated
Hello, my name is Craig Diego, and I am running for Auburn City Council. Like many of you, I am deeply frustrated with the decision making of our current council. The overwhelming number of unanimous 5-0 votes (99%), often with minimal if any discussion, highlights the issue of single party control. This has led to irresponsible spending and oppressive tax and fee increases, causing many residents to leave.
Since 2012 property taxes have increased 19.3%, water rates by 88.2%, sewer rates by 24.6% and the service fee by an astonishing 1,110%! Unfortunately there will be no relief this year either, as the council sets the stage to exceed the tax cap, and impose a whopping 52.2% increase in refuse fees. These percentages do not include the property tax, sewer or water rate increases being proposed in this year鈥檚 budget.
As lifelong residents of Auburn, my wife, children and I are committed to ensuring everyone in our community thrives. I am a proud veteran, having served three years in the United States Army, followed by over 22 years working for the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, retiring as a captain from Auburn Correctional Facility in 2016. I then became a small business owner, founding Diego鈥檚 Uppercuts Barbershop in Auburn, which I still own and operate. My experience being a business owner gives me a strong and practical understanding of financial management. I know firsthand that frivolous overspending is not an option when running a business.
Auburn needs a different voice and fresh perspectives to enhance decision making and bring transparency and accountability to City Hall. It鈥檚 time to stop blaming lack of funding from the state for our city issues and to start making financially responsible decisions. Our elected officials can no longer say 鈥測es鈥 to every spending request and expect the taxpayers to pay more. Financial responsibility and accountability are a must! The current elected officials have been given many years in office to enact positive changes, and it鈥檚 clear a new voice is needed.
I’ll gladly discuss the current state of our city, and my vision for a positive, sustainable future. Your voice deserves to be heard, and I’m committed to fighting for it. Feel free to reach out to me at craigtdiego@gmail.com.
Let鈥檚 bring change to Auburn!
- Doris Lindsay
- Updated
Please help support Honor Flight Syracuse. It has been in the news that Donald Trump has planned a $50 million military parade to be held on his birthday under the guise of celebrating the 250th anniversary of the creation of the military in this country. But why should such a parade be held on the birthday of a draft dodger?
The true military heroes' parade happened last night when the veterans of the Korean War, Vietnam War and beyond were welcomed back at Syracuse's Hancock Airport. Yesterday, May 3, they were treated to a chartered flight and day-long tours in Washington, D.C., and were welcomed back with honors all courtesy of Honor Flight Syracuse. Our veterans are the true heroes who fought and served to defend our country 鈥 they were never draft dodgers. They are the folks who should be honored and not forgotten. Please do what you can to help support Honor Flight Syracuse, P.O. Box 591, Syracuse, N.Y. 13209-0591.
- David Kearney
- Updated
I would like to give a shout-out to the Cayuga County emergency response team for an incident occurring on Owasco Lake May 1. Shortly after 7 a.m. that morning, I placed a call to 911 for what looked to be an abandoned small craft drifting north on the lake. We frequently see solo fishermen in kayak-like boats where I spotted this empty boat adrift. My concern was that someone may have fallen overboard in the cold water.
The emergency response to my call was truly impressive. In less than five minutes the fire department, an ambulance and the sheriff's office were all in my driveway. The different units quickly and professionally assessed the situation and determined it was most likely non-critical. To confirm, water rescue quickly launched a dinghy from the shore to better investigate the empty boat. The boat was inspected, and towed to shore without incident.
My shout-out is for the way the different units worked seamlessly and expeditiously together across responsibility boundaries as one well-coordinated team. Sadly, in today's world, we often see multi-unit/agency efforts drop the ball across boundaries, resulting in botched results and finger-pointing. This particular case was a shining example of how situations like this should work.
I think those of us in Cayuga Country can feel assured that we are in good hands when it comes to emergency response situations.
- Crawford Thoburn
- Updated
水果派AV鈥檚 year-long coverage of the closing of Wells College 鈥 its devastating impact on the academic community and its challenging consequences for the village of Aurora 鈥 has been outstanding.
In the midst all this, however, it鈥檚 important to remember that although the college is gone, the campus is not empty. Far from it.
The Community Medical Center, located on the edge of the campus, continues to serve the region. Recent figures from the Family Care Medical Group show that 2,400 patients receive care from Dr. MacAdam and her team. That is an extraordinary force for good emanating from our tiny village.
Residents regularly see the students of Peachtown Elementary School, drawn from six local districts, playing around their campus home and walking through the village on their way to our local library. Recently, teams from the Southern Cayuga and Moravia high schools played on the campus baseball field, cheered on by family, friends and neighbors.
In addition, we understand that a significant portion of Aurora鈥檚 documented history remains on campus, within the Wells archives where village materials were placed for safekeeping years ago.
Thus, the campus is not empty. It remains closely tied to, and used by, the community. Those ties should be recognized and strengthened as the village moves forward into a partnership supporting the new campus owners.
The Wells College website states that 鈥渃ollege leadership ... believe(s) it is important that any prospective buyer understands the longstanding relationship between Wells and the village community, including the community鈥檚 historical access to the campus.鈥 Clearly, the recent ban prohibiting all local residents from walking on campus acts to undermine that very important relationship. The decision should be revisited and revised.
The campus is an integral part of Aurora. The sparks of its future life are kept alive by our community residents, valued organizations and vibrant history, all very much present on the campus without a college.
With thanks to you for your ongoing coverage.
- Crawford Thoburn
Village of Aurora remains connected to Wells campus
水果派AV鈥檚 year-long coverage of the closing of Wells College 鈥 its devastating impact on the academic community and its challenging consequences for the village of Aurora 鈥 has been outstanding.
In the midst all this, however, it鈥檚 important to remember that although the college is gone, the campus is not empty. Far from it.
The Community Medical Center, located on the edge of the campus, continues to serve the region. Recent figures from the Family Care Medical Group show that 2,400 patients receive care from Dr. MacAdam and her team. That is an extraordinary force for good emanating from our tiny village.
Residents regularly see the students of Peachtown Elementary School, drawn from six local districts, playing around their campus home and walking through the village on their way to our local library. Recently, teams from the Southern Cayuga and Moravia high schools played on the campus baseball field, cheered on by family, friends and neighbors.
In addition, we understand that a significant portion of Aurora鈥檚 documented history remains on campus, within the Wells archives where village materials were placed for safekeeping years ago.
Thus, the campus is not empty. It remains closely tied to, and used by, the community. Those ties should be recognized and strengthened as the village moves forward into a partnership supporting the new campus owners.
The Wells College website states that 鈥渃ollege leadership ... believe(s) it is important that any prospective buyer understands the longstanding relationship between Wells and the village community, including the community鈥檚 historical access to the campus.鈥 Clearly, the recent ban prohibiting all local residents from walking on campus acts to undermine that very important relationship. The decision should be revisited and revised.
The campus is an integral part of Aurora. The sparks of its future life are kept alive by our community residents, valued organizations and vibrant history, all very much present on the campus without a college.
With thanks to you for your ongoing coverage.
More like this...
- Craig Diego
Hello, my name is Craig Diego, and I am running for Auburn City Council. Like many of you, I am deeply frustrated with the decision making of our current council. The overwhelming number of unanimous 5-0 votes (99%), often with minimal if any discussion, highlights the issue of single party control. This has led to irresponsible spending and oppressive tax and fee increases, causing many residents to leave.
Since 2012 property taxes have increased 19.3%, water rates by 88.2%, sewer rates by 24.6% and the service fee by an astonishing 1,110%! Unfortunately there will be no relief this year either, as the council sets the stage to exceed the tax cap, and impose a whopping 52.2% increase in refuse fees. These percentages do not include the property tax, sewer or water rate increases being proposed in this year鈥檚 budget.
As lifelong residents of Auburn, my wife, children and I are committed to ensuring everyone in our community thrives. I am a proud veteran, having served three years in the United States Army, followed by over 22 years working for the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, retiring as a captain from Auburn Correctional Facility in 2016. I then became a small business owner, founding Diego鈥檚 Uppercuts Barbershop in Auburn, which I still own and operate. My experience being a business owner gives me a strong and practical understanding of financial management. I know firsthand that frivolous overspending is not an option when running a business.
Auburn needs a different voice and fresh perspectives to enhance decision making and bring transparency and accountability to City Hall. It鈥檚 time to stop blaming lack of funding from the state for our city issues and to start making financially responsible decisions. Our elected officials can no longer say 鈥測es鈥 to every spending request and expect the taxpayers to pay more. Financial responsibility and accountability are a must! The current elected officials have been given many years in office to enact positive changes, and it鈥檚 clear a new voice is needed.
I’ll gladly discuss the current state of our city, and my vision for a positive, sustainable future. Your voice deserves to be heard, and I’m committed to fighting for it. Feel free to reach out to me at craigtdiego@gmail.com.
Let鈥檚 bring change to Auburn!
- Doris Lindsay
Please help support Honor Flight Syracuse. It has been in the news that Donald Trump has planned a $50 million military parade to be held on his birthday under the guise of celebrating the 250th anniversary of the creation of the military in this country. But why should such a parade be held on the birthday of a draft dodger?
The true military heroes' parade happened last night when the veterans of the Korean War, Vietnam War and beyond were welcomed back at Syracuse's Hancock Airport. Yesterday, May 3, they were treated to a chartered flight and day-long tours in Washington, D.C., and were welcomed back with honors all courtesy of Honor Flight Syracuse. Our veterans are the true heroes who fought and served to defend our country 鈥 they were never draft dodgers. They are the folks who should be honored and not forgotten. Please do what you can to help support Honor Flight Syracuse, P.O. Box 591, Syracuse, N.Y. 13209-0591.
- David Kearney
I would like to give a shout-out to the Cayuga County emergency response team for an incident occurring on Owasco Lake May 1. Shortly after 7 a.m. that morning, I placed a call to 911 for what looked to be an abandoned small craft drifting north on the lake. We frequently see solo fishermen in kayak-like boats where I spotted this empty boat adrift. My concern was that someone may have fallen overboard in the cold water.
The emergency response to my call was truly impressive. In less than five minutes the fire department, an ambulance and the sheriff's office were all in my driveway. The different units quickly and professionally assessed the situation and determined it was most likely non-critical. To confirm, water rescue quickly launched a dinghy from the shore to better investigate the empty boat. The boat was inspected, and towed to shore without incident.
My shout-out is for the way the different units worked seamlessly and expeditiously together across responsibility boundaries as one well-coordinated team. Sadly, in today's world, we often see multi-unit/agency efforts drop the ball across boundaries, resulting in botched results and finger-pointing. This particular case was a shining example of how situations like this should work.
I think those of us in Cayuga Country can feel assured that we are in good hands when it comes to emergency response situations.
- Crawford Thoburn
水果派AV鈥檚 year-long coverage of the closing of Wells College 鈥 its devastating impact on the academic community and its challenging consequences for the village of Aurora 鈥 has been outstanding.
In the midst all this, however, it鈥檚 important to remember that although the college is gone, the campus is not empty. Far from it.
The Community Medical Center, located on the edge of the campus, continues to serve the region. Recent figures from the Family Care Medical Group show that 2,400 patients receive care from Dr. MacAdam and her team. That is an extraordinary force for good emanating from our tiny village.
Residents regularly see the students of Peachtown Elementary School, drawn from six local districts, playing around their campus home and walking through the village on their way to our local library. Recently, teams from the Southern Cayuga and Moravia high schools played on the campus baseball field, cheered on by family, friends and neighbors.
In addition, we understand that a significant portion of Aurora鈥檚 documented history remains on campus, within the Wells archives where village materials were placed for safekeeping years ago.
Thus, the campus is not empty. It remains closely tied to, and used by, the community. Those ties should be recognized and strengthened as the village moves forward into a partnership supporting the new campus owners.
The Wells College website states that 鈥渃ollege leadership ... believe(s) it is important that any prospective buyer understands the longstanding relationship between Wells and the village community, including the community鈥檚 historical access to the campus.鈥 Clearly, the recent ban prohibiting all local residents from walking on campus acts to undermine that very important relationship. The decision should be revisited and revised.
The campus is an integral part of Aurora. The sparks of its future life are kept alive by our community residents, valued organizations and vibrant history, all very much present on the campus without a college.
With thanks to you for your ongoing coverage.
- Crawford Thoburn
Village of Aurora remains connected to Wells campus
水果派AV鈥檚 year-long coverage of the closing of Wells College 鈥 its devastating impact on the academic community and its challenging consequences for the village of Aurora 鈥 has been outstanding.
In the midst all this, however, it鈥檚 important to remember that although the college is gone, the campus is not empty. Far from it.
The Community Medical Center, located on the edge of the campus, continues to serve the region. Recent figures from the Family Care Medical Group show that 2,400 patients receive care from Dr. MacAdam and her team. That is an extraordinary force for good emanating from our tiny village.
Residents regularly see the students of Peachtown Elementary School, drawn from six local districts, playing around their campus home and walking through the village on their way to our local library. Recently, teams from the Southern Cayuga and Moravia high schools played on the campus baseball field, cheered on by family, friends and neighbors.
In addition, we understand that a significant portion of Aurora鈥檚 documented history remains on campus, within the Wells archives where village materials were placed for safekeeping years ago.
Thus, the campus is not empty. It remains closely tied to, and used by, the community. Those ties should be recognized and strengthened as the village moves forward into a partnership supporting the new campus owners.
The Wells College website states that 鈥渃ollege leadership ... believe(s) it is important that any prospective buyer understands the longstanding relationship between Wells and the village community, including the community鈥檚 historical access to the campus.鈥 Clearly, the recent ban prohibiting all local residents from walking on campus acts to undermine that very important relationship. The decision should be revisited and revised.
The campus is an integral part of Aurora. The sparks of its future life are kept alive by our community residents, valued organizations and vibrant history, all very much present on the campus without a college.
With thanks to you for your ongoing coverage.
