League of Women Voters of Cortland County
May 19, 2015
Donnell Boyden
Chairperson, Cortland County Legislature
60 Central Ave. Cortland, NY 13045
Dear Mr. Boyden,
The League of Women Voters of Cortland County (LWVCC) trusts that under your leadership the
legislature will comply more consistently with good government practices.
The LWVCC has concerns in four areas, some of which place the county at risk of costly lawsuits:
1. Lax legislative procedures
a. Voting on amendments without either a written or oral statement of the amendments
b. Failure to provide legislators and the public adequate time to review documents before votes
2. Inadequate oversight of contractors
3. Inadequate consideration of public input and disrespectful treatment of citizens
4. Inaccurate information disseminated to and by the legislature
In the attached pages, we provide examples to illustrate the need for improvement, along with
suggested solutions for the legislature’s consideration. Although good government issues came to
light during the “Ash for Trash” review, the suggestions may have broad applicability and benefit.
The LWVCC would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss how our elected officials
might better represent public interests through transparent, informed decision-making and greater
responsiveness to public concerns. Please let us know a convenient date and time to meet by
contacting Alison King at 607-836-6675 or lwvcortland@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
Board of Directors
League of Women Voters of Cortland County lwvcortland@gmail.com
Alison King, President; Charlotte Farris, Vice President; Sheila Cohen, Secretary; Lenore Schwager,
Treasurer; Mary Beilby, Anne Doyle, Linda Frank, Dorothea Fowler, Norma Rhodes, Jane Richards, Jo
Schaffer
C: Karen Howe, County Attorney; Evan Geibel, Cortland Standard;
Cortland County Legislators: John Troy, Amy Cobb, Thomas Hartnett, Richard Bushnell, Luke Snyder,
Mary Ann Discenza, Raylynn Knolls, Linda Jones, Gordon Wheelock, Susan Briggs, Joseph Steinhoff,
Kevin Whitney, Sandy Price, George Wagner, James Denkenberger, Charles Sudbrink
Text of full letter: lwvcc_ltrtoboydenlegchairperson_may192015.pdf
League of Women Voters of Cortland County 