Wayne County Life

Mayor Vicky Daly

SUBMITTED by Vicky Daly, Village of Palmyra (8-Sep-2011)

Conversation with the Mayor

Perhaps it is because I have spent most of my life in school, first as a student and later as a teacher, that this time of year always feels like a new start. Vacations are over and it is time to get serious again. In our part of the country because our traditional summer months are so cherished, so brief, and so exceedingly well used, this is particularly true.

And what is true on the family level is equally true in local government. There is never any getting away from the responsibilities we all face, but autumn brings with it the major task of introspection, planning and budget prep. The Village Board is ever mindful of our fiscal stewardship and the need to weigh decisions for the greatest benefit to our residents and business community. That means prioritizing, just as we all do at home. Right now we are in the ‘getting notice’ stages of cost projections from New York State, the health insurance companies, and vendors. The BUDGET folder gets thicker and thicker as we accumulate bits and pieces of the 2012-2013 village budget.

This information is not just tucked away until the actual budget calendar goes into effect in December. Each new piece of information prompts a discussion as to possible alternatives, other ways to accomplish what must be done, what would be nice to do, what can be postponed and what is essentially pie in the sky. Again, it is just like home, but with other people’s money which makes it harder.

The brisk, today anyway, autumn air brings new starts in other areas, too, or in the case of DJ’s, a re-start. It is good to have DJ’s back in the village, just a bit farther east than its previous location. It is now located at 248 East Main Street. It is one of those shops in which you could always find something. A good bit of the Christmas decorations at my home and in my office came from DJ’s – and there is always room for ‘just one more’. Right around the corner from DJ’s is the studio of Palmyra in Motion, at 112 Fayette Street. If you saw their ‘flash zumba’ demonstration during the Pirate Weekend bed races, you know that the name of the studio is totally appropriate. And almost directly across the street from DJ’s and Palmyra in Motion is The Gathering Place: An Eclectic Emporium and Coffee Bar, at 313 East Main. Owner Judy Recca has created a charming and enticing backdrop of interesting items for sale and will soon be offering light lunches and suppers as well as espresso, lattes, cappachino and other beverages.

Finally, I have to say something about the bright autumn leaf yellow awnings at 603 East Main, the location of the Palmyra Eye Center. It is so just right on that handsome building.

During my stint as a school librarian, I thought that the phone book was one of our greatest, least appreciated resource tools. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case now as so many people have abandoned land lines for cell phones. I understand the reasoning, but the unintended consequence is that we, the Village Office, lose a way to contact you to answer or ask a question in a timely fashion. So, if you are willing, let us know how to contact you by cell phone, should we need to, and we will create our own cellphone directory. It could make everyone’s life easier.

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