I live in a small village with a population around 2200 people. Our village is Angola and we are within the Town of Evans. I love it here, my son and I just started our thirteenth year.
A couple of years back a local business owner (tow truck company) started circulating petitions. He told people it was about the Village's finances. He successfully collected enough signatures to go a step further. However, when signed petitions were presented, it was discovered he had lied about their intent.
He was, in fact, trying to dissolve the independence of the Village of Angola and have us come under the auspices of the Town of Evans. When that was discovered, the man became outraged. Why, he hadn't done anything wrong! He was misunderstood! The people who signed it just didn't understand. Sound familiar? Sounds like the U.S. Congress doesn't it!
Well, thankfully, after he had the gall to take it to Court, they saw through his deception and struck the petition down.
A week ago Sunday I was reading online at our local liberal rag called the Buffalo News. They used to call me about a subscription and I delighted in telling them if I wanted to read their paper I could read for free online. After a few times, the calls stopped.
I check there every once in a while under the 'Southtowns' page to see what's going on. Usually we're pretty much ignored as they consider the news more worthy from the Northern and Eastern section of Western NY.
Then something jumped right out at me:
http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/southernsuburbs/story/133296.html
ANGOLA Village sets hearing on police merger
By Elmer Ploetz NEWS STAFF REPORTER
Updated: 08/03/07 7:18 AM
Angola residents will get a look next week at what abolishing their police department could mean.
The village will conduct a public hearing at 6 p.m. Thursday in Village Hall where officials will lay out the details on what is expected to happen if the police department is dropped and the Town of Evans takes over police protection in the village.
“We’ll be presenting all the numbers,” said Angola Mayor Howard “Hub” Frawley, “the savings, the increase of the town tax for village residents, and everything else related to the police.”
The village’s police force costs about $350,000 a year right now, with three full-time officers, 11 part-timers and a part-time chief.
But if the village opts to keep its police, the department will require a full-time chief, and that could add about 15 percent — or $200 in village taxes for a house assessed at $100,000 — to its costs, said Evans Supervisor Robert Catalino II.
Town officials have been working with those from the village on the plan but have remained somewhat quiet. It’s up to the village to decide if it wants to keep its police force.
If the village abolishes or suspends its police force, the town would be required to supply police coverage. If the department is suspended, it would make it easier to reconstitute a force if the village decided to later.
Frawley said two of the keys for the deal to work are “24-7” round-the- clock coverage of the village by at least one police car and the acceptance of the three full-time Angola officers into the town’s police department.
“We have to make sure our residents are protected,” Frawley said. “We have that right now with a police department.
“If we merge, that’s what we need from the Town of Evans. Otherwise, if we don’t get a police car 24-7, it’s not worth making the move.”
Town officials said they’ve made “good faith” commitments to meet the village’s needs.
“The town has said we would take their three full-time officers,” said Councilwoman Karen Erickson, “and the town would have to create a village zone, because now we would have an additional concentrated coverage of 2,000-plus people.”
The village population is about 2,300. The town, with a population of 17,000 (including Angola), has a police force of about 20.
After Thursday’s hearing, the Village Board could decide to vote on whether the police force should be disbanded. Or the board could opt to do nothing.
If there is a vote for disbanding, any resident who disagrees would have 30 days to gather enough signatures to force a “permissive referendum” on whether the dissolution should be allowed.
I saw RED! It has been rumoured for a few years that this action was desired by the councilmen, NOT by the people. And sadly, I misread the date of the meeting and missed it. I thought it was this week. I called the Town Hall and spoke to a nice lady who told me no action had been taken. They just wanted to hear from people. I'm so mad at myself.
However, she then told me there is a Board Meeting on Monday, the 20th at 7:30 pm. I plan on being there and plan on having my say. I know almost every Police Officer in our Village. Most on a first name basis . . by their permission, not by my decision. Many have come to my aid . . .
My son is good friends with most of them. And one is especially a hero to me. Sometime I'll explain why.
Like most every day, I was back here on the computer. I kept hearing noises in my back hall. I thought it was our neighbour who lived in the apartment behind ours. And for about an hour, on and off, I heard a noises (including coughing) and finally investigated. There was a stranger sitting there. He had made friends with our neighbour, was invited over and our neighbour never arrived. He was weird anyway and has moved out.
So, being a Believer, I inquired about why he was there and that's when I heard the above story. He asked if he could use my phone and why not? My son wasn't home and I admit to being a little scared. But I kept praying silently for the Lord to protect me.
We sat and talked for a while and finally I was getting more uncomfortable. I called my neighbours downstairs. Ed & Bonnie are great people and I knew I could count on Ed if I was in danger (or otherwise for that matter). We walked downstairs, explained as best as I could. The young man sat with Ed and I sat at the dining room table with Bonnie.
No matter what, we couldn't seem to help him. He was stranded. Our neighbour had taken the last of his money and he lived an hour and a half away in Erie, PA. Ed tried getting a hold of some money for gas as he would drive him home. Ed's like that. But absolutely nothing but dead-ends.
Then the stranger went to his personal belongings and came back with a case. In it was a plastic gun. He put it together and took it apart. Ed saw my concern and reassured me it was not a real weapon. But by then, I was was truly worried.
Finally, I called the Police. And one of our great locals came and took over. I felt so relieved. He asked the stranger a few questions and I caught a lie and blurted it out. The Officer looked at me and I shut up. **laughing** The Officer informed the young man to get his gear, that he was leaving. The young man said he had nowhere to go.
But, the Officer remained firm. He informed him that he would not stay with us. That we did not know him. I have never felt so relieved. He was escorted to his gear and I looked out the window and saw backup arrive.
They frisked him, checked his gear and dropped him off at the Rest Station off the Thruway.
Phew . . . safe. There have been a couple of other times when I or my son have been threatened.
I'll share just one more. About 3 years ago my phone rang around 3 a.m. My son wasn't home. I answered and there was an angry young man on the phone. Some of my son's friends had been to his home and they'd been wrestling and now he couldn't find his wallet.
I asked him why was he yelling at me? I couldn't do anything about it. He said, "You are the only one who answered." Dumb me, huh? He ranted and raved and threatened to call the Police and have them come to my house and search for the wallet. I mean this kid was really off. Then he demanded I take his phone number down. **laughing** I obliged him and hung up. I called the Police.
Well, another of my good buddies arrived. I invited him in. He asked, "How can I help you?" I smiled and explained the story. He asked if I had the guy's phone number. He smiled when I said the guy had INSISTED I write it down.
The Officer called the guy and introduced himself. He said, "I want you to know that you must not call Mrs. L***** again. Stop threatening her. **pause** Listen to me. If you call her back again, she will let me know. I will then personally come to your home and arrest you. Do you understand?"
By this time I was smiling and relaxed. He hung up and smiled. He asked "Is there anything more I can do for you?" "No, you've done enough." I inquired though if he thought this guy might arrive on my doorstep. Apparently he knew of the kid and said, "He's not smart enough to think of that." I burst out laughing.
So, the bottom line? I don't need to have any new Police Officers. None of us in the Village need it. We have a fine force of great men who Serve & Protect Angola, NY.
By Pam Lamker
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