Small Town News

      The Town of Cambria’s website touts its commitment to progress without losing its personal touch… I guess, like too many people in power these days, the individuals who are supposed to work for the people, forgot their promises as well as the people who were promised.       

       While we complain that the younger generation has forgotten the art of communication, the Town of Cambria exemplifies its demise. Given the opportunity, most people will pay the cost for permits and even jump through the unnecessary hoops the town throws up, chalking it up to small town politics.  But to hide behind mailed letters, in a small town where everyone should know everyone, well that’s just cowardly and mean. Cambria government has forgotten its charge.

      Go to the town of Cambria’s spring newsletter.  The town supervisor writes about creating memories.   Nice words… but actions always speak louder.  

      Is the role of government to help its citizens?  To create solutions?  Are rules to inform and protect people?  The actions of Cambria official indicate the answer is a resounding “No; Not in our town”.  It seems the Town of Cambria applies rules to hinder and hurt. IF there was a problem or a complaint, was there any reason why both parties could not have been brought together to create a solution?   Isn’t government for all the people?  Not a select few who are in power or personally know those who are?

      While we are at it, take a look at the planning board’s page on the website, specifically rule #6.   It says anyone who wants anything from the board has to do whatever the board asks… So pay your fees and bring me the broom stick of the wicked witch of the west and you can have your permit…  You may think that is ridiculous…  but is it?

      “Applicant and owner must agree to Planning Board conditions or no approval will exist.”

      That sounds like absolute power to me, and absolute power corrupts absolutely…

      So think again if you believe this article is just about some farmer who didn’t apply for the right permits… It is a perfect example of a town without courage to talk to its citizens, without heart to help them and without brains to know that people will remain quiet and passive for only so long.  

   The citizens of Cambria deserve better treatment.  They deserve collaborative leadership.   This is still small town America, where sunflowers and small business will not cease and good citizens will not desist just because someone who hides behind their title sent a letter.   Cambria townspeople:  It time to pull back the wizard’s curtain and find a way for all of us to live and WORK together.

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