This is a paid political advertisment from Concerned Citizens of Wellsville
By Marshall Green, Concerned Citizens of Wellsville
Over the past year, the highly contested Parking Lot in the Village of Wellsville has received a lot of attention both online and in the public square. Recently the Village announced it will be pursuing eminent domain and seizing the private lot and has called for a public hearing at the Village Offices located at 23 North Main Street and is scheduled for Monday, October 9 at 5:30 p.m.
In short, the Village of Wellsville was offered multiple opportunities to both lease, and as of late, purchase the lot but decided in the end that it will just take the parking lot. Below is a timeline of events that has transpired up to this point:
- In early 2023, The Village had a 4-month lease at a rate of $500 per month to use the parking lot.
- After the lease ended, The Village expressed interest in purchasing the lot from Mr. Otero and he informed them that the lot was not for sale.
- In April, The Village then proceeded to take a survey and appraisal of the property (costing the taxpayers $4500)… for a property that was not for sale.
- The Village then offered Mr. Otero $32,000 to purchase the lot. He once again informed the Village that the lot was not for sale nor at any time did he express that it would be for sale.
- At this point, Mr. Otero cordoned off the parking lot so it would not be open to public parking as the Village was not paying a monthly lease anymore.
- In June, the Mayor contacted Mr. Otero and asked if there was a price Mr. Otero will be willing to sell the lot for. After deep consideration and consulting with his team, Mr. Otero, wanting to be a good community member proposed a purchase price offer even though he was reluctant to sell his property to The Village.
- On July 15 the Mayor contacted Mr. Otero and informed him that The Village Board unanimously declined his offer. Once again, The Village failed at the opportunity to acquire his property.
- At this point, Mr. Otero, knowing farewell The Village did not want to lease the property for $500 a month or purchase the property, proceeded with his plans to put rental storage units on his property.
- In September the storage units stated to arrive.
- At approximately two days after the storage units arrived, Mr. Otero received notice that the Village was starting the process of eminent domain to force the sale of the parking lot.
The facts clearly reveal that this is a gross over-reach by the Village of Wellsville Board Members and the Mayor. As a 20-year resident of Wellsville, and current business owner in the community I implore you, my fellow citizens, to speak up and take action so the Village Board will make the correct and moral decision to stop this eminent domain action. Please visit www.CCofWellsville.com for more information, call or email the Mayor, and join us to voice your opinion at the public hearing scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Monday, October 9 at Village Offices located at 23 North Main St.
Mr. Otero has retained the services of Marshall Green, the author of this article, to manage public relations, to ensure the presentation of accurate facts, and to make certain the community is well-informed about the upcoming public hearing.
Green has developed a website and Facebook group for the Concerned Citizens of Wellsville, a new community movement to ensure that our local Village and Town Governments are transparent, ethical, and held accountable.
Learn more at www.CCofWellsville.com and www.facebook.com/groups/ccofwellsville.
