This is an old saying which essentially means that things which are foreseeable and need to be fixed but are not…will, sooner or later, eventually need to be dealt with.

In Chautauqua County, right now, two municipalities seem to be in the forefront as to this situation–Dunkirk and Fredonia.

I know only what I read in the newspaper, but, it appears, that tax rates in both municipalities are going up 40%-50% in order to balance their budgets.

How did this come to pass? Things don’t happen overnight in government. There had to be issues that were deferred, ignored or somehow “swept under the rug.”

The south county is not totally out-of-the woods. The City of Jamestown, by dipping into their cash reserves, brought the tax levy down to a 3.6% increase. Yet, the City’s primary expense challenge remains the same–the salaries and fringe benefit costs of its Police and Fire Departments consume about half of the city budget. Without federal ARPA monies, next year will likely result in another budget challenge for Jamestown.

In the City of Dunkirk, there has always been a looming crisis caused by the closing of the NRG Electric Generating Station. At one time, this utility was paying a great portion of the total tax levy in Dunkirk. A gradual reduction over several years in those taxes was a part of the shutdown of the plant. Everyone knew that these tax subsidies would come to an end…there was time to prepare.

In the case of Fredonia, what I have heard most about are the costs they are facing with an old water system and a sewer plant that needs significant upgrades. Again, these are issues that didn’t just start happening overnight. But, apparently, addressing the issues was put off.

My experience in being involved in and observing government over the years is that it is much easier to add programs, people and services than it is to reduce them. Yet, at some point, when “push comes to shove,” government spending must be aligned with the ability of those who are paying the bill.

I was in the state legislature in the mid-1970’s when the City of New York was on the verge of bankruptcy. The City had to cut back on spending, and a new Mayor was elected, Ed Koch, who went about doing that. I always respected Koch for being a strong Mayor and being willing to say “No” to many of the entrenched interests living off the City of New York. Ultimately, New York City had to learn to live within its means.

As to the future here, being a “Monday morning quarterback,” contributes little, if anything, to the conversation. Dwelling on the past is not a solution.

What is needed is for the public to encourage those who are now trying to deal with the fiscal problems in our communities…even if this means cutting back or combining some services.

The “chickens have come home to roost,” and now is the time for elected officials to make the tough decisions necessary to correct things… and for the public to support such actions.

Rolland Kidder is a Stow resident.