Opinion: Zoning in Caroline ultimately hurts residents

It has been over a year that the small farm town of a little more than 3,000 people called Caroline has been involved in a painful and divisive issue regarding zoning. Residing and owning land in the town of Caroline is in many cases multi-generational and, for many, the land is still farmed.

There are also landowners who own small businesses in town. These include concrete, septic, rental property, hair dressing, groundworks, massage, mowing, landscaping, well work, storage, a special events venue, a gift shop, construction, insulation, carpentry, cabinet makers, plumbers, electricians, woodworker, painters, car repair, tree services, roadside stands, and more.

There are also many homeowners who live here because of what the rural character and freedom living in Caroline brought to them. These people have a true sense of place here in Caroline. These people are the driving force of what is truly Caroline. They are stakeholders and the fabric that defines Caroline. This large group of residents and taxpayers are bi-partisan, and range from poor to wealthy, with varying levels of education. I stand proudly with these people.

It is unfortunate that a majority of the town board is not hearing us or are listening with deaf ears. A passage of zoning during these times will irreparably damage and divide the town.

It is hard to pinpoint what binds one’s heartstrings to land and its history. The Quick story over 158 years is no different from many others in the town.

My family has been here since 1864 when my great, great grandfather purchased 127 acres which at the time included the Cantine Cemetery. John Cantine was given the original 3,200 acres (Caroline) for his participation and assistance to George Washington in the Revolutionary War.

In 1909 the cemetery name was changed to the Quick Cemetery and incorporated as a non-profit. The existing cemetery land went to the association. Over the years more land was given to the association by the Quicks, most recently in the mid-nineties by my mother. This was a gift of two- and one-half acres, and today the cemetery occupies over six acres and has been fittingly renamed Brookton.

My great, great Uncle Melvin was an entrepreneur with interests and ownership in different businesses. A bakery in downtown Ithaca across from the State Theater was one of them. Melvin left the cemetery 10,000 dollars in his will. He died in 1923. That $10,000 would have purchasing power of $173,261 today.

The Quick family have been good stewards of the land. During my stewardship, I have turned down gas leases, several solar offers, done woodlot management, built a residence, been a landlord, and continued to have my land farmed.

Caroline does not need zoning at this time. The town board needs to concentrate on current situations that matter. Our town barns need replacing or much repair, there is little signage on roads traveled by our farmers, no ambulance service (tinyurl.com/2gmggap5), black mold on the outside of the new town hall, no internet or phone for many, lighting is lacking in the town, and the poor and impoverished need assistance.

Speaking for all of us who do not want zoning, we plead to the town board to do the right thing, right now. Let’s leave zoning for another day.

Respectfully,
RC Quick