Cazenovia Voices Coalition — Review & Resist

​Neighbors,

The estimated closing of the County’s purchase of Reisman & Sigety Halls is this week.

It's worth grounding ourselves in what our community has accomplished in ten intense weeks. What began as a small spark of concern has grown into a sustained, informed, and collective effort to demand transparency, accountability, and protection of Cazenovia’s values.

How We Got Here: A Brief Timeline
September 2: First Public Awareness
Residents first learned, informally and without clear public notice, that Madison County intended to purchase the former Cazenovia College properties to relocate the Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management Services. The lack of transparency and the mismatch with community needs set off the first wave of questions.

Early September: Community Questions, No Clear Answers
As residents sought information, official messaging from Town and Village leaders remained vague. Concern focused on the implications of County ownership, removal of property from tax rolls, increased emergency presence, decreased relationship with our own police force, and the Sheriff’s Office’s participation in the 287(g) ICE program.

Mid–Late September: Attendance & Advocacy
Community members gathered on September 16 to share what information was available and began attending every Town and Village Board meeting. Dozens of people spoke. Meetings that normally drew a handful became standing-room-only. This marked the beginning of a consistent presence, over 140 residents across the last two months have signed up for action.

October: Formal Pushback & Public Voice
Residents wrote letters to County Supervisors, the Cazenovia Republican, and Town and Village governments. Each week, the Cazenovia Republican published new letters, articles, and community statements. A petition with 100's of signatures grew, representing town, village, county, and regional concern.

Late October: County Processes Accelerate
Municipal committees advanced resolutions without publicly acknowledging community objections. Zoning questions were raised, transparency issues deepened, and the County signaled it intended to move ahead regardless of local impact. Local investors interested in a "Plan B" were told that no new bids would be acknowledged.

November: Community Power Continues
Despite officials insisting the deal was essentially “done,” residents continued to pack meetings. Village and Town officials were confronted with questions about public trust, broken anti-bias commitments, economic implications, public safety concerns, and the misuse of Cazenovia’s identity in County promotional material.

Jen Lutter’s recent remarks at a Village meeting publicly challenged misleading narratives and demonstrated what it looks like when a resident insists on accuracy and accountability. Others followed her lead.

What We’ve Achieved

• Consistent public presence at Town, Village, and County meetings for two months.
• Weekly coverage in the Cazenovia Republican.
• Hundreds of letters written to elected officials.
• 550+ petition signatures challenging the sale.
• A unified cross-neighborhood coalition, Wards 1–6 represented (and even voted disapproval).
• Public pressure that has forced officials to clarify, defend, and respond, reluctantly.

This is what civic engagement looks like.
This is what collective care looks like.
This is what accountability looks like.

What Happens Next
Even if the County closes on the property this week, our work does not end. In many ways, it becomes more important.

There will be critical Village, Town, and County meetings following the closing, meetings where zoning, safety, tax status, and community impact will be on the agenda. We must remain present, informed, and vocal.

Stay tuned - we will share dates, agendas, and strategic guidance soon.

For Now: Celebrate the Community You Are Building
In ten weeks, YOU...your voices, your letters, your time, your questions...have shifted the civic landscape in Cazenovia. 

You’ve shown that residents are paying attention, that we expect transparency, and that the community itself, not institutions, defines what is best for our town.

More very soon. Stay strong, stay connected, and stay present.

— Cazenovia Voices Coalition