"No man is good enough to govern another man without that other's consent."  Abraham Lincoln put his finger on the challenge that Lansing's Town and Village governments face, struggling with the proposed sewer district.  Everybody would love to have sewers.  It's just that a lot of people wouldn't like to have digging and maintenence in their own back yards, or to pay for them.

The Algerine Rd./Lansing Station Rd. water district extension proposal is a microcosm of the sewer dilemma.  About a hundred property owners are in fierce disagreement about whether the proposal should be enacted.  Those who can least afford it have less need of it than those who would find it easier to pay.

The sewer problem is similar.  Trunk lines must go through the Village in order to reach the treatment plant.  The route the Town prefers is an anathema to the Village.  The Village's choice is too expensive for the Town's liking.  If 100 residents in disagreement isn't hard enough, imagine yourself trying to mediate 13,000 plus citizens, all with good points to make!

While the Town and Village governments don't agree on where the pipe should go, reason seems to be prevailing.  Despite doubts, fears, frustration procedural brickbats and State regulations both bodies are proceeding civally, and are now beginning to look for ways to come to an agreement.  It will take a lot of patience on both sides, as well as a great deal of creativity.

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