We, the undersigned residents of Cazenovia, Madison County, and Central New York, urgently call on the Office of the New York State Attorney General to pause the pending approval of Madison County’s purchase of Reisman and Sigety Halls on the former Cazenovia College campus for use by the Sheriff's office and emergency services.

Why We Are Concerned

This deal has advanced with no meaningful public input. Village, Town, County, and 9 Fresh leaders all knew of these plans at various stages since January 2025, but residents were left in the dark until early September when the purchase was already before the Attorney General. This secrecy undermines trust and denies our community the chance to shape the future of our village center.

Why It’s a Central New York Issue

Cazenovia sits at the edge of Madison and Onondaga Counties. The decision affects the wider region:

Accountability & Local Control: County takeover of village property undermines zoning authority, neighborhood vitality, and residents’ ability to decide what belongs in the heart of our community.

Overreach & Equity Concerns: County offices and expanded Sheriff operations, especially with ICE cooperation still in place, risk surveillance and intimidation of underserved, agricultural, and migrant workers who sustain our region.

Tourism & Economy: Cazenovia’s character, economy, and real estate values depend on its small-town vibrancy. County overreach in the center of the village threatens businesses, cultural life, and long-term growth.

Our Requests

We urge the Attorney General to pause this process until:

• A transparent public planning process is held;
• Residents’ voices shape the future use of the campus;
• County actions respect local zoning and equity commitments.

Our community deserves decisions made with us, not for us behind closed doors. And because Cazenovia connects agriculture, business, education, and tourism across the region, this is not just our fight—it is a fight for the future of Central New York.