Despite this, both Oswego and Fulton have lost population. To be more efficient and more effective, Tierney believes there must be more cooperation between the county and its municipalities. He admits communication is spotty, at the heart of many misunderstandings and too often is based on the personalities of who happens to be in office. It s no secret Tierney, a Republican, and Oswego Mayor Terry Hammill, a Democrat, are poles apart on many issues both philosophically and practically. Tierney doesn t necessarily feel communication with the city will improve automatically when Hammill leaves office at the end of the year after completing a second four-year term.
Oswego mayors have two-term limits.
Nowhere was this difference more apparent than on the Niagara Mohawk tax-assessment issue. Tierney and Hammill were on opposite sides of the Niagara Mohawk issue. The city hired a high-paid consultant and tried to forge a deal independently of the county and school district. Hammill figured the city had by far the most to lose so felt the city should engineer the deal. When that failed, the three taxing entities became unlikely and reluctant bedfellows and finally agreed to a compromise united front, upon which each tried to put the best face.