DEAR READERS:
Yes, I know I just sent out a blog, but this is IMPORTANT!!!!!! I can't control the flow of news I think you should know. I don't know how many of you realize you have a school board vote on Wednesday January 24 from 7AM. - 9p.PM. They are asking for you to approve a bond for 7.8 million dollars. The voting is ONLY at the high school on Elm Street.
Some history before you vote. either two or three years ago you voted for a bond of 60 million doallrs to build the new middle school on Ringold Street. 48 million was to go to construction, with 12 million for the other schools. here are some question to ask yourself before you vote.
1) before I authorize another 7 million, what happened to the 12 million?
2) why is the voting only at the high school?
3) why are the polls opening an hour later than usual?
You have a week to get some answers. If not I would consider that response before you vote.
************************************************************************************ THIS IS A LETTER TO THE EDITOR AT THE NORTH COUNTY NEWS
FROM MAYOR TESTA REGARDING AN EDITORIAL QUESTIONING
HOW SAFE IS PEEKSKILL. THE EDITORIAL WAS NOT COMPIMENTARY
TWARDS PEEKSKILL. (ED. NOTE: YOU WILL FIND THE EDITORIAL IN THE COMMENTS SECTION)
Last week, during a discussion with the NCN editorial staff, I was asked how I address the negative perception some people have about Peekskill regarding crime. I answered that the perception is not fair and does not represent the reality. I also pointed out that we have made tremendous strides changing that perception. What I didn’t realize at the time was the hidden prejudice and resentment against Peekskill by those asking the question.
As a lifelong resident of Peekskill, I have always been angered by those who look down on or disparage us because we are a hard-working community with a diverse population. Now, as Mayor of this great City, you have chastised and insulted me for defending my community and correcting your misconceptions.
Why would our City, its staff, and I be attacked in such a way? Why do some people simply hate to see Peekskill becoming a success? It is not based on fact so perhaps there are underlying reasons: lingering resentment of our success over sewage diversion? Our diverse population? Jealousy about the positive coverage we have received for our revitalization efforts? The fact that Target chose Peekskill over others in the region? Whatever prompted the attack, the facts do not support the editors’ claim that I view our City through “rose-colored glasses.”
The conventional wisdom was that no world-class developers would ever come to Peekskill. I felt differently and knew I could help promote what our City had to offer. It was one of the reasons I ran for office in the first place.
As a result of this positive vision, Peekskill is in a true renaissance. Our tax base is expanding significantly, with new, high-end residential developments completed or underway, many retail and commercial businesses opening, a magnificent waterfront project moving forward, and a proposed major downtown revitalization program. Our historic preservation movement has gained momentum, while our reputation as a thriving cultural center has flourished.
The result of all this: two years in a row of 0% tax increase and, yes, low crime. In fact, over the last 5 years, crime in Peekskill has dramatically decreased, more than most towns Westchester! We have a first class police force at its strongest in history, an outstanding Community Policing Program, drug and code enforcement task forces and a top-notch fire department.
Telling lies about Peekskill is wrong. We have been as successful in reducing crime as we have been in achieving other elements of our revitalization plan. During 2003-2005, the period your editorial cites, violent crime in Westchester County rose by 2.4%, while violent crime in Peekskill dropped by more than 30%. Tens of thousands of visitors safely attend events at the Paramount Center for the Arts. Not to mention the thousands who patronize our restaurants, galleries and businesses.
I’m not the only one who realizes what is happening in Peekskill. We’ve garnered multiple rave notices from Westchester Magazine, Hudson Valley Magazine, The Westchester County Times and even The New York Times. These publications have all told the truth about how well we’ve been doing.
Peekskill is a safe place. It’s a beautiful place. And the only people using tinted glasses are the ones who are writing the editorials in your paper and are unwilling to see the truth about one of America’s most diverse, energetic, vital and successful cities.
I will never apologize for being a cheerleader for my community and promoting the many things we offer. Is there still much to do? Yes, but I will always challenge those who purposely denigrate and misrepresent Peekskill for their own business, personal or political ends.
*************************************************************************************
THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM YOUR COUNTY LEGISLATOR
GEORGE OROS
George Oros
Legislator, 1st District
NEWS RELEASE
January 12, 2007 Contact: George Oros
Tel: (914) 995-2828
oros@westchesterlegislators.com
Peekskill Sewer District taxes to drop 44%
Westchester County Legislator George Oros (R/C/I—Cortlandt) revealed great news for taxpayers in the Peekskill Sanitary Sewer District—a 44% tax reduction for 2007, a savings that will benefit all Peekskill residents, about 1,500 in Yorktown and 1,000 in Cortlandt.
“It’s always been very satisfying to work with people in the district and this forward thinking is a tribute to them,” Oros said. “I’m delighted that we’re able to make a difference and help ease the tax burden.”
Oros, who nine years ago led the charge to secure tax relief for approximately 4,700 residents in the Peekskill Sewer District who were paying for sewers they weren’t hooked up to, explained the sewer tax decrease this year was achieved by the consolidation of the operations and maintenance costs of the county’s 13 sewer districts into one administrative account.
The minority leader of the Board of Legislators said he initially fought the consolidation until he was guaranteed it would not adversely affect residents in his district, which includes Cortlandt, Peekskill and the northern end of Yorktown.
“For years I have been a champion of the residents in the Peekskill Sanitary Sewer District,” said Oros, who first proposed eliminating the unfair sewer tax for residents in the district in the early 1990s as a councilman on the Cortlandt Town Board and successfully brought it to fruition in 1998 as a legislator.
The average taxpayer in the Peekskill Sewer District pays about $275 a year for sewers. With the 44% savings, property owners will now pay only about $165.
In addition to being in the forefront of sewer tax relief, Oros also played a key role in thwarting attempts to divert sewage from Yorktown to the Peekskill plant.
*************************************************************************************
SITES TO LINK UP TO:PLAN PUTNAM: planputnam@yahoogroups.com/PLAN PUTNAM BLOG: http://planputnam.blogspot.com/PEEKSKILL GUARDIAN: http://peekskillguardian.blogspot.com/NORTH COUNTY NEWS: http://northcountynews.com/THE JOURNAL NEWS: http://thejournalnews.com/PEEKSKILL DEMOCRATS: http://www.peekskilldems.com/
PEEKSKILL REPUBLICANS: http://peekskillgop.com/
BAZZO 01/16/07
No comments:
Post a Comment