Sunday, October 21, 2007

CANDIDATES REACH OUT BEFORE THE ELECTION

A MESSAGE FROM CANDIDATE FOR PUTNAM VALLEY TOWN JUSTICE HARRIS:

ERIC LAMAR HARRIS, ESQ. Office/Cell: (914) 720-3996
P.O. BOX 454 Fax: (845) 528-1191
LAKE PEEKSKILL Perdiemattorneypage.com
NEW YORK 10537 Elharrisesq@verizon.net

To: Andy Bazzo

Re: Eric Lamar Harris, Esq. Announces Candidacy for Putnam Valley Town Justice.

Date: October 15, 2007

Eric Lamar Harris, Esq. has announced his candidacy for Putnam Valley Town Justice. Mr. Harris has been endorsed by the Democratic Party.

Mr. Harris is a litigation attorney with over twenty years of experience. He has served two four year terms as a member of the Grievance Committee for the Ninth Judicial District and as a member of the Grievance Committee of the Westchester County Bar Association. Mr. Harris serves as a Small Claims Arbitrator for the Civil Court of the City of New York. He is a former President of the Association of Black Lawyers of Westchester County, Inc. Mr. Harris is a graduate of Syracuse University: College of Law and Williams College.

Mr. Harris has resided in Lake Peekskill for six years and has two teenage children.
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TWO MESSAGES FROM CANDIDATE FOR WESTCHESTER COUNTY LEGISLATOR VOLPE

For Immediate Release: October 15, 2007
Contact: Patrick Welsh, 914 318 4044

Westchester-Putnam Working Families Party Announces Endorsement of Domenic Volpe for Westchester County Legislator District 1.

The Westchester-Putnam Chapter of the Working Families Party has enthusiastically endorsed Democrat Domenic Volpe for County Legislator in District One.

Domenic Volpe has a long history of fighting for the issues that the WFP believes to be most important. He has always been supportive of our efforts to achieve education, fair housing and good wages for all working people in Westchester,” said Patrick Welsh, Chair of the Westchester-Putnam Chapter. “Domenic is the kind of Democrat the WFP party is proud to support,” Welsh added.

The party originally endorsed Volpe for the September election but he will not appear on the WFP Line Row E because of a paper work mistake.

The Working Families Party is therefore asking all voters in the 1st County Legislative District to Vote for Democrat Domenic Volpe on the Democratic line on Tuesday, November 6.

MESSAGE TWO:

Dear Readers of the Bazzomanifesto:

On Monday October 15, 2007 the 3rd Annual American Legion Peekskill Post 274 Golf Outing was held at McCann's Golf course in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Honorary Chairman of the event, Domenic Volpe, stated "It's very rewarding to see 50 participants, many of whom are local business owners and supporters of Veteran's committees, come together and show support for these men and women who cared and sacrificed for their country". After the outing a dinner was held at The Reef in Cortlandt Manor where 70 people were in attendance. Commander of the Post-- Mr. John Nichols was elated at the turnout and reminded all that " these veteran's, whose numbers are dwindling every day, appreciate the effort and recognition you show us". Prizes were raffled off and Mr. Nichols introduced David Cleveland with the Commander's trophy which recognizes an outstanding person in the community who shows support for veterans.

Domenic Volpe
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TWO MESSAGES FRO CANDIDATE FOR CORTLANT TOWN BOARD BECKER:

Richard H. Becker, M.D.
Curriculum Vitae

Personal Information: Date of Birth: 10/03/53
Place of Birth: New York, NY


Offices: Hudson Valley Cardiology Group, P.C.
Cortlandt Medical Building
1985 Crompond Road
Cortlandt Manor, New York 10567
Telephone: (914) 736-0703
E-mail: RHBMD@aol.com

Hospital Medicine Associates, P.C.
Cortlandt Medical Building
1985 Crompond Road
Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567
914-788-8020


Home Address: 2521 Maple Avenue
Cortlandt Manor, N.Y. 10567


Education: B.A., State University of NY at Binghamton
1975

M.D., New York Medical College
Valhalla, N.Y.
1979

Internship: Straight Medicine
The Lenox Hill Hospital
New York, NY
7/79—6/80

Residency: The Lenox Hill Hospital
New York, NY
7/80—6/82

Fellowship: Cardiology
New York Medical College
Westchester County Medical Center
Valhalla, NY 10579
7/82—6/84


Clinical/Administrative
Experience: Hudson Valley Cardiology Group, P.C., Founder
Private Practice of Cardiology with seven cardiologists and two physician assistants
7/84—present.


Hospital Medicine Associates, P.C., Medical Director and owner
Private company, providing comprehensive hospitalist services
Nine physicians currently serving Hudson Valley Hospital Center
Established 4/05

-page 2- Richard H. Becker, M.D.




Academic Appointment: Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine
Department of Medicine
New York Medical College
Valhalla, NY 10579
7/84—present

Member, Admissions Committee
New York Medical College
9/03–present


Hospital Appointments: Chairman, Medical Board
Hudson Valley Hospital Center
Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567
3/2001—3/04

Member, Board of Directors,
Hudson Valley Hospital Center
Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567
3/97—3/04

President, Medical Staff
Hudson Valley Hospital Center
Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567
3/97--1/00

Vice-President, Medical Staff
Hudson Valley Hospital Center
Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567
3/95--2/97

Chairman, Department of Medicine
Hudson Valley Hospital Center
Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567
3/88--3/01


Civic Appointments: Town of Cortlandt Zoning Board Member
Appointed by Town Board on 1/05

Dickerson Mountain Preservation Assoc., President
Successfully preserved 120 acre parcel in Town of Cortlandt


Clinical Accomplishments: Co-creator and Medical Director of cardiac rehabilitation program
Hudson Valley Hospital Center
1987—present

Established and administered Grand Rounds CME Program,
providing hundreds of hours of continuing education
Hudson Valley Hospital Center 1984—2002

MESSAGE TWO:

Candidate: Rich Becker
Office sought: Councilman, Town of Cortlandt

(1) Please tell us why are you running for office or seeking re-election?
Foremost, I believe that the Town of Cortlandt must make it a priority to maintain the quality and character of our unique, semi-rural community. To this end, overdevelopment must be reigned in. Overdevelopment increases local taxes, strains our infrastructure, and creates more traffic. While the town has made efforts towards open and green space preservation, laws need to be passed that mandate this as a fundamental approach on all development projects, not merely on a per parcel basis, when they happen to appear. My plan will do this in a way that will also deter developers from Cortlandt, preserve our tax base, and help keep our quality of life. I will work to enact into local law the town's Master Plan. Some of this has been done, but there is much more to be accomplished.

In my cardiology practice, I see patients everyday that are forced to move away from the area because they can no longer afford our high property taxes. We must do more to keep our community affordable, especially for our seniors on fixed incomes.

Ultimately, my wife and I live, work, and raised our children in the Town of Cortlandt. We love our home and our community and want to see that preserved for everyone else who feels similarly.

(2) What in your personal, civic or professional experience recommends your election or return to office?
When a developer threatened to cover beautiful Dickerson Mountain, the highest peak in Westchester County, with new development, I organized the community opposition and lead a five year fight that ultimately preserved the 120 acres. During this fight, I attended every planning board meeting for 5 years presenting our case time after time. For the first time ever, the planning board outright denied the proposal. When the developer took the town to court over the decision, the town won the article 78 proceedings, a decision that was upheld in the NYS Supreme Court. Recognizing my leadership on the issue, the Town Board appointed me to the Town Zoning Board where I have served for the past 3 years.

My professional duties as a cardiologist in the town over the past 23 years, as well as my tenure as Chairman of The Medical Board of Hudson Valley Hospital Center, have allowed me to know a large number of residents, their families, and their concerns about our town. I have worked hard in my practice to build their trust, a responsibility I do not take lightly. This is the level of trust, accessibility, and understanding that I will bring to the Town Board.

(3) Many voters are concerned about the "quality of life" in their communities - matters that might run the gamut from traffic woes to public safety concerns. If elected or returned to office, are there any specific policies or initiatives you would undertake as priorities?
Overdevelopment must be reined in. I will work to enact laws that cap the number of building permits issued in the Town of Cortlandt at 60% of what is currently issued annually. Further, I want to pass legislation that will require developers to donate half of any parcel over 5 acres to green space. These types of initiatives have been shown to be legal in other communities and will be valuable tools in the fight against overdevelopment here in the Town of Cortlandt.

(4) Many family budgets in our communities are strained by high property taxes, chiefly the school-tax component. To what extent are you satisfied or dissatisfied with non-school government spending? How would your spending or taxing priorities differ from the status quo? Are there any specific changes you would seek to enact?
As I've mentioned, I see residents every day who are forced to move away from their homes, their communities, the streets they raised their families on because the burden of our local taxes is crushing them. I believe that both the non-school portion and the school portion of our local taxes can benefit from shared services. Partnering with our schools is a priority for me. Bulk purchasing and contracting will reduce costs.

The Town of Cortlandt has shown a good record with the MUNICIPAL portion of our local taxes over the past decade, but the SCHOOL TAX INCREASE HAS BEEN STAGGERING, NEGATING THESE EFFOTS. We must hold the line on taxes. I will continue to use the relationships I have with county and state officials to push back and demand our fair share. We pay too many tax dollars to the state that do not make their way back to our communities. This is a trend that I will fight to change.
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Q & A WITH CANDIDATE FOR PEEKSILL CITY COUNCIL MARTINEZ

ED NOTE: Special thanks to peekskill First.Net for permission to re-print.
Milagros Martinez

Q&A:

Q: You are the only Latino female in Westchester County to serve on a City or Town Council and the only bi-lingual council member in Peekskill. What do you think is the best way for Latinos to become an integral part of our community?

MM: We need to encourage all Hispanics, adults and youths, to complete their education so they can compete for well-paying jobs, become homeowners and become active members in their communities. We need informed citizens and voters. I know from experience that civic groups and local governments can accomplish great things. I hope that I can be an inspiration to others in the Hispanic community and that my work on the City Council will encourage others to become involved in making Peekskill a better place to live, study and work.

Q: What is your vision for the downtown? The waterfront? How does it differ from your opponents?

MM: We need to keep moving forward with the plans that are now in place to re-develop our downtown, the waterfront, and finally bring “Target” to Peekskill. These are creative goals that will bring benefits to all of Peekskill’s citizens. For some reason, our opponents on the council have continued to obstruct and vote against each and every one of these plans, Target, the waterfront, everything. Really, I don't get it.

Q: What do you think the next step is for economic development and how do you think it differs from the views of your opponents?

MM: Our Team believes that Peekskill needs market rate residential developments, while our opponents favor more subsidized housing. We cannot attract new businesses to Peekskill unless we have more people with higher disposable incomes who can support our city’s tax base and our local businesses. It’s just economic common sense.

Q: tackling the issue of garbage throughout the city, Peekskill could certainly look more beautiful. What do you suggest we accomplish this?

MM: I think Bill Schmidt’s proposal to invite local civic groups and businesses in Peekskill to participate in an adopt-a-highway program is a great start. This could go a long way in cleaning up the major thoroughfares leading into the city. I think there should also be stiff fines for littering. I believe our Police officers and Code Enforcement officers should give tickets to people who throw trash on our streets. Enforcement should also be extended to those who do not properly maintain their properties and businesses.

Q: What’s your proudest accomplishment?

MM: My sons. All five of them! The eldest graduated from Bushwick High in Brooklyn, the other four from Peekskill School High School. They are all outstanding young adults. My third son, William, returns to Afghanistan in September for his second tour of duty. I admire his strength and bravery and I pray for his safe return.

Q: What is your opinion about building a hiring center for day laborers?

MM: Peekskill currently has a privately run hiring site for day laborers. I feel strongly that we do not need to use taxpayer dollars to fund an additional site sponsored by the city.
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A MESSAGE FROM PEEKSKILL DEMOCRATIC CHAIRMAN RIGGER:

For Comments:
October 13, 2007 Hon. Mary Foster 914-720-4644
Hon. DonBennett 914-438-5451
Joe Schuder 914-953-8923
Patricia Riley 914-736-1347


FOSTER AND RUNNING MATES ANNOUNCE RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT PLANS

-Democratic plan calls for mixed-use commercial/residential units on Central Avenue; recreational businesses, restaurants, retail and cultural activities on Water Street-

-Democrats raise concerns with GOP plan for condos ten feet from Metro North Tracks-

-Democrats commit to not using eminent domain to remove businesses such as Homestyle Bakery and Dain’s Lumber-

-Democrats envision ‘amenity row’ and a concealed parking garage with roof-top park on Railroad Avenue-

Democratic mayoral candidate Mary Foster and her running mates discussed their riverfront development plans this week, calling for mixed-use commercial and residential development on Central Avenue and recreational businesses, restaurants, retail and cultural activities on Water Street. On Saturday, the Democrats met with business owners of Homestyle Bakery and Dain’s Lumber on Water Street. Both businesses have had difficult negotiations with both the City and the preferred developer of the Peekskill Waterfront. Although negotiations with a preferred waterfront developer have been ongoing for the last several years, to date no construction or final plans have been presented. Standing at the riverfront, Democrats announced their plans for development and how they would jump start the process.

“The Riverfront is the City’s greatest natural asset,” said Councilwoman Mary Foster. “We need to make sure that as we look at redeveloping it we move forward with a plan that generates net tax revenue and visitors to our community, and also builds upon culture, art and entertainment. To do that we plan to promote commercial development along Water Street and Central Avenue to bring people to our downtown business and artist district, as well as to our galleries and museums. At the same time, we need to attract recreational businesses and cultural activities along the riverfront to draw residents and tourists and capitalize on our exceptional waterfront. Water Street north of Central Avenue is better suited for residential units as is the south side of Central Avenue. These units can be used to attract young professionals and middle class families. All this needs to be done while we supporting such mainstay businesses such as Homestyle Bakery and Dain’s Lumber.”

Democrats cited their concern with GOP plans to concentrate condominiums heavily along Water Street and Central Avenue and their refusal to take eminent domain off the table.

“We don’t want a highly concentrated condominium development on Water Street that sits just ten feet from the Metro North tracks and serves as a divide between our riverfront park and our downtown area and we don’t want eminent domain used to push Homestyle Bakery and Dain’s Lumber out of the area,” said Councilman Don Bennett. “Residents and visitors would be better served by a landscape that offers a continuous shopping and entertainment corridor from the train platform to downtown Peekskill.”

The Democratic plan for riverfront development envisions new retail establishments next to the train station, recreational businesses on the west side of Water Street, and mixed-use residential and retail facilities along Central Avenue.

“We are trying to create an entire corridor of activity – an amenity row” said Joe Schuder, Democratic candidate for common council. “Rather than turn the riverfront and Central Avenue into a residential development, we want to see the type of development that was outlined in the original Sasaki Plan. The Sasaki Plan was a community-driven plan that transformed the riverfront into an area that everyone had an opportunity to enjoy. I know one of the projects Councilwoman Foster would like to incorporate into the riverfront redevelopment is a unique museum targeted to families and children. A few people have suggested different themes, but one that seems to stick is a Train Museum.”

Patricia Riley, a lifelong Peekskill resident and Democratic candidate for common council, pointed out how underutilized the riverfront has traditionally been in Peekskill, and how she and her running mates would change that. “The riverfront offers so many possibilities, both in and of itself and as a gateway to downtown Peekskill,” said Riley. “Imagine a trolley that would carry shoppers on a loop from the riverfront to the downtown. This would be a great tourism feature, as it would make shopping and touring between the riverfront and the downtown easier and more fun.”

Riley adds, “We have the single most impressive waterfront on the Hudson River. We need to develop it so that all residents can enjoy it. And we need to develop it so that we can capitalize on its potential. We want to entice new visitors to Peekskill who will spend their time and money in our city. Our vision for the riverfront is part of our overall plan to solidify Peekskill’s place as the cultural, artistic, and business hub of the region.”
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THIS WEEKS "IN MY OPINION COLUMN" IN THE NCN:
Dear Readers:

This week I discuss the continuing saga of The Old Stone Church in Mohegan Lake. You can read my column on this topic exclusively in this weeks NORTH COUNTY NEWS on sale now. I am worth the seventy-five cents. Look for my column IN MY OPINION(page 10) in the editorial section. Better yet as this column is exclusive to the North County News on a regular basis and will be covering the local political scene, take out a subscription. Click on the North County News link below and go to Subscribe. Between this blog and The North County News you will have all the information to make a vote based on substance.
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FYI: ATOM TAXI INC. AIRPORT SERVICE:
Dear Readers:

This gives me a chance to plug my business ATOM TAXI INC. Instead of the headache of trying to find Airport parking, we do Airport Service to The Westchester County Airport(and ALL other airports) 24/7. Just call 1(914)879-6121 and my partner Tommy, will be glad to take you in our Airport Taxi. You will also be provided with a free copy of your local paper of record The North County News. If this is a business trip we also provide a professional receipt, just tell Tommy at the time of booking. The cost of a one-way trip to the Westchester County Airport is seventy dollars. To LaGuardia Airport the cost is Ninety-four dollars which includes all tolls. The cost to JFK and Newark Airports is one hundred-twenty-five dollars which also includes all tolls. We do not take credit cards, sorry. ************************************************************************************
E-MAIL ME WITH YOUR COMMENTS:
Dear Readers:

It has come to my attention the difficulty in posting a comment on this blog. If you wish to comment, e-mail me at the link posted below, putting "Manifesto Reader" in the subject matter, and I will "cut and Paste" your comments myself. If you DO NOT wish your comments posted, but just wish to communicate with me, please make your wishes known in the e-mail.

LINKS: atom_taxi@yahoo.com(as this a yahoo address make sure you put an underscore (-) between atom and taxi)
For immediate reply: atomtaxi@aol.com
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SITES TO LINK TO:

ON THE OTHER HAND W/ FORMER PEEKSKILL COUNCILMAN SCHMIDT: http://peekskillperspectives.blogspot.com/
YORKTOWN COUNCILMAN NICK BIANCO: http://www.electbianco.com/
PLAN PUTNAM: planputnam@googlegroups.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/
PEEKSKILLREPUBLICANS:http://peekskillgop.com/
YORKTOWN CANDIDATE FOR SUPERVISOR DON PETERS: http://www.donpetersforyorktown.com/
YORTOWN CANDIDATE FOR SUPERVISOR ROSE MARIE PANIO: http://www.rosemariepanio.com/
PUTNAM VALLEY CANDIDATE FOR SUPERVISOR BOB TENDY:http://www.bobtendyforsupervisor.com/
PEEKSKILL FIRST: http://www.peekskillfirst.net
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CABLE SHOWS TO WATCH:

ON POINT ON PEEKSKILLEvery Tuesday at 8PM channel 15 (Peekskill only)
Hosted by:DARREN RIGGER
DON PETERS AND YORKTOWN: Every Tuesday at 10PM channel 74
Hosted by: DON PETERS
YORKTOWN WATCHDOG: Every Friday at 9:30 PM on channel 74
Hosted By: ED CHIFFON
LEGISLATORS REPORT: Saturday and Sunday at various times on chanel 20
Hosted By: COUNCILMEN NICK BIANCO AND LOU CAMPISI
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EDITOR'S NOTE:All articles re-printed in this blog from the North County News are with the permission of Bruce Apar Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

BAZZO 10/20/07

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