Dear Readers:
There are a few things I feel necessary to point out. I find it troubling that in Peekskill both parties seem to think if I don't drink ALL their kool-ade, that I am some kind of turn coat. In this blog I will print all information submitted by either party for the purpose of informing the electorate. If people are informed, I believe they will make the right choice, even if it would not be my choice (being wrong would not be a first experience for me). I also take exception to complaints about expediting requests from my customers. If my advocating for certain candidates is not enough, that they would like me to ignore my customers for their sake, then they can pay my bills also. If they are so concerned with my behavior, they can contact me themselves for an explanation.
I would like to thank the "Copycat" "The" Peekskill Guardian for the moniker "His royal blog-nificence".
I love it and will wear it as a badge of honor. At least they acknowledge that mine is the premiere local blog. I would still think they should know better than going after a candidate personally. Just because someone else does it does not make either right. What did your mother use to tell you, "two wrongs don't make a right"? Stick to the high ground and argue issues. If you cannot do that than you are baron of ideas.
I would also like to point out that a certain blgger on another posting site hiding behind the curtain of anonymity in order to say the most vilest of lies upon a private citizen while collecting a check paid for by the tax payers should know that because of a couple of slips on their last few posts, I now know who you are. You sir are attacking a friend of mine and it will not stand. I have the ability to reach more people than you and will not hesitate to use it even if it means you will be exposed and probably wind up on the unemployment line. You wish to jeopardize my friends means of employment( though I doubt you really can) with the nastiest of slanders. Either sign your name to your posts or shut up!!!! I will not allow the tax payers to pay for your attacks on a private citizen because of your sour grapes. Move on with your life.
I received in Saturday's mail a letter from Legislator Oros regarding the the Old Stone Church on Rt. 6 in Mohegan Lake. The owner's wish to petition the County to have three quarters of an acre designated as part of an agricultural district so they may have sufficient ground for parking to comply with Yorktown's zoning requirements. Legislator Oros has stated he will oppose this measure. It is the abuse to the first owner of this property by the Yorktown Town Board( who they chased out of town by their meddling) that started my involvement into politics after a decade of slumber. His arguments regarding traffic and use of wetlands does not hold water when you see ALL the surrounding wetlands that the town approved for development that has caused the congestion. It is a joke to make this property owner pay for the sins of others. The new owner wishes to open a winery. This will create employment and generate tax revenue. If Legislator Oros wishes to deny this person the ability to open a tax paying and job creating business whose traffic impact will be negligible compared to that which already exists, then I will oppose him. This will be a unique business to the town of Yorktown that I believe will be greeted with great patronage by shoppers from all over town. It should be allowed to exist.
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FYI: A BOAT LOAD OF THANKS:
I would like to thank the following for donating gift certificates to the Harrison Apar Field Of Dreams Foundation's recent Golf Outing and dinner:
l:1) Domenic's Cleaners, Peekskill
2) E & G Italian Deli, Washington Street, Peekskill
3)North Division Street Grill, Peekskil
4) Susan's on N. Division St., Peekskill
5)Dunkin' Donuts, Mohegan Lake
6)Cafe Pizzazz, Mohegan Lake
7)Lakeland Liquor's, Shrub Oak
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MESSAGE FROM CANDIDATE FOR WESTCHESTER COUNTY LEGISLATOR VOLPE:
Good morning once again:
Pleased to report that on September 29, the Peekskill Education Foundation held their annual fundraiser to benefit the students of Peekskill at the Colonial Terrace. Honorees for the night were the Hon. Fran Gibbs and the Wheelabrator Group and well deserving they are. Since I have attended the first events which had previously been held at the Elks club and now seeing how this event has evolved only captures the spirit and commitment this community has for Peekskill's educational system.. Jeff Stern, president of the P.E.F., and his wife once again led the charge as well as, Jan Molloy and Lisa Prown, who were co-chairs for the event truly did an outstanding job. Naturally their are so many more volunteers whose names are not heard but work is appreciated. So a nice word of thanks for all your time and effort and put my reservation in for next year's event.
Domenic Volpe
Westchester County Legislator candidate
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A MESSAGE FROM PUTNAM COUNTY LEGISLATOR OLIVERIO:
RE: COUNTY TAXES
Hi Andy,
Last night (10/2) we held our public hearing concerning the County budget. We had over 200 individuals in attendance. The crowd broke along two distinct lines...one in favor of the continued tax cuts we were making (bringing the budget down to about a 22% tax increase from a 40%) and those in favor of having the Legislature reinstate some of the cuts (especially those cuts made to our recycling program and the proposed closing of Tilly Foster Farm and the golf course). Each of the legislators present took notes and listened closely to what every member of the public said. The public hearing lasted from 7:25PM until 9:35PM. Over 50 individuals spoke. At this time the Legislature will continue to deliberate over the budget and finally, at 7PM on October 9th, we will adopt the budget. It looks like, with the public input from last night, that we will come in somewhere around 26-30%. Again though, there will be a lot of water flowing under the proverbial bridge between now and then.
Thanks, Andy!
Sam O.
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A MESSAGE FROM REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR PEEKSKILL MAYOR SCHMIDT:
A LETTER TO THE NORHT COUNTY NEWS:
RE: THE HOMELSS SHELTER ISSUE:
To the Editor:
Judging by the nasty and malignant comments of our opponents, they must now realize just how out of step they are with average Peekskill Democrats (as well as other voters) regarding how best to relocate the homeless shelter in Peekskill. Despite the falsehoods they uttered, no one (least of all me) has ever advocated or supported "closing" this facility or opposed the necessary work it performs. Your editorial, which criticized our proposal by focusing on the sidebar issue of what will happen after the White Plains shelter closes, also unfortunately gave Mary Foster a free pass for her dishonest accusations that we did suggest closing Jan Peek House, or would allow veterans to go homeless. The simple facts that they (and you) cannot dispute are that the homeless shelter is funded by Westchester County and it serves homeless people throughout the county and not just Peekskill. It also isn't in dispute that the facility needs to be relocated, the only question now is: to where? Our position is clear that the many wealthy communities in this county need to start doing their fair share of accepting these social service burdens rather than just letting Peekskill, Ossining and other urban areas that are least able to support them, continue to do so. That's why fairness demands that the search for a new location for the facility should now focus on one of these other underburdened communities. I think its also hard to dispute that the Peekskill location on Highland Ave that Ms Foster wants to move the facility to, being as it is adjacent to two residential neighborhoods (Dunbar Heights and Highland Park) with large numbers of children, is one of the least desirable sites that could possibly be considered. And, if they were truly concerned about any homeless veterans, they would also be demanding that the nearby VA facility do more to prevent such tragedies from occurring rather than looking the other way. All of this once again demonstrates just how clear the choices for Peekskill voters in this election really are. In this very wealthy county, are we finally going to insist that social services be fairly distributed among all communities in Westchester or will we look the other way while the county promotes continued inequality by abandoning its urban areas as archipelagos of the poor and preserves its suburbs as bastions of the privileged wealthy? Eliminating these unfair policies is what our campaign to put Peekskill first is all about. Our opponents meanwhile continue to stand for the status quo, which for Peekskill would be disastrous.
Sincerely,
William Schmidt
Republican Candidate for Peekskill Mayor
-- WKS
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FYI: MEET AND GREET THE PEEKSILL DEMOCRATIC SLATE:
You are invited
to meet
Peekskill’s Democratic Candidates
at Chapel Hill
Join your friends and neighbors as we host:
Mary F. Foster for Mayor
Don Bennett, Patricia Riley & Joe Schuder
for Common Council
Domenic Volpe for County Legislator
Wine, cheese, coffee, cake and conversation
Sun Oct. 14
5-7 PM
at the home of
Darren and Katria Rigger
The Lofts Building at Chapel Hill
200 School House Rd, Apt. 2B
Come with your questions, concerns and your vision for the future of Peekskill.
For more information please contact Darren at 845-598-3971 or email: djrigg@aol.com
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A MESSAGE FROM PEEKSKILL DEOMCRATIC CHAIRMAN RIGGER:
BENNETT AND CLAXTON CALL FOR RETRACTION BY LOCAL PAC SUPPORTING BILL SCHMIDT; PAC PUBLISHES FALSE INFORMATION OF BUDGET VOTES
-Political Action Committee, Peekskill First claims Bennett and Claxton voted against 0% tax increase for 2006 budget; Claxton and Bennett voted yes to the budget -
-Democrats call for retraction to be sent to voters –
A local Political Action Committee (PAC) supporting Republican Bill Schmidt for mayor recently mailed an error laden campaign brochure stating Bennett and Claxton voted no on the 2006 city budget with a zero percent tax increase. Claxton and Bennett voted yes to the 2006 budget. The Democrats are calling on the PAC to mail a retraction to all households who received the falsehood.
"This is a perfect example why we need to more heavily regulate political action committees," said Peekskill Councilwoman Drew Claxton. "We have a small group of big dollar donors who decided to knowingly publish a falsehood in the hopes of misleading the public about my voting record. That brochure is exceptionally inaccurate and I am demanding that the PAC publish a retraction and deliver it in the same fashion in which the original lie was delivered. I expect to see it in my mailbox and the mailboxes of my neighbors."
Peekskill First, a local Political Action Committee established to support the Republican/Conservative candidacy of Bill Schmidt and his running mates, claims they are "putting progress for Peekskill" and state in their brochure "Don't listen to what they say. Look at what they do." Though the organization suggests it’s an independent group, the Mayor's Public Information Officer, Tony Seideman, has served as the group's spokesperson and was involved in the publication of the newsletter.
"I find it hard to believe that Mr. Seideman, whose job is to report the goings on of the city to the press wouldn't have know how we voted on the 2006 budget," said Councilman Don Bennett. "Either he's incompetent as a public information officer or he knowingly published false and defamatory information with the intention to mislead. I am waiting to hear from Mr. Seideman as to which it is."
The brochure goes on to state that Councilwoman Drew Claxton voted no to preserving the Wiccoppee Reservoir (the city's water supply) from future development. The Wiccoppee Reservoir was never slated to be developed as it was wholly owned by the City of Peekskill when it was sold to the State of New York for $1 million dollars. Claxton voted against the Wiccoppee sale because it transferred ownership of the reservoir to the state thus taking away the city's ability to guarantee it never be developed. With the transfer to the state, the City now has no ability to guarantee it won't be developed.
Additionally, the brochure states Claxton voted against downtown development on four separate occasions. Claxton voted against the CPC Development Project, which is now caught up in a major legal battle with the City of Peekskill. In 2003, Claxton raised concerns about the ability of the developer to finance to project. The Republican Majority sold seven properties to the developer at a cost of $250,000. As predicted by Claxton in 2003, the developer was never able to get the project off the ground and now has possession of the properties. The city is now in a major lawsuit to gain the property back.
"I know most of the individuals involved in the PAC only moved to Peekskill in the last few years and may have been misled as to our voting record," said Claxton. "But surely Mr. Seideman and ex-councilman Bill Schmidt knew the truth. The fact that they went to print with such outright lies demonstrates the true nature of the Peekskill First Political Action Committee."
ED NOTE: THE CORRECTION HAS BEEN MADE
A.B.
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Q & A WITH REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR PEEKSKILL COUNCIL MEL BOLDEN:
ED NOTE: SPECIAL THANKS TO PEEKSKILL FIRST.NET FOR PERMISSION TO REPRINT:
A.B.
Q&A:
Q: Mel, you have served for 2 terms, or a total of 8 years, on the Common Council. What are your proudest accomplishments?
M.B.: Establishing a permanent Youth Bureau site, the creation of the Hassan Bolton Basketball League and all of the park improvements: trails, lighting, improved safety features, the new splash park at Lepore. I’ve been proud to contribute to the ideas and plans that are making Peekskill one of Westchester County’s best communities.
Q: What would you and the GOP team like to achieve these next 4 years?
M.B.: Without a doubt, we want to complete the downtown and waterfront revitalization projects that we’ve all worked so hard to make a reality. Completion of the proposed central Fire House is also a priority. Our pro-business approach is to do all of this and still keep taxes low and further improve and strengthen city services.
Q: What in your history lead you to your work for the Youth Bureau?
M.B.: For decades my family has been active in working with Peekskill’s young people. My grandmother was a teacher, an original board member for the Peekskill Health Center and Peekskill Library board member. My grandfather was Peekskill's first African-American police officer and was dedicated to working with Peekskill’s youth. My father was one of the founders of the Peekskill Flag Football. And my uncle, Walter Corney, whose name you see on the gym behind Kiley Center, spent his life in service to the idea that giving kids the opportunities they deserved was the right thing to do. With all of that said, you can say it’s in my blood.
Q: How does this focus on our City's young people fit with your vision for Peekskill's economic development?
M.B.: It's about jobs.
My first job in Peekskill was working as a summer day camp counselor. From there I moved on to the Memorial Pool where I held positions ranging from basket room attendant, cashier and lifeguard. I was lucky, those jobs were tough to get, and if you got one, you held on to it until you hit the real world. But, back then, there were other options in downtown Peekskill, such as McDonalds. Other local stores also hired young people. Once McDonalds left and local businesses starting closing, these jobs for kids didn't exist anymore. This is a tough void that needs to be dealt with. Our team’s downtown development plan is pro-business and it will bring quality businesses back. The jobs will follow.
Q: Anything you can tell us about some of the City's biggest on-going accomplishments—
the Gateway Housing, Target?
M.B.: The final obstacles to breaking ground on the The Gateway Project have been overcome and we should see movement on that soon. The Water Filtration Plant is currently on track to be ready this spring. Target is still in play and I am hopeful that all parties at the table will come up with a plan that is the best for our city.
Q: Any new projects you'd like the City to focus on?
M.B.: Once all of the plans are complete and the construction dust settles, I'd like to see an official Tourist Center showcasing Peekskill's history, activities, shops, galleries, museums, restaurants and resources.
I would also like to see a splash park included at the Riverfront Green and Tompkins Park.
The reconstruction of the Peekskill Inn is also something I would like the city to focus on.
Q: George Oros is part of the GOP's slate. What projects or initiatives do you see that Peekskill can do jointly with Westchester County? How can Peekskill and George accomplish them?
M.B.: The newest challenge is how to handle the Garbage/Recycle at Charles Point. The current plant’s permit expires in 2009. This is a city/county issue and we need to find the best solution. It is critical. We trust that Oros will tackle this with the same energy and conviction he showed when making sure that surrounding towns could not divert their sewage into the Peekskill watershed. Oros is tough, smart, able to work with people on either side of the political spectrum. I’m glad he’s on our team.
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RESUME OF DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR PEEKSKILL COUNCIL JOE SHUDER:
Joseph Schuder
Candidate for Common Council
Peekskill
Personal Profile
· Life long Westchester County resident
· Married with two children and two grandchildren
· Recently retired business development executive
· Chapel Hill resident
Principle Corporate Positions and Responsibilities
New York Telephone Co (now Verizon), 1968- 1973, Union member to Sales Manager.
Rockwell International:
Collins Radio Group - 1973-1983, Eastern Region Sales Manager
Switching Systems Division – 1987-1990, National Account Manager
Electronic Commerce – 1998-2000, Director, of Alliance Development
and Senior Sales Director
Aspect Communications, 1990-1998, last position – VP and General Manager, Eastern Region. Prior positions - VP, North America; Eastern Region Sales Manager; National Account Manager.
Verint Systems Inc., 2000-2002, Regional Sales Director.
Some Career Achievements
Verizon : rapid rise through the ranks to oversee a group of Account Managers handling all Major Airline and JFK Airport accounts. Joe’s Group consistently made revenue and customer service goals. Joe also served as staff manager to the GM of the Brooklyn-Queens territory.
Rockwell: Startup business that grew in first ten years from $0 to $200 million. Joe built a global organization responsible for establishing indirect channel partners in Asia, Europe and Latin America. He initiated operations with Ericcson in China, Germany and Brazil as part of a global alliance.
Aspect – A Silicon Valley startup that grew to a $400 million company. The Eastern Region grew from $5million to $80 million a year, maintaining a year over year revenue increase of 30%. The Region was Number 1 in 6 of 8 years in revenue, profit and customer satisfaction goals. As Vice President of North America, created the North American revenue and operating plan that resulted in a revenue increase of 27% over the previous year while maintaining acceptable profit margins.
. Independent Entrepreneur
New Century Home Services of Rockland and New Jersey, LLC, 2002-2004, CEO. Self owned and operated condo maintenance company.
TRICOMM Group, 2005-2006, SVP Marketing. Startup Disabled Veteran owned IT/ Telecom installation company.
Pro Bono Consultant - Currently at work on a national scope project to create a state of the art national call center network with the mission to provide training (partnering with the Military Order of the Purple Heart Foundation), jobs and modified housing to current and returning disabled veterans. There are over 200,000 veterans deemed unemployable by the VA.
Second term Board Member of the RDC Center for Counseling and Human Development, a psychological family counseling center, dedicated to serving those who cannot afford to pay.
Education
Graduate of St John’s University
Advanced management training in Finance and Accounting at the Wharton School Executive Education Program for Aspect Communications.
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THIS WEEKS "IN MY OPINION COLUMN" IN THE NCN:
Dear Readers:
This week I discuss Governor Spitzer"s removal of Social Security verification reqirement in obtaining a driver's licence. 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.
************************************************************************************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.
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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/P
EEKSKILL 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 PEEKSKILL: Every 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 10/09/07
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