Dear Readers:
In an interesting irony, it seems the county nannies are in need of a nanny themselves. The Special Committee On Controls and Procedures, a committee formed by County Board Chairman Bill Ryan in the wake of Ryan's chief advisor Gary Kriss' questionable spending of taxpayer dollars(you can get yourself up to snuff by archiving Journal News columnist Phil Reisman's columns regarding this topic on LoHud.com) has spoken. Simply put the report says stop me before I abuse the taxpayers again. Two of the recommendations, 1) Name a chief of staff within the existing budget to oversee day-to-day duties, employee evaluations, human resource matters, 2) Provide employee handbook, with organizational chart, policies, code of conduct, prove my point. By recommending this hand book, the committee is saying that our legislators and their aides are too stupid to differentiate between tax dollars and their own money. As many of these legislators are entrenched, this is understandable. The aides, seeing how their bosses treat tax money can also be forgiven for not knowing the difference. This also explains why we are one of the most taxed counties in the nation. The need for this handbook also explains the need to abolish county government. This book I might also point out would be paid with our tax dollars.
Simply put, if this handbook is so necessary, then it is time to vote out these legislators and they can take their aides with them. The problem is that Mr. Kriss' expenditures were authorized, it may be difficult to prove that his taxpayer-funded purchases were improper. So reimbursement would be questionable. So if Chairman Ryan authorized the purchase of a Rolls-Royce, under the existing practice, this would not be deemed improper. So in essence no crime has been committed because the legislator legalized the crime. This practice, which has been going on for years is noxious. It is an insult to the hard working taxpayer. To giver yourself the right to do something does not make it right to do.
The naming of a chief of staff is to add to an already over bloated government another layer of taxpayer funded bureaucracy. We will have to now pay somebody to tell our legislators the difference from right and wrong. You can't make this stuff up. It would be funny if it weren't so serious. I think the committee has done a decent job under the circumstances. However the premise they went into this with, that our county government is basically an instrument for good is flawed. This incident of questionable use of taxpayer money is not isolated.
In a recently related incident, the county government has or is purchasing new voting machines. These are optic scanners w/ paper. I have not heard we had any problem with the old machines other than their age. In fact Peekskill Councilman Don Bennett has voiced concerns with me about these new machines. We should have just gotten newer ones. However new federal laws in the wake of the false accusation that the 2000 election was stolen makes this not possible. In this age of motor voter, even these new machines will not stop voter fraud. What these new machines will make possible though is the need to purchase for 13.6 million dollars(this price includes the costs of referbishing) a building in Ardsley to store them. In the past the old machines were stored by the local municipalities. How ever this building is owned by a major contributor to the County Executive. They say there is no quid-pro-quo, yet this building at 450 Sawmill River Road is not easily accessible, up a hill and hard to find. Seems no one else wants this building and even in this market place the county is willing to pay top dollar. Also in a cynical ploy, our legislators have separated the cost of purchasing and upgrading to keep the matter from becomming a public referendum by keeping the individual costs below ten million dollars. By doing it this way, they avoid having to account to the tax payers why this building is necessary and not one of the many buildings the county already owns or rents. It seems to me there is no price to great to pay to help a friend as long as it's our tax dollars being used, after all they can always raise our taxes.
If this committee really wanted to address the core issues, it would have said county leadership has lost their moral compass. They have convinced themselves they are the ruling class. They are no longer public servants, we are the servant public. Our money is theirs to do with as they please. This county government redundant in many cases, with law makers and bureaucrats trying to justify their existence and is already over bloated. They would say it is time to abolish this layer of government. Their recommendations would seem to suggest that.
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THIS WEEKEND AT THE DIVISION STREET GRILL N.DIVISION STREET PEEKSILL:
Appearing this weekend at
The Division Street Grill
26 North Division Street
Downtown Peekskill
739-6380
Friday August 8
The John Basile Trio
Cece Hankins on Vocals
8:30 - 11:30
Saturday August 9th
in the streets
The Peekskill Jazz & Blues Festival
5 - 10 PM
Inside
The Carmen Leggio Quartet
9:30 - 12:30
For Reservations call
739-6380
info@divisionstreetgrill.com
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CABLE T.V. UPDATE:
THE ISSUES WITH SAM DAVIS:
Posted By Dawn Powell:
The Issues, with host Sam Davis, airs this Thursday at 9 PM. Sam's guest this week is Robert Goldstein, General Counsel for Riverkeeper. The main topic for discussion is the Tappan Zee Bridge, a major project for this region. When the planning for this was started, It was supposed to include public participation. Sam went to one of the initial meetings while Putnam Valley Supervisor. As with Putnam Valley's Peekskill Hollow Road, the public has been shut out of the process. Watch this show for more information about this important project.
And next week, another terrific show with Fred Koontz of Teatown Lake Reservation. Hear more about conservation, environmental education, and hope for the future.
The Issues may be seen in Peekskill on Mondays at 8PM, Channel 15, and on ComCast, Channel 8. It is also available in the Mahopac Library.
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THE VOLPE REPORT:
The Volpe Report
Host: Domenic Volpe
Upcoming Schedule
The Volpe Report is pleased to announce the line up of guests for August. John Curran the City of Peekskill Historian will showcase the Urban Renewal projects of the 60's abd 70's and highlight the impact in the downtown district. Mr. Curran will be seen Thursday- August 7, 14, and 21 at 8:00pm, Channel 15 in the Peek/Cortlandt areas. The Yorktown area will see his show on Wednesday July 30, August 6, and 13 at 6:00pm on Channel 74.
Once again we thank all our viewers to look in and if there are any questions or comments regarding any of these shows please forward any responses to the Volpereport@aol.com
Domenic Volpe
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A MESSAGE FROM WESTCHESTER COUNTY LEGISLATOR KAPLOWITZ:
KAPLOWITZ INTRODUCES “REAL REFORM” PACKAGE
“Times are very tough. We simply have no choice but to cut spending and get some money back to the taxpayers. Anything else is just not ‘real reform’.” -- Kaplowitz
Vice Chairman of the County Board of Legislators Michael B. Kaplowitz (D-I-WF, Somers), today stood up for the taxpayers and introduced what Kaplowitz is referring to as “real reform”.
According to Kaplowitz, the immediate past chair of the Legislature’s Budget & Appropriations Committee, a more comprehensive reform initiative should be delivered by the Board’s Special Committee on Internal Controls & Procedures (ICP), a committee that was created and its members appointed by Board Chair Bill Ryan back in June. County Legislator Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers) was appointed by Ryan to chair the committee. It was at this afternoon’s ICP meeting that Kaplowitz released his proposal.
Kaplowitz, an attorney and certified financial planner, said that in light of these difficult economic times, it is critical that this Board make some tough decisions now in order to protect the taxpayers interest. “This must be done in an honest and open fashion,” he continued.
Kaplowitz noted that he is hoping to ultimately convince his fellow lawmakers to support
his “Real Reform” proposal.
(more)
“Although I appreciate the work my colleagues on this special committee have done, they simply are not going far enough,” Kaplowitz continued.
“Times are very tough. We simply have no choice but to cut spending and get some money back to the taxpayers. Anything else is just not ‘real reform’.”
Included in Kaplowitz’ proposal, among other things, are:
• An immediate hiring freeze at the Board of Legislators
• At least a 5% reduction in staff and a staff restructuring
• The elimination of county cars for the Board Chair, any legislator and/or staff use
• A three-term limit for the position of Board Chair
Kaplowitz is urging the public to review the proposal and they support it to contact their legislator to ask them to support it as well. Kaplowitz’ “Real Reform” proposal can be found on his home page on the Board’s website: www.westchesterlegislators.com.
A copy can also be obtained by calling Kaplowitz’ office at (914) 995-2848 or by emailing him at: Kaplowitz@westchesterlegislators.com
THE PROPOSAL:
Four Part Plan to Restore the Public’s Trust in
the Westchester County Board of Legislators
presented by
Michael Kaplowitz, Vice Chair
(914) 924-3404 cell
July 30, 2008
Public confidence in the Westchester County Board of Legislators has recently begun to fade after a series of disclosures of poor fiscal oversight, a lack of internal controls and excessive spending.
In order to restore public confidence, to recognize the extraordinarily difficult economic times and the positive role the County Board can play in providing critically important public services we must assure the public that the Board of Legislators is serious about reforming the way it conducts the public business.
In addition, to assure that all Board purchases and expense reimbursements from 2003 to the present have been appropriate and that any steps necessary to recover misappropriated public funds are established, the following Four Part Plan is recommended for adoption by the Board of Legislators.
The “Plan” sets out specific action steps that will help restore the public’s confidence and demonstrate that the Board of Legislators is effectively and appropriately discharging its fiduciary responsibility and oversight role under the County Charter.
1. Operational Reform:
A. Reorganizational Changes:
• The Chief of Staff role shall be restored and united with the responsibilities of the Board Clerk. The responsibilities of this position shall include all staff oversight and administrative procedures for the day- to- day operation of Board activities. There shall be a Deputy Chief of Staff/Board Clerk who assists the Board Clerk and assures continuity in the absence of the Board Clerk. All hiring, firing and disciplinary procedures of staff shall be made upon the recommendation of the Chief of Staff/Board Clerk and shall be acted upon by the full Board of Legislators.
• The Chief of Legislative Matters / Legislative Counsel shall oversee the substantive and legislative side of Board operations. Counsel shall oversee committee operations, substantive legislative items and shall coordinate with legislative leaders and individual legislators.
• The Chief of Fiscal Affairs shall be responsible for the budgetary and fiscal internal operations of the department as well as guiding the fiscal/budget oversight role of the Board of Legislators.
• The Communications Director shall direct public communications through all mediums including the Board’s website.
• All above individuals shall directly report to the Chairperson.
• This reorganization will increase accountability, streamline operations, enhance transparency and provide significant budgetary savings.
B. Role of Chairperson Changes:
• The Chairperson of the Board of Legislators is selected by the full Board to run Board operations as a County Department Head. The Chair is the Chief Executive Officer of the Department and shall be directly accountable to the Legislature.
• The Chairperson shall not serve more than three (3) terms.
• There shall be no advisors reporting directly to the Chairperson other than the positions enumerated above, as well as support staff.
• The Chairperson in the role of Department Head shall prepare and defend the Board of Legislators annual budget before the Budget & Appropriations Committee.
• The Chairperson on an annual basis shall present a State of the Board of Legislators report to the full Board of Legislators.
• The Chairperson shall on a semi-annual basis report all Board expenditures to the Budget & Appropriations Committee.
• The Chairperson shall not have a county provided car but may receive appropriate reimbursement for legitimate governmental travel other than normal commuting expenses.
C. Legislator/Staff Changes:
• There shall be provision for one telephonic device per legislator as well as one for Chief of Staff/Board Clerk, Deputy Chief of Staff/Board Clerk, Chief of Legislative Matters, Chief of Fiscal Affairs and Communications Director. These devices shall be used for official Board business only. Private use shall be reimbursed by user. No telephonic device for other individuals, advisors and staff shall be provided at the public’s expense.
• There shall be provision for one computer per legislator and one computer per staff. No computer for non-legislators and non-staff.
• No County-owned car shall be assigned to any legislator or staff.
• Legislators may receive appropriate reimbursement for legitimate governmental travel other than normal commuting expenses.
• If approved in the annual Board of Legislators’ budget, a Travel policy shall allow for either a lump sum dollar amount for each of two annual conferences (NYSAC and NACO) divided by number of legislators attending, or full reimbursement for the Chairperson and one other attending legislator.
2. Budgetary Reform:
• Full Board operations shall be detailed in the annual department budget.
• Special Items shall not be used for legislative earmarks, but instead reserved for unexpected budgetary needs.
• Legislator additions shall be added to miscellaneous or departmental budget as separate expenditure lines and defended/voted upon with full disclosure.
• The County Board shall immediately institute a hiring freeze.
• The County Board shall cut staff by at least 5% this year and at least 10% in 2009 from 2007 levels.
• The County Board shall immediately reduce 2008 expenses by at least 5% this year and at least 10% in 2009 from 2007 levels.
• Legislation shall be promulgated to recognize no more than cost of living increases in legislative salaries from 2010 and beyond.
• Salary levels shall be set for all leadership and committee assignments and additional committee stipends will not be provided.
• There shall be no retroactive increases for legislators for the years 2007 through 2009.
• All Board purchases shall follow the existing County purchasing policy.
• All Board hires shall be in conformity to County hiring practices.
• Institution of above measures will save taxpayers at least $250,000 in 2008 and at least $500,000 in 2009.
3. Full Accounting and Reimbursement of any Misappropriated or Misspent Funds:
• Establishment of three member Committee to conduct accounting of purchases and expense reimbursements for years 2003 through present. The members shall be the Chief of Fiscal Affairs for the Board, the County’s Budget Director or representative, and the County’s Finance director or representative. They shall examine all purchases and expense reimbursements for 2003 through the present, determine the location of said items, study the stated and real purpose of said items and determine if any purchases or expense reimbursements were made outside the legitimate scope of the county government.
• This Committee shall provide a report to the full Board of Legislators that includes findings of whether any purchases or expense reimbursement were or were not related to County business and suggest any recommendations of action.
• The full Board of Legislators shall then take action or demand reimbursement of taxpayer monies where appropriate.
• The committee shall act independently of any ongoing investigation by the Westchester County District Attorney or other investigative body and shall fully cooperate with authorities by providing records or information that may be requested.
4. Establishment of a County Office of Inspector General:
• Appointed jointly by County Executive and Board of Legislators, an independent Inspector General shall be appointed with a fixed five year term to investigate internal complaints from employees or the public regarding Westchester County governmental operations. This revives an earlier County Executive Spano legislative idea submitted years ago to the Board of Legislators but never acted upon.
• The Inspector General will enable whistleblowers to come forward with specific knowledge of malfeasance or misfeasance with sufficient protection for the whistleblowers.
• The Inspector General will as appropriate issue findings and recommendations and/or refer alleged criminality to the appropriate legal authorities.
• The purpose of this office is to root out any possible existing wrongdoing and to deter inappropriate future behavior on the part of all County Employees and Elected Officials.
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E-MAIL RESPONSE FROM PALN-PUTNAM PUBLISHER JEFF GREEN
Good Monday Morning,
My apologies for being late this morning but an NtM fan took me out for breakfast this morning. My schedule is open for those also inclined.
If you've noticed, gasoline prices have dropped a bit now that all this attention is focused on speculators and oil company profits (read: government encouraged price gouging). Congress is tied up in knots over offshore drilling and pretty much every politician from Albany, NY to Xenia, Ohio is pushing for increased domestic petro-production but notably few are calling for conservation and fewer still for an immediate improvement in energy efficiency. Oh, we'll get to that, once the oceans are spoiled, mountains are leveled and the future bankrupt but, as the Vice President once said, the American lifestyle is non-negotiable and thus we're not going to have to make any sacrifices. Somehow, some magical, mystical force will keep your SUV's running and your homes heated.
Here's the truth: what's going to save this nation is sacrifice on our part as individuals and as communities. Even if we were to allow drilling on our coasts tomorrow morning and drilled right into the bottom of Lake Gleneida, you won't see any benefits and the sh*t will still hit the energy fan. And by that time the politicians you voted for today, those who promise an oil-rich future, will have garnered their wealth and power and retired safely able to blame someone else.
Both candidates for the 19th Congressional district have taken the wrong position on this issue. Mr. Lalor following the national Republican mantra, believes we can drill our way out of the energy crunch and Mr. Hall, following the Democrat line, wants additional flows of national reserves to help stabilize prices. But as I wrote the other day, you can flow all the oil you want but we do not have the refining capacity to put additional supplies into the distribution network and so the only people who will benefit from either approach will be the oil companies.
There are manufactured goods we depend on which make our lives livable and comfortable, items that with current technology cannot be made using any other source but petroleum products. Do we empty the earth to move our cars today or do we keep that oil in the ground for the future to use? In other words, do we satisfy an immediate political need or can we be mature enough as a society to resist temptation and look to the future instead? If we use that oil today to lower the cost of gasoline a dime or so - 4 years from now assuming consumption stays the same - what will our children be left with?
If you want to see a reduction in the cost of fuel, use less of it. It's that simple.
We have a choice to make:
Should national energy policy be to enrich the oil companies and garner votes with the promise of continuing a non-sustainable lifestyle or should we push the nation into a crash program of energy independence and make some sacrifices along the way?
If you remember back to the oil crisis of the 1970's we took the latter approach and built the economy while using less - dramatically less - fossil fuels. That should serve as a model for where we need to be today.
There are things we can do right here at home to help. The county, rather than looking for developers to build shopping malls, should be designating land and encouraging investors to build wind turbines on county, municipal and private lands. Local zoning and planning boards should create regulations to allow and encourage the use of personal wind turbines and require that all new construction provide a minimum of %75 of its energy needs from on-site sources. This can be as simple as using passive solar to heat homes and hot water, green-roofing or requiring super-insulation (18" thick outside walls) as part of local building codes. While there are some added costs to initial construction, those costs are recovered the very first time you realize you heated your home for the winter on 50 gallons - or less - of oil. You might have to forgo the "bonus room" or that 4th bathroom, but the benefits for you - and for the community - would be more than measurable and continue on year after year.
None of this is rocket science and all is available as proven, affordable technology that keeps getting better with each iteration.
We should be looking to the Hudson River as a source of power generated by its twice a day tides. We should be expanding the availability of mass transit by scheduling PART buses to run at convenient times to deliver - and pick up - commuters to and from our several Metro North stations. And the cost of mass transit into and out of NYC should be affordable - it is not so now. It should be cheaper to take the train than to drive. In fact, several European capitols are experimenting with free or near free mass transit.
As a matter of regional policy, we should be encouraging what's left of our local farms to grow consumer crops and make monies available for hydroponics and other advances in local agriculture rather than giving those dollars to out-of-county developers to build housing, hotels and shopping malls. When properties in the Ag District come up for renewal, we should require they be growing produce for local delivery for continued inclusion. Previously cleared open space lands should be producing food.
And I've said it before but will again, the county should be working Tilly Foster Farm to provide both cellulosic ethanol and bio-diesel to power the county trucking fleet. Solar panels should cover the Putnam National and Centennial golf courses to take those facilities off the grid and the open space in front of the Kent Town Center should likewise be used. There is no logical reason not to do this. If the county and towns cry "we don't have the money!" let them take a look at their electricity bills and do the math. We cannot afford NOT to do this.
Why we cannot get elected officials nor their competitor-hopefuls to take any of this seriously is not their fault, it's ours. We have become energy fat and lazy and complacent and expect government to give us what we want when we want it even if we know it's not practical. Feed me today and we'll worry about tomorrow... tomorrow. We will vote for the guy that promises us no pain - even though we know he cannot deliver - and then complain when it hurts anyway.
The rest of the industrialized world is taking all of this pretty seriously. In Germany and Spain any new construction needs to meet energy efficiency standards that are unknown in the United States. Both Sweden and Norway are working towards the removal of fossil fuels from their lives. Even Arab nations are light-years ahead of the United States on weaning themselves off fossil fuels. And, if they're doing it don't you think there's something we're not completely understanding? Yes, they are running out of oil and are preparing themselves for the near future and they're doing it on *your* petro-dollars. Why aren't we doing it on our petro-dollars?
We need to make a dramatic change in the way we think, work, build our communities and live our lives and we cannot look to Washington for help. The National government will only assist the oil industry in consolidating profits and will not work to see us through the coming energy crunch. This is something we're going to have to do without their help and will have to, (as federal policies keep changing to thwart alternative energy competition), fight against our own government to ensure a successful future.
Get active today. Call your Town Hall, call the County Legislature and pressure Albany to do the right thing energy-wise. And please, don't fall for the charlatans who tell you that we can drill our way out of this for they're lying to you and you know it. Deep down inside you know it to be the truth. Be brave for the future is scarier than you think and there's no one in Washington who is going to help us.
This is something we need to do on our own. Let's get to it.
Jeff Green
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A MESSAGE FROM ASSEMBLYMAN GREG BALL:
BALL COMMENTS ON GOVERNOR’S ECONOMIC SPEECH
Less than a month after calling on the State Legislature to “enact property tax relief or stay in Albany,” Assemblyman Greg Ball (R – Patterson) responded to Governor Paterson’s speech on the state of New York State’s economy tonight.
“What the Governor told us tonight is not anything new – especially for those of us living in Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester counties, where we are already paying the highest property taxes in the nation. Taxation of all forms has skyrocketed because Albany’s three men in a room have refused to cut their addiction to spending for far too long. We know that taxes are driving us out of our homes, losing jobs, and forcing businesses to close. Seniors are struggling with the choice of paying for heat or medications or their property tax bill. Our young residents are fleeing the state as soon as they can for greener pastures. This is no surprise to the people of New York State,” stated Ball.
The Assemblyman continued, “Throughout my first term, I have been dedicated to holding the line on spending. I voted against both the 2007 and 2008 State Budgets because they flat out spent too much. I voted against every proposed tax increase. Unlike many of my colleagues, I have held true to my principles and I have kept my word to the people I represent. I have been adamant about this session’s lackluster achievements and was the first to call on my colleagues to stay in Albany so that we can, for once and for all, address the concerns of our state and set out what we promised to do – build a brighter, more affordable, more secure future for all New Yorkers.”
“As I have been, I am ready to get back to Albany and hope that now that Governor Paterson is on board, we can finally address the urgent concerns facing our state. I look forward to partnering with him to bring to the forefront property tax reform, economic development, and a huge reduction in government spending,” concluded Ball.
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Folks:
This is an email directly from me, and I am asking for your help.
Today, we have discovered that Albany insiders, including our State Senator, have funneled over $100k (we believe illegally) to my opponent.They have admitted to over $50k in what seems to be illegal transfers to a ghost campaign committee (read more here: http://lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008807260364 ). They are shifting much more through another, third party organization.
Sadly, the failed Brewster Mayor is nothing more than a puppet for those who seek to maintain the status quo. They will stop at nothing to keep their house of cards together.
Folks, if you care, as I do, about this community and about this state. If you are tired of the shenanigans and the good ole boys, if you want to see Brewster truly revitalized and if you are tired of liberal Republicans who give away the store in Albany– please – please take a moment a make a donation today at www.Ball4NY.com.
Your Friend!
Greg Ball
www.Ball4NY.com
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My opponent is pro-abort, pro-illegal alien, against the property tax cap and…
…running as a Democrat in a Republican Primary.But do not take our word for it…watch him for yourself:
Watch my opponent attack my military service (he never served):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t77Gh_Cn6H4&feature=related
Watch my opponent attack a senior citizen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tac1HFbMX6g&feature=related
Watch my opponent stand against my property tax cap:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIMpdZss8gQ
Watch my opponent defend the “alleged” sexual predator living in one of his many Brewster properties:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgoWzdSR9nI&feature=related
Watch my opponent explain his pro-abort position:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4QNgfvfXas
Please, make a donation large or small. Or send a check to “New Yorkers on the Ball” PO Box 607 Pawling NY 12564
We need every penny just to keep up! We will win. We are winning. We are going to win big on September 9th! But we need every bit of grassroots help we can get! Send this message to everyone you know!
Thank You
Greg Ball
(917) 681-9302
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TV Commercial:
JOHN DEGNAN: NATIONAL SECURITY NIGHTMARE
View The 30 Second Commercial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmErZFBOraY
Donate $100, right now…and we will be able to place this commercial on TV
(FOX News, News 12, MSNBC, etc.) this week, at least once!!!
Donate $100, or more, and help…get the word out about the Failed Brewster Mayor!!
Click Here to Donate:
http://www.ball4ny.com/contribute.aspx
SHAKING UP ALBANY
Click here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-rl-DJbmdY&feature=related
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IS ILLEGAL SPOT
Click here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfqDgwx1FXw&feature=related
www.Ball4NY.com
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A MESSAGE FROM ASSEMBLYWOMAN SANDRA GALEF:
Assemblywoman Sandy Galef’s “Roundtable on Shared Services with NYS Comptroller Thomas Di Napoli, Alfred DelBello, James Langlois and Linda Puglisi”
Airs on Cable Television
Galef’s Forum Offers Viewers Concrete Solutions to Cutting Local Costs Without Giving Up Services
(August 1, 2008) Assemblywoman Sandy Galef takes a deep look at the property tax crisis in New York in a series of TV shows focusing on the topic. The series, which kicked off in March, continues to appear on cable television through October. The next show to air, in two parts, highlights the forum Galef hosted in the spring on sharing services to save taxpayer dollars. Starting at the end of August, Part One, featuring New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, Westchester County Association Chairman Alfred DelBello, Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES District Superintendent Dr. James Langlois, and Cortlandt Town Supervisor Linda Puglisi, will air. Part Two of this roundtable will be featured in October.
“We must find a solution to out-of-control property taxes in New York,” says Galef. “This involves looking for ways to reduce costs without compromising services. At this roundtable, we had experts from business, municipal government, schools and state government talking about successes they have had which saved money through sharing services. I’m so glad my constituents will have an opportunity to hear what these officials have to say so they can help advocate for cost cutting measures in their own communities.” Galef also serves as Chairperson of the Assembly Committee on Real Property Taxation.
Tune into Cablevision at the dates and times listed below to become part of the conversation and to gain understanding about this complex and challenging topic.
“Speak Out” with Sandy Galef airs as follows:
Ossining/Peekskill Channel 15 – Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m.,
Wappingers Falls Channel 21 and Yorktown Channel 74 – Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.
“Roundtable on Shared Services with NYS Comptroller DiNapoli Part 1,” with panelists Thomas DiNapoli, Alfred DelBello, James Langlois and Linda Puglisi airs 8/27, 9/3, 10 & 17.
“Roundtable… Part 2” airs 9/24, 10/1, 8 & 15.
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THIS WEEKS "IN MY OPINION COLUMN" IN THE NCN:
Dear Readers:
This week I discuss the death by suicide of the local Republican parties. You can read my column on this topic exclusively on line(see link below)or 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. As you are planning your holiday or business or vacation travel? 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 LaGuardia Airport the cost is Ninety dollars plus tolls. The cost to JFK and Newark Airports is one hundred-twenty-five dollars plus tolls. The tolls are $10.00 Westchester County Airport and Stewart cost $75.00. 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:
JOHN G. TESTA: www.johngtesta.com
ON TOPIC W/ JOHN TESTA: www.ontopicwithjt.com
THE WINERY AT ST. GEORGE: http://www.TheWineryAtStGeorge.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 SUPERVISOR DON PETERS: http://www.donpetersforyorktown.com/
PUTNAM VALLEY SUPERVISOR BOB TENDY:http://www.bobtendyforsupervisor.com/
THE PEEKSILL NEWS:http://thepeekskillnews.blogspot.com/
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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: Various day and times on chanel 20(Ykt.only)
Hosted by: SUPERVISOR 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
THE VOLPE REPORT: Thursadys at 8PM chanel 15 (Peek. and Cort.) 74 (York.)
Hosted By: Dominec Volpe
THE ISSUES: Thursdays at 9:PM chanel 74 Peekskill Mondays at 8PM chanel 15
Hosted by; Sam Davis
ON TOPIC WITH JOHN TESTA: Thursdays at 9:30PM chanel 15 (Peekskill & Cortlant)
Yorktown & Putnam Valley 8:30 chanel 74
Hosted by: John Testa
CARS & US: Fridays 10 PM chanel 15(Peek. & Cortlant) 74(York. & Put. Valley)
Hosted By: Dennis Tate
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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 08/04/08
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