A MESSAGE FROM CROSS-CULTURAL CONNECTION, INC.:
CROSS-CULTURAL CONNECTION, INC.
in cooperation with
THE PEEKSKILL BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
PRESENTS THE PRO-AM ENSEMBLE
A Professional and Student Musician Collaboration
PHS Grauates, Recent Graduates & Students
OPEN-AIR CONCERT
DATE: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2008
LOCATION: N DIVISION STREET PEEKSKILL, NEW YORK
Stage by WCC
RAY BLUE - TENOR SAXOPHONE
DOUG SMITH - PIANO
OMARI DARCHEVILLE - DRUMS
TAREEK JACKSON - BASS
BRIANNE KANE - TENOR SAXOPHONE
DANIEL RIVERA - TRUMPET
CURRENTSPONSORS: (partial listing)
HOMESTYLE DESSERTS
PEEKSKILL TRAVEL BUREAU
CRYSTAL BAY
DIVISION STREET GRILL
12 GRAPES
PEEKSKILL YOUTH BUREAU
RUBENS CAFE
KATHLEENS TEA ROOM
C-TOWN
99 CENTS POWER & UP
HUDSON RIVER HEALTH CENTER
PARK STREET A.M.E. ZION CHURCH
B & D DELI
SIDE EFFECTS/NY
IN-HOUSE VIDEO
RENEE SMITH
SEABREW AND BESSIE FORD
JUDITH JOHNSON
DONALD BENNETT
ARNIE PAGLIA
DONALD DURAN
LAFERN JOSEPH
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Dear Readers:
This was an e-mail from the Working Families Party. You will see how they rejoice in efforts to increase taxes on working families. Be wary of any official that touts the endorsemnt of this party.
Dear WFP Supporter,
Yesterday saw a major victory for public education and fair tax reform. It doesn't happen everyday:
Over the last few months, the WFP and its allies have pushed for a new approach to the property tax crisis. With the help of over 15,000 calls and emails from supporters like you, we got the message to Albany that New York needs real tax solutions.
It worked. In a rare bi-partisan vote, the State Assembly rejected the 'tax cap' gimmick and instead passed a groundbreaking bill that would give immediate property tax relief to working families without threatening our schools.
Now it's the Senate's turn. Send a message to your Senator:
http://action.workingfamiliesparty.org/t/2775/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=2280
The Assembly's bill would establish what's called the 'circuit breaker.' The Working Families Party - our Chapters, our State Committee, our canvassers, our organizers, our leaders - have been championing the idea for months. It delivers a targeted property tax cut based on family income, and pays for it by modestly rolling back income tax giveaways for the rich.
Now the fight moves to the State Senate, where Republicans like to talk big about property tax relief gimmicks, but haven't said whether they'll even bring the Assembly's bi-partisan "circuit breaker" bill up for a vote. It's a clear choice: tax relief for working families or tax breaks for millionaires.
Tell your Senator: Vote for real property tax relief!
http://action.workingfamiliesparty.org/t/2775/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=2280
It's not all good news out of Albany. The budget cuts announced late last night, though not huge, are very real and very painful. Once again, Albany balanced the budget by asking working people to sacrifice more than their fair share.
But the circuit breaker's passage in the Assembly is an important win. It's a fair, progressive way to give property tax relief to working families with unaffordable tax bills without denying public schools the funding they need to provide a sound education. It even includes a similar rebate for renters too.
To pay for the circuit breaker responsibly, the Assembly's bill asks the wealthiest New Yorkers, who've seen the lion's share of tax cuts, to contribute a little bit more. Those earning more than $1 million a year would see their income tax rate rise 1%. Make more than $5 million a year ($96,000 a week) and your tax bill would bump up 1.75%.
In exchange, in the midst of tough economic times, a lousy job market, and a foreclosure crisis, millions of working New Yorkers would see a tax break exactly when they need it most.
But this bill can't become law unless the State Senate brings the bill to a vote. Take a moment to tell your Senator: New York needs real tax solutions:
http://action.workingfamiliesparty.org/t/2775/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=2280
That's all for now,
Bertha Lewis, Bob Master, Sam Williams
WFP Co-Chairs
Dan Cantor
WFP Executive Director
Help Working Families fight for the little guy: We can't count on Wall Street. We rely on contributions from ordinary people like you to keep the WFP going. If you'd like to support our work, visit:
http://www.workingfamiliesparty.org/contribute.php
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A MESSAGE FROM COUNTY LEGISLATOR OROS:
Republican Legislators ask Ryan to act on staff abuse
Circulate letter to democratic legislators seeking support of action
Three Republican members of the Westchester County Board of Legislators are calling upon Board Chairman William Ryan to act immediately to put Ryan’s Senior Advisor, Gary Kriss, on an unpaid leave of absence. A letter addressed to Ryan requests he take the action in accordance with his power as Chairman.
“Ultimately the only ones who can provide answers or reimbursement to the taxpayer for the abusive spending by Chairman Ryan’s senior advisor, Gary Kriss are William Ryan and Gary Kriss,” said Board Republican leader George Oros (R/C Cortlandt). Oros noted that “as long the Chairman grants his Senior Advisor seemingly unlimited paid vacation” there is no incentive for Kriss to comply with the recommendations in a report issued by a Special Committee of the Board of Legislators. Oros repeated his contention that the Committee’s recommendations “did not go far enough to restore the public trust”.
As of the close of business yesterday, the request for Ryan to act was signed by Oros, James Maisano (R/C New Rochelle) and Gordon A. Burrows (R/C Yonkers). A letter to all legislators was circulated on Monday asking for them to join in the request. That letter cited a degree of urgency, stating “an issue of timing dictates that we seek your immediate support of at least one significant finding and proposed recommendation from the Special Committee on Internal Controls & Procedures (“ICP”).”
During the ICP investigation it was revealed that Kriss had accumulated over one hundred vacation days, all in circumvention of County policy. A letter from 1997 indicated to him that the vacation time accumulated at that time exceeded County policy and in effect he needed to “use it or lose it”. It appears from the record that at other times, either verbally or in writing, he was so advised.
The Journal News reported on June 3, 2008 through comments from Chairman Ryan that Kriss left on paid vacation. He has not reported to work since, and it is believed he is still taking vacation time and pay. “Soon, if not already, he will exceed the number of vacation days he is entitled to under current County policy,” said Oros.
In their letter to fellow legislators the Republican lawmakers also indicated that the ICP recommendations, however timid, would be ignored as long as Kriss was getting full pay for not showing up to work. “We believe pending such explanation and/or reimbursement, the Chief Advisor to the Chair should be placed on unpaid leave”, the letter states.
The letter addressed to “Dear Colleagues” continues noting that a “(F)ailure to act will compound this apparent violation of County personnel purchases regarding vacation time. We are concerned that our failure to act in this manner sets a poor example for all County employees who do not and cannot exceed the set vacation time.”
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A MESSAGE FROM ASSEMBLYMAN GREG BALL:
Hello!
As you may know, we are in the final stretch of this campaign, and I need your help!
Please consider donating online at www.supportgreg.com or by sending a check to “New Yorkers on the Ball” PO Box 607, Pawling NY 12564 !!
Or, please consider attending one, or all, of the following events:
Upcoming Fundraisers:
St. Patty’s Day in September
Thursday, September 4th
7:30 PM
Murphy’s Restaurant Yorktown
Celebrate Saint Patrick’ Day all over again in September.
Suggested Donation: $40
View more at www.gballevents.com
Sincerely,
Greg Ball
Member of Assembly
Cell Phone: (917) 681-9302
Greg isn’t accepting tens of thousands of dollars in illegal transfers from Albany insiders. That is why your donation is so important.
Please make checks payable to:
New Yorkers on the Ball
PO Box 607
Pawling NY 12564
You can also pay online at www.supportgreg.com
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Ball & 9/11 families expose shocking breach in NYS homeland security
Unveils a comprehensive plan to protect New Yorkers and re-claim 23,000 licenses handed out during Spitzer’s illegal drivers’ license plan
Assemblyman Greg Ball (R, C, I – Patterson) was joined today by members of 9/11 Families for a Secure America at a press conference held outside the Department of Motor Vehicles office in White Plains to expose a shocking breach in New York State’s homeland security where at least 23,000 New York State drivers’ licenses and identification cards were handed out to non-permanent residents. The licenses and ID cards were handed out as “phase one” of former Governor Spitzer’s illogical and unvetted plan to give state issued identification to illegal aliens.
Although Spitzer’s ill-conceived plan was widely opposed and ultimately withdrawn, somehow the State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issued 23,000 permanent drivers’ licenses to foreign visitors between the dates of September 24, 2007 and November 2, 2007.
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YORKTOWN DEBATE
Sponsored by the North County News
August 27 at 7:00 PM
Yorktown Stage
CARMEL FORUM
Hosted at the Putnam Co. Fish & Game Association
September 5 at 8:00 PM
290 Drewville Road in Carmel
BREWSTER DEBATE
Hosted at Sheet Metals Workers Local Union 38 Hall
September 6 at 7:00 PM
38 Starr Ridge Road in Brewster
View more at www.gballevents.com
Need a ride to the polls or an absentee ballot?
Call us at (845) 279-0112!
http://www.ball4ny.com
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A MESSAGE FRO CANDIDATE FOR STATE ASSEMBLY WILLIAM GOULDMAN:
BILL GOULDMAN Warns: Democrats Seeking To
Short Circuit Property Tax Relief for Overtaxed,
Overburden New Yorkers
Putnam Valley, New York: The only thing standing in the way of tax relief for overburdened, overtaxed homeowners in New York is Assemblywoman Sandra Galef and the New York State Assembly. They refuse to vote on a Property Tax Cap that has passed that the State Senate and Governor David Patterson has promised to sign," said Bill Gouldman, candidate for State Assembly in the 90th District.
"Albany Democrats have set the stage to short-circuit much needed property tax relief for overburdened New Yorkers", charged Mr. Gouldman. "They won't vote a property Tax Cap favored by 74% of all New Yorkers because their donors and special interests simply won't let them. The Democrats are feeling the heat, with little more than 80 days until Election Day; they have decided to change the subject. Turning to bait and switch tactics as they try to deceive New Yorkers, Democrats will bring a Circuit Breaker proposal instead of a Tax Cap to the Assembly floor for a vote. Just as they did in the spring, Albany Democrats will use every trick they can to stop a Tax Cap. For 2 weeks in May they delayed the report of The New York State Commission on Property Tax Relief. This let them skip town without voting on the Commission's proposal for a Tax Cap. They even allowed Sandra Galef the Chairwoman of the Assembly Committee on Real Property Taxes to hold a citizen's forum on a Tax Cap knowing it would never be scheduled for a vote".
"Look at the record and you will see what the Assembly Democrats are up to", said Mr. Gouldman. Referring to an August 15 article in the Journal News, Gouldman pointed out that Mrs. Galef admitted Westchester, Rockland and Putnam property owners bear the highest tax burdens in the state. Mrs. Galef specifically said, "This is a major problem, and we need to correct it. We don't want to be on top of the charts."
Gouldman stated what Mrs. Galef failed to say is that she is the gate keeper who decides what property tax legislation makes it to the floor of the
Assembly. Her decisions are responsible for the crushing property taxes that are driving New Yorkers from their homes.
He noted that holding up the Tax Cap hurts New Yorkers in many ways. The property Tax Cap is tied into a spending cap that limits the overall New York Budget to four percent yearly spending increases. . If this spending ceiling were in effect over the past 5 years, State taxpayers would have saved $13.1 billion, half of which would have been returned to taxpayers and the other half placed in a rainy day reserve fund.
This legislation also guarantees an additional $3.3 billion to local school districts over the next 3 years that will further reduce school taxes.
"'Pushing a Circuit Breaker at the expense of a tax cap is pandering of the worst kind," asserted Mr. Gouldman. "A Tax Cap limits the overall tax burden to a school district, a Circuit Breaker does not. A Circuit Breaker redistributes who pays what share of a tax burden that continues to climb higher and higher year after year."
Gouldman concluded "When it comes to bringing property taxes down talk is anything but cheap. The Assembly must act now. Its duty is to pass a Tax Cap that is long overdue and put politics aside".
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A MESSAGE FROM DOMENIC VOLPE:
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 JOHN TESTA:
RE: FROM HIS NEW WEB SITE: http://www.johngtesta.com/
Thank you for visiting my web site. Northern Westchester is an important historical area that contributed greatly to our nation's development. The City of Peekskill, the Town of Cortlandt and the Town of Yorktown have given so much to our country's history. I am honored to have served as Mayor for the City of Peekskill and look forward to further serving the the community through this site.
This site will be updated often to stop back from time to time. I would appreciate receiving comments and suggestions regarding the site. Thank you very much.
John G. Testa
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THIS WEEKS "IN MY OPINION COLUMN" IN THE NCN:
Dear Readers:
This week I discuss some positive happenings. 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.) chanel 74 at 6pm (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 08/25/08
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