Dear Readers:
We have seen in Yorktown, Cortlandt, and Putnam Valley efforts by those respective elected officials to keep their budgets in check. All three refused to grant themselves pay increases and have kept over all tax increases below inflation. Even in Putnam Valley you saw probably one of the best budgets in a couple of years. Yorktown saw new Supervisor Don Peters present a budget with an increase below Cortlandt's which is something that has not happened in a long time. This should put to rest the argument that Yorktown needs a town manger. Don Peters showed that a business man with no prior political experience can tackle the intricacies of a town budget when one has the cooperation of the rest of the board. In these tough economic times it was a pleasure to see the board row the boat in the same direction. The Town of Cortlandt under the stewardship of Supervisor Puglisi again showed shrewed fiscal management which has been the hallmark of Puglilsi's tenure.
Peekskill's Mayor Foster and the city council did the other town's one step better, they have presented a minus budget. It seems the residents of Peekskill will see a decrease in their taxes. As the editorial in this weeks NCN pointed out, if these number hold up, this council should be congratulated. How ever during the public discussion before the vote, Councilwoman Pisani had disagreement with those numbers. She presented a compelling argument and that is how it should be, competing governing philosophies in the arena of ideas. Time will tell who's idea and numbers stands the test of time. All should hold judgment till that test comes. However as the least paid elected officials in the area, all on the council should be congratulated for putting in the hours necessary (long, long hours) to present to the public this budget and objections.
I do have one concern however. As this is not the time to be granting elected officials pay raises, this is also not the time to be creating new taxes. You see, this Monday 12/01/08, this Peekskill Council work secession will take up the matter of creating a mortgage transfer tax. I believe creating a new tax, especially on a sector reeling in this economy is not wise. Even if the idea is that this housing slowdown will not last forever, I would at least wait till this sector got on it's feet again. Besides with the neighboring communities not having their own transfer tax, why would someone move to Peekskill if they have to pay a tax they would not have to pay in one of the other communities? This is one idea that should be put on the back burner for the time being.
************************************************************************************
UPDATE ON CABLE T.V. SHOWS:
ON TOPIC WITH JOHN TESTA:
FYI- I was interviewed for this show and should have some part of the segment. TruTV is channel 58 on cable with a box. You can see this segment on my web site (http://www.johngtesta.com/)
Also: My latest OnTopic show is done and will be shown this week on cable (Thurs. Channel 15 @ 9:30 PM), (Tues. @ 9:30 in Yorktown, channel 74) - it is online now at www.ontopicwithjt.com. It is the life story of Chauncey M. Depew 1834-1928.
***********************
THE VOLPE REPORT:
Andy-- Here is the schedule:
The Domenic Volpe report is pleased to announce the upcoming schedule. Our next guest will be the newly elected town Councilman from the Town of Cortlandt- Dr. Rich Becker. We delve into how he won a convincing election and how his CHOP plan(Cortlandt Heating Oil Plan) will save taxpayers in Cortlandt with rising fuel costs. The Domenic Volpe report will air Thursdays 8:00pm December 4, 11, and 18 on public access channel 15 in the Peekskill/Cortlandt area. The same show will broadcast on Wednesday 6:00pm November 26, December 3, 10, and 17 channel 74 in the Yorktown/Putnam Valley area.
Happy Thanksgiving to all! --Domenic Volpe
************************************************************************************
A MESSAGE FROM THE HARRISON APAR FIELD OF DREAMS FOUNDATION:
YORKTOWN ROCKS!
10:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5
Miracles Bar & Grill Harrison Apar 'Funraiser'
($5.00 Cover)
Classic Rock 'n' Roll from '60s, '70s, '80s
Performed Live by CLASS ACTION
[classactionmusic.net]
Rich Block, Gary Cusano, Matt Daus
Greg Kuczinski, Mike Latini
All Proceeds from $3.00 Draft Specials* Donated by Beer Distributors and
Miracles Owners Jimmy Bobolakis & Nick Halampalakis to
TO BENEFIT YOUTH SPORTS AND STUDENTS IN YORKTOWN
*Must be 21 and over to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages -- legal drinking age is strictly enforced at Miracles Bar & Grill
Harrison Apar Field of Dreams Foundation Funraiser at Miracles Bar & Grill to Benefit Youth Sports + Students in Academics & Performing Arts
DATE: Friday, Dec. 5, 2008
TIME: 10:00 p.m. until ?
LOCATION: Miracles Bar & Grill
345 Kear Street
(across from Mavis Tire)
(914) 245-9030
Harrison Apar Field of Dreams Foundation
a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit incorporated in the State of New York
member of New Yorktown Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 1383
Yorktown Heights, New York 10598
914-275-6887
harrisonapar@optonline.net
www.yacsports.com
***********************************************************************************
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT TWELVE GRAPES N. DIVISION STREET PEEKSKILL
Our First Comedy & Music Night.
Sat, Dec 6th, Tickets on sale now.
Our First New Year's Eve Party
Wed, Dec 31--Two seatings 5:30 & 8:30pm.
8:30 is Prix Fixe Dinner with live music from Johnny Feds & Da Bluez Boyz.
See below for details. And, as always, please check 12grapes.com for weekly updates.
All the best,
Rich & Jeannie
**************
OTHER DECEMBER HIGHLIGHTS:
Wed, Dec 6, Comedy & Rock Show (see below)
Mon, Dec 8, 8:00-10:00, Westchester Swing Band ($5 Cover)
Sat, Dec 13, 9:30 - 12:30, Roxy Perry ($5 Cover)
Sat, Dec 27, 9:30 - 12:30, Duchess Di & the Distractions
Wed, Dec 31, New Year's Eve Bash w/ Johnny Feds (see below)
Check our event calendar for weekly updates at
12grapes.com
Sat, Dec 6th, SPECIAL ENTERTAINMENT DOUBLE FEATURE
Our First-ever Comedy Show
8:00 - 9:30 pm
Come for dinner and see 3 stand-up comics!
John Iavarone performs at Comic Strip Live, Carolines, Stand-Up NY, and others.
He was a 1st Place Improv Comedy Performer on MTV.
D.F. Sweedler is a veteran comic who has appeared and written for
David Letterman and has performed all over New York City.
Bill McCarty performs at NYC's Comic Strip Live. TV appearances--Late Night w/ Conan
O' Brian, Evening at the Improv, Caroline's Comedy Hour.
Tickets: $45 for Prix-Fixe Dinner & Comedy Show
Includes choice of soup, salad or appetizer, choice of entree and one drink.
Dinner reservations starting at 6pm
FOLLOWED BY GREAT CLASSIC ROCK FROM...
The Dragon Coasters
10:00 pm - 1:00 am
($10 Cover after 9:30)
An amazingly entertaining 8-piece band, The Dragon Coasters first performed at our
Grand Opening last April. With two female lead singers, their rich vocals are enhanced by fiddle, sax, keyboards and accordion. Come join the party.
Doors reopen at 9:30, following the Comedy show.
Music starts at 10:00.
$10 Music Charge.
BOOK YOUR
NEW YEAR'S EVE RESERVATION
at 12 Grapes
We'll have two seatings:
5:30 -- Dinner from our 12 Grapes Dinner Menu
8:30 -- Four Course Prix-Fixe Dinner & Live Music from
Johnny Feds & Da Bluez Boyz
New Year's Eve Prix-Fixe Dinner
$100 per person includes
Four Course Gourmet Dinner (Entrée choices: Filet Mignon, Duck a l'Orange, Red Snapper with Lobster Crepes, or Pasta)
Wine tasting with each course
Three hours of great, live music
Participation in our First Annual 12 Grapes Tradition
A Glass of Prosecco to Toast the New Year
Special samplings from the kitchen and bar throughout the night
A gift bag, with good wishes from 12 Grapes
Please call 914-737-6624 to make your reservation,
or email rich@12grapes.com
If you're a fan of 12 Grapes, we'd like to ask a favor. The 2009/10 Zagat Survey is underway. Please help us gain Zagat's attention by logging on to Zagat.com and telling them what you like about 12 Grapes. Complete their online survey by January 4, 2009 and receive a FREE copy of either or both of the 2009/10 Connecticut and Westchester/Hudson Valley Restaurant Guides.
As always, please check out 12grapes.com to view our calendar of events and photo gallery. Thank you for your patronage and friendship. And Happy Holidays!
Sincerely,
Rich & Jeannie Credidio
12 Grapes Music & Wine Bar
12 North Division Street, Peekskill, NY
(914) 737-6624
************************************************************************************
A MESSAGE FROM COUNTY LEGISLATOR OROS:
Dear Friends,
Yesterday the democrat majority on the Board of Legislators over Republican objections voted to move forward with a million dollars worth of pay raises for County Commissioners. It is an outrage! They voted to set a public hearing on the raises. My Republican Colleagues and I argued that we already heard from the public and the public is loudly and clearly saying NO to the raises. Once the story broke over the weekend, scores of taxpayers called and emailed in no uncertain terms saying ENOUGH is ENOUGH vote down the raises.
To add insult to injury the self anointed champions of the people's voice set the hearing for 10:30 in the morning on a workday (Monday December 8th). If they truly cared what the public thought, why not have the hearing in the evening? In fact, the same democrats actually scheduled a public hearing for the same date at 7:00PM on the issue of sewers!
Please get as many folks to this hearing as you can.
.
* Reach out to the senior citizens to attend the Dec 8th meeting to speak at 10:30 am
* Reach out to those of the working class that have flexible hours of work to attend the Dec 8th meeting.
* Any constituent that sends an email or letter needs to be answered back immediately urging them to speak at the Board Meeting on Dec 8th. "Let their voice be
heard."
* Make it clear that it is waste of time to even address the issue.
FYI: Its all over News 12---There poll question this evening was: Whether government officials should get pay raises during economic tough times?
Yes- 4%
No- 90%
http://www.news12.com/Home
This morning's Journal News has front page coverage that reports on the Republican fight on this issue.
Thanks as always for your support. Once again, we have the principles and the issues on our side. It is up to us to get it out there for the entire County to see.
Thank you,
George Oros, Minority Leader
Westchester County Board of Legislators
PS: There is a Budget Hearing on December 3rd at the County Office Building 7pm. The raises and other issues can also be addressed at these hearings.
***********************************************************************************
A MESSAGE FROM THE CORTLANDT MANOR CIVIC ASSOCIATION:
Supervisor Pulgisi:
I hope I am incorrect that this administration is not going to fully fund the DARE program for the Lakeland Middle School?
Apparently the town comptroller has informed Yorktown Officials that the Cortlandt town board will not ok an increase from $30,000.00 t0 $32,000.00. The SRO agreement anticipates possible increases and our kids need this attention.
Town of Yorktown and the Lakeland School district are paying their share? Our Town is not paying an additional $2000.00 That’s not fair to the Lakeland School district or Yorktown as I understand the agreement.
We don’t have a local police force and the DARE program is very important to our kids.
I can tell you first hand as an attorney in our own Justice Court there is a really need for this program. This is a priority.
In light of the money we wasted in CHOP for flyers maybe we can re- think this issue.
I am also concerned as this program is a joint program where we share costs with Yorktown and the Lakeland School District how is this in keeping with cooperation with neighboring communities to keep costs down?
Let’s not save a penny and lose a dollar here. This is shortsighted.
Thank you
Daniel Pagano, Esq.
Executive Director
Cortlandt Manor Civic Association
********************
Dear Ms. Supervisor;
I have been reviewing tax records and I am having a hard time understanding the bottom line.
In regards to your tax bill letter from April wherein you provide a letter informing the residents that there are four parts to your annual tax bill.
1. Town of Cortlandt 14%
2. Westchester county 18%
3. School District 66%
4. Special districts 2%
Unfortunately the tax bill you send out has nine separate “taxing purposes”.
1. Westchester county; 2. Highway; 3.Library; 4.General Town; 5.County refuse; 6.Mohegan Fire; 7. Cortlandt con. Water and 8.Cortlandt ambulance and 9. Schools
I believe Highway, Library, General town tax, County refuse(which is a bill from the county to take our garbage? User fee correct?) Cortlandt con water and Cortlandt amb are actually the town together. Who approves their budget? Who appoints the members if the case?
How are these taxes determined? i.e. county refuse: is that based upon how much garbage the town sends to the county incinerator? If so how is that a county tax but a town bill?
Why is Highway and Library separate from General Town?
Can you please inform me which of the above are part of the town responsibility and town budget?
Why not just have one Town line?
Thank you
Daniel Pagano
************************************************************************************
A MESSAGE FROM ASSEMBLYMAN GRAG BALL:
The "Fox & Hound" Soiree
A New Year's Eve Bash & Swearing In Celebration
Your are perrsonally invited by Greg Ball
New York State Assemblyman
99th Assembly District
December 31st, 2008
Wendesday at 9:30 PM - 1:00 AM
The Best Party North of Manhattan!
All Supporters, Friends and Elected Officials are welcome.
Come Celebrate a Stunning Victory...
...AND a big announcement!
Primavera Restaurant
592 RT 22, Croton Falls NY, 10519
www.primaverarestaurantandbar.com
$165 Per Person
$300 Per Couple
Exclusive Sponsorships Available
Rsvp encouraged by Dec 5, but not required
gball@ball4ny.com
************************************************************************************
THIS WEEKS "IN MY OPINION COLUMN" IN THE NCN:
Dear Readers:
This week I give a history lesson on Thanksgiving and the economy.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.
************************************************************************
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.
************************************************************************************
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
***********************************************************************************
SITES TO LINK TO:
JOHN G. TESTA: www.johngtesta.com
ON TOPIC W/ JOHN TESTA: www.ontopicwithjt.com
CARS & US: www.doverracing.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/
***********************************************************************************
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 & Wednesday at 4:30PM on channel 74
Hosted By: ED CIFFON
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.& Put. Valley)
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)
Tuesdays in Yorktown & Putnam Valley 9:30 chanel 74
Hosted by: John Testa
CARS & US: Fridays 10 PM chanel 15(Peek. & Cortlant) 74(York. & Put. Valley)
Hosted By: Dennis Tate
**********************************************************************************
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
11/30/08
No comments:
Post a Comment