ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES

Dear Readers:

It's your fault. It's all your fault. The deficit the state faces is your fault, and boy, are you going to pay! How do I know it's your fault? The answer lies in the remedies proposed by Governor Patterson to address the deficit. The Long Island paper, Newsday was kind enough to publish the list of new and/or increased taxes, fee, and surcharges last December 17. I got into writing about local, county and state politics because I knew these governing entities affected your life more then the federal government. The problem is that in my conversations with people in general, I held a minority view. The re-election rate of our state legislators is 98%. The only way you have a different person is either through death, re-districting, a successful inter-party primary or more recently incarceration.

If you use a computer, cell phone or land line, you will now pay a sales tax. Never mind the 10 to 20% different fees you already pay to the state, they don't count. You pay your taxes, expect a $10.00 processing fee. If you pay your taxes in installments you will now be charged a fee. If like most people, you hire a tax preparer , expect to pay to pay more as they will now be charged a fee for doing so. Three different new fees just to pay your taxes.

You want to travel anywhere by auto it will cost more. First is an increase in gas taxes. Followed by increases in drivers licence's and car registrations, and to make sure you pay right away, they are going to issue new licence plates which you must purchase at a higher rate. Plus, if auto insurance is not high enough, an increase in the auto insurance surcharge is on the horizon. You don't own a car, not to fear, the state has a tax for you. There will be a sales tax on bus, taxi or car services. Let's not forget the MTA lurking around the corner fighting for a 3% surcharge on you state taxes, the MTA surcharges on you phone(cell and land line), cable and electric bill don't count either.

You want to live a healthier life, a sales tax on your fitness center will make that cost more. You want to look better, there will also be a new sales tax on your massage, facials, nail salons, and barbers. You want to eat, you will pay more because of the aforementioned increase in gas taxes and the highway use tax. Plus an increase in food processing and fishing fees will be passed on to you. You want to drink, a sugar tax(18%), and a nickel deposit on non-carbonated drinks. Recreation and relaxation are not left out either. There will be an increase in fees for parks and a sales tax on movie, theatre and ballpark tickets.

These taxes and more are not taxes on the rich. These taxes will not only be paid by Republicans, but by Democrats also. These taxes will be paid by you. Governor Patterson is right. It is your fault. You did not pay much attention to you state elections, voting party line and allowing yourself to be bought off with your own money via grants and other means. You paid more attention to the presidential election. Elections have consequences, and now you will pay.

Or maybe not. If you speak out, you have a chance to stop this. Demand that Medicaid coverage match that of California's or even Texas'. Those two are more populace states than ours with a greater percentage of poor people and their Medicaid plans are less costly than ours. For every dollar in decreased payments to our county, or local governments or school districts, eliminate the same amount in partially funded and un-funded mandates so our local costs don't rise to make up the difference. Do not increase welfare payments. Do not increase the age and income of eligibility for free child health care. Stop trolling for food stamp and section eight recipients. There are more, but these measure alone can make up the budget shortfall. This is not rocket science, and you can make a difference. E-mail Governor Patterson, State Senator Leibell, Assemblyman Greg Ball and Assemblywoman Sandra Galef. Make yourself heard. Remember what radio host Bob Grant says "your influence counts, use it!"
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A MESSAGE FROM WESTCHESTER COUNTY LEGILATOR OROS:

Today’s State Budget Woes Make Mom’s Common Sense so Relevant

Several times a year our home would be visited by a favorite uncle. He would spend the day, usually a Sunday, telling tales of the old country. Just before he left he’d reach into his wallet and hand me a crisp, brand new, five dollar bill. My eyes would light up and my mind would race with thoughts of how many sodas or how much candy I could buy. Mom however would take Abe Lincoln’s picture from me. On Monday morning she would take me and Abe to the bank, give Abe’s picture to the teller, and then show me the latest entry in the worn, dog eared savings passbook whose cover read “Anna T. Oros I.T.F. George Oros.”

Mom is gone now, but New York taxpayers could sure use her now in Albany.

This week another favorite uncle came calling, but not to my childhood New Jersey home. Uncle Sam came calling in Albany. According to Governor Paterson and Senator Schumer the new federal economic stimulus plan includes millions of Lincolns, Washingtons and Jacksons to the state’s coffers. It appears that the Governor, Speaker Silver and Majority Leader Smith want to use this money to plug the current state budget deficit. The Paterson, Silver, Smith. Schumer consortium want to use a one-time windfall from our Uncle to fix a problem that lately recurs in the family every year. You, my Mom and I know that doesn’t work.

Folks you need to know that New York State government spending increased about 400% over the last two decades. No, that is not a typo – government spending in Albany grew by 400%. While some politicians talk of tax caps and spending caps, no one seems to have the courage or the common sense my Mom had. Whether it’s five dollars from your favorite uncle or five billion dollars from Uncle Sam, it’s still a windfall and it still needs to go in the bank and not to the candy store or the soda shop. If New York took the step of constitutionally capping its spending growth a decade ago, the 2009-10 State budget would be about $68 billion (that is not chump change by the way). The result: instead of facing a $14 billion deficit this year, the state would have a $4.6 billion surplus. That is without any new taxes or fees and without watering down STAR. It’s the “Law of Holes”. When you are in a hole – stop digging.

The answer to the current fiscal mess in New York, and many other states, is not more spending, but less. Schumer admits this is short term funding from Uncle Sam. The new federal money will stop in two years. Senator Schumer’s plan is: “by then, we hope the economy will have recovered.” Shoot! I hope I win the lottery. But you do not run your home or a state on hope. Nevertheless, the Schumer-Paterson plan for economic recovery of the Empire State is: We hope the economy will recover! What a great economic plan, based on hope - not based on logic, economic principles or common sense. Obviously at some point the state’s economy will recover. It will recover because of the working people of our state and country, not because of tax and spend or borrow and spend politicians. Unless we act now, our children will live in or be forced to flee from a bankrupt New York State. Leaders need to think more of the long term, just like my Mom. She tucked my uncle’s greenback into my bank account to be used when it was truly needed.

You don’t need be an economist (just maybe a Mom raising a family) to know that chronic out of control spending habits are stupid. Runaway spending is a structural problem for New York State. New York spends millions more on Medicaid, education and health care than states with greater populations.

Let’s take Uncle Sam’s money and put it to good use: Let’s reduce the deficit and cut taxes not spend and spend. Let’s impose a Constitutional Spending Limit Amendment that limits spending to a percentage of CPI. This amendment would mandate that any revenue surplus be split among the taxpayers (after all it is their money) and a tax stabilization reserve fund not spent. That fund would be just like that worn dog-eared passbook my Mom kept in the top of her desk. Safe, secure and not touched unless truly needed.

By the way I know just the person who should supervise that Fund: maybe she can send down a little common sense from heaven.
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A MESSAGE FROM ASSEMBLYWOMAN GALEF:

Assemblywoman Sandy Galef Hosts Nassau County Exec Tom Suozzi to Discuss the Final Report from the NYS Commission on Property Tax Relief

Tax Cap Continues to Be Primary Recommendation coupled with School Mandate Relief

(January 9, 2008) Assemblywoman Sandy Galef invites the public to attend a follow-up conversation with Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi about property tax relief on Thursday, January 22, 2009, 7-9pm at Croton Village Hall, Croton Municipal Building, 1 Van Wyck, Croton-on-Hudson. Suozzi is Chairman of the NYS Commission on Property Tax Relief. The Commission was charged with finding the root causes of New York State’s very high and rapidly escalating property taxes, which are verging on unaffordable throughout the state, and recommending ways to reduce the burden of these taxes.

“The Commission was given a very challenging task,” says Galef. “They were extremely thorough, holding hearings and soliciting feedback throughout the state. I believe they are on target with their recommendations. Now, the hard work is getting support within the Legislature and from the public to move forward with these recommendations. I look forward to the public joining me at this forum for a lively discussion and to get a better understanding of the thinking behind the recommendations.”

In June, the Commission released preliminary findings, which recommended a property tax cap as the initial step the state needed to take to rein in taxes. Other recommendations included reducing or eliminating certain state mandates which impact schools, and a circuit breaker tax relief program to replace the NYS STAR Rebate Program. The final report focuses more on the need to offer mandate relief and details ways to reduce costs for Special Education. According to Suozzi, “Our school districts also need to reduce spending, but to do so the State must enact the historically difficult to achieve changes in state laws and mandates.”

There will be an opportunity for audience questions.
For more information and/or directions, contact the Assemblywoman’s office at (914) 941-1111 or e-mail Dana Levenberg at levenbergd@assembly.state.ny.us.
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A MESSAGE FROM THE YORKTOWN REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE:


Yorktown GOP recruiting candidates
Special announcement planned for inauguration day

The Yorktown Republican Town Committee will be holding a press conference at Town Hall immediately preceding the Town Board session on January 20. Yorktown GOP Chairwoman Serafina Mastro will make a special announcement regarding local Republican candidates in 2009.

As the days’ inauguration of President-elect Obama signifies a huge change for the nation, so too will the committee seek reform-minded citizens dedicated to bringing real change to the Town Board and County Legislature. Mastro will be joined by special guest Westchester County Chairman Doug Colety, who has led efforts county-wide to recruit candidates who stand up for the principles of Republicanism, that is, fiscal conservatism, smaller government and family values.

WHO:
Yorktown GOP Chairwoman Serafina Mastro

Yorktown GOP Vice-Chair Larry Cassidy

Yorktown GOP Treasurer Jean Marie Klaus

Yorktown GOP Secretary Mark Ianucci

Westchester GOP Chairman Doug Colety

Members of the Yorktown Republican Town Committee


WHAT: Special Announcement from the Yorktown Republican Town Committee


WHEN: January 20, 2009 at 7:15 p.m.


WHERE: Outside Yorktown Town Hall

363 Underhill Avenue, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598

CONTACT: Chairwoman Serafina Mastro, (914) 497-7460
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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT TWELVE GRAPES: N.DIVISION STREET, PEEKSKILL:


Thu, Jan 22, 8:00-10:30
Greg Aulden (Acoustic)

Greg is a talented singer/songwriter. He has a huge and varied set list and a comedic, energetic performance style that is a hit with audiences. We're pleased to have Greg return to 12 Grapes and look forward to the laughter, tears and joy he brings to every performance.
www.myspace.com/auldenmusic **Free admission**

Fri, Jan 23, 9:30-12:30
Teri Lamar & New Company
Voted "Westchester's Friendliest Band" by "More Sugar!" Magazine. This band's style moves from Pop & Jazz to Motown and R&B. We're excited to have Teri Lamar and her band here for the first time. Get ready to party!
www.terilamar.com **Free admission**

Sat, Jan 24, 9:30-12:30
Carlos Colina and the Straight Up Blues Band
12 Grapes has waited months to host Carlos and his band! Their diverse song list is entertaining, sensitive and dynamic. The band has performed as a unit or individually with renowned artists such as Steve Guyger, Detroit Junior, Carl Weathersby, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Bob Margolin and many more. If heard this band, you know what a fun night it will be!
www.ccblues.com **Free admission**

UPCOMING EVENTS--MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
Fri, Jan 30, 9:30 - 12:30, The Geoff Hartwell Band
Sat, Jan 31, 9:30 - 12:30, The Blues Buddha
Mon, Feb. 9, The Westchester Swing Band

Sat, Feb 14, VALENTINE'S DAY SPECIAL w/ Duchess Di & the Distractions

Our first nine months at 12 Grapes have been incredible. Thank you to our friends and patrons for all of your support. We look forward to more great times in 2009, including a big, one year Birthday Bash on April 3!

Please check 12grapes.com to view our calendar of events and photo gallery and see what's happening at 12 Grapes this week and in the weeks ahead.

Thank you for your patronage and friendship.


Sincerely,
Rich & Jeannie Credidio
12 Grapes Music & Wine Bar
12 North Division Street, Peekskill, NY
(914) 737-6624
12grapes.com
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A MESSAGE FROM ASSEMBLYMAN GREG BALL:

BALL: HANNAH’S LAW GAINS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT

2009 Legislative Session Kicks Off with Ball’s Bill Gaining Steam in Both Houses

Assemblyman Greg Ball (R, C, I – Patterson) announced that his legislation to enact Hannah’s Law has gained the sponsorship of State Senator John Sampson (D –Senate District 19: Brooklyn) as well as bipartisan support in the Assembly. Named after the 4-year-old daughter of Yorktown residents, Michael and Jessie Devane, Hannah’s Law would ensure that feeding formulas for individuals with eosinophilic disorders are covered through health insurance plans.

“Thanks to the hard work of the Devane Family, this bill has gained a lot of support from both sides of the aisle and in both houses. This is such an important issue for so many families and I am thrilled that my colleagues in the State Legislature are signing on to support this bill. Hopefully, with their continued support, we can move this bill through the committee process and bring it to the floor of both chambers this year to be voted on,” said Ball, who is the author of the bill.

Jessie Devane, Hannah’s mother, stated, “We need to pass this bill into legislation because it will help many children have a fighting chance at this disease. It will allow parents the opportunity to relax and take care of their children instead of worrying about how they are going to pay for their child's treatment.”

Eosinophilic disorders are a series of relatively new chronic health disorders that are increasingly diagnosed in children and adults that are caused by an excessive amount of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell. The disorders result in the body’s immune system attacking food and drinks when they are consumed.

While some with eosinophilic disorders are able to find certain foods their bodies will tolerate, this has unfortunately not been Hannah’s case. However, unlike many other patients with this condition, Hannah is able to safely consume and digest a special feeding formula without needing a feeding tube. Her family’s health insurance company, however, does not cover the cost of the formula, which is currently costing her family around $2,500 per month, unless given through a feeding tube. Using a feeding tube would result in Hannah having to visit the hospital daily for the rest of her life.

To further advance this legislation, Ball is hosting a legislative lobby day in Albany on February 10. Organizations, groups, and concerned members of the public are invited to attend and should contact the Assemblyman’s District Office for more information. You can email his office at ballg@assembly.state.ny.us or call at (845) 279-5301.
************************************************************************************* A MESSAGE FROM ASSEMBLYMAN GREG BALL:
RE: NEW WEB SITE:

Andy,

Exciting new website, blogs:
Jim Coleman, Chairman of GOPAC-NY, has announced the launch of gohudblogs.com, a website dedicated to promoting "spin-free" news and opinion, with commentary and insight from Republican party members dedicated to rebuilding the party.

Http://gohudblogs.com
Check it out!
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A MESSAGE FROM YORKTOWN COUNCILMAN NICK BIANCO:
RE: THE UPDATED BRENNAN CENTER REPORT ON OUR STATE LEGISLATURE:
RE: "IT'S STILL BROKEN"

Go to www.brennancenter.org
Look for the NYS report and download.

Nick Bianco
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A MESSAGE FROM DOMENIC VOLPE:
RE: CABLE T.V. SHOW UPDATE:

The Volpe Report is pleased to announce that the special guest for January is Kathleen Fitzpatrick- the managing editor for the North County News. Listen to Kathleen as she speaks of the road that led her to the NCNews staff and the workings and pressure of deadlines, judgement calls, and articles that make the weekly paper so popular is the area.

The dates and times are as follows:
Yorktown/Putnam Valley Channel 74 Wednesday @ 6:00pm December 31, January 7, 14, 21 and 28
Peekskill/Cortlandt Channel 15 Thursday @ 8:00pm January 8, 15, 22 and 29
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THIS WEEKS "IN MY OPINION COLUMN" IN THE NCN:

Dear Readers:

This week I discuss my nominee for the next Senator from New York.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

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/

CORTLANDT MANOR CIVIC ASSOCIATION: www.cortlandtcivic.com

GOPAC: gohudblogs.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 & 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: Domenic 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

SPEAK OUT WITH SANDY GALEF: Yorktown chanel 74 Wednesdays at 7:30PM..Ossining/Peekskill chanel 15 Wednesdays at 8PM
Hosted by: Sandra Galef

DEAR SANDY: Yorktown chanel 74 Fridays 7:30PM...Ossining/Peeksill chanel 15 Fridays
9PM
Hosted by: Sandra Galef
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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

01/18/09