Dear Readers:
Governor Patterson in his "State of the State Address" stood before the legislature and said "It is has been reported that today's children will not live as long as us because of obesity. When parents find that out they will come to Albany and say why didn't you do anything about this?" Were I the governor, I would say, me? What did you do about this? It was you little rug rat, not mine. He said this as a justification for the ":sugar tax" he is proposing, plus the other "nanny state" regulations such as banning trans-fats and menu calorie counts to name a couple. He honestly believes you are too stupid to raise your child and will come running to the government to do that for you. On this, sad to say, he might be right.
This is the mentality of a liberal. Total control of our lives because they know better than us what's best. Even for the sake of argument, let's say they do (which looking at them and their lives I most certainly beg to differ), where is it written that they have the power to interfere, to save us from our follies. Freedom means the right to be wrong. To speak out against this new crisis of obesity, one runs the risk of the charge of being in favor of fat kids, or of the charge of being in favor of killing our children. That is a canard, a red herring to silence people who disagree. The only power the government has, if the people really cared about taking responsibility for their lives, is to educated and warn us against our follies. If for what ever reason people choose not to listen, that's their business, not the governments nor anybodies else's for that matter.
This is the mentality of a liberal. Divide and conquer. First it was rich vs. poor. Then smoker vs. non-smoker. Gas guzzler vs. "econo-cars". Men vs. women. Black vs. white. Gay vs. straight etc. Keep making victims. Divide them into smaller and smaller groups so they can't fight back. Bring envy in to the political process all in an effort to gain and retain power. If there is one entity that is truly the victimizer, it is not big oil, or big fast food, or even big banks, it is big government, and the liberal is using this "divide and conquer" method to victimize us even more and make government bigger. Talk about a "house divided against itself", the liberal has refined this to a fine art, and now we face the prospect of total loss of individual freedom.
This is the mentality of a liberal. Create crisis. From the hoax(yes I said hoax) of man made global warming, to the hoax(yes I said hoax again) of second hand smoke, to the mortgage and market melt down, to the energy crisis, and finally to this new obesity crisis. The liberal uses fear to remove more and more rights from the people by convincing them that only government control is the answer. Just surrender more of your freedoms, and your government will give you security. However as Ben Franklin said more than two hundred years ago, when you do that, you get neither freedom or security. What you get is tyranny.
In December, Governor Patterson gave his proposed budget. It changed the seasonal topic of "separation of church and state" to "separation of you and your money". It all comes down to the old adage, "follow the money". You see according to the liberal, whether you agree or not, we say these are real, and our way is the only way out. If you have the temerity to disagree, then you are a (pick your crisis du jour) denier, and must be shunned, your character assassinated and personally discredited. What all you have to do, in fact, what we will compel you to do, is surrender through 137 new or increased taxes, fees and surcharges, to the tune of another four billion dollars(or a little over $3,000.00 per person) and government will save you from all these boogey men.
It is time to stand up for yourself and tell your representatives, stop! You have done enough. In fact you have done too much! If you cannot run this state with a budget of over a 100 billion dollars, then go back to the drawing board and start over again. You will get no more money from us, we don't have it! If you remember last year, you spoke loud and clear and were able to stop then Governor Spitzer from giving drivers licence's to illegal immigrants. You can do it again, now, against this governor and his proposed budget.
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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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A MESSAGE FROM BOB MEYERS:
Hi Folks,
sad to report that for now, the Wed. night Peekskill Jazz
Jam is NOT happening.
We are presently looking for a new venue & will let you all know
when it starts up again.
In the meantime:
There are 2 Ongoing Weekly Jam Venues to check out.
Wed Night Freddie Jacobs heads the jazz jam at the
Corner Stage
368 East Main Street
Middletown, NY 10940
(845) 342-4804
www.myspace.com/cornerstage.
from 8:30 to midnight.
no cover. 1 drink min.
Thursday, Joel Newton leads the jazz, funk, free etc. jam at the
Old Fashion Restaurant
81-83 S. Broadway, Nyack, NY
(across from Citgo Station)
(845) 353-8959
www.oldfashionrestaurant.com
from 8 to 11:30
admission is free.
I'll be playing both nights and hope to see you there.
thanks, Peace & Music,
Bob
www.bobmeyermusic.com
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A MESSAGE FROM WESTCHESTER LEGFISLATOR GEORGE OROS:
Contact: George Oros
Tel: (914) 995-2828
Goo6@westchesterlegislators.com
Time to Ask State for Tax Relief Not a Tax Hit
No reinstatement of the Commuter Tax; Sales Tax Renewal should not be automatic; volunteers need a break
The Minority Conference of the Westchester County Board of Legislators maintained today any movement by the Democratic majority to “automate” the County Sales Tax should be thwarted.
Minority Leader George Oros (R/Cortlandt) said the current system that requires County and State approval should be continued so that any taxing authority request is “fully justified and shown as necessary.” Current state law requires the County and State Legislature to vote every two years to extend the County Sales Tax. The County sales tax was first imposed nearly 20 years ago to provide real property tax relief. Since then not only has the current administration and Democratic majority on the board increased the sales tax, but property taxes too have increased nearly 50% over the past eight years.
“Majority Leader Martin Rogowsky's proposal removes an important check,” commented Oros.
"We should strive in this difficult economic time to relieve taxpayers of a burden, not saddle them with it forever," Oros said. “The Republican minority cannot support this proposal.”
However Oros left open the possibility of “entertaining” the Rogowsky proposal with the proviso that “all additional revenue from the sales tax be directly applied dollar for dollar to a reduction of the property tax.”
“Absent such a provision it must be rejected out of hand as a non starter," said Oros.
Meanwhile, Oros and fellow Republican legislators Jim Maisano (R/New Rochelle) and Gordon A. Burrows (R/Yonkers) expressed gratitude to County Executive Andrew Spano for joining their call upon the state not to place a payroll tax on Westchester commuters.
In September, Oros, Maisano and Burrows appeared together at a White Plains news conference to voice their disapproval of reinstating the “Commuter Tax” on nonresidents of New York City who work within the five boroughs.
The Commuter Tax, which was repealed in 1999 by the State Legislature and Governor George Pataki, would negatively affect approximately 200,000 commuters from the lower Hudson Valley during a difficult financial time.
“Government always makes the mistake of turning to taxpayers when times are tough,” Maisano said. “The MTA doesn’t need to nickel and dime people to survive. Let them figure out another way, like cutting expenses, to bridge their budget gap.”
The Commuter Tax, which is being considered by the New York City Council and was proposed to a blue ribbon commission studying the MTA’s finances, would cost the average Westchester commuter about $500 more a year in additional taxes.
Westchester residents already pay the MTA about $130 million annually from sales and mortgage taxes, including $37 million as a direct subsidy from the County Budget to the MTA.
“This reliance on taxpayers has to stop. Enough is enough already,” Burrows said.
In the Legislative Package being discussed by county lawmakers, Oros also made three other proposals:
o Requesting the State Legislature to approve legislation to pave the way to elimination of the Westchester County Tax Commission
o A law to allow Westchester to exempt volunteer firefighters/emergency workers from the automobile use tax
Legislation to allow the recently enacted property tax exemption for volunteer firefighters and ambulance corps be extended to all volunteers regardless of the number of paid professionals a department may have.
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A MESSAGE FROM ASSEMBLYWOMAN SANDRA 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 WESTCHESTER GOP:
New York Must Cut Taxes and Spending
Statement of Chairman Joseph N. Mondello
ALBANY, NY (01/07/2009; 1504)(readMedia)-- Governor David Paterson's State of the State Address is a recipe for economic disaster.
By calling for dramatic increases in taxes and ever higher state spending, the Governor seems set on driving our state right over the cliff into the abyss of unprecedented fiscal meltdown.
Rather than meeting this fiscal crisis by offering up warmed over versions of the failed economic policies that have driven the state to economic ruin, the Governor should have looked the people of New York square in the eye and admitted to them that decades of profligate spending, unrestrained borrowing and regressive taxation have left our state with only one clear path back to economic health.
The Governor should have been honest with the people of New York and stated that state government has no choice but to meet this unprecedented crisis by immediately beginning to unsnarl and unravel the vast state bureaucracy, rein in the ever expanding network of entitlement programs, and enact deep and across the board cuts in state spending.
The time for business as usual is over. New York must make deep cuts in wasteful state spending and once and for all relieve the oppressive state tax burden that is leading our state to economic ruin.
Wall Street's fiscal implosion threatens New York with economic challenges far graver than those that the national recession is imposing upon our sister states.
To meet this challenge our state's leaders must admit to the mistakes of the past, rather than, as the Governor's message today presages, seek to compound them with higher taxes and ever increasing spending.
These are extraordinary times that demand leaders who can make tough decisions. Senator Dean Skelos and Assembly Jim Tedisco are strong leaders who are ready to lead their conferences during the difficult days ahead.
I urge Governor Paterson to join them in a true bi-partisan coalition that will administer the tough medicine that is the only way to bring New York State back to robust economic health.'
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STATEMENT FROM ASSEMBLY REPUBLICAN LEADER
JAMES TEDISCO (R,C,I-SCHENECTADY-SARATOGA):
“In delivering his first State of the State Address today, Governor Paterson touched on many of the challenges facing New York as we navigate an economic recession, a $15 billion budget deficit, and our homeowners endure the highest property taxes in the nation.
The question is: will the Governor’s actions in the coming days match the lofty rhetoric we heard today?
The Governor’s speech was, regrettably, short on many of the specifics New Yorkers want to hear about fixing our economy and providing meaningful property tax relief. Now, more than ever, we need action, not words. In this sense, the Governor’s speech was a missed opportunity.
Let me be crystal clear: I am rooting for this Governor to succeed. All New Yorkers are hoping he succeeds. The stakes are too high for ‘politics as usual.’ Politics as usual is what got us in this mess.
We must invest in the economy so our best and brightest can stay right here. We must cut job-killing taxes to create more jobs. We must get back on the path of fiscal discipline by controlling spending and limiting the size, scope and reach of State government. We need to reduce the crushing burden on our homeowners – who pay the highest property taxes in the nation – by enacting a real property tax cap this session.
What we do not need – what New York cannot afford – is even more taxing, spending and borrowing. Unfortunately, contained within the Governor’s 2009-10 Executive Budget were 137 tax and fee hikes. The Governor’s 137 tax and fee hikes – on everything from non-diet soda to digital music downloads – would cost the average New York family $3,875.48 annually and is tantamount to declaring war on our state’s overtaxed middle class families.
I will work with Governor Paterson to achieve a State Budget that is balanced, responsible and meets the needs of New Yorkers – without raising taxes and fees.
This will require us – Republicans and Democrats alike – to roll up our sleeves and forge bi-partisan solutions that put New Yorkers back to work – and get our state back on track. There is much hard work ahead, but families have demanded, and deserve, change in how Albany does business.”
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THIS WEEKS "IN MY OPINION COLUMN" IN THE NCN:
Dear Readers:
This week I discuss Governor Patterson's proposed budget.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
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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
01/10/09
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