Dear Readers:
Starting Thursdays in April at 8PM on cable chanel 78 in Peekskill and Cortlant and chanel 74 in Yorktown and Putnam Valley, former candidate for Westchester County Legislator Dominec Volpe's new show THE VOLPE REPORT will debut. The first show will air with guest Lt. Johanson of the Peeksill P.D. I hope you will put this new show on your must watch list.
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TWO MESSAGES FROM CANDIDATE FOR STATE ASSEMBLY WILLIAM GOULDMAN:
GOULDMAN FOR STATE ASSEMBLY
P.O. Box 164 Putnam Valley, NY 1057
Contact: Willaim GouldmanJanuary 28, 2008
wjgouldman@aol.com914-582-7290
WILLIAM GOULDMAN,REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR STATE ASSEMBLYSAYS "NO" TO LEGISLATIVE PAY RAISE
Says Legislators talking about giving themselves a pay raise while overtaxed New Yorkers struggle with a recession clearly shows that "Albany is broken"William Gouldman, Republican candidate for the Assembly's 90th District, today publicly stated that, if elected, he would not vote for a legislative pay raise.Gouldman also pointed to the fact that legislators' consideration of giving themselves a pay raise - while overtaxed New Yorkers struggle with a recession - is proof that Albany is broken and in need of real change. New York State legislators are the third highest paid in the nation, receiving a base salary of $79,000 on top of "legislative leadership stipends, which many members receive for so-called leadership positions."Given the fact that by almost every account we are entering a recession, it's stunning that the Democrat Majority who run the Assembly would even consider putting a pay raise for themselves on the legislative agenda," said Gouldman."Public service should be exactly that, an opportunity to serve the public. Public service should not be about personal profit or self-enrichment. As an Assemblyman, I will not support a legislative pay raise. I will speak out and lead the fight against it," Gouldman said."Where does Assemblywoman Galef stand on the pay raise? Is she for it? Will she accept it? Why isn't she speaking out against it? Assemblywoman Galef's silence has been deafening. Maybe she's hiding under her desk, hoping her constituents won't know where she stands," Gouldman stated."Particularly troubling is that Speaker Silver - New York City Democrat boss who runs the Assembly - and Governor Eliot Spitzer are open to the notion of raising politicians' pay while New York still doesn't have a property tax cap in place. Instead of talking about pay raises, Speaker Silver and Governor Spitzer should be providing relief for New York's overburdened families being crushed by a painful middle class squeeze of high property taxes, soaring gas prices and raising Thruway tolls. Addressing the real concerns of New York's middle class families is what the Speaker and the Governor should try doing," Gouldman said.I'm running for Assembly because I believe New Yorkers deserve better than elected officials who give themselves a pay raise while another family loses their home to foreclosure, another small business closes its doors and another college graduate decides to leave our state because there aren't enough good-paying jobs. The Assembly is the 'people's house' - it's about time they started working on an agenda that serves the people, not themselves," Gouldman concluded.
MESSAGE TWO:
GOULDMAN FOR STATE ASSEMBLYP.O. Box 164Putnam Valley, New York, 10579
Assemblywoman Sandra Galef Votes "No" on Middle Class Tax Cuts
Galef Rejects Elimination of Gas Taxes and Commonsense Income Tax Cuts
Putnam Valley, New York
Sandra Galef, the Democratic Assemblywoman representing the 90th Assembly District, has once again ignored the economic plight of the people she was elected to represent, by voting against "N.Y's Economic Stimulus Package" on the floor of the Assembly. Mrs. Galef cast her decisive vote on March 12th against the bill that would have helped ease the financial burden faced by the people in Northern Westchester and Putnam Counties.Inexplicably, Assemblywomen Galef voted no on legislation that would have reduced personal income taxes for middle-class New Yorkers and eliminated all state taxes on gasoline."It's troubling that Ms. Galef is so out of touch. These tax cuts are common sense initiatives that deserved her support. The passage of this bill would have reduced personal income taxes for individuals earning $75,000 or less annually, and families earning $150,000 or less annually. It would have also saved New Yorkers 32 cents per gallon at the pump by eliminating all state taxes on gasoline, "declared Bill Gouldman, Republican candidate for the 90th Assembly District."This is a classic example of someone who has been in office too long and has fallen out of touch with the everyday problems that people face. When Ms. Galef had a chance to make a difference for the voters who put their faith in her, she betrayed their trust. Her "NO" was a vote against their interests; It was a vote against common sense and a refusal to provide much needed tax relief. There is no justification for voting against legislation that would have returned money to the overtaxed middle-class." asserted Mr. Gouldman."Dr. Martin Luther King said, "The time is always right to do what is right." Passing middle-class tax breaks and eliminating all state taxes on gasoline is the right thing to do," declared Mr. Gouldman."The needs of the citizens in the 90th district must be heard and acted upon in Albany. They can no longer be ignored. Sandy Galef and the State Assembly refuses to listen. For too long they have blocked or held up nearly every significant tax cut, such as increased property tax rebate checks and long overdue small business tax cuts. The people of Northern Westchester and Putnam Counties need someone who will stand up and fight for them in the Assembly. Once again Sandy Galef has refused to take a stand for the people. She has shown she is out of touch with those she is supposed to represent. It is time to bring a New Era to Albany," declared Mr. Gouldman, "one that will achieve more for the people and tax them less.
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A MESSAGE FROM PUTNAM COUNTY LEGISLATOR SAM OLIVERIO:
RE: SCHOOL TAX REFORM: RECENT PUTNAM COUNTY LEGISLATURE VOTE:
Hi Andy,
The Putnam County Legislature voted to support NY Assembly Bill A04746 which proposes sweeping tax reform for school funding. This legislation was sponsored by Hudson Valley Assemblyman Kevin Cahill. I brought this bill forward to our County Legislature through my Health Committee and then to a special meeting of the full Legislature last night (3/18). The vote by the Putnam County Legislature to support this bill in Albany was unanimous.With this Bill Andy, Putnam County has taken the lead in requesting the State to move forward with all seriousness and deliberation in school tax reform. The Cahill Bill would set a cost per student based upon region that each school district would receive to educate their charges. If a District wanted more funding than this, they could go to their community and with a super majority vote (60% of the electorate) raise the additional monies through local taxation. The State would raise the money it nee ded through income tax, not property tax! This Bill would bring equity to education and also release NY residents from the burden of property tax. This would save those individuals on fixed incomes, young families just starting out and our seniors from loosing their homes. The very wealthy would finally be paying their fair share and the middle class would finally receive some tax relief. It is a great Bill and it is the hope of our Legislature that our support of the Bill will start a grassroots movement which will cause our representatives in Albany to adopt this much needed school funding reform.We are sending copies of our support for the Cahill Bill to every County in NY State and to the Assembly and Senate in Albany. Hopefully Andy, with enough ground swell on this issue, it can become law within the year.
Thanks, Andy!
Sam Oliverio Jr.
Putnam County Legislator, Dist. #2
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A MESSAGE FROM STATE ASSEMBLYMAN GREG BALL:
RE: ASSEMBLY BILL A04746 "THE CAHILL BILL"
“Some proposals, like Cahill’s, would require doubling, and in some instances, tripling the state income tax. An income based solution is possible, but it must be part of a larger reform initiative that addresses spending as well, and any income based model must grapple with the overarching reality of hidden income by corporations and the ultra wealthy. Furthermore, many of these income driven bills focus on one part of the problem: the unfairness of the current model, but do not address the fundamental reality of double digit spending increases compounded annually. A fair tax has been defined by some as a tax that someone else pays. Many of these reform models seem to follow that logic. Any school tax reform bill worth it’s salt should not only reform the current model of property tax collection, but also attempt to cure the inflated spending, lack of transparency and bring an end to the never ending stream of unfunded mandates – all while safeguarding and improving the quality of education. A tall order yes, but quite possible, and other states like Mass. Through ‘Proposition 2 ½’, have done it. A truism that many tax and spend politicians like to avoid is that high spending equals high taxes. Yet many of these reform bills only focus on the collection side of the problem and a promote what seems like a logical shift from property to income while allowing businesses and commercial properties to stay on the old system. However, they oftentimes refuse to address the fundamental and structural reality of inflated annual sending. Simply shifting the unfair tax burden from the middle class to the upper middle class in the same neighborhood, by tripling the state income tax, will not solve the crisis of double digit spending increases compounded annually and may actually lead to another 2 million New Yorkers voting with their feet and leaving the state.”
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A MESSAGE FROM ASSEMBLYWOMAN SANDRA GALEF:
RE: SCHOOL TAX REFORM:
Andy,
Yes, I am examining various approaches to the way we fund our schools. In fact my last constituent newsletter discussed 7 options including the state taking over funding of schools through the income tax. I believe that before we jump to conclusions on this income tax plan we have to have a financial review to see if this is really a good plan for us. I would first conclude that the state rate set for educating our children will be far below what we spend now in the local districts which should be considered. Secondly, since our incomes in Putnam and Westchester are some of the highest in the state, we, as income taxpayers, may have to contribute more money than we do now in property taxes which may then go to fund schools elsewhere in the state. I have not seen any evaluation of the impact on the people I represent. Another consideration is that people with high incomes may move to other surrounding states that do not tax income at such a high rate. That could potentially mean a loss in jobs and business.In Albany we are always faced with this delicate balance. We want to keep as many jobs here as possible. In a year like this when we have close to a $5 billion deficit we would have to raise the income tax significantly to even cover the cost of last year's education aid. Income revenues do fluctuate.
Presently, $21.5 billion is raised on the state level to fund education and $23.5 billion is raised locally from property taxes. To pick up the $23.5 billion on a state level, there would have to be a large increase in income tax levied.
Therefore, I believe that more in-depth analysis needs to be done on this bill before I would decide to support it.
I do believe that the state should cut mandates on the school districts to lower costs to the taxpayers, and that the state should takeover special education costs and perhaps, retirement costs and have those paid for on the income tax basis. That would reduce local school costs considerably.
I am having a meeting on Thursday, April 10th from 3-5 pm at Cortlandt Town Hall with the New York State Comptroller and others to discuss ways we can share and coordinate services between our schools and municipalities so that we can start to save tax dollars. Just shifting costs to the state is not the total solution. We must cut costs so we can lower our total tax burden on all levels. We are all property taxpayers as well as income taxpayers.
In order to help residents with their property tax burden I have introduced A1575A/S1053A. This is a circuit breaker bill that would consider the total property taxes you pay and what your household income is. For instance, if your household income was $120,000 or less and you paid more than 6% of your income in taxes, that state would then you give a credit on your income tax for 70% of additional taxes you paid. If you don't owe the state any income tax you would then get a rebate check. This circuit breaker program can be implemented rather easily and would help residents who pay significant property taxes and have more limited income. The plan is adjusted for other taxpayers with household incomes up to $250,000. There is much support for this concept throughout New York State and with taxpayer groups.
Andy, I am sorry that I wasn't brief but this is a very complicated issue and we must do the research to know what we are getting into before we plunge into a new plan. I have asked the sponsor of A4746 for this type of evaluation of the bill.
My best,
Sandy
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A MESSAGE FROM WESTCHESTER COUNTY LEGISLATOR GEORGE OROS:
News from George Oros
Contact: George Oros
(914) 522-6774
Congressional Vote Hurts Middle Class Families and Small Business
“It’s just plain wrong” says Oros
Congressional candidate George Oros (New York 19th district) called the recent House of Representatives vote that would allow the present tax relief to expire next year “wrong”.
“While middle class families struggle and the economy teeters on the brink of collapse it is clearly the wrong time to let taxes increase”, said Oros. “It is wrong to vote to allow the family tax credit to end, to fail to eliminate or at least index the Alternative Minimum Tax and it is so wrong to punish family businesses by voting to revive the death tax”.
Oros noted the irony of recent Town Hall meetings where Congressman John Hall (D/Dover Plains) hosted a seminar on saving money on income tax returns while 48 hours earlier he voted yes to a plan that would see federal taxes grow by $683 billion over five years.
“Instead of offering platitudes or small tax deductions, Congress should be reducing spending, reforming earmarks and extending the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts”, said Oros. “The easiest way to save on taxes is to eliminate them.”
Congress needs to “immediately end the death tax” which hurts small family businesses.
“Too often I have witnessed children and grandchildren who want to keep the family business going, but are forced to sell or take on huge debt to pay estate taxes,” said Oros. “If we want to protect these businesses the estate tax must go once and for all.”
Congress seems more concerned about spending $2 million in earmark money for a monument to Charlie Rangel and $300,000 for improving Hollywood movie sets than letting hard working families keep a few more of their hard earned dollars.
“We have a Congress interested in litigation, regulation and taxation,” said Oros. “I seek a Congress focused on taxpayer liberation.”
The budget plan approved sets the stage for future bills that affect taxes, Medicare and annual appropriations bills. Follow-up legislation is needed to move the plan forward but the vote by Congress last week clearly indicates where they stand: more taxes!
“Not everyone is fortunate to be a Hollywood elite or business tycoon with a team of lawyers and accountants to find every last tax loophole,” Oros said. “Congress should be helping the middle class families and make these cuts such as the family tax credit and elimination of the AMT permanent.”
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A MESSAGE FROM PEEKSKILL COUNCILMAN ANDREW TORES:
RE: OFF STREET PARKING REGULATIONS:
The City of Peekskill Parking Ordinance code amendment was passed by the City Council in 2003 to answer complaints about some home owners black-topping their back yards and front lawns to create additional off-street parking on their property, mostly to accommodate the cars of their tenants. The code’s intention was to prevent this mass black-topping of lawns to preserve neighborhood aesthetics and address concerns of water run-off. The amended parking ordinance code affected all new buildings with off-street parking as of the date it was passed. It would not affect existing off street parking until 5 years later – 2008. The code has been very helpful in controlling off-street parking spaces in new home construction. Where the code fails is with the preexisting off-street parking of older homes of Peekskill.
The City Council is holding three public meetings to provide Peekskill residents a chance to voice their concerns and opinions on the code. Mayor Foster, Councilman Schuder and I attended the February 28th public meeting at the Field Library. It started at 7:00PM and a large audience was in attendance. There was a Power Point presentation which explained the code as well as examples of what this code designated as legal and illegal driveways. During the meeting, Mayor Foster stated that the City Council is looking at instituting a moratorium of one or two months delaying the implementation of this code in order to allow the City Council to develop a solution to the issues this code will cause if implemented unchanged.
Some concerns that were voiced by Peekskill residents at the public hearing include: Why didn’t they have public meetings on this code in 2003 like they are having now? Will home owners have to dig up their driveways to meet this code? Why was the parking code amendment passed without a grandfathering clause?
My personal feeling on this topic is that the code amendment needs to be changed. It can not be implemented as is. If you were to take a drive throughout Peekskill, you will see many driveways that will be designated illegal if this code is implemented unchanged. The City Council members are going to listen to the people of Peekskill, look at all of our options, and access all resources available to us in order to bring about a positive outcome to this situation.
As far as running to claim this seat as my own, I’ve been in office for a mere six weeks and I believe I still have a lot to learn about being a good councilman. I intend to spend the coming months speaking with the residents and business people of Peekskill so that I may learn their dreams for the future and needs in their neighborhoods and give voice to those dreams and concerns at our council meetings
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IMPORTANT PEEKSKILL SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION DATES AND INFORMATION:
Dear Readers:
There has been a lot of angst regarding the Peekskill School system. The opening of the new middle school has been pushed back till fall 2008. The wall abutting Washington Street has questionable safety aspects. There was an independent analysis that was not made public. There are questions of school safety that aslo had an analysis that was not amde public. There are serious issues involved in this years budget and school board elections that must be aired.
The dates below will give concerned citizens time to get signatures to mount serious challenges to the status-quo. It will now be up to you whether you remain silent, hide behind aynonomous postings or show some gumption and run to change things. Your school taxes have gone up 80% since 2005 not including the bonds.
HERE ARE THE DATES:
•March 19 – petitions available for BOE candidates
•April 1- April 5 - first of four legal notices announcing the Budget vote & BOE election
•April 29 to May 6 – Complete budget discussions
•April 30 – Candidates for School Board - last day to file petition
•May 6 – Last day for voter registration
•May 14 – Budget notice mailed
•May 20 – Annual Budget vote and elections
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AN E-MAIL REGARDING THE RT. 202 CORIDOR:
Andy,
What’s the story with Route 202? Once the street of commercial dreams, its becoming a ghost town of gas pumps and bump-and-run convenience markets. An empty, NEW, spec building at Crompond(202) and Croton, empty gas station(who knows what’s under the ground??)at 202 and Buttonwood, 202 Lumber finally gone after 3 years before the arson’s match caught it, Salerno’s cars, EMPTY, Tuscan Market, EMPTY for years, 202 Hardware at Old Crompond across from Staples. What’s going on in Yorktown/Cortlandt? Hopefully these businesses are moving back INTO town (when Pigs fly).
And the big question: Who’s responsible for an empty shell, eyesore, fire hazard, building when somebody goes out of business? Do owners just walk away from the establishment and the town has to deal with the space? Business fails, but the rest of us have to look at the failure every time we travel Route 202. Why can’t the Tuscan Market and Salerno properties be re-claimed for Yorktown GREEN SPACE if nobody is buying into the old businesses? Tuscan Market has been empty and On-The-Market for about four years. What gives?
Concerned Peekskill-Yorktown habitué,
richard manichello
RESPONSE FROM YORKTOWN COUNCILMAN NICK BIANCO:
Mr. Bazzo was kind enough to share with me your e mail concerning 202.
I agree that empty stores can be an eyesore. Two of the properties you mentioned our in the town of Cortlandt and I really don't know the circumstances about them. I can comment on Tuscan Market and Salerno. In fact the owner of Tuscan Market contacted me when he purchased same about getting him into the sewer district and drainage problems. I did help him with these problems, however, his business just didn't make it and he went bankrupt. The property has been auctioned with no buyers. In fact, the bank is having a problem in selling the property. I even thought that perhaps this may be a good location for a senior center etc. However, the price is a large amount and the town didn't think it was a good location. Salerno- I helped in getting the town to replace the pipe under their property. Salerno is a renter and moved his business. It is up to the owner of the property to rent this location. They have not been successfull and to my knowledge never approached the town with any ideas. Perhaps they want it to sit empty.
It is difficulty for the town to tell owners of property what to do. If they do not want any income and they still pay the taxes and keep the property clean. There is little we can do.
I hope this answers some of your questions and thanks for inquiring.
Councilman Nick Bianco
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THREE MESSAGES FROM THE WESTCHESTER COUNTY REPUBLICANS:
MESSAGE ONE:Hi,
It is time for everyone to call the Chair and their individual legislator to tell them NO to their looking to double their pay for a part time job.
The Chair gets a free car and many other goodies too. These are hard times for many Westchesterites especially those on fixed incomes. These folks want more and more !!!
Read Phil Reisman's (The Journal News) columns over the last several weeks he is on the mark. Again today he hits the mark.
The telephone number for the Board is 995-2800, ask for Mr. Ryan's office or your Legislator by name.
In my district it is Peter Harkcham @ 995 - 2810 call the 995 - 2800 number and ask for your Legislator.
Every call is counted so husbands and wives, wives and husbands call. Other voters in your household too.
If we do not express ourselves they will continue to drain our wallets. It is your money, not theirs to spend freely on themselves because they think it is OK.
Pass this onto to as many of your family and friends who live in Westchester and pay these Legislators freight.
Thanks,
Bill Monti
MESSAGE TWO:
Dear Friends:
I am pleased to announce that the 2008 Westchester Republican Committee Annual Chairman's Dinner will be held on Wednesday, April 23rd at the Ritz-Carlton in White Plains.
Westchester's own Ari Fleischer, former Press Secretary to President George W. Bush, will be our Keynote Speaker.
Our Co-Persons of the Year will be Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone and White Plains Mayor Joe Delfino. We will also be recognizing former County Legislators Ursula LaMotte & Suzanne Swanson, as well as, former Westchester G.O.P. Chairwoman RoseMarie Panio.
Invitations will be going out shortly, but in the interim, I invite you to participate by joining the Host Committee, becoming a sponsor, or purchasing a journal ad.
Attached please find information about participating in this year's dinner.
Thank you in advance for your support, and please do not hesitate to contact Republican Headquarters at (914) 949-3020 or Chairman@WestchesterGOP.com if you have any questions.
Sincerley,
Douglas A. Colety
Chairman
Westchester G.O.P.
MESSAGE THREE:
Sinatra & Sliwa
Mark your calendar!
Curtis Sliwa & Frank Sinatra
“Coming to Westchester!!”
What: Sinatra Soiree
Where: Traveler’s Rest Ossining NY
When: May 28th, 6-9PM
How Much: $100pp
Pay Online: http://www.gballevents.com/
A bold spirit with a lust for life and amazing energy, Curtis Sliwa is a New Yorker in the truest and best sense of the word. Republicans throughout Westchester and Putnam County are looking forward to a great night of live Sinatra music and lively speaking by Sliwa. Our famous Sinatra impersonator, Ernie Barry, has done events all around the world and performs live in Little Italy every month. Nobody is better than Ernie Barry when it comes to Sinatra!
Sliwa, born and raised in the Canarsie section of Brooklyn, recognized early on the advantages of growing up in a close knit community. Curtis spearheads countless public service programs, including food and clothing distribution for the needy and anti-drug speakers bureaus. In 1994, Curtis Sliwa founded Cyberangels, the largest online safety and educational program in cyberspace. Sliwa has also authored several books on self-defense and safety, making his vision of community service and fighting crime a reality. Known all over the world as the founder and leader of the Guardian Angels, a non-profit, all volunteer crime fighting organization with 40 chapters throughout the United States and 7 countries overseas, Curtis Sliwa's scope is vast and intensive. His worldwide connections keep him in touch with major breaking news stories across the globe and a few steps ahead of most journalists. However, Sliwa's passion for "the city that never sleeps" remains a constant fixation. Featured frequently as a guest lecturer at colleges and universities and making regular appearances on TV news-oriented programs, Sliwa's message is one of hope, combined with a healthy dose of common sense. Join hundreds of fellow Republicans at ‘Traveler’s Rest’ in Ossining NY for a great night!
Space is limited. Purchase your ticket today at http://www.gballevents.com/ !!
http://www.ball4ny.com/
NEWS ITEM:
Ball seeks another Assembly term
Ball greets supporters
YORKTOWN HEIGHTS - Assemblyman Greg Ball has made it official. The 99th District Republican, who represents his hometown Carmel, along with Patterson, Southeast, Pawling, North Salem, Yorktown and Somers kicked off his reelection campaign Sunday.
Ball promised that his “Shoe-leather Express” will result in the assemblyman “knocking on 10,000 doors between now and Election Day in order to combat the school tax crisis while at the same time cracking down on illegal immigration.”
Ball’s announcement was made at Murphy’s Restaurant in Yorktown before more than 100 supporters.
“A little over a year ago I was elected in a grassroots upset that sent a clear message to the good old boys in Albany and back home. I will continue to shake-up Albany because in the past seven years, New York has lost two million people due to high taxes. I am fighting every day for every resident of our great state while battling against the dysfunctional New York State Legislature comprised of a whining, dining, pocket lining crowd of Albany insiders. I give them hell every day and I love it. I look forward to serving for another two years,” he said.
Ball called himself an “independent minded public servant who believes in what is right. The majorities in both houses are corrupt and arrogant in their power. I have spent every waking moment of my first term mounting persistent and bi-partisan efforts for reforming Albany and have continuously attracted widespread attention. We are winning battles everyday but there is still a larger war in Albany and at home on the issues that matter most. I look forward to remaining on the front lines of that fight.”
http://www.ball4ny.com/
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************************************************************************************ THIS WEEKS "IN MY OPINION COLUMN" IN THE NCN:
Dear Readers:
This week I discuss Congressman John Hall's recent "Tax Relief Forum". 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 the Westchester County Airport is seventy dollars. To LaGuardia Airport the cost is Ninety-four dollars which includes all tolls. The cost to JFK and Newark Airports is one hundred-twenty-five dollars which also includes all tolls. 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:
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: Every Tuesday at 10PM channel 74
Hosted by: 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 78 (Peek. and Cort.) 74 (York.)
Hosted By: Dominec Volpe
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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 03/22/08
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
WHY LOCAL ELECTIONS ARE IMPORTANT
Dear Readers:
On Monday 02/11/08 the Peekskill City Council will raise your taxes. Everything you read about shoring up the reserve fund balance as a reason is bull. The problem is that candidate Foster who said the fund balance was too high, is not the same a Mayor Foster who now says the fund is too low. No matter the spin, you cannot escape the "flip-flop" lable in this issue. What is not a "flip-flop" is Mayor Fosters desire to raise taxes. She did vote no on the present budget. She expressed her displeasure in a no tax increase. What the Mayor wants you to do is pay for her promises to get elected. She wants more cops. Those positions must be paid for out of tax dollars. Remember this, come November, you will get another tax increase because the three cops who were hired under a grant by the state, that grant runs out this year. Those cops' pay will now come out of your pocket. She forgot to mention this during the latest budget discussions.
She is also increasing the size of government creating three new positions. She ran on these creations, however again she forgot to mention how they were going to be paid for, now you know. The question is in this time of a fear of recession, are these luxuries necessary right now? Is it wise fiscal management to increase the size of government when people are trying to keep up with expenses? Remember the state is ready to raise your taxes(fees) in the next thirty days. I am convinced if she follows through on this tax increase, she will be a one-term mayor as she must raise taxes to pay for those three cops mentioned above.
As the Gateway project is now going to all affordable housing, and her new blue print for the riverfront emphasizes tree-hugging over tax base, you see her choice for the future of Peekskill is the raising of taxes over the increasing of tax base. This is why local elections are important, not all change is for the better. Those who for whatever reasons did not vote last November, you are getting what you deserve.
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JOHN TESTA'S GUEST COMMENTARY IN THE NCN:
GUEST COMMENTARY : Don’t mess with this legacy
By John Testa
As we all watch in disbelief how the new administration in Peekskill moves forward with an unprecedented and unconscionable maneuver to ‘redo’ the 2008 budget in order to change a 0% tax increase to a 6% increase, we can see a total misrepresentation of the facts surrounding it. In an attempt to rewrite history, the actions by my administration are being distorted, facts twisted and outright lies disseminated. As you may expect, I cannot sit idly by and let this go unchallenged. The City Council, staff and I worked too hard to bring the city’s financial status to its best in history and enable 3 years of 0% tax increases. The taxpayers deserve someone to stand up for them and state the facts about why there is absolutely no need for a 6% tax increase.Much of budgeting is common sense and restraint. Common sense will tell you that expenses are a big part of a budget and determine the revenue needed to pay for them. The amount of revenue helps determine the spending that can be accounted for without raising taxes. So, adding unneeded expenses to a budget is simply a foolish way of inventing a need for more taxes. This is where the restraint comes in. The most expensive part of a budget involves personnel; the salaries and benefits for employees comprise the largest expense to the city. The Foster administration proposes to hire 3 consultants (one of which will determine what the staff salaries should be; another will tell the city if the signs around town need to be changed; the third is a “Consultant Facilitator,” whatever that is) and create staff positions that are unnecessary for the success of the city’s operations, like the proposed $100,000 a year ‘economic development specialist.’ The proposal suggests moving funds from the capital account to the operating fund for this position. The capital funds to be transferred were put aside over a period of 5 years to pay for computer and hardware replacement. To move them to hide the cost of this new position is wrong. The expense will show up in the future and the computer replacement funding will be gone. This will require additional budget increases in the future. When we deliberated on the 2008 budget back in the fall we were very concerned about the ever-increasing cost of fuel, both for transportation and home heating. On top of that we were concerned about the uncertain future of the overall economy and the effect it would have on the average family. As we see now, that concern is real. It is certainly not a time for adding and creating new positions to the city organization. Let’s be clear; the proposed tax increase is merely a way of covering for the expenses created by hiring more employees. Expenses, by the way, that will recur each year from now on.In an attempt to fool the public, there has been a concerted effort to misrepresent and/or lie about the facts surrounding the City’s fund balance. Let me correct the situation with facts. In October of 2007 the City Council passed a Fund Balance Policy in order to assist our chances of obtaining an upgrade of our A2 Bond Status to an A1, something we were able to achieve. The policy is structured in a way to distinguish between a General Fund Balance and an Emergency Fund Balance. To utilize funds from the General Fund Balance the Council merely needs a simple majority of its members, which is what was done in the present 2008 budget. A 5-member vote is required only when Emergency Reserve Funds are used. We did not use these funds. The policy states: “The City may appropriate, in whole or part, funds designated for emergencies pursuant to a resolution of the Common Council approved by five members of such governing body.” The fund balance level in the City of Peekskill remains at unprecedented levels and in no way violates present policy. Moody’s Investors Service made that point clear in their official improved bond rating notice to the City on September 25, 2007, “Through multiyear forecasting and a trend of balanced budgeting, the city realized three consecutive operating surpluses which averaged a sizable $1.85 million. Most recently, fiscal 2006 ended with an able General Fund balance of $11 million or one-third revenues, more than double 2003 reserve levels.” That level was added to in 2007. So, utilizing an additional $500,000 from the fund balance in the 2008 budget as a means of preventing a tax increase was well within our policy and our moral obligation to the community.There is a distinction between unreserved/undesignated funds and general funds. The policy adopted requires a 10% minimum in the unreserved/undesignated portion of the reserve. That remains in place and has not been reduced at all. Ray Hart of “Public Finance Associates, Inc.” has been working with the City of Peekskill for many years and was our advisor in creating the policy and lobbying Moody’s to change our bond rating. In a letter to the City Council on September 5, 2007 Mr. Hart pointed out the importance of this 10% balance (contrary to a suggestion by Ms. Foster). “The original proposal established a 20% goal for the general fund’s unreserved and unappropriated fund balance. Councilwoman Foster suggested that the unreserved balance, including any designations such as amounts used in the operating budget, be used as the basis for the 20% goal. On further consideration, the recommended change would allow the City to designate all its unreserved fund balance leaving nothing for contingencies but nonetheless meeting the policy goal. Clearly this could leave the City with no “rainy day funds” and runs counter to the concept of maintaining a reasonable fund balance for contingencies. Therefore, the 20% requirement for the unreserved balance was refined to require that the unreserved and undesignated fund be equal to at least 10%. This provision strengthens the policy and gives it greater credibility.” Also, the policy is merely an internal one as Mr. Hart points out: “The policy is a working tool but not a straight jacket. If the policy requires modification, the City may make the appropriate changes.”Most importantly, the Moody’s rating upgrade is based primarily on the future development plans of the City and the fiscal stability it would bring. Besides their statement on Peekskill’s “Healthy financial operations reflect strong fiscal management” Moody’s also stresses the “sizeable and expanding residential tax base.” They based their determination on the fact that “Moody’s anticipates the city’s economy will continue to benefit from its $2 billion tax base, ongoing redevelopment efforts…” With the Target Project, Downtown Redevelopment Project and Gateway now dead and the Waterfront project in question (all thanks to the Foster administration) we will have to wait and see if Moody’s maintains the newly achieved bond upgrade. Time will tell. The new administration seems to be willing to move forward with the hotel proposal we initiated for John Walsh Boulevard and the office park on Corporate Drive but that won’t be enough. With the only prospects for development over the next few years being subsidized “affordable” and low-income housing, the future is in question. You can hire all the ‘economic development specialists’ you want, but if the only prospect for the future is affordable housing, then who will be drawn to invest here?There is much more to discuss such as the March of 2006 State Comptroller comprehensive report on the financial health of New York’s 65 cities. Peekskill was ranked in the Top 15 throughout NY State and second best in Westchester County while out performing 75% of the other cities around the state. There are also the comments from our independent auditors over the last few years. Just this past August, Nick DiSantis from O’Connor Davies Munns & Dobbins, proclaimed in the 2007 audit presentation that “the City of Peekskill is in excellent financial condition” and “The conservative budgeting approach by the city has really paid off.” Well, that approach seems to have been thrown out the window. Imposing an ill conceived 6% tax increase and adding more cost to government for years to come, is a clear indication of what any council person who votes in favor of it thinks of the hard-working taxpayers who will have to pay for it! The families of Peekskill have already planned their home budgets based on no municipal tax increase. To change it now would have a devastating effect on those families, especially those on a fixed income such as senior citizens. Of course, as the governmental body with a super majority in place, the “Foster” council can propose whatever they choose. However, they should have done so without misrepresenting previous actions and policies, especially mine. John Testa is the former mayor of Peekskill
************************************************************************************
FYI: EVENTS AT SUSAN'S RESTAURANT ON N. DIVISION STREET PEEKSKILL:
MONDAY 2/11/08 Big Bang Jazz Gang
plays MINGUS,MONK,DUKE,COLTRANE and more!
featuringDale DeMarco, David Savitsky, David Loy Song,Ben Newsome & David CasT-saxesFreddie Jacobs, John Leonard & Vito Speranza-trumpetsJoe Bacci& Howard Levy-trombonesBob Meyer-drums Neil Alexander-pianoRobert Kopec-bass
2/14 Valentine's Day Dinner Call for menu, Pricing, and Reservations
2/15/08 The House Band2/16 Betty MacDonald, Joe Beck and Charlie Kniceley
Friday 2/22 Roxy Perry
Saturday 2/23 John Abercrombie Trio
On Wednesday February 13th We are having our Holiday Party I know it is a bit late but such is life in the restaurant business - We will have live music (I hope) Food and Drink. It will be an opportunity for Nira, Me and the Staff to Hang with you all and have some fun together, thank all of you who have made this venture a temendous amount of fun, taught me a bunch, and support. live music and the arts in Peekskill, and elsewhere.
************************************************************************************
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 the Westchester County Airport is seventy dollars. To LaGuardia Airport the cost is Ninety-four dollars which includes all tolls. The cost to JFK and Newark Airports is one hundred-twenty-five dollars which also includes all tolls. 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:
YORKTOWN COUNCILMAN NICK BIANCO: http://www.electbianco.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/
PEEKSKILL FIRST: http://www.peekskillfirst.net/
THE PEEKSILL NEWS: http://thepeekskillnews.blogspot.com/
PEEKSKILL NEWS (COPYCAT): http://peekskillnews.blogspot.com/
PEEKSILL ONION: http://peekskillonion.blogspot.com/
THE PEEKSKILL GUARDIAN (COPYCAT) http://thepeekskillguardian.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: Every Tuesday at 10PM channel 74
Hosted by: 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
**********************************************************************************
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 02/10/08
On Monday 02/11/08 the Peekskill City Council will raise your taxes. Everything you read about shoring up the reserve fund balance as a reason is bull. The problem is that candidate Foster who said the fund balance was too high, is not the same a Mayor Foster who now says the fund is too low. No matter the spin, you cannot escape the "flip-flop" lable in this issue. What is not a "flip-flop" is Mayor Fosters desire to raise taxes. She did vote no on the present budget. She expressed her displeasure in a no tax increase. What the Mayor wants you to do is pay for her promises to get elected. She wants more cops. Those positions must be paid for out of tax dollars. Remember this, come November, you will get another tax increase because the three cops who were hired under a grant by the state, that grant runs out this year. Those cops' pay will now come out of your pocket. She forgot to mention this during the latest budget discussions.
She is also increasing the size of government creating three new positions. She ran on these creations, however again she forgot to mention how they were going to be paid for, now you know. The question is in this time of a fear of recession, are these luxuries necessary right now? Is it wise fiscal management to increase the size of government when people are trying to keep up with expenses? Remember the state is ready to raise your taxes(fees) in the next thirty days. I am convinced if she follows through on this tax increase, she will be a one-term mayor as she must raise taxes to pay for those three cops mentioned above.
As the Gateway project is now going to all affordable housing, and her new blue print for the riverfront emphasizes tree-hugging over tax base, you see her choice for the future of Peekskill is the raising of taxes over the increasing of tax base. This is why local elections are important, not all change is for the better. Those who for whatever reasons did not vote last November, you are getting what you deserve.
************************************************************************************
JOHN TESTA'S GUEST COMMENTARY IN THE NCN:
GUEST COMMENTARY : Don’t mess with this legacy
By John Testa
As we all watch in disbelief how the new administration in Peekskill moves forward with an unprecedented and unconscionable maneuver to ‘redo’ the 2008 budget in order to change a 0% tax increase to a 6% increase, we can see a total misrepresentation of the facts surrounding it. In an attempt to rewrite history, the actions by my administration are being distorted, facts twisted and outright lies disseminated. As you may expect, I cannot sit idly by and let this go unchallenged. The City Council, staff and I worked too hard to bring the city’s financial status to its best in history and enable 3 years of 0% tax increases. The taxpayers deserve someone to stand up for them and state the facts about why there is absolutely no need for a 6% tax increase.Much of budgeting is common sense and restraint. Common sense will tell you that expenses are a big part of a budget and determine the revenue needed to pay for them. The amount of revenue helps determine the spending that can be accounted for without raising taxes. So, adding unneeded expenses to a budget is simply a foolish way of inventing a need for more taxes. This is where the restraint comes in. The most expensive part of a budget involves personnel; the salaries and benefits for employees comprise the largest expense to the city. The Foster administration proposes to hire 3 consultants (one of which will determine what the staff salaries should be; another will tell the city if the signs around town need to be changed; the third is a “Consultant Facilitator,” whatever that is) and create staff positions that are unnecessary for the success of the city’s operations, like the proposed $100,000 a year ‘economic development specialist.’ The proposal suggests moving funds from the capital account to the operating fund for this position. The capital funds to be transferred were put aside over a period of 5 years to pay for computer and hardware replacement. To move them to hide the cost of this new position is wrong. The expense will show up in the future and the computer replacement funding will be gone. This will require additional budget increases in the future. When we deliberated on the 2008 budget back in the fall we were very concerned about the ever-increasing cost of fuel, both for transportation and home heating. On top of that we were concerned about the uncertain future of the overall economy and the effect it would have on the average family. As we see now, that concern is real. It is certainly not a time for adding and creating new positions to the city organization. Let’s be clear; the proposed tax increase is merely a way of covering for the expenses created by hiring more employees. Expenses, by the way, that will recur each year from now on.In an attempt to fool the public, there has been a concerted effort to misrepresent and/or lie about the facts surrounding the City’s fund balance. Let me correct the situation with facts. In October of 2007 the City Council passed a Fund Balance Policy in order to assist our chances of obtaining an upgrade of our A2 Bond Status to an A1, something we were able to achieve. The policy is structured in a way to distinguish between a General Fund Balance and an Emergency Fund Balance. To utilize funds from the General Fund Balance the Council merely needs a simple majority of its members, which is what was done in the present 2008 budget. A 5-member vote is required only when Emergency Reserve Funds are used. We did not use these funds. The policy states: “The City may appropriate, in whole or part, funds designated for emergencies pursuant to a resolution of the Common Council approved by five members of such governing body.” The fund balance level in the City of Peekskill remains at unprecedented levels and in no way violates present policy. Moody’s Investors Service made that point clear in their official improved bond rating notice to the City on September 25, 2007, “Through multiyear forecasting and a trend of balanced budgeting, the city realized three consecutive operating surpluses which averaged a sizable $1.85 million. Most recently, fiscal 2006 ended with an able General Fund balance of $11 million or one-third revenues, more than double 2003 reserve levels.” That level was added to in 2007. So, utilizing an additional $500,000 from the fund balance in the 2008 budget as a means of preventing a tax increase was well within our policy and our moral obligation to the community.There is a distinction between unreserved/undesignated funds and general funds. The policy adopted requires a 10% minimum in the unreserved/undesignated portion of the reserve. That remains in place and has not been reduced at all. Ray Hart of “Public Finance Associates, Inc.” has been working with the City of Peekskill for many years and was our advisor in creating the policy and lobbying Moody’s to change our bond rating. In a letter to the City Council on September 5, 2007 Mr. Hart pointed out the importance of this 10% balance (contrary to a suggestion by Ms. Foster). “The original proposal established a 20% goal for the general fund’s unreserved and unappropriated fund balance. Councilwoman Foster suggested that the unreserved balance, including any designations such as amounts used in the operating budget, be used as the basis for the 20% goal. On further consideration, the recommended change would allow the City to designate all its unreserved fund balance leaving nothing for contingencies but nonetheless meeting the policy goal. Clearly this could leave the City with no “rainy day funds” and runs counter to the concept of maintaining a reasonable fund balance for contingencies. Therefore, the 20% requirement for the unreserved balance was refined to require that the unreserved and undesignated fund be equal to at least 10%. This provision strengthens the policy and gives it greater credibility.” Also, the policy is merely an internal one as Mr. Hart points out: “The policy is a working tool but not a straight jacket. If the policy requires modification, the City may make the appropriate changes.”Most importantly, the Moody’s rating upgrade is based primarily on the future development plans of the City and the fiscal stability it would bring. Besides their statement on Peekskill’s “Healthy financial operations reflect strong fiscal management” Moody’s also stresses the “sizeable and expanding residential tax base.” They based their determination on the fact that “Moody’s anticipates the city’s economy will continue to benefit from its $2 billion tax base, ongoing redevelopment efforts…” With the Target Project, Downtown Redevelopment Project and Gateway now dead and the Waterfront project in question (all thanks to the Foster administration) we will have to wait and see if Moody’s maintains the newly achieved bond upgrade. Time will tell. The new administration seems to be willing to move forward with the hotel proposal we initiated for John Walsh Boulevard and the office park on Corporate Drive but that won’t be enough. With the only prospects for development over the next few years being subsidized “affordable” and low-income housing, the future is in question. You can hire all the ‘economic development specialists’ you want, but if the only prospect for the future is affordable housing, then who will be drawn to invest here?There is much more to discuss such as the March of 2006 State Comptroller comprehensive report on the financial health of New York’s 65 cities. Peekskill was ranked in the Top 15 throughout NY State and second best in Westchester County while out performing 75% of the other cities around the state. There are also the comments from our independent auditors over the last few years. Just this past August, Nick DiSantis from O’Connor Davies Munns & Dobbins, proclaimed in the 2007 audit presentation that “the City of Peekskill is in excellent financial condition” and “The conservative budgeting approach by the city has really paid off.” Well, that approach seems to have been thrown out the window. Imposing an ill conceived 6% tax increase and adding more cost to government for years to come, is a clear indication of what any council person who votes in favor of it thinks of the hard-working taxpayers who will have to pay for it! The families of Peekskill have already planned their home budgets based on no municipal tax increase. To change it now would have a devastating effect on those families, especially those on a fixed income such as senior citizens. Of course, as the governmental body with a super majority in place, the “Foster” council can propose whatever they choose. However, they should have done so without misrepresenting previous actions and policies, especially mine. John Testa is the former mayor of Peekskill
************************************************************************************
FYI: EVENTS AT SUSAN'S RESTAURANT ON N. DIVISION STREET PEEKSKILL:
MONDAY 2/11/08 Big Bang Jazz Gang
plays MINGUS,MONK,DUKE,COLTRANE and more!
featuringDale DeMarco, David Savitsky, David Loy Song,Ben Newsome & David CasT-saxesFreddie Jacobs, John Leonard & Vito Speranza-trumpetsJoe Bacci& Howard Levy-trombonesBob Meyer-drums Neil Alexander-pianoRobert Kopec-bass
2/14 Valentine's Day Dinner Call for menu, Pricing, and Reservations
2/15/08 The House Band2/16 Betty MacDonald, Joe Beck and Charlie Kniceley
Friday 2/22 Roxy Perry
Saturday 2/23 John Abercrombie Trio
On Wednesday February 13th We are having our Holiday Party I know it is a bit late but such is life in the restaurant business - We will have live music (I hope) Food and Drink. It will be an opportunity for Nira, Me and the Staff to Hang with you all and have some fun together, thank all of you who have made this venture a temendous amount of fun, taught me a bunch, and support. live music and the arts in Peekskill, and elsewhere.
************************************************************************************
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 the Westchester County Airport is seventy dollars. To LaGuardia Airport the cost is Ninety-four dollars which includes all tolls. The cost to JFK and Newark Airports is one hundred-twenty-five dollars which also includes all tolls. 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:
YORKTOWN COUNCILMAN NICK BIANCO: http://www.electbianco.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/
PEEKSKILL FIRST: http://www.peekskillfirst.net/
THE PEEKSILL NEWS: http://thepeekskillnews.blogspot.com/
PEEKSKILL NEWS (COPYCAT): http://peekskillnews.blogspot.com/
PEEKSILL ONION: http://peekskillonion.blogspot.com/
THE PEEKSKILL GUARDIAN (COPYCAT) http://thepeekskillguardian.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: Every Tuesday at 10PM channel 74
Hosted by: 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
**********************************************************************************
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 02/10/08
Sunday, January 20, 2008
WHEN PEOPLE RESPOND, GOVERNMENT TAKES NOTICE
Dear Readers:
In the Town Of Yorktown(proposed bank at Mohegan Ave. Rt. 6 intersection), the City Of Peekskill(the Cove), and Putnam Valley(the comprehensive plan committee) the same question echo's. Should an appointed board have more say than an elected board? In times past the elected representative bodies had final say in writing and enacting laws. That changes when elected officials who did not want to be held accountable to the electorate started giving final say to appointed boards. This was one of those "incumbency protection" actions. Those gutless politicians wanted to hide behind some bureaucracy. They could then say when controversy erupted that it was not them but this un-elected bureaucracy, and they had no power in the matter.
Times they are a changing. In Yorktown Councilman Nick Bianco wants to enact a law that would give the town board final say over projects in a high impact zone, such as the Rt.6 corridor in Mohegan. Councilmen Campasi and Metz would rather hide behind these un-elected committees and boards. Councilmen Bianco and Martorano would rather not. The question is where does newly elected Supervisor Peters stand? Yet this question should not stop this measure from being proposed. It is important for the voters to see on the record which Councilman has courage to be the final say and be willing to take the grief of taking a stand or who is gutless and would rather hide being boards and committees unaccountable to the electorate.
In Putnam Valley, Supervisor Tendy wants the final say. The opposition does not trust him. The topic in question is whether to disband the comprehensive plan committee. Members of the committee and their supporters want and believe the charter gives them the power to create and enact the recommendations of the comprehensive plan. They believe theirs is the only interpretation and they have the support of the majority of the people. They also do not trust Supervisor Tendy to act on this plan in anyway other than to shelve it. Supervisor Tendy that in the unanimous approval of the plan that the committee's work is finished and it should be up to the elected government to create and enact the plans recommendations. At this time he has the votes to prevail. This vote will be held on February 20. There is one other sector that believes all this is moot without enforcement and believes past actions by the town show that enforcement is selective at best. I think the town board should address this concern.
In Peekskill this is not even up for discussion. More the pity.
************************************************************************************
THIS WAS IN THE JOURNAL NEWS: PHIL REISMAN...YOU MUST READ THIS!!
Reforming Westchester government should be priority
Phil Reisman • Journal News columnist • January 20, 2008
Westchester County's $1.77 billion budget is so big, it looks positively glacial to angry property taxpayers who would like to melt it with a nuclear-powered blowtorch.
Only a decade ago, the budget was $950 million.
Take heed, ye who rule in the eighth- and ninth-floor fiefdoms of the Michaelian Office Building. The anger is real - and the sentiment is only going to get louder as the economy worsens.
I hear the frustration every day from regular, hardworking citizens. They are fed up with the county's ruling oligarchy, which increasingly seems to consist mainly of self-serving political careerists and their cronies.
They see a system that's rigged. They see a government that is bloated, superfluous and corrupt. They wonder how it is that the elected officials and bureaucratic hacks have such a sweet setup with heftier salaries, health plans and pension benefits than those afforded most people who slug it out every day in the private sector.
It is astonishing to realize how fast things have changed - and not necessarily for the better. We're well past the point when county government somehow became a more generous employer than IBM.
Heck, I hear that in France people want to work for the state because it's the best deal going. Sacre bleu! We're becoming like France.
A lot of people want to do away with county government altogether. Connecticut, which has no such layer between its town and state levels, is held up as an example of efficiency.
It be would be a Herculean task to muster the strength to eliminate the entrenched county government system. New York state has 62 counties, and that means 62 different sets of opinions on the matter. For all I know, they love county government in the precincts of Herkimer or Onondaga.
In any case, it couldn't happen overnight.
But there are things that can happen quickly to win back some of the hearts and minds in Westchester. The glacier-sized budget can at least be attacked with an ice pick, if not totally obliterated.
Based on some conversations I've had with current and past officials, I would bet that 15 percent of that spending plan directly under the county's control could be cut right off the top. Hard choices would have to be made. Reforms would have to be put in place.
In terms of services rendered, the county government would have to be radically redefined in order to be reined in. There would be pain. But I suspect most of that pain would be borne by special interest types who have inside connections, and who represent the few and not the many.
Here's a few ideas to consider.
First, Westchester should have its own Boston Tea Party. What better way to do that than to eliminate the county Tax Commission? That entity costs $376,693. Local municipalities have their own assessors and they have to collect the taxes levied by the county.
I have yet to hear one persuasive reason to keep the Tax Commission. Junking it would be a symbolic way of saying that the old way of doing business by nickel and diming the taxpayers to death is at an end.
Second, look closely at other agencies and departments that may exist mainly to please local advocacy groups but whose services might already be provided on the local or state level. Formed with the best of intentions, for example, was the county's Human Rights Commission, which costs about $700,000 to run. The commission was created a few years ago because, among other reasons, there was a backlog of cases in the state. Unfortunately, that implies that the best way to solve government sloth and inefficiency is to create more government.
Third, examine what's going on with Playland Amusement Park. Not including the beach and pool and Ice Casino, which also lost money, the amusement park hemorrhaged $3.5 million last year.
Politicians love to talk about how they would run government like a business. But if that were really so, anybody claiming to run Playland would have been fired long ago.
Some people contend that Playland ought to be scaled back to a passive recreation park, while others say it should be sold. Many cite the three accidental deaths that have occurred at Playland in recent years - tragedies which not only tarnished its reputation as a safe and carefree place but raised serious concerns about its liabilities.
Playland opened in 1928 - a simpler age, to be sure. Perhaps it has outlived its time. On the other hand, it is still loved by many and remains an important part of the county's history.
So what to do?
At a minimum, Playland's management should be overhauled. As it stands, the amusement park has three bosses - the county parks department, the Board of Legislators and the county executive. That's too many bosses, and none of them are doing a good enough job.
Milt Hoffman, a former senior editor at The Journal News and my old boss, has urged in print and in testimony that the county put Playland under the control of a single entity, a commission made up of volunteers from the business community. Without bureaucratic interference, they alone would control the park's finances, maintenance and hiring.
A Playland Commission existed with good results in the past, but was done away with for reasons that would take up too much space to explain. What's a mystery, however, is that in 1993 an advisory committee recommended that a "new, stronger" commission be formed - and nothing happened. It's high time that idea was dusted off and put into action.
Finally, changes should be made in the way that lucrative contracts are handed out by the Board of Acquisition & Contract, an agency that for too long has operated in the shadows.
The Republican minority caucus on the Board of Legislators has called for a number of reforms. One of them would prevent the awarding of contracts to relatives of any voting member of the three-person board, which includes County Executive Andy Spano and County Board Chairman Bill "Boss" Ryan.
Another requirement would force Spano and Ryan to disclose campaign contributions they've received from any corporation or person getting a contract.
That alone would put a stop to a lot of the monkey business. Let's see if any of the Democratic legislators have the guts to push this reform past Boss Ryan.
Reach Phil Reisman at preisman@lohud.com or 914-694-5008. Check out more stuff at lohud.com/reisman.
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A MESSAGE FROM WESTCHESTER COUNTY LEGISLATOR OROS:
George Oros
Legislator, 1st District
January 16, 2008 Contact: George Oros
Tel: (914) 995-2828or 522-6774
Goo6@westchestergov.com
Open, honest and ethical government needed
Minority Conference renews call for reform of county’s Board of Acquisition & Contract
Citing recent abuses that appear to provide payback for campaign contributions, once more the Republican Conference of the Board of Legislators is proposing reforms to the way the county’s Board of Acquisition & Contract operates.
Minority Leader George Oros (R-C/Cortlandt), along with legislators Jim Maisano (R/New Rochelle) and Gordon Burrows (R/Bronxville), said for too long the three-member panel, which consists of the county executive, Public Works commissioner and Board of Legislators chairman, has acted outside its scope and function by circumventing public input and oversight from the Legislature as a whole.
“It is clear from recent media reports there is a need for more open, honest and ethical government,” Oros said. “We need to implement stronger checks and balances within the county to protect taxpayers.”
Oros specially cited the recent award of a $55,000 contract to a lobbyist firm that made a $1,000 contribution last fall to the Democratic Majority Campaign Committee and a $250.00 contribution to Legislative Chair William Ryan who is one of three voting members on the Board of Acquisition and Contract.
“This contract epitomizes why this Board needs reform”, added James Maisano. “It was approved without placing the contract out to competitive bidding. There was no public notice that a lobbyist was being hired. Only one company was considered. This contract was never even discussed at a public meeting at the Board of Legislators, and then it was railroaded through the A&C Board. Moreover, the County Executive already engages a lobbyist to do the very same job for half the price. Obviously, this contract should never have been approved, and it is a blatant ripoff to the taxpayers. We must reform the A&C Board to stop this abuse of taxpayer dollars in the future.”
Under the Republican proposal any statutory member of the Board of Acquisition and Contract (i.e. County Executive and Board of Legislators Chairman) must disclose prior to awarding any contract any political contribution made by the proposed vendor to the member. The reform would also prohibit the awarding of a contract to a corporation, firm, person or entity that employs or independently contracts with a spouse, child, parent or sibling of a member of the Board of Acquisition & Contract.
Under the current system, millions of dollars of lengthy contracts are approved without any debate, discussion or a vote of the Board of Legislators. To curtail that, the Minority Conference is proposing any contracts or leases of five years or more, including renewals, must be approved by the full Legislature.
The Minority Conference is recommending the Public Works commissioner be replaced on the Board of Acquisition & Contract by the budget director; each meeting be electronically recorded; and no emergency contract can exceed three years.
If the proposed law is adopted by the Board of Legislators, it would be subject to a public referendum this November.
The republican conference introduced similar reform twice before in 2002 and 2007. Both times the democrat majority refused to approve the measure and put it before the voters.
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WESTCHEST GOVERNMENT TO SOLVE GLOBAL WARMING:
Dear Readers;
To catch you up. Legislature leader Bill Ryan, hiding behind the Board Of acquisitions (this is when an elected official does not have the nerve to do the dirty work themselves), a Board that consists of The County Executive, the Legislature's Leader and Public Works Commissioner (answerable to the County Executive) has okayed the increasing of the fee to a New Jersey based outfit to recommend ways Westchester all by itself can defeat global warming. This out fit happens to be a contributor to the Westchester Democratic Committee(whose job it is to get Democrats elected). The original contract was for twenty-thousand dollars. They are now to get eighty-thousand more. There job is to recommend ways the County can dig deeper into our pockets and remove more of our choices in life in order to halt global warming. I can see the headlines in the next County elections "WESTCHESTER SAVES THE WORLD BY SINGLE HANDILY SOLVING GLOBAL WARMING". My God, we will elect these saviors for life. Our lawmakers feel this is a wise expenditure of our tax dollars. It just kills them that we might want to keep our money.
This same Board of Acquisitions has okayed the expenditure of fifty-five thousand dollars for the Legislature's own lobbying firm. By the way the County executive hires their own lobbying firm for twenty-five thousand dollars, but I digress. This new lobbying firm's job is to convince the State Legislature that our inane requests are for real and should be compensated. Mind you we have gone from eleven Legislative aids in 1990 to forty-three today, yet we need an outside firm to lobby Albany. You see those Legislative aids are busy helping our lawmakers interfere in our lives and getting their bosses re-elected. To think in the last budget discussions all the Budget Committee could do was reduce our tax increase .7%. They do not see the waste of our tax dollars in the above. As I have said before, in their mind they are not public servants, we are the servant public.
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A LETTER FROM PATTY VILLANOVA:
Putnam Valley--
Much has been written on this site and elsewhere about the plan to retire the Comprehensive Plan Committee. As with most of what has been put forth by our newly elected town board, this is basically a non issue, designed to distract the populace from what is really going on in our once fair Valley. First of all, the entire process of setting up this committee and having it go through the motions of putting together yet another master plan for PV was never anything more than an exercise in futility. As soon as it began its task, the CP Committee was rendered obsolete by virtue of the fact that no matter how many iterations of laws and codes they were reworking, the powers that be had no intention of enforcing them. The entire committee should have made it a point before starting their Herculean labors, to demand that the current and future Town Boards actually agree to ENFORCE whatever they decided was the best scheme for development of our town. There was ample evidence at the time to indicate that it was never anyone's intention to do so and that this whole charade was nothing more than another Dog & Pony Show to appease the masses who were demanding a halt to the rapacious doings of the Drive-by Developers who are quickly destroying what's left of Put Valley. Even before the Comp Plan Comm. began there were enough laws on the books to ensure that our fragile environment could be protected. Unfortunately, one has only to look at the recent Santucci/ Emerald Ridge debacle to see how badly these laws were perverted in their execution. I for one couldn't care less if they dissolve the committee or they keep it, as long as it doesn't cost the taxpayers any more money. The truth is that everyone in town knows what the problems are, especially the town board. They just don't have the will or the cojones to do anything about it.
Patty Villanova
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WHAT'S GOING ON AT RUBEN'S RESAURANT N. DIVISON STREET PEEKSKILL:
Hello!
Featuring the cool school, hot jazz, instrumentals, and lyrics, "from Bossa to Broadway", The Swinging Set Jazz Collaborative will be live at Ruben's in Peekskill.
We'll be there on Thursday, January 24th at 7:00PM, and for those of you who have been waiting for a weekend show (buzz roll please) .... come join us on Saturday, January 26th at 9:00PM, as we help Ruben celebrate his 3rd anniversary!
The food is great and so is the atmosphere as we love to see and entertain both new and old friends. We hope to see you as you walk in the door and look forward to chatting as we visit in between sets. Great jazz without the trip ... so come on out! Reservations always suggested.
Thanks,
Andy Polay
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FYI: BOOK SIGNING:
RE: DAVID ADLEMAN EDITOR FORBE'S ONLINE
A Shattered Peace:Versailles 1919 and the Price We Pay
TodayGreetings and Happy New Year!
It's been two months now (a month if you're in the UK) since my new book, A Shattered Peace: Versailles 1919 and the Price We Pay Today has hit the stores. And it's starting to get some real traction."Sales did start slowly, but it's picked up amazingly in the past few weeks," said a manager of the huge Barnes & Noble store at 86th Street and Lexington Avenue in New York where a stack is featured on the front table.An audio edition is also just around the corner (I'm in a studio now recording). Keep an eye on iTunes!Leonard Lopate told me after his show on New York NPR affiliate WNYC that it was the most compelling book interview he'd done in ages.ASP has also had some great reviews, and I've made some other landmark appearances [see below!]. Many of you have contacted me to say that you were unable to make previous events, but would like to know if there's something in the future. Well there is.On January 15, I will be featured at a joint "evening" in Manhattan sponsored by the Overseas Press Club and the World Policy Institute where Craig Whitney, the assistant managing editor of The New York Times will engage me in a dialogue on some of the themes of A Shattered Peace. If you'd like to attend, call Sonya Fry at 212-626-9220.On February 17, I will be delivering the President's Day speech at the Newington Cropsey Foundation in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY -- (914) 478-7990.And in March, I will be in London for two presentations. I'll send details a bit later.But above all, I am still anxious that the messages of a A Shattered Peace get as wide a distribution as possible. So, here's yet another appeal. If you've bought the book, THANK YOU.Now, please keep spreading the word. Give it as a gift (after all Valentine's Day is just around the corner!), then there are always birthdays and other occasions. Buy it at Amazon.com or at your local book store and if they've sold out, have them re-order! Tell political candidates about it (some have noticed it already). I do want it to become a part of this year's national dialogue.If you are in a position to review it, get it reviewed, or book me for an interview (on-air or on-line!), please do so. (I'm a great interview, as those to whom I've linked below can attest!) And if you can get the book into the curriculum at any college or university, high school or prep school, you will not be disappointed. Moreover, given the proper incentive, I'd even come and speak there, as I've done at several venues already. Remember what Harvard Professor Ernest May says: "The failed peace settlement following the Great War of 1914-1918 had been the subject of many fine books. In many respects, David Andelman's A Shattered Peace is the best of these. It is compact and compellingly written. Moreover, it explains more clearly t han any other work how the failure of peacemaking in 1919 shaped later history and, indeed, shapes our own era."Thanks in advance for having a look at ASP. Just read the first three pages. You'll be hooked! That's my promise.All the best,DavidNow, here are links to some of the early reviews and appearances:OpenDemocracy.net WCBS-TVNYTimes.com Freakonomics Jim Zirin, Digital AgeLeonard Lopate / WNYC ************************************************************************************
THIS WEEKS "IN MY OPINION COLUMN" IN THE NCN:
Dear Readers:
This week I discuss the first actions by the newly elected governments in Peekskill and Putnam Valley. You can read this on-line now 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 the Westchester County Airport is seventy dollars. To LaGuardia Airport the cost is Ninety-four dollars which includes all tolls. The cost to JFK and Newark Airports is one hundred-twenty-five dollars which also includes all tolls. 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
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SITES TO LINK TO:
YORKTOWN COUNCILMAN NICK BIANCO: http://www.electbianco.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/
PEEKSKILL FIRST: http://www.peekskillfirst.net/
THE PEEKSILL NEWS: http://thepeekskillnews.blogspot.com/
PEEKSKILL NEWS (COPYCAT): http://peekskillnews.blogspot.com/
PEEKSILL ONION: http://peekskillonion.blogspot.com/
THE PEEKSKILL GUARDIAN (COPYCAT) http://thepeekskillguardian.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: Every Tuesday at 10PM channel 74
Hosted by: 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
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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 01/20/08
In the Town Of Yorktown(proposed bank at Mohegan Ave. Rt. 6 intersection), the City Of Peekskill(the Cove), and Putnam Valley(the comprehensive plan committee) the same question echo's. Should an appointed board have more say than an elected board? In times past the elected representative bodies had final say in writing and enacting laws. That changes when elected officials who did not want to be held accountable to the electorate started giving final say to appointed boards. This was one of those "incumbency protection" actions. Those gutless politicians wanted to hide behind some bureaucracy. They could then say when controversy erupted that it was not them but this un-elected bureaucracy, and they had no power in the matter.
Times they are a changing. In Yorktown Councilman Nick Bianco wants to enact a law that would give the town board final say over projects in a high impact zone, such as the Rt.6 corridor in Mohegan. Councilmen Campasi and Metz would rather hide behind these un-elected committees and boards. Councilmen Bianco and Martorano would rather not. The question is where does newly elected Supervisor Peters stand? Yet this question should not stop this measure from being proposed. It is important for the voters to see on the record which Councilman has courage to be the final say and be willing to take the grief of taking a stand or who is gutless and would rather hide being boards and committees unaccountable to the electorate.
In Putnam Valley, Supervisor Tendy wants the final say. The opposition does not trust him. The topic in question is whether to disband the comprehensive plan committee. Members of the committee and their supporters want and believe the charter gives them the power to create and enact the recommendations of the comprehensive plan. They believe theirs is the only interpretation and they have the support of the majority of the people. They also do not trust Supervisor Tendy to act on this plan in anyway other than to shelve it. Supervisor Tendy that in the unanimous approval of the plan that the committee's work is finished and it should be up to the elected government to create and enact the plans recommendations. At this time he has the votes to prevail. This vote will be held on February 20. There is one other sector that believes all this is moot without enforcement and believes past actions by the town show that enforcement is selective at best. I think the town board should address this concern.
In Peekskill this is not even up for discussion. More the pity.
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THIS WAS IN THE JOURNAL NEWS: PHIL REISMAN...YOU MUST READ THIS!!
Reforming Westchester government should be priority
Phil Reisman • Journal News columnist • January 20, 2008
Westchester County's $1.77 billion budget is so big, it looks positively glacial to angry property taxpayers who would like to melt it with a nuclear-powered blowtorch.
Only a decade ago, the budget was $950 million.
Take heed, ye who rule in the eighth- and ninth-floor fiefdoms of the Michaelian Office Building. The anger is real - and the sentiment is only going to get louder as the economy worsens.
I hear the frustration every day from regular, hardworking citizens. They are fed up with the county's ruling oligarchy, which increasingly seems to consist mainly of self-serving political careerists and their cronies.
They see a system that's rigged. They see a government that is bloated, superfluous and corrupt. They wonder how it is that the elected officials and bureaucratic hacks have such a sweet setup with heftier salaries, health plans and pension benefits than those afforded most people who slug it out every day in the private sector.
It is astonishing to realize how fast things have changed - and not necessarily for the better. We're well past the point when county government somehow became a more generous employer than IBM.
Heck, I hear that in France people want to work for the state because it's the best deal going. Sacre bleu! We're becoming like France.
A lot of people want to do away with county government altogether. Connecticut, which has no such layer between its town and state levels, is held up as an example of efficiency.
It be would be a Herculean task to muster the strength to eliminate the entrenched county government system. New York state has 62 counties, and that means 62 different sets of opinions on the matter. For all I know, they love county government in the precincts of Herkimer or Onondaga.
In any case, it couldn't happen overnight.
But there are things that can happen quickly to win back some of the hearts and minds in Westchester. The glacier-sized budget can at least be attacked with an ice pick, if not totally obliterated.
Based on some conversations I've had with current and past officials, I would bet that 15 percent of that spending plan directly under the county's control could be cut right off the top. Hard choices would have to be made. Reforms would have to be put in place.
In terms of services rendered, the county government would have to be radically redefined in order to be reined in. There would be pain. But I suspect most of that pain would be borne by special interest types who have inside connections, and who represent the few and not the many.
Here's a few ideas to consider.
First, Westchester should have its own Boston Tea Party. What better way to do that than to eliminate the county Tax Commission? That entity costs $376,693. Local municipalities have their own assessors and they have to collect the taxes levied by the county.
I have yet to hear one persuasive reason to keep the Tax Commission. Junking it would be a symbolic way of saying that the old way of doing business by nickel and diming the taxpayers to death is at an end.
Second, look closely at other agencies and departments that may exist mainly to please local advocacy groups but whose services might already be provided on the local or state level. Formed with the best of intentions, for example, was the county's Human Rights Commission, which costs about $700,000 to run. The commission was created a few years ago because, among other reasons, there was a backlog of cases in the state. Unfortunately, that implies that the best way to solve government sloth and inefficiency is to create more government.
Third, examine what's going on with Playland Amusement Park. Not including the beach and pool and Ice Casino, which also lost money, the amusement park hemorrhaged $3.5 million last year.
Politicians love to talk about how they would run government like a business. But if that were really so, anybody claiming to run Playland would have been fired long ago.
Some people contend that Playland ought to be scaled back to a passive recreation park, while others say it should be sold. Many cite the three accidental deaths that have occurred at Playland in recent years - tragedies which not only tarnished its reputation as a safe and carefree place but raised serious concerns about its liabilities.
Playland opened in 1928 - a simpler age, to be sure. Perhaps it has outlived its time. On the other hand, it is still loved by many and remains an important part of the county's history.
So what to do?
At a minimum, Playland's management should be overhauled. As it stands, the amusement park has three bosses - the county parks department, the Board of Legislators and the county executive. That's too many bosses, and none of them are doing a good enough job.
Milt Hoffman, a former senior editor at The Journal News and my old boss, has urged in print and in testimony that the county put Playland under the control of a single entity, a commission made up of volunteers from the business community. Without bureaucratic interference, they alone would control the park's finances, maintenance and hiring.
A Playland Commission existed with good results in the past, but was done away with for reasons that would take up too much space to explain. What's a mystery, however, is that in 1993 an advisory committee recommended that a "new, stronger" commission be formed - and nothing happened. It's high time that idea was dusted off and put into action.
Finally, changes should be made in the way that lucrative contracts are handed out by the Board of Acquisition & Contract, an agency that for too long has operated in the shadows.
The Republican minority caucus on the Board of Legislators has called for a number of reforms. One of them would prevent the awarding of contracts to relatives of any voting member of the three-person board, which includes County Executive Andy Spano and County Board Chairman Bill "Boss" Ryan.
Another requirement would force Spano and Ryan to disclose campaign contributions they've received from any corporation or person getting a contract.
That alone would put a stop to a lot of the monkey business. Let's see if any of the Democratic legislators have the guts to push this reform past Boss Ryan.
Reach Phil Reisman at preisman@lohud.com or 914-694-5008. Check out more stuff at lohud.com/reisman.
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A MESSAGE FROM WESTCHESTER COUNTY LEGISLATOR OROS:
George Oros
Legislator, 1st District
January 16, 2008 Contact: George Oros
Tel: (914) 995-2828or 522-6774
Goo6@westchestergov.com
Open, honest and ethical government needed
Minority Conference renews call for reform of county’s Board of Acquisition & Contract
Citing recent abuses that appear to provide payback for campaign contributions, once more the Republican Conference of the Board of Legislators is proposing reforms to the way the county’s Board of Acquisition & Contract operates.
Minority Leader George Oros (R-C/Cortlandt), along with legislators Jim Maisano (R/New Rochelle) and Gordon Burrows (R/Bronxville), said for too long the three-member panel, which consists of the county executive, Public Works commissioner and Board of Legislators chairman, has acted outside its scope and function by circumventing public input and oversight from the Legislature as a whole.
“It is clear from recent media reports there is a need for more open, honest and ethical government,” Oros said. “We need to implement stronger checks and balances within the county to protect taxpayers.”
Oros specially cited the recent award of a $55,000 contract to a lobbyist firm that made a $1,000 contribution last fall to the Democratic Majority Campaign Committee and a $250.00 contribution to Legislative Chair William Ryan who is one of three voting members on the Board of Acquisition and Contract.
“This contract epitomizes why this Board needs reform”, added James Maisano. “It was approved without placing the contract out to competitive bidding. There was no public notice that a lobbyist was being hired. Only one company was considered. This contract was never even discussed at a public meeting at the Board of Legislators, and then it was railroaded through the A&C Board. Moreover, the County Executive already engages a lobbyist to do the very same job for half the price. Obviously, this contract should never have been approved, and it is a blatant ripoff to the taxpayers. We must reform the A&C Board to stop this abuse of taxpayer dollars in the future.”
Under the Republican proposal any statutory member of the Board of Acquisition and Contract (i.e. County Executive and Board of Legislators Chairman) must disclose prior to awarding any contract any political contribution made by the proposed vendor to the member. The reform would also prohibit the awarding of a contract to a corporation, firm, person or entity that employs or independently contracts with a spouse, child, parent or sibling of a member of the Board of Acquisition & Contract.
Under the current system, millions of dollars of lengthy contracts are approved without any debate, discussion or a vote of the Board of Legislators. To curtail that, the Minority Conference is proposing any contracts or leases of five years or more, including renewals, must be approved by the full Legislature.
The Minority Conference is recommending the Public Works commissioner be replaced on the Board of Acquisition & Contract by the budget director; each meeting be electronically recorded; and no emergency contract can exceed three years.
If the proposed law is adopted by the Board of Legislators, it would be subject to a public referendum this November.
The republican conference introduced similar reform twice before in 2002 and 2007. Both times the democrat majority refused to approve the measure and put it before the voters.
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WESTCHEST GOVERNMENT TO SOLVE GLOBAL WARMING:
Dear Readers;
To catch you up. Legislature leader Bill Ryan, hiding behind the Board Of acquisitions (this is when an elected official does not have the nerve to do the dirty work themselves), a Board that consists of The County Executive, the Legislature's Leader and Public Works Commissioner (answerable to the County Executive) has okayed the increasing of the fee to a New Jersey based outfit to recommend ways Westchester all by itself can defeat global warming. This out fit happens to be a contributor to the Westchester Democratic Committee(whose job it is to get Democrats elected). The original contract was for twenty-thousand dollars. They are now to get eighty-thousand more. There job is to recommend ways the County can dig deeper into our pockets and remove more of our choices in life in order to halt global warming. I can see the headlines in the next County elections "WESTCHESTER SAVES THE WORLD BY SINGLE HANDILY SOLVING GLOBAL WARMING". My God, we will elect these saviors for life. Our lawmakers feel this is a wise expenditure of our tax dollars. It just kills them that we might want to keep our money.
This same Board of Acquisitions has okayed the expenditure of fifty-five thousand dollars for the Legislature's own lobbying firm. By the way the County executive hires their own lobbying firm for twenty-five thousand dollars, but I digress. This new lobbying firm's job is to convince the State Legislature that our inane requests are for real and should be compensated. Mind you we have gone from eleven Legislative aids in 1990 to forty-three today, yet we need an outside firm to lobby Albany. You see those Legislative aids are busy helping our lawmakers interfere in our lives and getting their bosses re-elected. To think in the last budget discussions all the Budget Committee could do was reduce our tax increase .7%. They do not see the waste of our tax dollars in the above. As I have said before, in their mind they are not public servants, we are the servant public.
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A LETTER FROM PATTY VILLANOVA:
Putnam Valley--
Much has been written on this site and elsewhere about the plan to retire the Comprehensive Plan Committee. As with most of what has been put forth by our newly elected town board, this is basically a non issue, designed to distract the populace from what is really going on in our once fair Valley. First of all, the entire process of setting up this committee and having it go through the motions of putting together yet another master plan for PV was never anything more than an exercise in futility. As soon as it began its task, the CP Committee was rendered obsolete by virtue of the fact that no matter how many iterations of laws and codes they were reworking, the powers that be had no intention of enforcing them. The entire committee should have made it a point before starting their Herculean labors, to demand that the current and future Town Boards actually agree to ENFORCE whatever they decided was the best scheme for development of our town. There was ample evidence at the time to indicate that it was never anyone's intention to do so and that this whole charade was nothing more than another Dog & Pony Show to appease the masses who were demanding a halt to the rapacious doings of the Drive-by Developers who are quickly destroying what's left of Put Valley. Even before the Comp Plan Comm. began there were enough laws on the books to ensure that our fragile environment could be protected. Unfortunately, one has only to look at the recent Santucci/ Emerald Ridge debacle to see how badly these laws were perverted in their execution. I for one couldn't care less if they dissolve the committee or they keep it, as long as it doesn't cost the taxpayers any more money. The truth is that everyone in town knows what the problems are, especially the town board. They just don't have the will or the cojones to do anything about it.
Patty Villanova
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WHAT'S GOING ON AT RUBEN'S RESAURANT N. DIVISON STREET PEEKSKILL:
Hello!
Featuring the cool school, hot jazz, instrumentals, and lyrics, "from Bossa to Broadway", The Swinging Set Jazz Collaborative will be live at Ruben's in Peekskill.
We'll be there on Thursday, January 24th at 7:00PM, and for those of you who have been waiting for a weekend show (buzz roll please) .... come join us on Saturday, January 26th at 9:00PM, as we help Ruben celebrate his 3rd anniversary!
The food is great and so is the atmosphere as we love to see and entertain both new and old friends. We hope to see you as you walk in the door and look forward to chatting as we visit in between sets. Great jazz without the trip ... so come on out! Reservations always suggested.
Thanks,
Andy Polay
************************************************************************************
FYI: BOOK SIGNING:
RE: DAVID ADLEMAN EDITOR FORBE'S ONLINE
A Shattered Peace:Versailles 1919 and the Price We Pay
TodayGreetings and Happy New Year!
It's been two months now (a month if you're in the UK) since my new book, A Shattered Peace: Versailles 1919 and the Price We Pay Today has hit the stores. And it's starting to get some real traction."Sales did start slowly, but it's picked up amazingly in the past few weeks," said a manager of the huge Barnes & Noble store at 86th Street and Lexington Avenue in New York where a stack is featured on the front table.An audio edition is also just around the corner (I'm in a studio now recording). Keep an eye on iTunes!Leonard Lopate told me after his show on New York NPR affiliate WNYC that it was the most compelling book interview he'd done in ages.ASP has also had some great reviews, and I've made some other landmark appearances [see below!]. Many of you have contacted me to say that you were unable to make previous events, but would like to know if there's something in the future. Well there is.On January 15, I will be featured at a joint "evening" in Manhattan sponsored by the Overseas Press Club and the World Policy Institute where Craig Whitney, the assistant managing editor of The New York Times will engage me in a dialogue on some of the themes of A Shattered Peace. If you'd like to attend, call Sonya Fry at 212-626-9220.On February 17, I will be delivering the President's Day speech at the Newington Cropsey Foundation in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY -- (914) 478-7990.And in March, I will be in London for two presentations. I'll send details a bit later.But above all, I am still anxious that the messages of a A Shattered Peace get as wide a distribution as possible. So, here's yet another appeal. If you've bought the book, THANK YOU.Now, please keep spreading the word. Give it as a gift (after all Valentine's Day is just around the corner!), then there are always birthdays and other occasions. Buy it at Amazon.com or at your local book store and if they've sold out, have them re-order! Tell political candidates about it (some have noticed it already). I do want it to become a part of this year's national dialogue.If you are in a position to review it, get it reviewed, or book me for an interview (on-air or on-line!), please do so. (I'm a great interview, as those to whom I've linked below can attest!) And if you can get the book into the curriculum at any college or university, high school or prep school, you will not be disappointed. Moreover, given the proper incentive, I'd even come and speak there, as I've done at several venues already. Remember what Harvard Professor Ernest May says: "The failed peace settlement following the Great War of 1914-1918 had been the subject of many fine books. In many respects, David Andelman's A Shattered Peace is the best of these. It is compact and compellingly written. Moreover, it explains more clearly t han any other work how the failure of peacemaking in 1919 shaped later history and, indeed, shapes our own era."Thanks in advance for having a look at ASP. Just read the first three pages. You'll be hooked! That's my promise.All the best,DavidNow, here are links to some of the early reviews and appearances:OpenDemocracy.net WCBS-TVNYTimes.com Freakonomics Jim Zirin, Digital AgeLeonard Lopate / WNYC ************************************************************************************
THIS WEEKS "IN MY OPINION COLUMN" IN THE NCN:
Dear Readers:
This week I discuss the first actions by the newly elected governments in Peekskill and Putnam Valley. You can read this on-line now 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 the Westchester County Airport is seventy dollars. To LaGuardia Airport the cost is Ninety-four dollars which includes all tolls. The cost to JFK and Newark Airports is one hundred-twenty-five dollars which also includes all tolls. 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:
YORKTOWN COUNCILMAN NICK BIANCO: http://www.electbianco.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/
PEEKSKILL FIRST: http://www.peekskillfirst.net/
THE PEEKSILL NEWS: http://thepeekskillnews.blogspot.com/
PEEKSKILL NEWS (COPYCAT): http://peekskillnews.blogspot.com/
PEEKSILL ONION: http://peekskillonion.blogspot.com/
THE PEEKSKILL GUARDIAN (COPYCAT) http://thepeekskillguardian.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: Every Tuesday at 10PM channel 74
Hosted by: 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
**********************************************************************************
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 01/20/08
Sunday, January 06, 2008
RESOLUTION FOR THE NEW YEAR: ...TO BE INFORMED
For comments: Mary Foster 914-720-4644
Don Bennett 914-438-5451
Drew Claxton 914-736-0270
Patricia Riley 914-736-1347
Joe Schuder 914-739-5585
DEMOCRATS PREPARE TO TAKE REINS AT CITY HALL
- Dems meet with advisors to prepare for smooth transition –
- Provide greater public access to decision-making –
- In departure from previous administration, public process for Common Council vacancy and board appointments established –
As Peekskill’s newly elected Democratic majority prepares for a January 1 transfer of control, they are hard at work preparing for the first Democratic administration in almost 30 years. Over the past several weeks Democrats have been meeting with key advisors as they begin the transition process. In a departure from previous administrations, the Democrats are soliciting resumes from the public for both the common council vacancy and city boards.
“Our goal is to deliver on our campaign goals, be transparent in our decision making activities, and engage the community in our planning,” said Mayor-elect Foster, a retired partner from Deloitte & Touche. “We have gotten right to work by meeting with specialists and leaders in our neighboring communities to share ideas and transition strategies. As we take office, Peekskill faces some serious development and fiscal issues. We are in a major lawsuit with the developer who was awarded a contract to revitalize the downtown, we have a stalled riverfront development project, the depressed housing market has dramatically impacted sales in Peekskill, and city assessments are down significantly over last year. However, I remain confident we will accomplish the things we set out to do. It’s going to require the staff, the council and the community to work together.”
Over the last six weeks Mayor-elect Foster and the incoming majority have been meeting with business leaders and a range of expert professionals with backgrounds in development, finance, business, city management, arts and culture as they begin the process of planning for the enactment of their campaign platform. One of the most important elements of a smooth transition is establishing areas of common concern and joint goals with the business and arts community. A few highlights of those meetings included:
· Meeting with expert advisors on good government practices, specifically Greg Arcaro of the American Institute of Certified Planners; Enid Carruth, planner and environmental and public health professional; Charles Jennings, planning consultant, Bernis Shapiro, municipal corporation counsel; Deborah Post, planner; and John Nolan, Pace Law Institute
· Meeting with experts in the field of adaptive reuse of buildings and urban design/façade improvements
· Briefing from the congressional delegation about the state of affairs of the Peekskill Housing Authority
· Meeting with owners of the Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Arts to determine how to broaden the city’s support for the arts and integrate an artist exchange program
· Meeting with Ron Forehan, Executive Director of the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce, to assess how to broaden the city’s outreach to the business community and potential investors and developers
· Meeting with the president of New York Waterways Leisure Division to discuss putting Peekskill on the ferry route from spring through fall
· Meeting with elected officials from neighboring municipalities of Cortlandt and Yorktown
· Attending a working lunch with NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg and other area officials to discuss policies and strategies that have worked for New York City and also to discuss the challenges city’s, both large and small face
“The meetings have been fruitful” continued Foster. “We have already established some goals and next steps to bring business to the downtown and better showcase arts and culture in Peekskill. The next step is to meet with our major development partners to assess where each project stands in the current economic and housing environment.”
At the same time, the incoming council majority has been meeting with city staff to lay out their priorities for the coming year. Specifically they have:
· Advised the current corporation counsel that they plan to restructure the city attorney’s office so that there is a fulltime lead corporation counsel. A search has begun for that position.
· Advised the Planning and Finance Departments that an Economic Development Specialist position will be filled and job descriptions are currently being developed.
· Planned for programming on Government Channel 78 to be expanded to include a potential schedule of 15 different shows that feature all common council members, regardless of party affiliation. Additionally, all city meetings, including Planning Commission, the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Historic and Landmarks Board, and Industrial Development Agency will be video streamed and aired on television. Common Council meetings will also be broadcast live on channel 78.
“We will hit the ground running on January 1 by resolving long-term issues that have plagued the city and been left unsolved,” said Councilman Don Bennett. “Specifically we plan to resolve the ongoing issues related to White Plains Linen and we expect to structure a budget compromise that restore public safety positions, while guaranteeing the city’s fiscal health.”
Dems reach out to public to fill council vacancy
Fulfilling a campaign pledge to open the political process in Peekskill, council Democrats have established a process for all interested parties to submit a resume and letter of interest to fill the common council vacancy that emerged with Mary Foster’s election to mayor. Additionally, they are soliciting resumes to fill existing and future vacancies on all city boards.
“Our goal is to establish an open process that allows anyone to offer their services to the city,” said the senior Democrat on the council, Drew Claxton. “We want to avoid the controversy that emerged when the previous administration appointed a member to the common council without prior public notice.”
Anyone interested in filling the council vacancy or serving on a city board can submit a letter of interest and resume to Marina Ciotti at: marinavb17@hotmail.com or by contacting her at 914-739-6625. Letters and resumes for the Common Council vacancy must be received by January 9, 2008.
MY COMMENTS ON THIS:
Dear Readers:
While you were busy living your lives during the holiday season, a couple of new blogs dealing with thegoings on in Peekskill have sprung up. 1) The Peekskill News(http://thepeekskillnews.blogspot.com/), 2) Peeksill News (http://peekskillnews.blogspot.com/). You also have Peekskill Guardian(http://peekskillguardian.blogspot.com/) and The Peekskill Guardian(http://thepeekskillguardian.blogspot.com/). The Peekskill News and Peekskill Guardian are basically pro- Republican and Peekskill News and The Peekskill Guardian are pro-Democrat. I like to read them all.
The above has been discussed in the blogasphere. It is a waste of time. A Democrat will be nominated. The nominee will be one who has worked and supported the party and has a chance to win election on their own in November. To the victor goes the spoils. Were the Republicans in control, they would nominate a Republican. How this is accomplished is unimportant, for who ever fills the above qualifications will get the nod. Where they send the resumes is just for show. The party apparatus knows who qualifies already. To think that a political appointee will not reek of politics is just plain foolish.
The more important thing to focus on is the latest entry in Peekskill Guardian on the new middle school. It is one of the most informative entries on this link in a long time. No over the top invective, just food for thought and investigation. It makes one ask, who are you going to believe, the school board or your own lying eyes.
I would recommend that Peekskill News refrain for bashing Cathy Pisani....she has deep roots in the city.....you insult at you own peril and credibility. This was one instance when politics should have taken a back seat.....the Democrats should have risen above their partisanship. If that turns out to be their Achilles Heel.....they will be in for a rough two years.
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THIS WAS IN THE JOURNAL NEWS COMMUNITY VIEWS:
Westchester must resume participation in Indian Point drills
By ROBERT P. ASTORINO(Original Publication: January 5, 2008)
There is a clear and present danger involving the Indian Point nuclear power plant, and it needs to get addressed fast. It is not from terrorists, nor is it from neglect or incompetence. It is from Westchester County Executive Andy Spano, the greatest single impediment to our safety should an emergency occur at Indian Point. As harsh as it may sound, it is true.
Mr. Spano's announcement that he will no longer participate in any Indian Point drills and exercises - with his fellow three county executives from the region, the New York State Emergency Management Office, Federal Emergency Management Agency and all of the other first responders and emergency planning personnel involved in this process for over 30 years - is outrageous and clearly irresponsible.
Mr. Spano, who has been in public office since the first Reagan administration, is known to be set in his ways. But he is outdoing himself now with this irrational decision simply because he opposes nuclear energy. The 20 million people living within a 50-mile radius of Indian Point need to know when they go to bed at night that their local government officials are prepared to protect them.
If Mr. Spano wants to close Indian Point, he should suggest a real alternative. But in the meantime, he should do everything in his power to make 100 percent sure that evacuation scenarios are planned as well as possible. Personal politics have no place in the public's business when the public's business involves security. After all these years in office, Mr. Spano should know that.
The county executive's mission against Indian Point doesn't stop there though. It is costing Westchester taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in a steady stream of wasteful government reports and lawsuits that consistently result in the conclusion that Indian Point is the best choice for our area. The plant provides 2,000 megawatts of carbon-free electricity (up to 38 percent of the region's needs) with no viable replacement plan. If you closed Indian Point today, the New York metropolitan region would find itself in major trouble. Even if Indian Point were to unexpectedly shut down tomorrow, the spent nuclear fuel would remain at the site for decades, and would still require an up-to-date emergency plan with active participation from Westchester County.
The county executive's declaration that Indian Point's owner is not paying its "fair share" of emergency planning costs - Entergy paid $412,000 toward that cost, according to the county - is yet another inaccurate portrayal of the real situation. The county receives $412,000 from the state Disaster Preparedness Commission as part of fees paid by nuclear plant owners for emergency planning. Entergy, in fact, pays $1.1 million in fees to New York for Indian Point, but other surrounding counties receive part of the fee as well for their participation. That payment is just a portion of the millions of dollars that Entergy spends in Indian Point safety. Mr. Spano neglects to acknowledge money spent on emergency planning infrastructure and services, training, consultants and other investments made by the company into supporting a potential response for all manner of emergencies - not just a radiological response.
According to the county's own 2005 study on Indian Point (compiled by Levitan & Associates), the county budget for emergency services was approximately $5.36 million, $4.62 million of which the county states is directly attributable to Indian Point. Taking this logic to its full extent, without Indian Point ever in existence, Westchester would only be spending $740,000 on emergency services in a post-9/11 world.
As a past member of the Westchester County legislature, I am surprised my former fellow legislators would support Mr. Spano's ongoing breach of responsibility to the public. There seems to be a great discrepancy in accounting between Westchester County and Entergy, and this issue deserves an investigation. However, an immediate correction is warranted with a reinstatement of the county's full and unequivocal participation in Indian Point emergency planning exercises and drills.
The people of Westchester deserve better from their county executive, and he should reverse his decision before another day goes by.
The writer, a Mount Pleasant Republican, is a former member of the Westchester Board of Legislators and unsuccessful candidate for county executive.
MY COMMENTS ON THIS:
Dear Readers:
Any discussion of evacuation plans is a red herring. Have you ever driven home in a rain storm of snow storm. How about the black-out two years ago. What a mess. What makes anybody think a bunch of panicky drivers fleeing for their safety will obey any plan. You see those blue evacuation bus signs. That is where you will find the charred bodies of the gullible. Those bus drivers will be taking those busses home filling them up with family and belongings and be on their way to safety.....they will not be risking their safety for strangers. Where will the authorities be?....on the taconic going north ahead of the busses.
As for the tax money being wasted in the futile attempt to close Indian Point....this is one of many reasons why this County Government should be disbanded. The Legislature should be ashamed of allocating this money. This the kind of wasteful spending that should be used to lower our tax burden. Our wise fiscal managers should stop being toadies for the County Executive. Stop pandering with our money. This is the kind of spending that I will remind voters of when you next run for re-election.
On another point.....we did stop the stipend raise for now. Watch out for the Legislature's next gimmick. They will appoint a commission of friends and toadies to study the issue and recommend the raise. This commission will be a farce. They will not appoint anybody against the raise. They will then hide behind the commission and grant themselves the raise. You must stay vigilant, for in April just in time to make us April Fools this issue will come around again.
Another reason why this government should be disbanded....while you were busy during the holidays, our County Government has authorized sicking the new trans-fat police on private business, seeking out culprits that might kill you if you live long enough.....the calorie police on private business seeking out stupid people who cannot control what they eat that also if you live long enough may kill you. Memo to the Legislature, no matter what, you will not get out of this life alive. They will also be sicking the helmet police on you adults if you have the temerity to ride a bicycle without a helmet. Finally your tax dollars besides being spent controlling the previously mentioned behavioral choices will now be spent on the garbage police to make sure whether you have public or private pickup, you can only dispose of government sanctioned garbage. How long are we going to remain silent while this governing body thinks it has the right to control our lives. When the doctor fill out the cause of death of freedom on its death certificate it will list voter apathy as the main cause. Stop being lemmings.
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ON CRONGRESSMAN JOHN HALL:
Dear Readers:
You can judge the mind set of an elected official by their votes. In the recently passed omnibus bill and energy bill you can see the mind set of our Congressman, who it turns out is up for re-election. This omnibus bill has nine thousand earmarks, costing eleven billion of our tax dollars(he ran against the Republicans for doing the same thing, do I hear the word hypocrite?). One of these ear-marks is for one-hundred million dollars to pay lawyers so illegal immigrants can sue us. That's right, Rep. Hall thinks it is a wise expenditure of our tax dollars to let people not here legally to sue us. I had a friend when I was growing up whose father would say go out and get me something to beat you with. The dutiful son would then go out a get a tree branch for the whopping. This is the same thing, we are going out and spending tax dollars to let someone beat us with.
In the energy bill he has voted to ban the incandescent light bulb by the year 2011. This is in the name of the global warming hoax. Our Rep. who thinks a woman should have the right to choose an abortion, does not think we should have the right to choose how we light our house. There is that word hypocrite again. In my last column for the NCN (www.ncnlocal.com ) I advocate for County Legislator George Oros to challenge Rep. Hall. I state that I would match his voting record against the Congressman's any day. This makes my case. We need a Congressman with a different mind set.
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FYI: BOOK SIGNING AND BOOK TO BUY:
A Shattered Peace:Versailles 1919 and the Price We Pay Today
Greetings and Happy New Year!
It's been two months now (a month if you're in the UK) since my new book, A Shattered Peace: Versailles 1919 and the Price We Pay Today has hit the stores. And it's starting to get some real traction."Sales did start slowly, but it's picked up amazingly in the past few weeks," said a manager of the huge Barnes & Noble store at 86th Street and Lexington Avenue in New York where a stack is featured on the front table.An audio edition is also just around the corner (I'm in a studio now recording). Keep an eye on iTunes!Leonard Lopate told me after his show on New York NPR affiliate WNYC that it was the most compelling book interview he'd done in ages.ASP has also had some great reviews, and I've made some other landmark appearances [see below!]. Many of you have contacted me to say that you were unable to make previous events, but would like to know if there's something in the future. Well there is.
On January 15, I will be featured at a joint "evening" in Manhattan sponsored by the Overseas Press Club and the World Policy Institute where Craig Whitney, the assistant managing editor of The New York Times will engage me in a dialogue on some of the themes of A Shattered Peace. If you'd like to attend, call Sonya Fry at 212-626-9220.
On February 17, I will be delivering the President's Day speech at the Newington Cropsey Foundation in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY -- (914) 478-7990.And in March, I will be in London for two presentations. I'll send details a bit later.But above all, I am still anxious that the messages of a A Shattered Peace get as wide a distribution as possible. So, here's yet another appeal. If you've bought the book, THANK YOU.
Now, please keep spreading the word. Give it as a gift (after all Valentine's Day is just around the corner!), then there are always birthdays and other occasions. Buy it at Amazon.com or at your local book store and if they've sold out, have them re-order! Tell political candidates about it (some have noticed it already). I do want it to become a part of this year's national dialogue.If you are in a position to review it, get it reviewed, or book me for an interview (on-air or on-line!), please do so. (I'm a great interview, as those to whom I've linked below can attest!) And if you can get the book into the curriculum at any college or university, high school or prep school, you will not be disappointed. Moreover, given the proper incentive, I'd even come and speak there, as I've done at several venues already. Remember what Harvard Professor Ernest May says: "The failed peace settlement following the Great War of 1914-1918 had been the subject of many fine books. In many respects, David Andelman's A Shattered Peace is the best of these. It is compact and compellingly written. Moreover, it explains more clearly t han any other work how the failure of peacemaking in 1919 shaped later history and, indeed, shapes our own era."Thanks in advance for having a look at ASP. Just read the first three pages. You'll be hooked! That's my promise.
All the best,David
Now, here are links to some of the early reviews and appearances:
OpenDemocracy.net
WCBS-TVNYTimes.com Freakonomics
Jim Zirin, Digital AgeLeonard Lopate / WNYC The New York Sun: "We Are Children of Versailles"
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A MESSAGE FROM FORMER PUTNAM VALLEY SUPERVISOR SAM DAVIS:
Putnam Valley reorganization meeting.
Supervisor Tendy set the tone for his administration. I was grateful to see that he kept the engineer, the planner, the wetlands inspector, and the new planning board member, who is an architect. I advocated for them because these people were all good for the town, and residents can count on them to do their jobs well and responsibly. And although I knew that the change was coming, it was a shame that Mr. Tendy was not able to rethink his position on having an environmental attorney available for the Town. Mr. Zutt has represented Mr. Santucci, and not all residents feel comfortable with that association. During my administration, there was an alternative for issues with which Mr. Zutt is unfamiliar.
There were several serious problems highlighted by the reorganization meeting. Council members seemed to be briefed on their responses and were reading very rapidly to avoid having the public understand what was going on. Decision making is supposed to be a public process, and although it can be messy, the public deserves to know that decisions have not been made behind closed doors. After a lengthy public process, budget decisions were changed secretly, and without subsequent discussion before the public.
The salary for the attorney for the Town was set at $5,000 more than was budgeted.
The salary for the Town custodian was set at $5,000 more than was budgeted.
An agenda item was added in a manner contradictory to Town Board rules:
a. An addition to the posted agenda may only be made by majority vote of the Town Board. There was no such vote on the agenda item to dissolve the Comprehensive Plan Committee.
b. Additionally, the addition was not made with the knowledge of the two Democratic council members.
Mr. Tendy said that he would allow public comment at the end of the meeting if people wanted it.
a. No public comment was allowed even though it was made clear that there were those who wanted it.
b. Even if public comment was allowed at the end of the meeting, it would have been after the votes had been taken. By this method, the Board will not even be allowed the benefit of public
input.
c. This is not an example of friendly, open government, but rather closed, non democratic government. This is behavior demonstrative of a dictatorship, not a democracy.
One of the very important jobs of the Comprehensive Plan Committee is the implementation of the Plan. Implementation is the process of taking the concepts and putting them into law, followed by enforcement, so that the concepts become reality. The Comprehensive Plan is not a hollow document meant to sit on a shelf. I believe Mr. Tendy knows that. It is unclear what his intentions are, but dissolution of the Committee will obstruct the Plan's implementation. This is disrespectful to the residents of the Town who have made it clear that they want the Plan reflected in our laws. Additionally, there are areas that have not been completed in the document, such as the Oregon Corners Plan, the open space plan, etc. And if there are any changes needed in the plan, the Comprehensive Plan committee is needed for that process. This has been a highly successful committee, completing the work in record time. Ms. Greenfield-Sanders won an award for her remarkable work with this committee. It's place in our community should not be jeopardized for petty politics.
Sam Davis
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*THIS WEEKS "IN MY OPINION COLUMN" IN THE NCN:
Dear Readers:
This week I discuss the politicla races for 2008. 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 the Westchester County Airport is seventy dollars. To LaGuardia Airport the cost is Ninety-four dollars which includes all tolls. The cost to JFK and Newark Airports is one hundred-twenty-five dollars which also includes all tolls. 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
***********************************************************************************
SITES TO LINK TO:
YORKTOWN COUNCILMAN NICK BIANCO: http://www.electbianco.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/
PEEKSKILL FIRST: http://www.peekskillfirst.net/
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: Every Tuesday at 10PM channel 74
Hosted by: 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
**********************************************************************************
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 01/06/08
Don Bennett 914-438-5451
Drew Claxton 914-736-0270
Patricia Riley 914-736-1347
Joe Schuder 914-739-5585
DEMOCRATS PREPARE TO TAKE REINS AT CITY HALL
- Dems meet with advisors to prepare for smooth transition –
- Provide greater public access to decision-making –
- In departure from previous administration, public process for Common Council vacancy and board appointments established –
As Peekskill’s newly elected Democratic majority prepares for a January 1 transfer of control, they are hard at work preparing for the first Democratic administration in almost 30 years. Over the past several weeks Democrats have been meeting with key advisors as they begin the transition process. In a departure from previous administrations, the Democrats are soliciting resumes from the public for both the common council vacancy and city boards.
“Our goal is to deliver on our campaign goals, be transparent in our decision making activities, and engage the community in our planning,” said Mayor-elect Foster, a retired partner from Deloitte & Touche. “We have gotten right to work by meeting with specialists and leaders in our neighboring communities to share ideas and transition strategies. As we take office, Peekskill faces some serious development and fiscal issues. We are in a major lawsuit with the developer who was awarded a contract to revitalize the downtown, we have a stalled riverfront development project, the depressed housing market has dramatically impacted sales in Peekskill, and city assessments are down significantly over last year. However, I remain confident we will accomplish the things we set out to do. It’s going to require the staff, the council and the community to work together.”
Over the last six weeks Mayor-elect Foster and the incoming majority have been meeting with business leaders and a range of expert professionals with backgrounds in development, finance, business, city management, arts and culture as they begin the process of planning for the enactment of their campaign platform. One of the most important elements of a smooth transition is establishing areas of common concern and joint goals with the business and arts community. A few highlights of those meetings included:
· Meeting with expert advisors on good government practices, specifically Greg Arcaro of the American Institute of Certified Planners; Enid Carruth, planner and environmental and public health professional; Charles Jennings, planning consultant, Bernis Shapiro, municipal corporation counsel; Deborah Post, planner; and John Nolan, Pace Law Institute
· Meeting with experts in the field of adaptive reuse of buildings and urban design/façade improvements
· Briefing from the congressional delegation about the state of affairs of the Peekskill Housing Authority
· Meeting with owners of the Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Arts to determine how to broaden the city’s support for the arts and integrate an artist exchange program
· Meeting with Ron Forehan, Executive Director of the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce, to assess how to broaden the city’s outreach to the business community and potential investors and developers
· Meeting with the president of New York Waterways Leisure Division to discuss putting Peekskill on the ferry route from spring through fall
· Meeting with elected officials from neighboring municipalities of Cortlandt and Yorktown
· Attending a working lunch with NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg and other area officials to discuss policies and strategies that have worked for New York City and also to discuss the challenges city’s, both large and small face
“The meetings have been fruitful” continued Foster. “We have already established some goals and next steps to bring business to the downtown and better showcase arts and culture in Peekskill. The next step is to meet with our major development partners to assess where each project stands in the current economic and housing environment.”
At the same time, the incoming council majority has been meeting with city staff to lay out their priorities for the coming year. Specifically they have:
· Advised the current corporation counsel that they plan to restructure the city attorney’s office so that there is a fulltime lead corporation counsel. A search has begun for that position.
· Advised the Planning and Finance Departments that an Economic Development Specialist position will be filled and job descriptions are currently being developed.
· Planned for programming on Government Channel 78 to be expanded to include a potential schedule of 15 different shows that feature all common council members, regardless of party affiliation. Additionally, all city meetings, including Planning Commission, the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Historic and Landmarks Board, and Industrial Development Agency will be video streamed and aired on television. Common Council meetings will also be broadcast live on channel 78.
“We will hit the ground running on January 1 by resolving long-term issues that have plagued the city and been left unsolved,” said Councilman Don Bennett. “Specifically we plan to resolve the ongoing issues related to White Plains Linen and we expect to structure a budget compromise that restore public safety positions, while guaranteeing the city’s fiscal health.”
Dems reach out to public to fill council vacancy
Fulfilling a campaign pledge to open the political process in Peekskill, council Democrats have established a process for all interested parties to submit a resume and letter of interest to fill the common council vacancy that emerged with Mary Foster’s election to mayor. Additionally, they are soliciting resumes to fill existing and future vacancies on all city boards.
“Our goal is to establish an open process that allows anyone to offer their services to the city,” said the senior Democrat on the council, Drew Claxton. “We want to avoid the controversy that emerged when the previous administration appointed a member to the common council without prior public notice.”
Anyone interested in filling the council vacancy or serving on a city board can submit a letter of interest and resume to Marina Ciotti at: marinavb17@hotmail.com or by contacting her at 914-739-6625. Letters and resumes for the Common Council vacancy must be received by January 9, 2008.
MY COMMENTS ON THIS:
Dear Readers:
While you were busy living your lives during the holiday season, a couple of new blogs dealing with thegoings on in Peekskill have sprung up. 1) The Peekskill News(http://thepeekskillnews.blogspot.com/), 2) Peeksill News (http://peekskillnews.blogspot.com/). You also have Peekskill Guardian(http://peekskillguardian.blogspot.com/) and The Peekskill Guardian(http://thepeekskillguardian.blogspot.com/). The Peekskill News and Peekskill Guardian are basically pro- Republican and Peekskill News and The Peekskill Guardian are pro-Democrat. I like to read them all.
The above has been discussed in the blogasphere. It is a waste of time. A Democrat will be nominated. The nominee will be one who has worked and supported the party and has a chance to win election on their own in November. To the victor goes the spoils. Were the Republicans in control, they would nominate a Republican. How this is accomplished is unimportant, for who ever fills the above qualifications will get the nod. Where they send the resumes is just for show. The party apparatus knows who qualifies already. To think that a political appointee will not reek of politics is just plain foolish.
The more important thing to focus on is the latest entry in Peekskill Guardian on the new middle school. It is one of the most informative entries on this link in a long time. No over the top invective, just food for thought and investigation. It makes one ask, who are you going to believe, the school board or your own lying eyes.
I would recommend that Peekskill News refrain for bashing Cathy Pisani....she has deep roots in the city.....you insult at you own peril and credibility. This was one instance when politics should have taken a back seat.....the Democrats should have risen above their partisanship. If that turns out to be their Achilles Heel.....they will be in for a rough two years.
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THIS WAS IN THE JOURNAL NEWS COMMUNITY VIEWS:
Westchester must resume participation in Indian Point drills
By ROBERT P. ASTORINO(Original Publication: January 5, 2008)
There is a clear and present danger involving the Indian Point nuclear power plant, and it needs to get addressed fast. It is not from terrorists, nor is it from neglect or incompetence. It is from Westchester County Executive Andy Spano, the greatest single impediment to our safety should an emergency occur at Indian Point. As harsh as it may sound, it is true.
Mr. Spano's announcement that he will no longer participate in any Indian Point drills and exercises - with his fellow three county executives from the region, the New York State Emergency Management Office, Federal Emergency Management Agency and all of the other first responders and emergency planning personnel involved in this process for over 30 years - is outrageous and clearly irresponsible.
Mr. Spano, who has been in public office since the first Reagan administration, is known to be set in his ways. But he is outdoing himself now with this irrational decision simply because he opposes nuclear energy. The 20 million people living within a 50-mile radius of Indian Point need to know when they go to bed at night that their local government officials are prepared to protect them.
If Mr. Spano wants to close Indian Point, he should suggest a real alternative. But in the meantime, he should do everything in his power to make 100 percent sure that evacuation scenarios are planned as well as possible. Personal politics have no place in the public's business when the public's business involves security. After all these years in office, Mr. Spano should know that.
The county executive's mission against Indian Point doesn't stop there though. It is costing Westchester taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in a steady stream of wasteful government reports and lawsuits that consistently result in the conclusion that Indian Point is the best choice for our area. The plant provides 2,000 megawatts of carbon-free electricity (up to 38 percent of the region's needs) with no viable replacement plan. If you closed Indian Point today, the New York metropolitan region would find itself in major trouble. Even if Indian Point were to unexpectedly shut down tomorrow, the spent nuclear fuel would remain at the site for decades, and would still require an up-to-date emergency plan with active participation from Westchester County.
The county executive's declaration that Indian Point's owner is not paying its "fair share" of emergency planning costs - Entergy paid $412,000 toward that cost, according to the county - is yet another inaccurate portrayal of the real situation. The county receives $412,000 from the state Disaster Preparedness Commission as part of fees paid by nuclear plant owners for emergency planning. Entergy, in fact, pays $1.1 million in fees to New York for Indian Point, but other surrounding counties receive part of the fee as well for their participation. That payment is just a portion of the millions of dollars that Entergy spends in Indian Point safety. Mr. Spano neglects to acknowledge money spent on emergency planning infrastructure and services, training, consultants and other investments made by the company into supporting a potential response for all manner of emergencies - not just a radiological response.
According to the county's own 2005 study on Indian Point (compiled by Levitan & Associates), the county budget for emergency services was approximately $5.36 million, $4.62 million of which the county states is directly attributable to Indian Point. Taking this logic to its full extent, without Indian Point ever in existence, Westchester would only be spending $740,000 on emergency services in a post-9/11 world.
As a past member of the Westchester County legislature, I am surprised my former fellow legislators would support Mr. Spano's ongoing breach of responsibility to the public. There seems to be a great discrepancy in accounting between Westchester County and Entergy, and this issue deserves an investigation. However, an immediate correction is warranted with a reinstatement of the county's full and unequivocal participation in Indian Point emergency planning exercises and drills.
The people of Westchester deserve better from their county executive, and he should reverse his decision before another day goes by.
The writer, a Mount Pleasant Republican, is a former member of the Westchester Board of Legislators and unsuccessful candidate for county executive.
MY COMMENTS ON THIS:
Dear Readers:
Any discussion of evacuation plans is a red herring. Have you ever driven home in a rain storm of snow storm. How about the black-out two years ago. What a mess. What makes anybody think a bunch of panicky drivers fleeing for their safety will obey any plan. You see those blue evacuation bus signs. That is where you will find the charred bodies of the gullible. Those bus drivers will be taking those busses home filling them up with family and belongings and be on their way to safety.....they will not be risking their safety for strangers. Where will the authorities be?....on the taconic going north ahead of the busses.
As for the tax money being wasted in the futile attempt to close Indian Point....this is one of many reasons why this County Government should be disbanded. The Legislature should be ashamed of allocating this money. This the kind of wasteful spending that should be used to lower our tax burden. Our wise fiscal managers should stop being toadies for the County Executive. Stop pandering with our money. This is the kind of spending that I will remind voters of when you next run for re-election.
On another point.....we did stop the stipend raise for now. Watch out for the Legislature's next gimmick. They will appoint a commission of friends and toadies to study the issue and recommend the raise. This commission will be a farce. They will not appoint anybody against the raise. They will then hide behind the commission and grant themselves the raise. You must stay vigilant, for in April just in time to make us April Fools this issue will come around again.
Another reason why this government should be disbanded....while you were busy during the holidays, our County Government has authorized sicking the new trans-fat police on private business, seeking out culprits that might kill you if you live long enough.....the calorie police on private business seeking out stupid people who cannot control what they eat that also if you live long enough may kill you. Memo to the Legislature, no matter what, you will not get out of this life alive. They will also be sicking the helmet police on you adults if you have the temerity to ride a bicycle without a helmet. Finally your tax dollars besides being spent controlling the previously mentioned behavioral choices will now be spent on the garbage police to make sure whether you have public or private pickup, you can only dispose of government sanctioned garbage. How long are we going to remain silent while this governing body thinks it has the right to control our lives. When the doctor fill out the cause of death of freedom on its death certificate it will list voter apathy as the main cause. Stop being lemmings.
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ON CRONGRESSMAN JOHN HALL:
Dear Readers:
You can judge the mind set of an elected official by their votes. In the recently passed omnibus bill and energy bill you can see the mind set of our Congressman, who it turns out is up for re-election. This omnibus bill has nine thousand earmarks, costing eleven billion of our tax dollars(he ran against the Republicans for doing the same thing, do I hear the word hypocrite?). One of these ear-marks is for one-hundred million dollars to pay lawyers so illegal immigrants can sue us. That's right, Rep. Hall thinks it is a wise expenditure of our tax dollars to let people not here legally to sue us. I had a friend when I was growing up whose father would say go out and get me something to beat you with. The dutiful son would then go out a get a tree branch for the whopping. This is the same thing, we are going out and spending tax dollars to let someone beat us with.
In the energy bill he has voted to ban the incandescent light bulb by the year 2011. This is in the name of the global warming hoax. Our Rep. who thinks a woman should have the right to choose an abortion, does not think we should have the right to choose how we light our house. There is that word hypocrite again. In my last column for the NCN (www.ncnlocal.com ) I advocate for County Legislator George Oros to challenge Rep. Hall. I state that I would match his voting record against the Congressman's any day. This makes my case. We need a Congressman with a different mind set.
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FYI: BOOK SIGNING AND BOOK TO BUY:
A Shattered Peace:Versailles 1919 and the Price We Pay Today
Greetings and Happy New Year!
It's been two months now (a month if you're in the UK) since my new book, A Shattered Peace: Versailles 1919 and the Price We Pay Today has hit the stores. And it's starting to get some real traction."Sales did start slowly, but it's picked up amazingly in the past few weeks," said a manager of the huge Barnes & Noble store at 86th Street and Lexington Avenue in New York where a stack is featured on the front table.An audio edition is also just around the corner (I'm in a studio now recording). Keep an eye on iTunes!Leonard Lopate told me after his show on New York NPR affiliate WNYC that it was the most compelling book interview he'd done in ages.ASP has also had some great reviews, and I've made some other landmark appearances [see below!]. Many of you have contacted me to say that you were unable to make previous events, but would like to know if there's something in the future. Well there is.
On January 15, I will be featured at a joint "evening" in Manhattan sponsored by the Overseas Press Club and the World Policy Institute where Craig Whitney, the assistant managing editor of The New York Times will engage me in a dialogue on some of the themes of A Shattered Peace. If you'd like to attend, call Sonya Fry at 212-626-9220.
On February 17, I will be delivering the President's Day speech at the Newington Cropsey Foundation in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY -- (914) 478-7990.And in March, I will be in London for two presentations. I'll send details a bit later.But above all, I am still anxious that the messages of a A Shattered Peace get as wide a distribution as possible. So, here's yet another appeal. If you've bought the book, THANK YOU.
Now, please keep spreading the word. Give it as a gift (after all Valentine's Day is just around the corner!), then there are always birthdays and other occasions. Buy it at Amazon.com or at your local book store and if they've sold out, have them re-order! Tell political candidates about it (some have noticed it already). I do want it to become a part of this year's national dialogue.If you are in a position to review it, get it reviewed, or book me for an interview (on-air or on-line!), please do so. (I'm a great interview, as those to whom I've linked below can attest!) And if you can get the book into the curriculum at any college or university, high school or prep school, you will not be disappointed. Moreover, given the proper incentive, I'd even come and speak there, as I've done at several venues already. Remember what Harvard Professor Ernest May says: "The failed peace settlement following the Great War of 1914-1918 had been the subject of many fine books. In many respects, David Andelman's A Shattered Peace is the best of these. It is compact and compellingly written. Moreover, it explains more clearly t han any other work how the failure of peacemaking in 1919 shaped later history and, indeed, shapes our own era."Thanks in advance for having a look at ASP. Just read the first three pages. You'll be hooked! That's my promise.
All the best,David
Now, here are links to some of the early reviews and appearances:
OpenDemocracy.net
WCBS-TVNYTimes.com Freakonomics
Jim Zirin, Digital AgeLeonard Lopate / WNYC The New York Sun: "We Are Children of Versailles"
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A MESSAGE FROM FORMER PUTNAM VALLEY SUPERVISOR SAM DAVIS:
Putnam Valley reorganization meeting.
Supervisor Tendy set the tone for his administration. I was grateful to see that he kept the engineer, the planner, the wetlands inspector, and the new planning board member, who is an architect. I advocated for them because these people were all good for the town, and residents can count on them to do their jobs well and responsibly. And although I knew that the change was coming, it was a shame that Mr. Tendy was not able to rethink his position on having an environmental attorney available for the Town. Mr. Zutt has represented Mr. Santucci, and not all residents feel comfortable with that association. During my administration, there was an alternative for issues with which Mr. Zutt is unfamiliar.
There were several serious problems highlighted by the reorganization meeting. Council members seemed to be briefed on their responses and were reading very rapidly to avoid having the public understand what was going on. Decision making is supposed to be a public process, and although it can be messy, the public deserves to know that decisions have not been made behind closed doors. After a lengthy public process, budget decisions were changed secretly, and without subsequent discussion before the public.
The salary for the attorney for the Town was set at $5,000 more than was budgeted.
The salary for the Town custodian was set at $5,000 more than was budgeted.
An agenda item was added in a manner contradictory to Town Board rules:
a. An addition to the posted agenda may only be made by majority vote of the Town Board. There was no such vote on the agenda item to dissolve the Comprehensive Plan Committee.
b. Additionally, the addition was not made with the knowledge of the two Democratic council members.
Mr. Tendy said that he would allow public comment at the end of the meeting if people wanted it.
a. No public comment was allowed even though it was made clear that there were those who wanted it.
b. Even if public comment was allowed at the end of the meeting, it would have been after the votes had been taken. By this method, the Board will not even be allowed the benefit of public
input.
c. This is not an example of friendly, open government, but rather closed, non democratic government. This is behavior demonstrative of a dictatorship, not a democracy.
One of the very important jobs of the Comprehensive Plan Committee is the implementation of the Plan. Implementation is the process of taking the concepts and putting them into law, followed by enforcement, so that the concepts become reality. The Comprehensive Plan is not a hollow document meant to sit on a shelf. I believe Mr. Tendy knows that. It is unclear what his intentions are, but dissolution of the Committee will obstruct the Plan's implementation. This is disrespectful to the residents of the Town who have made it clear that they want the Plan reflected in our laws. Additionally, there are areas that have not been completed in the document, such as the Oregon Corners Plan, the open space plan, etc. And if there are any changes needed in the plan, the Comprehensive Plan committee is needed for that process. This has been a highly successful committee, completing the work in record time. Ms. Greenfield-Sanders won an award for her remarkable work with this committee. It's place in our community should not be jeopardized for petty politics.
Sam Davis
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*THIS WEEKS "IN MY OPINION COLUMN" IN THE NCN:
Dear Readers:
This week I discuss the politicla races for 2008. 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 the Westchester County Airport is seventy dollars. To LaGuardia Airport the cost is Ninety-four dollars which includes all tolls. The cost to JFK and Newark Airports is one hundred-twenty-five dollars which also includes all tolls. 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:
YORKTOWN COUNCILMAN NICK BIANCO: http://www.electbianco.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/
PEEKSKILL FIRST: http://www.peekskillfirst.net/
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: Every Tuesday at 10PM channel 74
Hosted by: 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
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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 01/06/08
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