Waiting for a reply....

Yesterday I posted the following question on Congresswoman Nan Hayworth’s facebook page: Dear Rep. Hayworth, there is much debate going on right now and it is my hope that you will set the record straight. Some of our NY19 constituents would like to know where you stand on the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act? Do you support or oppose it? If the former, do have any intention of becoming a co-sponsor? And finally, could you tell us where you stand on Majority Leader Eric Cantor's recent action to put a halt to Financial Services Chairman Spencer Bachus scheduled markup of the bill?  My motivation is twofold and I hope we get a public response. The left among us living in NY19 is having a field day with the fact that there are over 241 co-sponsors to this bill and Nan isn’t one of them. Clearly it seems to be a no brainer for if we pulled this insider trading nonsense we’d be in jail. I await a reply but if you’re on facebook it might be beneficial to ask a similar question. We need to end this practice asap!

We Are But Pawns

September 27, 2011

Oh yesterday was a busy busy day. Seems the ‘Republican’ candidates for the County Legislator positions in Westchester got together and called for the immediate approval of 450 jobs. Doesn’t that sound wonderful?

NOT SO FAST!

Here’s the story – we’re talking about 45 public works projects, including some supposedly sent to the Legislature by the Astorino administration as long as a year ago.

The press release goes like this: these projects have been:

“bogged down in Legislative bureaucratic maze established by the Board of Legislators current leadership”.

"Putting aside how ludicrous any committee with only one member is, you now have one member of the BOL leadership able to hold hostage highway construction projects, building maintenances and park improvements for purposes of political horse trading", said Michael Smith candidate in CLD # .3. "This is the very shenanigans that have lead to such mistrust of government at all levels."

Ross Pepe, chairman of the Construction Industry Council agreed that is imperative that these projects be approved and his members be put back to work.

"It's not about the politics for me and our members", said Pepe. "It's about getting hundreds of tradesman and construction worker back to work - they are hurting far more than many other sectors of the economy."

Some (of) the projects still bottled up in multiple committees include major highway paving jobs in Peekskill, Eastchester and Mount Pleasant, improvements at 13 County parks as well as design work for renovation of the Smoke House Training Facility at the fire training facility.

"The public should be outraged that their streets and parks are not being maintained because one single member of the super majority is able to hold a project hostage for months to play pure politics," said Iris Pagan candidate running in CLD # 5.

"With the embarrassing distinction of being the highest taxed County in the nation, Westchester residents should be able to boast the best infrastructure in the state. Unfortunately, backroom nonsense and questionable priorities are holding up both the taxpayers and the jobs that would facilitate much needed improvements to our County roads and parks. So we remain overtaxed and underserved by this Board majority," said Susan Konig, candidate in CLD# 9.

The jobs total is based upon the Board of Legislators estimates derived from Federal standards. The BOL website shows there is a subcommittee to the Budget and Appropriations Committee comprised on one member, BOL Vice Chairman Lyndon Williams from Mount Vernon.

On the surface – we should ALL be outraged this nonsense is happening but then – we do some research and some thinking. We are but pawns in a political game my friends.

Yesterday the Westchester Legislators came out urging something of their own. THEY want immediate action of lagging bridge repairs. ‘They’ of course are pointing to Astorino and urging that HE speed up action on bridge repairs around our county in light of the Journal News article pointing to the dangerous deterioration of some 35 bridges. Stay with me here.

“It is time for the Astorino Administration to face the facts and make the necessary investments in infrastructure projects on a proactive basis before falling debris causes a serious accident on one or more of our roads and highways,” said BOL Chairman Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers). “Investing in our infrastructure shouldn’t be treated like a political football. We need the County Executive to start pushing for bridge repairs right away, and the Board of Legislators looks forward to working closely with the Administration on this.”

Jenkins noted that the Journal News was incorrect to state that the County’s 2011 capital budget plan for roads and bridges is $27.5 million. The real amount is only $7 million. The Journal News also erroneously stated that $20 million of bridge repairs is awaiting approval by the BOL. For the record, no bridge projects are presently being held up by the BOL—because there hasn’t been a single project proposed by the Administration in two years. (Umm, if that’s true couldn’t they – the Super Majority have proposed something? – sorry common sense moment).

“What matters most is that we start repairing as many as of these deteriorating bridges right now—either start drawing plans or getting existing plans off the drawing board,” said Legislator and BOL Public Works, Parks, Labor and Transportation Committee member Judy Myers (D-Larchmont). “In good conscience, County Executive Astorino should fast track as many of the bridge repair projects as possible.”

Legislator MaryJane Shimsky (D-Hastings-on-Hudson), who recently undertook a tour of some of the crumbling bridges in her district, including the Ravensdale Bridge in Hastings and the Ashford Avenue Bridge in Dobbs Ferry, said: “These two visibly deteriorating bridges pose a safety issue for motorists and passengers driving on the Saw Mill River Parkway and New York State Thruway. Emergency responders are very concerned about a possible emergency closure of the Ashford Avenue bridge because that would cut off Ardsley from the nearest hospital. The Ashford Avenue structure is the worst County-owned bridge in Westchester.”

As for the Astorino Administration’s assertion in the Journal News article that funding is “in place to fix 75 percent” of its 35 bridges needing major repairs, Legislator and BOL Public Works, Parks, Labor and Transportation (PWPLT) Committee Chairman Bill Ryan (D-White Plains) said, “That’s not so. If the funding were in place, the repairs would be ongoing. This is a matter of public safety. We have the responsibility to keep our bridges safe for the driving public. This County Executive apparently doesn’t realize that. The Administration needs to get moving on this before it’s too late and people get seriously hurt or killed.”

Committee Chairman Ryan also pointed out the economic benefits of getting bridge repairs underway. “These projects put our construction industry to work,” he said. “The County Executive has to understand that fixing our infrastructure means new jobs!”

Now before I connect the dots – there’s a few other things we NEED to know.

Last year in March Senator Ball united with officers and members of the Building and Construction Trade Council of Westchester and Putnam Counties, New York and the Construction Industry Council of Westchester & Hudson Valley, Inc. to sign a joint letter to Governor Paterson, expressing their disappointment with the amended changes to Wick’s Law contained in the Governor’s proposed 2010-2011 Budget – you can read all about that here: http://ball4ny.com/on_the_ball/press-releases/ball-labor-unite

Now, let’s look at one of the names that continues to come up in these press releases – Ross Pepe – President of the Construction Industry Council of Westchester and Hudson Valley Inc. Mr. Pepe stood with Congresswoman Lowey just this month stating ““A National Infrastructure Bank will provide millions of dollars of private capital to improve the nation’s infrastructure while creating thousands of immediate jobs that will help lift the economy and improve business conditions,” A National Infrastructure Bank, the article stated, “would provide loans, loan guarantees, bonds, and even startup capital to finance rehabilitation and construction of water systems, roads, energy grids, broadband communications, and other critical infrastructure assets.  Every $1 billion of infrastructure investment creates at least 30,000 jobs and generates more than $6 billion of economic activity”.  http://lowey.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=18&sectiontree=17,18&itemid=737

Here’s something else you NEED to know: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3A8S1Yh0ag

So, why is all of this a problem? Well for starters – these bridges didn’t JUST become deteriorated. Where were all the Legislators concern for our safety over the years??

Let’s take stock as to what the ‘union bosses’ have done for Westchester County most recently shall we so we can understand this passionate call from both sides: I-287 work, which began in January, 2000, has cost an average of $63 million per mile of construction. The work, which is now due for completion at the end of next year, has cost nearly $743 million in state and federal money. This project has seen delays and cost overruns and guess what – the blame has been assigned to design, inspection and ‘other’ costs. Hmm.

As you know – we, Westchester – have been named the reigning champ – again – when it comes to taxes. Funny thing is however the value of our property has been going DOWN.

Last year, the county reduced its budget by $30 million and reduced taxes by 2 percent, it was the first tax cut in 10 years. To address our failing infrastructure and union leaders that fail to stick to their budget – I sure hope you enjoyed that 2% tax decrease for as we all know taxes go UP to pay for the union contracts. I might add that the financial problems faced by so many states can be linked directly to long term union contracts that have built in raises – thereby limiting the state’s ability to deal with deficits.

Sen. Chuck Schumer yesterday called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to work to reduce flooding on the Saw Mill River. The senator is calling on FEMA to remove debris from the river, which during moderate to heavy rains, floods its banks. Officials say that the project is more complicated than just coming in and cleaning it up. They say federal and state permits are needed, as well as money to fund the project. One would think they could waive the permits in this case but one would be dreaming I suppose. Ahh politics and politicking.

So what would make BOTH SIDES try to ‘one up’ the other for the unions sake and pick up where Andy Spano left off? What would make both sides ignore the question of just who is going to pay for these jobs? Can you say November E L E C T I O N?

Bbbuuuttt wait – what about all those campaign promises to protect Westchester’s retired? Westchester’s elderly? You know – those living on a fixed income. To lower our taxes? Sorry you lose.

One final thought - If I287 is any inkling about the projected cost of these 45 public works projects – It might just be time to start thinking about a family move to Florida b/c it’s more than apparent that BOTH sides are catering to one group and it isn’t the taxpayers and both incumbent and Legislator wanabees alike are catering to fulfill one motive – their own job and benefits at YOUR expense.

Shameful is the word of the day.

And the blame goes to.....

Westchester Legislators back in the news – this time bemoaning 'where's the plan'. 

Remember, pay no mind to their words – only their actions. Legislator and Majority Leader Peter Harckham (D-Katonah) said: “It’s worrisome that, so far, the Astorino Administration has been silent on how it intends to convince the financial industry that Westchester officials are working hard to strengthen our fiscal position. We need to reassure the local economy that we’re a AAA rated county while we continue to cut costs and do things more efficiently.” 

Here's what's really worrisome - they were warned by the Republicans on the board that the county's high bond rating would be put at risk by the Super Majority's "reckless use of the county's fund balance and the questionable revenue sources" and ignored them!

Try as they might to twist reality, the cold hard fact remains - it is Harckham and Co. that earn ALL the blame period.

http://westchesterlegislators.com/media-center/1951-westchester-legislators-ask-county-executive-wheres-westchesters-bond-outlook-improvement-plan.html

Two for Tuesday

Seems my letter to the editor http://chappaqua.patch.com/articles/letter-to-the-editor-lisa-douglas-sounds-off-on-spending hit a sensitive spot with Pete so he called in his big guns to do his bidding. Not sure how I missed it but I did - The Bedford-Katonah Patch printed 4 support letters for Peter Harckham (2 of those 4 were against me) on August 2nd. The funny thing about these 4 letters is that they read as if they were written together over coffee. Equally amusing is that they repeat the same lies. I guess they're from the old school of 'if you repeat a lie often enough people will believe it'. Sad and funny all the way around! The real story is a comment posted under the 4 letters written by a Democrat – Charmain Neary – be sure to read that one!

http://bedford.patch.com/articles/letters-to-the-editor-re-elect-peter-harckham-for-county-legislator-district-2

A little research went in to these ‘letter writers’.

Phyllis Ross is an Art Historian – she’s an Obama supporter.

Bea Rhodes ran for Town Clerk of Bedford in 2009 on the D/WFP lines and lost to Lisbeth Fumagalli – also part of the Bedford Tree Advisory Board.

Jeremy Mand – a 2008 Manhattanville graduate, he’s a young Dem who, in 2010, was the co vice chair of the Bedford Democratic Committee and the Treasurer for the Westchester Young Democrats – he also began his career working for John Hall and this year for Nita Lowey.

Thea Fry is an environmentalist who supports open space and riding trails. Thea and her husband designed a PVC Shoplight-Growlight Frame – it’s pretty cool just google it.

So, why is it important to know who’s writing a letter – simple – you need to understand their frame of mind. When people are spoon fed information (insiders & friends) vs. doing their own research it becomes quite apparent, as these 4 letters ultimately prove. (I realize using someone else’s information is easier - as is cheating off of someone else’s test, but jeeze).

At any rate, if they spent some of their time perusing the county board minutes, they’d retract their own letters and maybe even issue an apology but I won’t hold my breath. In the end the truth will win out – it always does!




Speaking of truth - this morning you will read that the BOL overrode Astorino's veto, again. This time to spend $700,000 on the pool at Mt. Lakes in North Salem. Jenkins stated to the Journal News that this move was mostly administrative and making sure financing and laws approved by the board were consistent. "We're making sure the books are in order", he said. "All this was doing was cleaning up the books." Got that? The work was already done - the money wasn't needed but hey it was allocated so let's spend it. Seriously - this is a waste of YOUR money. The Spend, Spend, Spendaholics are killing Westchester!
When Astorino vetoed Harckham's proposal of this money I wrote about how North Salem residents were no victim - they took care of what had to be taken care of - that's what excellent Supervisors do. You'll notice in 2009 an engineering study was done that showed the pool losing water so money was budgeted to fix the problem. Hmm, it's 2011 - why did it take so long for the board to dole the money out leaving North Salem to fix the 'pressing problem'? Because it wasn't an election year! Harckham thought he could use this on his list of 'great accomplishments'.  Of course this time, it purely shows their arrogance - they don't care that it's your money; they don't care that the money is no longer needed. Any questions?  http://tinyurl.com/3z5vxxs   

Politics on the Hudson Reports:

The Westchester Children’s Museum has their lease.

The Board of Legislators unanimously approved a $1 a year lease over 10-years in exchange for millions in renovations last evening.

Under the terms of the deal, the museum would pay $1 a year for 10 years to occupy 21,390 square feet in the north wing of the 1928 historic landmark. The museum would also cover up to $6.44 million in upfront repairs and interior work.

Despite calls from County Executive Rob Astorino’s administration to postpone approval of any contract until the county knows what its doing with the property in terms of running it, both Democrats and Republicans said a children’s museum would be an asset for Playland.

“This is a museum that is shovel ready and this is a building that has sat vacant for years and years,” said Legislator Judy Myers, D-Mamaroneck, whose district includes Rye. “The Westchester Children’s Museum is the perfect example of a public private partnership.”

I honestly don't understand what the rush was but then again I don't understand the motives behind this Super Majority of ours. They ALL need to go!

Here We Go Again!

Two issues for you this morning:

Ken Jenkins tweeted this morning the following article from the Journal News: Lawmakers tout early retirement program: http://tinyurl.com/43pnesk

The last paragraph is most telling of the true deceit of the Super Majority to the taxpayers of Westchester: "We will continue to look for dynamic and creative ways to save taxpayers more money — plain and simple," said Westchester County Board of Legislators Majority Whip Judy Myers, D-Mamaroneck.

How exactly are we ‘saving taxpayers more money’ when we’re kicking the can down the road while paying additional interest and principal over the next 5 years of our County budget?

Next up – Jenkins Tweeted:

Ken Jenkins Tweet: Thousands attend #Westchester Indian heritage festival |The Journal News|LoHud.com http://t.co/RKoLQLM funded over CE veto - @westchesterBOL

He fails to mention how much this cost YOU, the taxpayer however, I am awfully glad that he’s taking credit for spending YOUR tax dollars over Astorino’s veto.

Here’s the thing – instead of kicking the can down the road and spending money on ‘niceties’ that most likely could have been privately funded, shouldn’t we be doing ALL we can to REALLY save taxpayers money? 

The problem with Facts - they require more investigation

Mr. Jenkins wrote 'Some facts regarding the End of the CSEA Lawsuit against Westchester County’ below. I’ve taken the liberty to respond to his letter to ‘we the taxpayers’.

Here are some facts regarding the dismissal of a lawsuit against Westchester County by the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) on behalf of 38 former county Section 8 employees.

1 Fact:  Judge Hubert did not uphold the County Executive’s decision to dismantle the Section 8 program in Westchester. The judge dismissed CSEA’s case against both the County Executive and the Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL).

Here we begin with the magic of word smith used by the Super Majority ad nauseam. Jenkins states the case was ‘dismissed’, Astorino claims the Judge upheld his argument. Here’s the official definition of ‘dismissed’  ready: As a matter of law, the prosecution, or the plaintiff, has failed to present sufficient evidence to prove the claim'.  


So much for Fact Number 1. 






2 Fact:  The BOL voted to restore funding for the Section 8 program in the 2011 Budget, but did not join CSEA in the lawsuit, as County Executive Astorino has previously stated. The BOL was a defendant in the case, along with County Executive Astorino and New York State.

This statement has been proven false time and time again – but, let’s revisit it one more time. Astorino was required by the state to give at least a 60 day advanced notice that Westchester was going to relinquish their role in administering Section 8. THIS was done well before the budget process of the BOL was to begin. Once the budget process began, Jenkin’s super majority decided to include the program in the 2011 budget anyway thus restoring 38 CSEA eliminated positions believing their override would rule the day.

As to ‘not joining the CSEA in the lawsuit’ may I ask just one question here…Jenkins went on record in March stating: “We might not save 40 jobs; we might only save 35,” said BOL Chairman Ken Jenkins (D). “But that’s better than [nothing] in this current environment.” 

Does that sound like someone who is ‘not joining’ with a taxpayer lawsuit?

ALSO be sure to read Fact #5

 So much for Fact #2

3 Fact:  HUD, or the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, determines the amount of funds available to Westchester County for public housing and Section 8 vouchers. Dismantling the Section 8 program in Westchester, which had been in existence for the last quarter of a century, meant that the County lost $4 million in funding. Contrary to what County Executive says, New York State paid for the administrative costs associated with the Section 8 program in the County, including all benefits and expenses. Any additional funds spent would be at the discretion of Westchester County.

Ahh that funny accounting gimmick rears its ugly head again. The Section 8 Housing cost $4.5 MILLION to run. The State gave us $4 Million. Unless my calculator is broken – that leaves us with a $500,000 SHORT FALL. Unless Jenkins can prove that the additional $500,000 was ‘discretionary spending’ this is a moot point.

So much for Fact #3

4 Fact:  The $4 million in Section 8 funding the County was to receive goes to an Atlanta, Georgia-based company that now administers the County’s Section housing program. Millions of dollars that were once deposited into the Westchester economy now get shipped out of state.

Now if you read that one quickly you’d think Atlanta just hit the jackpot and we lost – but remember – that $4 million goes to running the Section 8 program that cost us an extra $500,000.

So much for Fact #4

5 Fact:  County Attorney Robert Meehan had to recuse himself from the case—at a cost of $55,000 to tax payers for outside counsel—because he provided privileged advice to County Executive Astorino. The BOL voted to waive Meehan’s conflict issues and thus allow him to represent the County Executive.

OH Jeeze – This one is a little more detailed - Jenkins stated back in February of this year that ‘although he thought this might be a conflict of interest’ for Meehan, he wanted him to stay with the lawsuit.  On Feb. 4, Meehan sent the BOL a letter that officially announced his recusal from the case due to conflict amongst clients. “Under the New York Rules of Professional Conduct,” the Feb. 4 letter read, “I cannot represent any of the parties in this matter. Consequently, I hereby withdraw the County Attorney’s Office from any legal representation of the County and its officers in the lawsuit.”

Chairman Jenkins said that Meehan could not do that and that the law was on the BOL’s side. He cited Section 501, subsection 2 of the Laws of New York State which read that Meehan was required to side with the county in the case of conflict and that Astorino would have to pay for an attorney at his own expense. “The state law requires that you represent us,” Jenkins said. “If the county executive has a differing position then he is certainly entitled to hire an attorney at his own expense, not utilizing taxpayers’ funds.” Now because Meehan had recused himself (you know following the law not the ‘we’re above the law game’ Jenkins & co were playing) he then suggested in that letter that the BOL and Astorino “secure separate counsel to represent conflicting interests.”

Meehan was questioned about this – his response - “I’m not going to debate the issue. On the laws of the Code of Conduct, it’s inappropriate for the County Attorney Office to be attorneys in this matter. We will not represent conflicting interests in the same lawsuit.”

So, long story short – the bullying Super Majority chose to take on ‘We the Taxpayers’ when they went against Astorino’s common sense move to SAVE MONEY and now cry that it cost $55,000.

So much for fact #5

6 Fact:  The Astorino Administration states, in its recent Analysis of Impediments document, that it will ‘address the issue of limited subsidized housing and assistance programs within Westchester’ by preserving HUD subsidized properties. Westchester County was the largest administrator of Housing Choice vouchers for Section 8 housing.

We may have been the largest Mr. Jenkins but it was a money pit. Now, we’re leasing space TO THE STATE and receiving about $237,000 a year in rental income. That amount goes to the PLUS side of our budget.

So much for fact #6

As always – feel free to ‘fact check’ this for yourself. You’ll soon learn that although the Super Majority states their own ‘facts’ the truth is their facts leave much to be desired. 

Voter Beware!

BOL Chairman Jenkins was invited to join the NACO’s Community and Economic Development Steering Committee where he will discuss housing programs, public works and economic development. I find this extremely troubling for many reasons. 

This is the same man that refuses to take responsibility for fudging our budget with fake cuts; refuses to realize spending money on food is ridiculous at the taxpayer’s expense; spends the majority of his ‘op-ed’ time blasting our County Exec on things that usually prove to be false accusation. Jenkins takes the ‘blame game’ and ‘redistribution of wealth’ playbook of Obama’s to new heights. 

Let’s also not forget that Peter Harckham is a big fan of Mr. Jenkins and votes accordingly (Please keep in mind that Harckham ignores consistently the fact that he is supposed to represent District 2 not Yonkers - so it's all linked together and it's all very troubling).

Voter beware!

http://www.thedailyharrison.com/news/ryan-jenkins-join-us-county-gov-association

Westchester County is on Notice

Way back in 2010, Rob Astorino vetoed the spending plan of the Super
Majority. Their accounting gimmicks were seen for what they were,
gimmicks. Astorino sent a letter to the Legislators stating that
‘Never in the history of our County has a C.E. or B.O.L. used any
funds, surplus or reserve from the current ongoing fiscal year in an
attempt to cover the cost of additional spending in budget being
adopted for the very next budget year.


This morning in the Journal News we read a statement from Ken Jenkins citing the board's cutting the tax levy by 2.2%, trimming the workforce by 10% and slicing $28 million from the budget. 
http://tinyurl.com/3bzdhng  


Hmm, not so fast.


The fact is Harckham and crew added $32.5 MILLION in spending back into the
budget. To cover their expenses they raised our reserves and
misrepresented their accounting by increasing the sales tax projection
by $2.3 MILLION; added back $2.6 MILLION in nonexistent federal aid;
took $5 MILLION from the general fund balance; they deleted $10
MILLION in funds that were set aside to pay for unsettled union
contracts; and now they are ‘befuddled’? The Super Majority was warned
about using our reserve funds as their private piggy bank to trick the
voters.


Time to vote them out!

A Serious Problem requires Serious People

Legislator Harchkam and Board Chairman Jenkins, for months, told us they had put forth a plan better than Astorino’s saving us a ‘great deal of money’ and ‘lowering taxes’. Astorino said all they did was shuffle money around. Well friends, the rooster has come home to roost – turns out, yet again, that Astorino was correct. The article states that ‘lawmakers were befuddled’, I would have to assume they meant the Super Majority. Westchester County’s bond rating outlook lowered: http://tinyurl.com/3jfrl5b

Herein lies the problem with vetoes, super majorities, and non profits. Someone, somewhere, should be monitoring how OUR money is being spent don’t you think? Westchester’s Cornell Cooperative in need of promised funds: http://tinyurl.com/3pem6o7

And herein lies another example of the problem when a super majority, with the spend spend spend mentality, rules the roost: http://tinyurl.com/3vak8ch

Now, add up those three stories – are you not sick of the calls for bi-partisanship or reaching across the aisle? I am.  We here in Westchester have a spending problem (yes, just like the one in Albany and DC but on a lesser scale), one that Astorino has tried and tried to curtail. The out of control spending must stop. That’s why I am running for the county leg – someone’s got to get in there that isn’t seeking a career, isn’t seeking to make friends, and someone who realizes there is no money tree in the back yard. We need serious people in these seats and if that means replacing every single one of them that doesn’t comprehend the big picture – then that’s what we must do.  I haven’t been pressing my candidacy on you – but today I am b/c this is just becoming so ridiculous. We’ve got to get the word out that this Super Majority must go and be replaced with REAL conservatives. Westchester needs YOUR help. It’s time to get serious and fast.  http://lisa4westchester.com/

OOPS, THEY DID IT AGAIN

Do you know the Britney Spears song ‘Oops I did it again’? Seems a most appropriate song for what the Democrats just pulled – again. Yes, I am speaking of their override of Astorino’s veto to ensure a ‘free’ entrance fee to Playland for Westchester Residents. Please pay no mind that the lost revenue has to be made up somewhere;  Please pay no mind that this will HURT not HELP Westchester in any way shape or form.

In Britney’s song she sings ‘You see my problem is this: I’m dreaming away; Wishing that heroes, they truly exist. Can’t you see I’m a fool in so many ways? But to lose all my senses that is just so typically me….’ You get the idea.

We need a wake up call for this Super Majority. Seems they are ‘dreaming away’ believing that Playland losing money isn’t so; believing that taking away the entrance fee will ‘bring more people in’ (in truth I agree with this one in that it will bring more teenagers in who only want to ‘hang around’ which of course will turn off the families that we should be trying to attract).  It’s important to note that statistics show through June 12th of this year, resident spectators numbered 7,323, down from 12,212 in 2010. Conveniently, the Super Majority blames the spectator fee but the reality is – has anyone bothered to notice our Economy? Worse yet, the Dems have no workable/realistic plan to recoup the $377,000 we now will lose – that we need! Dare I say Typical?? Problem is, facts are facts and those facts scream ‘Houston We Have a Problem’!

Britney may have gotten ‘lost in the game’ but we cannot afford to. Our Super Majority doesn’t seem to grasp the concept that we pay fees every single day! The latest argument is a ‘double tax’ argument. By far, I find this one the MOST humorous. Can someone, anyone, give me one example of where we are not double taxed?

“The goal is to get people into Playland—not keep them out,” said Legislator and Minority Whip Judith Myers (D-Larchmont).  With all due respect Ms. Myers, the goal for Playland is to make a profit and Stop Running at a deficit to the detriment of Westchester County taxpayers! 

Two Sides to Every Story

There are always 2 sides to a story. 


Here's Chairman Ken Jenkins side (WCBOL)  http://tinyurl.com/3hdcqyp 


Here's County Exec. Rob Astorino's side: 
http://www3.westchestergov.com/news/3008-response-to-rally-on-mt-vernon-mental-health-clinic



Now, let's try and figure out which 'side' makes the most sense shall we??


Done? Already?? 


Me too. Facts are just that - facts! Gotta Love em'.

The latest saga.....

Well, here we go again. Reported on Friday June 24^th, the Democrat Super Majority have yet another problem with County Executive Rob Astorino.  It’s being reported that cuts to 31 different Invest-in-Kids programs (overseen by the County - run by non-for-profit agencies) have been made to the tune of $141,000. Ken Jenkins and crew are crying that Astorino has broken the law. 

Now, for simplicity let’s start with the basics… the county’s job is to oversee these programs. Good government worries about every penny, works to keep beneficial programs alive while ensuring we don’t have duplicating programs, and finding ways to be fiscally responsible to every taxpayer. Okay, back to the story.

Ned McCormack (Astorino’s senior adviser) is quoted in the Journal News as saying “We should be spending what’s necessary and not a dollar more. We are constantly working to stretch every tax dollar. In the case of youth programs we have worked closely with our providers to find savings with the result that we have actually INCREASED the total number of kids served in the first five months of this year by about 15 percent compared to the same period last year.”  That, to me, sounds like a success story!

On the Westchester County Legislators website we read “Now we need to know what reductions in services to the youth of Westchester have occurred because of these unexplained actions,” said Legislator and Community Services Committee member MaryJane Shimsky (D-Hastings-on-Hudson). It doesn't sound like much, if any, if we refer back to McCormack's statement. If there really is a loss of services then we have something to talk about but a reported 15% increase leaves much doubt that something is being lost no? 

Anyway, Chairman Jenkins is on record stating that any decision to make cuts is a violation of the Budget Act of 2011, citing the following:

Sections 15 and 16 of the 2011 Budget Act state: “…the full appropriations set forth in Miscellaneous Budget (52) including line 2081 (Invest in Kids programs) are hereby determined to be amounts necessary and sufficient for the purposes designated and except upon the prior approval of the Board of Legislators Committee on Budget and Appropriations and where relevant shall be fully expended through contracts with not-for-profit organizations…The policies adopted by the Board of Legislators in connection with the approval of the 2011 County Budget shall be enforced consistent with the appropriations herewith. No changes shall be effective without the approval of the Board of Legislators pursuant to the Laws of Westchester County.”

I get it – I really do. The super majority wants to vote on it and it does read that they should vote on it. But let’s break down just one piece of the law – “determined to be amounts necessary and sufficient for the purposes designated”. If it’s been determined that what has been budgeted is too much, wouldn’t it make sense to cut that amount and put it elsewhere where it could perhaps be of more use? If it’s a fact that we’ve seen a 15% increase using only x amount of dollars – leaving a surplus – shouldn’t we reclaim that budget line surplus?

I may be alone here but in my view the county executive’s job is to be responsible for the administrative and management functions of county government. Their job is to keep our county moving forward all the while being the most fiscally responsible.

The Super Majority seems to still believe we have a surplus of money and sides with the ‘spend our way out of this mess’. All we need to really do is look at the Playland fiasco, the union lawsuit, and their continual efforts not to cut anywhere.

Astorino is taking a look at everything. Isn’t that something both sides should be doing? It might behoove Westchester in allowing the board to vote on this – as once and for all there will be no doubt who is worried about YOUR tax dollars and how they are being spent and who is not.