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§iontree=17,18&itemid=737
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.
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