Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Message to Kingstonians---KEEP ON COMPLAINING ABOUT HIGH TAXES
Kingston's problems go way beyond the recent recession. That is why Kingstonians have every responsibility to complain and dispute its extremely high level of property taxes, water and sewer rates and sales taxes. Starting in 1995 and continuing to this day, after IBM left Kingston, our Mayor and councils should have been downsizing expenses to match the dwindling population and drastic reduction in local wages and wealth. Instead, what have the mayors and councils been doing? They have steadily raised property taxes, water and sewer rates and sales taxes. Let me say this. Any future union contract negotiations MUST INCLUDE the CITY'S ABILITY TO PAY bargaining point. As things stand now, 2 years from now when the contracts come up for renewal, the negotiating climate will be drastically different. The Federal government is drastically in debt, the state government is almost bankrupt and the city is facing more debt and lower population and less wealth. If you look at the present and future picture this way.......considering Kingston's 15 year post IBM decline coupled with the present and future dim prospects, you can better understand why more and more Kingstonians cannot tolerate this year's 9 percent property tax increase and water and sewer increases and why it makes sense to talk about NO TAX INCREASES FOR THE NEXT 5 YEARS. It is the only way.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Avoid Kingston Bankruptcy - Convert 1 Paid Fire station to Volunteer, Drastically reduce Fire Dept.Emergency Calls
We all know the facts. The City of Kingston has a declining population and a declining average annual salary. How can you ask its residents to pay 9 percent more in property taxes on top of years of property tax increases for both City and School taxes. The city is very close to bankrupt. The city may be forced to borrow money next year in order to pay for the 7.25 percent raises coming to Police and Firemen. Then, the city will be forced to raise taxes even further - 10 percent or higher in order to pay the bonds which pay the Police and Firemen's raises. Then, more Kingstonians will leave and more poor people will take their place. Are you starting to get a picture of the downward spiral the City of Kingston is now in. My argument is that the DPW is almost barebones. We need the Police for daily protection. We absolutely cannot afford to have firemen responding to emergency calls any more. We can contract with 3 ambulance companies with paramedics and locate them uptown, midtown and downtown for optimum response times with higher level service than the fire dept. EMTs. We should try to encourage the Fire union to get ahead of the curve and begin planning for one of the 3 paid stations to convert to a top notch volunteer company such as Ulster Hose. If we want there to be a City of Kingston that is not a welfare colony, we better start making these plans now!
Friday, December 4, 2009
Kingston Council Votes 7 to 2 to INCREASE TAXES 9 % in 2010
The following aldermen WHO WON RE-ELECTION this year voted YES to RAISE Kingston TAXES 9% for 2010 in one of the worse financial years in recent memory........Bill Reynolds....Charlie Landi.....Tom Hoffay.....Shirley Whitlock..........These aldermen along with.... Mayor Sottile....... have set the stage for one of the most painful budget years ever in 2011, where the Fire and Police unions will be getting DOUBLE RAISES.......AND the US and NYS governments are flirting with BANKRUPTCY. Throughout 2010, we should be reminding........Bill Reynolds ....Charlie Landi.....Tom Hoffay.....Shirley Whitlock.....Mayor Sottile.....that they did a poor job on the 2010 budget that has set the stage for further DECLINE of Kingston RESIDENTS and BUSINESSES.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Have You Looked at the City of Kingston Firefighters' Contract Lately?
I am 100% behind Mayor Sottile's lawsuit against the Kingston Firefighters Union. The lawsuit attempts to block the union from grieving Sottile's refusal to hire new firemen to replace those firefighters who took the recent retirement buyout. There is one problem. The firefighters' contract clearly states that manpower is to be replaced within 60 days of a vacancy or before the next training class. In addition, the firefighters' contract says there shall be no layoffs...............This contract was obviously negotiated during better economic times. However, I believe that if the starting negotiating positions of the mayor and the union were public knowledge and if the Common Council had more say in the negotiations at the time 2 years ago, these pro-union clauses of 1) mandatory replacement of retirees and 2) No Layoffs would not have been in this contract....... Let's do better next time for the taxpayers. The only way we will be able to correct this problem in the short term is to encourage the union to open the contract, which is unlikely. The sure way to correct this problem in the short term is Municipal Bankruptcy which would automatically cancel all of our Kingston union contracts.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
NOTICE TO ALL KINGSTON RESIDENTS -- TELL ALDERMAN TO STOP TRASH TAX TALK
Now is the time for all good Kingstonians to say NO TRASH TAX.
The aldermen are proposing to charge ALL city residents for TRASH PICKUP.
The following article appeared in the Kingston Freeman last Friday.
Kingston lawmakers debate trash payment plan
Published: Friday, November 13, 2009
By Paul Kirby
Freeman staff
KINGSTON — City lawmakers remained at odds Thursday night over whether a new trash collection program it is estimated could generate $1.3 million in revenue can be approved in time for the money to be included in the 2010 budget.
During a session of the Common Council’s Finance/Economic Development Committee, panel members differed on opinions about a proposed “pay as you throw” program.
Some such as Alderman Ronald Polacco, R-Ward 6, were against it saying, “It is just another tax.”
Still others such as Alderwoman Ann Marie DiBella, D-Ward 5, said she likes the program but didn’t think there was enough time to educate the public on it.
DiBella said she was particularly concerned about rental units and whether landlords and tenants would comply with a new trash pickup regulation.
And then there was Alderman Thomas Hoffay, D-Ward 2, who said he believes that a majority of the council “will come on board” with it before the council adopts a 2010 budget.
Alderman Charles Landi, D-Ward 3, who is the committee’s chairman, held out that “there was a possibility” movement could be made on the proposal before a budget vote.
The program has long been bantered about by members the Common Council and has been supported by Mayor James Sottile in the past.
But the program has never gotten off the ground as it languished in committee.
It was in March 2008 that Environmental Educator Steve Noble first suggested the idea for the program.
On Thursday night, Noble pitched the program again, this time suggesting that he could educate the public in a month, with an all-out blitz.
Noble said residents would purchase the number of garbage bags they use in a week or perhaps just stickers to place on bags. Either way, the cost would be $1.25 per bag or sticker, much less than the $4 charge some other municipalities have levied, Noble said.
Noble has estimated the selling of the bags would generate about $1.3 million for the city.
Noble said that individual households would pay only for as much garage as they generate. He believes the program would encourage less trash output because residents would not have to buy as many bags if they generate less waste.
The program would be similar to the city’s water and sewer programs which charge households based on usage.
Noble has estimated that the program would likely reduce the city’s landfill costs by $200,000 because people would separate more recyclable material from their trash and compost food waste to save on bag purchases.
Sottile said that in order for his proposed tax rate increase to go from 10 percent to zero the council would have to cut or find revenues of $1.3 million.
Hoffay has said the pay as you throw program garbage bag or sticker purchases would generate just that amount, cutting the tax rate hike to zero.
However, that is only accomplished if 28 employee layoffs are still in place, including six police officers and three civilian dispatchers.
In order to save those positions, Sottile said, another $600,00 in revenues or cuts need to be found.
On Thursday, the Finance/Economic Development Committee suggested no changes to the mayor’s proposed budget.
Another budget session is set for Monday at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
The aldermen are proposing to charge ALL city residents for TRASH PICKUP.
The following article appeared in the Kingston Freeman last Friday.
Kingston lawmakers debate trash payment plan
Published: Friday, November 13, 2009
By Paul Kirby
Freeman staff
KINGSTON — City lawmakers remained at odds Thursday night over whether a new trash collection program it is estimated could generate $1.3 million in revenue can be approved in time for the money to be included in the 2010 budget.
During a session of the Common Council’s Finance/Economic Development Committee, panel members differed on opinions about a proposed “pay as you throw” program.
Some such as Alderman Ronald Polacco, R-Ward 6, were against it saying, “It is just another tax.”
Still others such as Alderwoman Ann Marie DiBella, D-Ward 5, said she likes the program but didn’t think there was enough time to educate the public on it.
DiBella said she was particularly concerned about rental units and whether landlords and tenants would comply with a new trash pickup regulation.
And then there was Alderman Thomas Hoffay, D-Ward 2, who said he believes that a majority of the council “will come on board” with it before the council adopts a 2010 budget.
Alderman Charles Landi, D-Ward 3, who is the committee’s chairman, held out that “there was a possibility” movement could be made on the proposal before a budget vote.
The program has long been bantered about by members the Common Council and has been supported by Mayor James Sottile in the past.
But the program has never gotten off the ground as it languished in committee.
It was in March 2008 that Environmental Educator Steve Noble first suggested the idea for the program.
On Thursday night, Noble pitched the program again, this time suggesting that he could educate the public in a month, with an all-out blitz.
Noble said residents would purchase the number of garbage bags they use in a week or perhaps just stickers to place on bags. Either way, the cost would be $1.25 per bag or sticker, much less than the $4 charge some other municipalities have levied, Noble said.
Noble has estimated the selling of the bags would generate about $1.3 million for the city.
Noble said that individual households would pay only for as much garage as they generate. He believes the program would encourage less trash output because residents would not have to buy as many bags if they generate less waste.
The program would be similar to the city’s water and sewer programs which charge households based on usage.
Noble has estimated that the program would likely reduce the city’s landfill costs by $200,000 because people would separate more recyclable material from their trash and compost food waste to save on bag purchases.
Sottile said that in order for his proposed tax rate increase to go from 10 percent to zero the council would have to cut or find revenues of $1.3 million.
Hoffay has said the pay as you throw program garbage bag or sticker purchases would generate just that amount, cutting the tax rate hike to zero.
However, that is only accomplished if 28 employee layoffs are still in place, including six police officers and three civilian dispatchers.
In order to save those positions, Sottile said, another $600,00 in revenues or cuts need to be found.
On Thursday, the Finance/Economic Development Committee suggested no changes to the mayor’s proposed budget.
Another budget session is set for Monday at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Message to City of Kingston - More Fire Companies CUT OUT MEDICAL CALLS
The following article appeared in this Monday's Times Herald Record
FIRE CREWS CUT MEDICAL CALLS
Posted: November 16, 2009 - 2:00 AM
BY KEITH GOLDBERG
Times Herald-Record
TOWN OF WALLKILL — Last year, Circleville firefighters responded to 176 medical emergency calls in its district — one-third of the total calls it handled.
Now, they're looking to cut those numbers significantly.
The district recently decided it will no longer provide automatic response for medical calls. Department Chief Walter Szulwach says that with two ambulance companies in the town, as well as one ambulance stationed at its firehouse on Goshen Turnpike, sending firefighters out to medical calls is redundant.
"It's just not a prudent use of resources," Szulwach says. "A lot of times when we responded to medical calls, an ambulance was already at the scene."
It's a step many fire companies throughout the region have taken. Most of the 52 Orange County fire companies don't provide automatic response to medical calls, including 12 that don't respond, period. Eighteen out of Ulster County's 50 fire companies don't respond to medical calls, nor do 26 of the 40 fire companies in Sullivan County. Sullivan County 911 coordinator Alex Rau says fire companies in Rock Hill, Bloomingburg and Wurtsboro have recently scaled back their medical-call responses.
One reason is financial: deploying firefighters and equipment costs money. But the bigger reason is manpower. For companies already struggling for personnel, it's not only about having the time to handle medical calls, but also having the time to go through the necessary additional training.
To handle medical calls, Orange County fire coordinator John Horan says at the very least, firefighters should be trained as medical first responders. "It doesn't do a fire company any good to say, 'We're going to do medical calls,' and your members can't spell 'medical,'" Horan says. "If you're going to do medical calls, the training is extensive."
But is public safety compromised when fire companies pull out of the medical emergency business? Rau doesn't believe so. "If a fire department isn't getting manpower out to medical calls, has there been a compromise?" he says.
Circleville, which Szulwach says will have eight certified emergency medical technicians as members by year's end, will still respond to medical calls if requested by an ambulance service, or if there aren't any other emergency responders available.
But with a projected 2010 budget of more than $600,000, in a struggling economy, Szulwach says the move away from medical calls is a logical way to control operating costs.
"This will benefit our taxpayers," Szulwach says.
kgoldberg@th-record.com
FIRE CREWS CUT MEDICAL CALLS
Posted: November 16, 2009 - 2:00 AM
BY KEITH GOLDBERG
Times Herald-Record
TOWN OF WALLKILL — Last year, Circleville firefighters responded to 176 medical emergency calls in its district — one-third of the total calls it handled.
Now, they're looking to cut those numbers significantly.
The district recently decided it will no longer provide automatic response for medical calls. Department Chief Walter Szulwach says that with two ambulance companies in the town, as well as one ambulance stationed at its firehouse on Goshen Turnpike, sending firefighters out to medical calls is redundant.
"It's just not a prudent use of resources," Szulwach says. "A lot of times when we responded to medical calls, an ambulance was already at the scene."
It's a step many fire companies throughout the region have taken. Most of the 52 Orange County fire companies don't provide automatic response to medical calls, including 12 that don't respond, period. Eighteen out of Ulster County's 50 fire companies don't respond to medical calls, nor do 26 of the 40 fire companies in Sullivan County. Sullivan County 911 coordinator Alex Rau says fire companies in Rock Hill, Bloomingburg and Wurtsboro have recently scaled back their medical-call responses.
One reason is financial: deploying firefighters and equipment costs money. But the bigger reason is manpower. For companies already struggling for personnel, it's not only about having the time to handle medical calls, but also having the time to go through the necessary additional training.
To handle medical calls, Orange County fire coordinator John Horan says at the very least, firefighters should be trained as medical first responders. "It doesn't do a fire company any good to say, 'We're going to do medical calls,' and your members can't spell 'medical,'" Horan says. "If you're going to do medical calls, the training is extensive."
But is public safety compromised when fire companies pull out of the medical emergency business? Rau doesn't believe so. "If a fire department isn't getting manpower out to medical calls, has there been a compromise?" he says.
Circleville, which Szulwach says will have eight certified emergency medical technicians as members by year's end, will still respond to medical calls if requested by an ambulance service, or if there aren't any other emergency responders available.
But with a projected 2010 budget of more than $600,000, in a struggling economy, Szulwach says the move away from medical calls is a logical way to control operating costs.
"This will benefit our taxpayers," Szulwach says.
kgoldberg@th-record.com
Sunday, November 15, 2009
KINGSTON COUNCIL AND MAYORAL SUGGESTIONS FOR HOLDING DOWN TAX INCREASES
1) Elimination of Police Officers
2) Eliminating Many Recreation Department programs
3) Adding new Trash FEES and TAXES for ALL City residents and businesses
4) Postponing the Kingston Fire Dept. raises for one year.
The above solutions are UNACCEPTABLE, since #3 above is INCREASING TAXES, #4 could be just delaying the raises until next year, #2 would most likely be a permanent destruction of the City Recreation programs, and #1 is making Kingston MUCH LESS SAFE…………Instead of DISMANTLING our POLICE DEPT. and RECREATION DEPT., let’s start talking about converting one PAID FIRE DEPT. to VOLUNTEER at a potential savings of $1 Million to $2 Million. This is a reasonable and safe suggestion.
2) Eliminating Many Recreation Department programs
3) Adding new Trash FEES and TAXES for ALL City residents and businesses
4) Postponing the Kingston Fire Dept. raises for one year.
The above solutions are UNACCEPTABLE, since #3 above is INCREASING TAXES, #4 could be just delaying the raises until next year, #2 would most likely be a permanent destruction of the City Recreation programs, and #1 is making Kingston MUCH LESS SAFE…………Instead of DISMANTLING our POLICE DEPT. and RECREATION DEPT., let’s start talking about converting one PAID FIRE DEPT. to VOLUNTEER at a potential savings of $1 Million to $2 Million. This is a reasonable and safe suggestion.
OUTRAGEOUS FACTS ABOUT THE CITY OF KINGSTON 2010 BUDGET
1) The City of Kingston Fire budget is about 40 % HIGHER than the City of Poughkeepsie Fire budget.
2) The City of Kingston Water and Sewer charges are about 40 % HIGHER than the City of Poughkeepsie Water and Sewer charges.
3) The City of Poughkeepsie has a population of 30,000 and the City of Kingston has a population less than 25,000.
4) The City of Poughkeepsie’s 2010 budget calls for NO TAX INCREASE, while the City of Kingston 2010 budget calls for about a 10 % TAX INCREASE.
Are you SHOCKED by the above facts? These facts are HURTING you and your children by FORCING them to move elsewhere. What can we do about it?
Call your Alderman at the phone numbers below and tell them to look at the suggestion to convert one fire station from paid to volunteer.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Ward
Al Teetsel
(845) 331-4862
189 Fairview Ave.
Second Ward
Thomas Hoffay
(845)331-8317
160 Tremper
Third Ward
Charles Landi
(845)338-6955
20 Arlmont Street
Fourth Ward
Shirley Whitlock
(845) 338-3739
89 Prospect Street
Fifth Ward
Ann Marie DiBella
(845) 331-7570
116 Fair Street
Sixth Ward
Ron Polacco
(845)594-4758
170 O'Neil Street
Seventh Ward
William P. Reynolds,
Majority Leader
(845)331-1421
181 Clifton Avenue
Eighth Ward
Robert Senor
(845) 339-2955
63 Crane St.
Ninth Ward
Michael Madsen
(845) 399-9644
61 Brewster Street
2) The City of Kingston Water and Sewer charges are about 40 % HIGHER than the City of Poughkeepsie Water and Sewer charges.
3) The City of Poughkeepsie has a population of 30,000 and the City of Kingston has a population less than 25,000.
4) The City of Poughkeepsie’s 2010 budget calls for NO TAX INCREASE, while the City of Kingston 2010 budget calls for about a 10 % TAX INCREASE.
Are you SHOCKED by the above facts? These facts are HURTING you and your children by FORCING them to move elsewhere. What can we do about it?
Call your Alderman at the phone numbers below and tell them to look at the suggestion to convert one fire station from paid to volunteer.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Ward
Al Teetsel
(845) 331-4862
189 Fairview Ave.
Second Ward
Thomas Hoffay
(845)331-8317
160 Tremper
Third Ward
Charles Landi
(845)338-6955
20 Arlmont Street
Fourth Ward
Shirley Whitlock
(845) 338-3739
89 Prospect Street
Fifth Ward
Ann Marie DiBella
(845) 331-7570
116 Fair Street
Sixth Ward
Ron Polacco
(845)594-4758
170 O'Neil Street
Seventh Ward
William P. Reynolds,
Majority Leader
(845)331-1421
181 Clifton Avenue
Eighth Ward
Robert Senor
(845) 339-2955
63 Crane St.
Ninth Ward
Michael Madsen
(845) 399-9644
61 Brewster Street
Congratulations to the NO TAX INCREASE Winning Candidates
Congratulations to the following NO TAX INCREASE Winning Candidates. In this Blog, we will
continue to praise and support these office holders and others as they fight to rollback our HIGH property taxes by more creative and efficient budgets.
Jim Maloney for District 5 (Town of Ulster) Ulster County Legislature,
Michael Sweeney for District 4 (Saugerties) Ulster County Legislature,
Fred Wadnola for District 5 (Town of Ulster) Ulster County Legislature,
Carl Belfiglio for District 7 (Esopus) Ulster County Legislature, and
continue to praise and support these office holders and others as they fight to rollback our HIGH property taxes by more creative and efficient budgets.
Jim Maloney for District 5 (Town of Ulster) Ulster County Legislature,
Michael Sweeney for District 4 (Saugerties) Ulster County Legislature,
Fred Wadnola for District 5 (Town of Ulster) Ulster County Legislature,
Carl Belfiglio for District 7 (Esopus) Ulster County Legislature, and
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Election Day 2009 - Vote NO TAX INCREASE all the way!
Why would a resident of Kingston, NY, the County of Ulster, or New York State vote for someone who cannot pledge to NOT VOTE for budgets which INCREASE TAXES?
Please vote for the candidates who have pledged NO TAX INCREASES for 2 years. We owe it to ourselves, our children, our grandchildren and the future financial health of our area.
Where have all the young people gone? The Kingston Area has been devasted by the departure of IBM jobs and money. In our area we have IBM retirees with pensions and we have young people in high schools and elementary schools. In between these two age groups, we have a severely dwindling young adult and middle age population. Our area is in severe trouble. New York State is in severe trouble. What are we going to do about it?
We are going to vote for the candidates who have pledged NO TAX INCREASES for 2 years. We owe it to ourselves, our children, our grandchildren and the future financial health of our area.
Please vote for the candidates who have pledged NO TAX INCREASES for 2 years. We owe it to ourselves, our children, our grandchildren and the future financial health of our area.
Where have all the young people gone? The Kingston Area has been devasted by the departure of IBM jobs and money. In our area we have IBM retirees with pensions and we have young people in high schools and elementary schools. In between these two age groups, we have a severely dwindling young adult and middle age population. Our area is in severe trouble. New York State is in severe trouble. What are we going to do about it?
We are going to vote for the candidates who have pledged NO TAX INCREASES for 2 years. We owe it to ourselves, our children, our grandchildren and the future financial health of our area.
November 2, 2009 Summary of Candidates Who Pledge No Tax Increases
Below is a summary of local candidates who Pledge NO TAX INCREASES for the next 2 years. To local
taxpayers, let's try to talk to and convince more of our local candidates to make this pledge so the City of Kingston and Ulster County will come out of this financial mess in better shape.
Richard Cahill, Sr. for 5th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston,
Mike Gill for 7th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston,
Todd Langon for 8th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston, and
Jeannie Edwards for 4th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston,
and
Jim Maloney for District 5 (Town of Ulster) Ulster County Legislature,
Michael Sweeney for District 4 (Saugerties) Ulster County Legislature,
Fred Wadnola for District 5 (Town of Ulster) Ulster County Legislature,
Marvin Schildhorn for District 6 (City of Kingston) Ulster County Legislature,
Ellen DiFalco for District 6 (City of Kingston) Ulster County Legislature,
Carl Belfiglio for District 7 (Esopus) Ulster County Legislature, and
Mark Ingoglio for District 12 (City of Kingston) Ulster County Legislature.
taxpayers, let's try to talk to and convince more of our local candidates to make this pledge so the City of Kingston and Ulster County will come out of this financial mess in better shape.
Richard Cahill, Sr. for 5th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston,
Mike Gill for 7th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston,
Todd Langon for 8th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston, and
Jeannie Edwards for 4th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston,
and
Jim Maloney for District 5 (Town of Ulster) Ulster County Legislature,
Michael Sweeney for District 4 (Saugerties) Ulster County Legislature,
Fred Wadnola for District 5 (Town of Ulster) Ulster County Legislature,
Marvin Schildhorn for District 6 (City of Kingston) Ulster County Legislature,
Ellen DiFalco for District 6 (City of Kingston) Ulster County Legislature,
Carl Belfiglio for District 7 (Esopus) Ulster County Legislature, and
Mark Ingoglio for District 12 (City of Kingston) Ulster County Legislature.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Mark Down 2 More Candidates Who Do NOT Pledge Zero Tax Increases
Two more candidates for the Kingston Common Council have said they CANNOT pledge at this time to
"not vote for any budget or bill that increases taxes for the next 2 years".
Those 2 candidates are:
Jon Hoyt for 2nd Ward alderman in the City of Kingston,
and
Brian Cahill for District 5 (Town of Ulster) Ulster County Legislature.
To be fair both of the above 2 candidates are actively looking at cutting the local tax levy. Jon Hoyt is leading the charge for aggressively enforcing a more reasonable equalization rate for the City of Kingston and Brian Cahill is looking to cut Mike Hein's proposed budget.
"not vote for any budget or bill that increases taxes for the next 2 years".
Those 2 candidates are:
Jon Hoyt for 2nd Ward alderman in the City of Kingston,
and
Brian Cahill for District 5 (Town of Ulster) Ulster County Legislature.
To be fair both of the above 2 candidates are actively looking at cutting the local tax levy. Jon Hoyt is leading the charge for aggressively enforcing a more reasonable equalization rate for the City of Kingston and Brian Cahill is looking to cut Mike Hein's proposed budget.
Monday, October 26, 2009
October 26, 2009 Summary of Candidates Who Pledge No Tax Increases
Below is a summary of local candidates who Pledge NO TAX INCREASES for the next 2 years. To local
taxpayers, let's try to talk to and convince more of our local candidates to make this pledge so the City of Kingston and Ulster County will come out of this financial mess in better shape.
Richard Cahill, Sr. for 5th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston,
Mike Gill for 7th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston,
Todd Langon for 8th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston, and
Jeannie Edwards for 4th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston,
and
Jim Maloney for District 5 (Town of Ulster) Ulster County Legislature,
Michael Sweeney for District 4 (Saugerties) Ulster County Legislature,
Fred Wadnola for District 5 (Town of Ulster) Ulster County Legislature,
Marvin Schildhorn for District 6 (City of Kingston) Ulster County Legislature,
Ellen DiFalco for District 6 (City of Kingston) Ulster County Legislature, and
Mark Ingoglio for District 12 (City of Kingston) Ulster County Legislature.
taxpayers, let's try to talk to and convince more of our local candidates to make this pledge so the City of Kingston and Ulster County will come out of this financial mess in better shape.
Richard Cahill, Sr. for 5th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston,
Mike Gill for 7th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston,
Todd Langon for 8th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston, and
Jeannie Edwards for 4th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston,
and
Jim Maloney for District 5 (Town of Ulster) Ulster County Legislature,
Michael Sweeney for District 4 (Saugerties) Ulster County Legislature,
Fred Wadnola for District 5 (Town of Ulster) Ulster County Legislature,
Marvin Schildhorn for District 6 (City of Kingston) Ulster County Legislature,
Ellen DiFalco for District 6 (City of Kingston) Ulster County Legislature, and
Mark Ingoglio for District 12 (City of Kingston) Ulster County Legislature.
Mark Down 3 More Candidates Who Do NOT Pledge Zero Tax Increases
Three more candidates for the Kingston Common Council have said they CANNOT pledge at this time to
"not vote for any budget or bill that increases taxes for the next 2 years".
Those 3 candidates are:
Katie Scott Childress for 1st Ward alderman in the City of Kingston,
Debbie Brown for 9th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston, and
Hayes Clement for 9th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston.
Maybe we can convince them to change their minds?
Debbie Brown asked that I post the following explanation.......................In this day and age it would be premature to say I would not vote against a tax increase. Two years is a longtime to stay locked in a pledge when our economy is constantly changing. One just has to look at union contracts, of which we were locked into, to see how much our economy flunctuated when they were originally negotiated 4 years ago when economic times were better. That being said, I will try my best to keep taxes from rising. I am against raising taxes but to make a pledge is not feasible for me at the present time. How about asking the candidates to make a committment to keeping taxes from rising.? I live in the city and as a homeowner it would be to my best interest to keep taxes from rising.
One has to remember George Bush's (the elder Bush) campaign slogan," Read my lips
. No new taxes" Unfortunately, that didn't happen. Also, a lot of the taxes are tied to State Mandates at the current time of which we sometimes have no control. And the pension plan is part of it. This more than anything increased our deficit. Energy costs are also rising again. Insurance premiums take a chunk. The best way to prevent a raise in taxes is to spend wisely and do away with unnecessary spending. Tighten the belts.Streamline city hall.
We need to go after the State Legislature for any type of tax reform. This will give the relief to the county and local municipalities.
I don't know if you will post this along with the decision to not take the pledge but in all fairness you should. This way the voters can see their candidate's view of the tax situation.
"not vote for any budget or bill that increases taxes for the next 2 years".
Those 3 candidates are:
Katie Scott Childress for 1st Ward alderman in the City of Kingston,
Debbie Brown for 9th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston, and
Hayes Clement for 9th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston.
Maybe we can convince them to change their minds?
Debbie Brown asked that I post the following explanation.......................In this day and age it would be premature to say I would not vote against a tax increase. Two years is a longtime to stay locked in a pledge when our economy is constantly changing. One just has to look at union contracts, of which we were locked into, to see how much our economy flunctuated when they were originally negotiated 4 years ago when economic times were better. That being said, I will try my best to keep taxes from rising. I am against raising taxes but to make a pledge is not feasible for me at the present time. How about asking the candidates to make a committment to keeping taxes from rising.? I live in the city and as a homeowner it would be to my best interest to keep taxes from rising.
One has to remember George Bush's (the elder Bush) campaign slogan," Read my lips
. No new taxes" Unfortunately, that didn't happen. Also, a lot of the taxes are tied to State Mandates at the current time of which we sometimes have no control. And the pension plan is part of it. This more than anything increased our deficit. Energy costs are also rising again. Insurance premiums take a chunk. The best way to prevent a raise in taxes is to spend wisely and do away with unnecessary spending. Tighten the belts.Streamline city hall.
We need to go after the State Legislature for any type of tax reform. This will give the relief to the county and local municipalities.
I don't know if you will post this along with the decision to not take the pledge but in all fairness you should. This way the voters can see their candidate's view of the tax situation.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
3rd Ward Alderman Charles Landi Proposes Closing 1 Paid Fire Station
Current 3rd Ward Alderman, Charlie Landi, who is unopposed for re-election, proposes closing one paid fire station. Charlie will not pledge to not vote for budgets which increase taxes for the next 2 years, but he will begin the serious debate in the Kingston Common Council about closing one paid fire station. If one paid fire station is closed and the manpower is reduced proportionately through early retirement attrition, approximately one-third of the $7 Million fire budget can be saved. This $2.3 Million savings can reduce about $2,300,000 divided by $150,000 (per tax increase percentage) equals about 15 percent. Therefore,the Kingston City tax rate could be reduced by 5 percent. So instead of the proposed 10 percent tax increase, we could have a 5 percent tax decrease.
Mark Down 3 More Candidates Who Do Not Pledge Zero Tax Increases
Three more candidates for the Kingston Common Council have said they CANNOT pledge to
"not vote for any budget or bill that increases taxes for the next 2 years".
Those 3 candidates are:
Andi Turco-Levin for 1st Ward alderman in the City of Kingston,
Jennifer Fuentes for 5th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston,
Elisa Ball for 6th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston,
Maybe we can convince them to change their minds?
"not vote for any budget or bill that increases taxes for the next 2 years".
Those 3 candidates are:
Andi Turco-Levin for 1st Ward alderman in the City of Kingston,
Jennifer Fuentes for 5th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston,
Elisa Ball for 6th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston,
Maybe we can convince them to change their minds?
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Mark Down 2 More No Tax Increase Candidates
Two more candidates who have pledged to "not to vote for any tax increases over the next 2 years" are
Jeannie Edwards for 4th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston and
Jim Maloney for District 5 (Town of Ulster) Ulster County Legislature.
Jeannie Edwards for 4th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston and
Jim Maloney for District 5 (Town of Ulster) Ulster County Legislature.
Monday, October 19, 2009
October 19, 2009 Summary of Candidates Who Pledge No Tax Increases
Below is a summary of local candidates who Pledge NO TAX INCREASES for the next 2 years. To local
taxpayers, let's try to talk to and convince more of our local candidates to make this pledge so the City of Kingston and Ulster County will come out of this financial mess in better shape.
Richard Cahill, Sr. for 5th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston,
Mike Gill for 7th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston
Todd Langon for 8th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston,
and
Michael Sweeney for District 4 (Saugerties) Ulster County Legislature, and
Fred Wadnola for District 5 (Town of Ulster) Ulster County Legislature
Marvin Schildhorn for District 6 (City of Kingston) Ulster County Legislature.
Ellen DiFalco for District 6 (City of Kingston) Ulster County Legislature.
Mark Ingoglio for District 12 (City of Kingston) Ulster County Legislature.
taxpayers, let's try to talk to and convince more of our local candidates to make this pledge so the City of Kingston and Ulster County will come out of this financial mess in better shape.
Richard Cahill, Sr. for 5th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston,
Mike Gill for 7th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston
Todd Langon for 8th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston,
and
Michael Sweeney for District 4 (Saugerties) Ulster County Legislature, and
Fred Wadnola for District 5 (Town of Ulster) Ulster County Legislature
Marvin Schildhorn for District 6 (City of Kingston) Ulster County Legislature.
Ellen DiFalco for District 6 (City of Kingston) Ulster County Legislature.
Mark Ingoglio for District 12 (City of Kingston) Ulster County Legislature.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Mark Down 1 More No Tax Increase Candidate
One more candidate who has pledged to "not to vote for any tax increases over the next 2 years" is
Mike Gill for 7th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston.
Mike Gill for 7th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Pension fund contributions burden local governments (10-11-09 Freeman)
According to this article published in the Sunday Freeman, "City of Kingston officials say payments to the state pension system are expected to climb next year by $900,000 from the current $2.2 million." All projections indicate that the City of Kingston budget, which is very bad this year, will be even worse next year. If you think about it, asking city and county candidates to pledge "no increase in taxes" is a very MILD request compared to the LOOMING TSUNAMI of contractual raises, steeply rising pension obligations, drop in sales tax revenue, drop in tax collections, and drop in mortgage receipts. Drastic budget cutting is called for, not an increase in "already too-high" taxes. The Firefighters' union is proposing to forgo this year's raises and exercise stipends for a savings of $250K. This is a start. However,if the unions don't budge more, to the tune of $1Million for each union, inevitable MUNICIPAL BANKRUPTCY will be knocking at our door.
Mark Down 1 More No Tax Increase Candidate
One more candidate who has pledged to "not to vote for any tax increases over the next 2 years" is
Ellen DiFalco for District 6 (City of Kingston) Ulster County Legislature.
Ellen DiFalco for District 6 (City of Kingston) Ulster County Legislature.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Ulster County taxes are too high, so Why is the Ulster County Executive proposing to RAISE taxes even further?
Dear Taxpayers,
I have a question for you to research. How much money represents 1 percent of tax increase? Therefore, how much money represents 3.5 percent of tax increase proposed by Executive Hein? Let's find that amount of money in the proposed budget in order to make the proposed tax increase equal ZERO. We all know our Ulster County taxes are too high, so Why is the Ulster County Executive proposing to RAISE taxes even further?
I have a question for you to research. How much money represents 1 percent of tax increase? Therefore, how much money represents 3.5 percent of tax increase proposed by Executive Hein? Let's find that amount of money in the proposed budget in order to make the proposed tax increase equal ZERO. We all know our Ulster County taxes are too high, so Why is the Ulster County Executive proposing to RAISE taxes even further?
Sunday, September 27, 2009
My Opinion - Kingston's Budget Woes are VERY SERIOUS - 3 SOLUTIONS
The City of Kingston Budget problems are VERY SERIOUS, way beyond looking for savings in limiting garbage pick-up for non-for-profits. Kingston is in a downward spiral of decreasing population, decreasing wealth, increasing taxes, and decreased services. Where will this all end? It sounds like it will end with the City of Kingston collecting exhorbitant taxes from a small population who will receive very few services.
I suggest the mayor and common council chose 1 of the 3 following solutions to help remedy this very serious problem to stop the bleeding of this glorious city located in a spectacular location.
1) MUNICIPAL BANKRUPTCY - All contracts including union contracts are canceled. The city would be able to start with a fresh, blank slate. The city could start using ZERO-BASED BUDGETING, which allows the mayor and council telling department heads to start from ZERO each year, justifying the inclusion of every budget line item every year with no carry-over from year to year.
2) CLOSE 1 or 2 of the 3 PAID FIRE STATIONS, coverting them to VOLUNTEER fire stations and begin a serious volunteer fireman recruiting campaign which includes financial rewards such as health benefits and includes a strong emphasis on building a cooperative volunteer spirit as is done in the Town of Ulster Fire Department. This would allow the reduction of the paid fire department via attrition.
3) OPEN THE 3 UNION CONTRACTS and Negotiate $1 Million budget reductions over the present 2009 budget for Police, Fire and DPW budgets, saving $3 Million, using the bargaining chips of PRIVATIZATION and BANKRUPTCY as leverage.
I am looking for other suggestions which could help to repair Kingston's taxation problems for this year and setting the stage for future growth. We need to STOP increasing taxes and SPEND CITY MONEY WISELY so we can attract the next generation to LIVE AND STAY HERE.
I suggest the mayor and common council chose 1 of the 3 following solutions to help remedy this very serious problem to stop the bleeding of this glorious city located in a spectacular location.
1) MUNICIPAL BANKRUPTCY - All contracts including union contracts are canceled. The city would be able to start with a fresh, blank slate. The city could start using ZERO-BASED BUDGETING, which allows the mayor and council telling department heads to start from ZERO each year, justifying the inclusion of every budget line item every year with no carry-over from year to year.
2) CLOSE 1 or 2 of the 3 PAID FIRE STATIONS, coverting them to VOLUNTEER fire stations and begin a serious volunteer fireman recruiting campaign which includes financial rewards such as health benefits and includes a strong emphasis on building a cooperative volunteer spirit as is done in the Town of Ulster Fire Department. This would allow the reduction of the paid fire department via attrition.
3) OPEN THE 3 UNION CONTRACTS and Negotiate $1 Million budget reductions over the present 2009 budget for Police, Fire and DPW budgets, saving $3 Million, using the bargaining chips of PRIVATIZATION and BANKRUPTCY as leverage.
I am looking for other suggestions which could help to repair Kingston's taxation problems for this year and setting the stage for future growth. We need to STOP increasing taxes and SPEND CITY MONEY WISELY so we can attract the next generation to LIVE AND STAY HERE.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Mark Down 1 More No Tax Increase Candidate & 1 More No Pledge Candidate
One more candidate who has pledged to "not to vote for any tax increases over the next 2 years" is
Marvin Schildhorn for District 6 (City of Kingston) Ulster County Legislature.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One more candidate for Kingston Common Council has said he CANNOT pledge to
"not vote for any budget or bill that increases taxes for the next 2 years".
That candidate is:
Robert Senor for 8th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston. HOWEVER, Robert Senor pledges to not
vote for any budget which does not include at least $1 Million of union give backs (wages and/or health benefits) from each of the 3 major city unions (Police, Fire, DPW).
Marvin Schildhorn for District 6 (City of Kingston) Ulster County Legislature.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One more candidate for Kingston Common Council has said he CANNOT pledge to
"not vote for any budget or bill that increases taxes for the next 2 years".
That candidate is:
Robert Senor for 8th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston. HOWEVER, Robert Senor pledges to not
vote for any budget which does not include at least $1 Million of union give backs (wages and/or health benefits) from each of the 3 major city unions (Police, Fire, DPW).
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Mark Down 2 More No Tax Increase Candidates
Two more candidates who have pledged to "not to vote for any tax increases over the next 2 years" are
Todd Langon for 8th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston, and
Mark Ingoglio for District 12 (City of Kingston) Ulster County Legislature.
Let's contact your local candidates and add their names to this list.
Todd Langon for 8th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston, and
Mark Ingoglio for District 12 (City of Kingston) Ulster County Legislature.
Let's contact your local candidates and add their names to this list.
Mark Down Two More Candidates who do NOT pledge zero tax increases
Two more candidates for Ulster County Legislature have said they CANNOT pledge to
"not vote for any budget or bill that increases taxes for the next 2 years".
Those 2 candidates are:
Mike Madsen for District 6 (City of Kingston) Ulster County Legislature,
Peter Loughran for District 12 (City of Kingston) Ulster County Legislature,
Maybe we can convince them to change their minds?
"not vote for any budget or bill that increases taxes for the next 2 years".
Those 2 candidates are:
Mike Madsen for District 6 (City of Kingston) Ulster County Legislature,
Peter Loughran for District 12 (City of Kingston) Ulster County Legislature,
Maybe we can convince them to change their minds?
Friday, September 4, 2009
Mark Down Three Candidates who do NOT pledge zero tax increases
I now have 3 Ulster County candidates who have said that they cannot pledge to
"not vote for any budget that increases taxes for the next 2 years".
Those 3 candidates are:
Jennette Provenzano for District 6 (City of Kingston) Ulster County Legislature,
Alan Lomita for District 7 (Rosendale) Ulster County Legislature, and
Gary Bischoff for District 4 (Saugerties) Ulster County Legislature.
Maybe we can convince them to change their minds?
"not vote for any budget that increases taxes for the next 2 years".
Those 3 candidates are:
Jennette Provenzano for District 6 (City of Kingston) Ulster County Legislature,
Alan Lomita for District 7 (Rosendale) Ulster County Legislature, and
Gary Bischoff for District 4 (Saugerties) Ulster County Legislature.
Maybe we can convince them to change their minds?
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Mark Down the 1st Three No Tax Increase Candidates
The 1st three candidates to pledge not to vote for any tax increases over the next 2 years are
Richard Cahill, Sr. for 5th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston,
Michael Sweeney for District 4 (Saugerties) Ulster County Legislature, and
Fred Wadnola for District 5 (Town of Ulster) Ulster County Legislature. Let's contact your
local candidates and add their names to this list.
Richard Cahill, Sr. for 5th Ward alderman in the City of Kingston,
Michael Sweeney for District 4 (Saugerties) Ulster County Legislature, and
Fred Wadnola for District 5 (Town of Ulster) Ulster County Legislature. Let's contact your
local candidates and add their names to this list.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)