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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)