Message from our Chair, John Parete
Thank you for electing me to serve as your Chair for another two-year term. We’ve come a long way in Ulster County in the past few years, but we still have a lot of work ahead of us.
Last year, 2005, was a break-out year for Ulster County’s governmental addiction to special interests, back room deals, and reckless spending
The New York State Republican leadership has spent 20 years trying to avoid blame for raising taxes by passing a disproportionate share of state costs down to counties, cities, and towns. This transfer of expenses from the income tax based state budget to the ad valorem based local taxes is one reason for skyrocketing property taxes. Locallyt, this problem has been compounded as the Ulster County Republican leadership neglected their responsibilities to County taxpayers by failing to properly administer their spending authority in a prudent and accountable manner.
Ulster County Democrats will continue to work to reform our government so that local taxpayers will no longer be forced to pay for the excesses of our legislature and to refocus on solving problems without passing on the costs to you and me.
Our legislature is addressing the issues of critical concern to the citizens of Ulster County, principally skyrocketing property taxes, a sinister creep in the size of County government, and quality of life issues that relate to both jobs and the environment.
The Democratic members of our Ulster County Legislature bring with them an interesting and extensive portfolio representing a perspective from both the public and private sectors.
The general election is less than four weeks away. We’re 27 days from once again electing a Democratic governor. And we have an excellent chance of picking up some Senate and Congressional seats nationwide (a majority in at least one house is a not-too-remote possibility. Locally, I ask all Democrats to focus intently over the next four weeks to help lead our outstanding local candidates to victory.
John Parete, Chair.
Report from the Organizational Meeting of the Ulster County Democratic Committee
An overwhelming majority of members of the Ulster County Democratic Committee turned up on September 25th for the biennial Organizational Meeting at the Holiday Inn in Kingston.
John Parete was re-elected to a two-year term as chair, Karen Markisensis of Ulster was elected to be our Vice Chair, Sue Ronga was re-elected as Treasurer, and Patt Candelari was elected to be our Secretary. Sue Zimet, candidate for NYS Senate and a member of the Ulster County Legislature, gave a moving tribute to out-going Vice Chair Ann Rodman, who has served the UCDC in so many ways for many years. Thank you Ann and congratulations to our new executive committee.
Volunteers Needed!
The Ulster County Democratic Committee and the Coordinated Campaign Committee are beginning our campaign phone banking on Tuesday, October 10 for Susan Zimet for New York State Senate and Paul VanBlarcum for Ulster County Sheriff. We are going to be phoning four days a week (Monday thru Thursday) starting next Tuesday right up through election day from 6:00 to 9:00pm each night. To make this work, we need the help of our willing and able volunteers to make phone calls and to address and assemble the mailings we will be doing on the spot to the people we've talked to. So, even if you don't like to make phone calls, we can use your help.
Please respond to sfraser0326@aol.com or call Democratic HQ at 331 8275 with your name and contact information and the days you are able to help. We will be working from Democratic Headquarters at 292C Fair St. in Kingston.
PLEASE VOLUNTEER TO HELP SUSAN AND PAUL TO VICTORY THIS NOVEMBER.
Meet Pam Duke, Supervisor, Town of Rochester
Pam Duke isn’t your typical town supervisor. Prior to her election, she was a successful executive with the Girl Scouts for two decades. Now, as Supervisor since January 2004, she’s brought a lot of improvements to the way the Town of Rochester does business and has attempted to bring a business-like outlook to town government. We asked Pam what that means.
PD: One thing that people in local governments sometimes forget is that town officials are public servants, with a duty to provide service to their respective electorates. The residents of our towns are our customers and we have an obligation to manage the affairs of town government in like a business, with accountability at all levels, systems to track spending and revenues, and a clear set of objectives.
Q: Given your past in the private sector, why did you want this job?
PD: I saw that there was a lot of room for improvement in the administration of our town government. I thought that I would be able to bring a new, more inclusive outlook to government and decided to run for supervisor. It was my first run for public office and with a lot of help from people on both sides of the aisle, I won.
Q: Is it tough to turn the boat around?
PD: Yes it can be difficult sometimes. One thing we have to realize is that the role of local government in a small town has changed significantly over the past decade or two. The number and complexity of laws that municipalities have to follow have grown significantly and it’s now a full time job being supervisor. It’s a rewarding job, though, and I get a lot of satisfaction seeing long term plans implemented.
Q: What’s the biggest deal in Rochester government right now?
PD: The biggest challenge we face isn’t one solely for town government or even unique in the Town of Rochester. The tremendous level of growth in our region is creating a lot of change, both in the literal landscape of the town and in the way that town governments have to educate themselves in dealing with growth and development issues. All this development makes it especially important to ensure that local government policy is able to deal with future growth. At present, we’re in the middle of reviewing our Town’s comprehensive plan, which hasn’t been updated since it was first written in 1969. It clearly needs to be updated and we invited anyone who was interested to participate in the process. The development pressure is real, however, we have some who want to put in hundreds of homes, and this type of development will have an irrevocable impact on our community. It’s important that the process be thought out before hand and that government act proactively in managing change by ensuring that local codes reflect the vision that people in the community want, rather than being reactive and having no tools to influence the type of development that takes place.
Q: You mentioned hundreds of houses. How do you know if that’s even feasible?
PD: That’s a good question because there are a lot factors to consider. There might be plenty of land for development, and people willing to do it, but what will be the effect on the water supply, what type of additional infrastructure will be needed, will we need to build new roads, schools and firehouses? What will be the impact and the cost to the rest of the taxpayers in the community to educate the hundreds of children who could potentially be added to our school district. These are all factors to consider and there needs to be a greater dialogue between all the different agencies and autonomous boards that have to deal with them.
Q: Anything you’d like to add?
PD: One thing we have to remember is that we’re in a small community. We see our neighbors everyday, at the post office, in the grocery store, and passing on the road. It’s important that we address our town’s problems together, with the best long-term interests of the town in mind. I’ve tried to create an open dialogue and an environment where anyone can speak freely, because it’s only through an honest and inclusive process that these long-term solutions will stand. Another thing is that town governments in our region can really benefit from continuing to address common problems together. It pays to share ideas and to pool resources. While each town has its own unique identity, there is a lot we can learn from each other.
Take Back Congress - Let’s Turn some of those Red States Blue!
With newfound momentum, a number of candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate have a real shot at winning this November. The opportunity for Democrats to take control of one or both houses of Congress is in sight. There are many competitive candidates who can win if they have sufficient financial resources, including some in New York State. If you would like to contribute to help in this effort, you can contribute online
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee –
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
If you’re there is even a remote chance that you will not be in town on November 7th, we recommend that you obtain an absentee ballot. Please note that these applications must be received by the Ulster County Board of Elections by October 31 in order to mail a ballot, or by November 6, if you or someone will pick up the ballot in person. You can download a form at http://www.co.ulster.ny.us/elections/absenteeapp.pdf
In addition to voting by absentee ballot, the Board of Elections will hold special hours before the election during which you can vote in person at their office at 284 Wall Street in Kingston:
Tues, Oct 24 5 to 7pm
Thurs, Oct 26 5 to 7pm
Sat, Oct 28 9am to noon
Tues, Oct 31 5 to 7pm
Thurs, Nov 2 5 to 7pm
Sat, Nov 4 9am to noon
Voting Suggestions (in ballot order):
Governor: Eliot Spitzer (D) Spitzer2006.com
Comptroller Alan Hevesi (D)
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo (D) AndrewCuomo.com
U.S. Senate Hillary Clinton (D) HillaryClinton.com
NYS Supreme Court Karen Peters (D) KarenPeters.org
(vote for two) Gus Devine (D)
U.S. Congress Maurice Hinchey (D) HincheyforCongress.org
NYS Senate Susan Zimet (D) SusanZimetforSenate.com
NYS Assembly Kevin Cahill (D)
NYS Assembly Kelly Keck (D) KeckforAssembly.com
Ulster County Sheriff Paul Van Blarcum (D) PaulforSheriff.com
Proposition #1
Shall the County of Ulster, New York adopt a local law adopting a county charter form of government for the County of Ulster? Vote YES
Democratic National Committee Launches “Party Builder”
In an effort to promote grass-roots activism in all 50 states, the Democratic National Committee has initiated a web-based system called PartyBuilder.
PartyBuilder is a set of online tools designed to empower Democrats to take control of the future of their party. Through technology, we’re moving people from email and websites to canvasses and rallies.
PartyBuilder isn’t the typical online tool set. Individual users control most of the activity, from blogging to setting up and managing groups or activists, to organizing and managing real-world events, to fundraising. Democrats are entrusted to build the space and the Party.
Take a minute to explore the different features, then invite your friends and connect with each other to help build the Party for 2006 and beyond. PartyBuilder gives you everything you need to take online action for real-world results.
http://www.democrats.org/page/content/partybuilder/
S.8360 (Saland, Bonacic) A.K.A Supernova
During the final week of the 2006 Legislative Session, Senate Republicans, in a thinly veiled attempt to pander to voters -- who are becoming increasingly overburdened by regressive property tax bills -- passed legislation (S.8360) that calls for the State to pay for the school property tax bills of primary homeowners.
The legislation, estimated to cost the State an additional $9 billion a year after it is fully phased in, does nothing to address the needs of underperforming schools and will shift more money away from Hudson Valley schools and into the budgets of wealthier downstate districts.
The bill would provide no benefits to the millions of New Yorkers who rent their homes and offers little, if any, relief to our largest cities.
This legislation is grossly irresponsible because it neglects to identify just how the State will pay for what would essentially serve as a massive expansion of the unfair and flawed STAR program.
The fact that the sponsors of this bill waited until the very last hours of the scheduled end of the legislative session to introduce it and call for a vote is evidence that this bill is nothing more than an attempt to distract voters from the fact that the Senate Majority has failed to provide real school aid and property tax reform.
The Senate’s plan is flawed in that it provides no relief to renters and commercial property owners.
It ignores the fact that tenants also pay property taxes.
While homeowners pay this levy directly, tenants, through their rental payments, carry a substantial portion of the property taxes paid by the owners of their buildings.
Under the Senate’s latest proposal, neither tenants nor landlords would receive any relief. Only residents of owner-occupied dwellings would benefit.
This type of approach fosters extreme racial disparities. Over 62% of white households live in owner-occupied dwellings, while the comparable figure for black households is 29%.
Renters make up 37% of the population residing within the Kingston City Schools Consolidated District. That is a number you might expect in a city. In Poughkeepsie, the number is 63% and in Newburgh, renters make up 42% of the population.
You might be surprised to find out that in the New Paltz, Ellenville, Highland and Marlboro school districts renters make up over 30% of the population. In Rhinebeck, 29% of the school district residents are renters.
When you take into account the fifteen largest city school districts in New York State, renters make up 67% of the population. Looking at population statewide, 47% of the households in New York rent their homes.
To ensure fairness, property tax relief should not discriminate on the basis of geography or one’s status as an owner or a tenant. This measure fails on both of these counts.
The only thing the Senate seems to have gotten right with this proposal is their acknowledgement that our education funding model is broken.
Instead of perpetuating the existence of an already failing STAR program by expanding it to what would amount to supernova proportions, the Senate should join me in my commitment to ensuring a sound education for all of New York’s children while at the same time eliminating the regressive school property tax for all residents of the State.
To the Editor:
During this campaign season, school funding has taken center stage. It’s about time. The people of the Hudson Valley and all of New York deserve real solutions, not rhetoric, for this most significant problem. I salute those candidates who have taken the time to learn this issue and embraced realistic proposals such as the legislation I have introduced.
Assembly Bill 8069 will eliminate the use of regressive real estate taxes for the purposes of funding education. The bill first and foremost ensures that every child has access to the same quality education regardless of where they live or the level of their family's income. By eliminating the school real property tax and shifting to a more progressive statewide income tax, we will be able to fund our schools equitable, fairly and more affordably for all New Yorkers.
School funding is an issue that impacts everyone. Here in the Hudson Valley, we are bearing the burden of skyrocketing property taxes. In other regions, where property values and incomes are not as high, schools are suffering because they do not have the means necessary to provide a basic quality education.
For too long we have had a Governor in charge that has refused to acknowledge the state's responsibility that every child, everywhere in New York has an equal right to a quality education. Some people work against much needed reforms by claiming it is an upstate versus downstate issue or that it is only a regional problem and therefore only requires a regional solution. The truth is that education funding is a broken system statewide and needs to be fixed.
Assemblymember Joel Miller recently attacked his opponent, Democratic County Legislator, Joel Tyner, for supporting my school financing proposal. Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, Dr. Miller asserted that the current school aid formula is equitable and working just fine. He also repeated the false argument that my plan would somehow siphon funding from our local schools to districts in Long Island or Westchester. Dr. Miller knows better and so does Joel Tyner. That’s why Tyner has articulated this issue passionately throughout his campaign.
The fact is, for example, that in Suffolk County, which encompasses the east end of Long Island, local property taxes make up exactly the same percentage (64%) of education funding as in Dutchess. Under my legislation, the state would treat each area equally. Taxes on Hudson Valley residents would be significantly reduced under my financing plan. Every taxpayer would be treated fairly and every student would be treated equitably. That is the whole point of the bill.
The only way we are going to achieve meaningful school financing reform is to proceed with the value of this being about our children. Ensuring that each and every child has access to the same basic quality education regardless of where they live, how high their family's income is or how much their property is valued should be our top priority. The state has a moral and legal obligation to ensure equity in our education system statewide. I have and will continue to advocate for legislation to accomplish that goal while eliminating our reliance on regressive property taxes.
Joel Tyner clearly understands that this is the biggest problem we are currently facing. Instead of perpetuating false and misleading scare tactics that get us nowhere, Joel Miller ought to be thanking Tyner for finally waking him up to get serious about reforming education funding in New York State.
Sincerely,
Kevin A. Cahill
Member of Assembly
October 2006
October 10th, Phonebanking begins at Democratic Headquarters. email sfraser0326@aol.com
October 15th Sunday, Ulster County Democratic Committee Annual Dinner, Hillside Manor, Kingston, Cash Bar 5:30 to 6: 30 dinner to follow.
October 15th, Sunday, Women’s Tea to Support Wendy Ricks for Town Justice, Town of Saugerties at the home of Rosemary Brackett, 37 John Street, Saugerties, 3pm to 5pm.
October 17th, Tuesday. 5:30 to 9pm, Paul Van Blarcum for Sheriff Fund Raiser. Gisianos Restaurant, 174 Main Street, Glasco, Cash Bar, Hors d’oeuvres, door prizes, a night of fun and support for Paul. $35.00 per person. RSVP to frankfaluotico@aol.com or cal 679-0016
October 21st Fundraiser for Congressman Maurice Hinchey, Details to Follow
October 22nd, Sunday. Pot Luck Supper to Support Paul Van Blarcum for Sheriff. Home of the Faluticos, 296 Maverick Road, Woodstock. Bring a dish to share. Donation $25.00, for more information call Sam at 679-2713. Sponsored by the Woodstock Democratic Committee.
October 24, Tuesday
Rally to Take back Congress. Change the course of the Nation
Starting right here in the Hudson Valley, Waryas Park, On the Hudson River, Poughkeepsie, NY, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Featured speakers:
Democratic candidates for Congress
Ø Congressman Maurice Hinchey, 22nd District
Ø Kirsten Gillibrand, 20th District
Ø John Hall, 19th District
Music by the Flames of Discontent. Help Us Take Back Congress for working families!
Endorsements to date:
Dutchess County Democratic Committee, Communications Workers of America Local 1120, Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation, Town of Poughkeepsie Democratic Committee; Public Employees Federation, SEIU 1199, Teamsters Local 445, NYSUT, Dutchess Peace Coalition, The Flames of Discontent, Beacon Democratic Committee, Mid-Hudson Progressive Alliance, and Voices for Peace.
fFor more information contact:
Jen Fuentes, Coordinator, Hudson Valley ALF at: 845.567.7760 ext. 10 or hvalf@hvc.rr.com
Wayne Nealis, CWA Local 1120 at: 845.705.3516 or at wynnls@hotmail.com
October 27th, Friday 5 to 8pm. Rosendale Democratic Committee’s Fabulous Fish Fry, Rosendale Community Center, Route 32. $10.00 per serving. Eat in or Take Out. Come meet the candidates and bring your friends.
October 29th, Sunday 3-5 pm DuPuy Canal House Fund Raiser for Sue Zimet for NYS Senate, $25.00 per person/Hors d’oeuvres, cash bar. If you are having dinner afterwards Chef John Novi will donate $30.00 of the $65.00 five course dinner to Sue’s campaign.
October 31st, Last day to mail absentee ballot applications.
November 7th, ELECTION DAY!
