Great analysis from both Gladfly and Chris Tomaselli. Both make more sense than anyone on the current TB. Typical to schedule a separate vote make the majority NO! jump hoops. This should be scheduled on Primary Day.
If they had the vote on election day, it would save the taxpayers THOUSANDS of dollars! I do hope that mohawk puts their proposal in the gazette for all to see before the election!
If they had the vote on election day, it would save the taxpayers THOUSANDS of dollars! I do hope that mohawk puts their proposal in the gazette for all to see before the election!
If they had the vote on Election Day it would not pass, which is why they always intended to unnecessarily schedule this unnecessary vote in the middle of summer...when turnout will be minimal and will consist mostly of interested parties.
I approached the Town Attorney about this and naturally his excuse was that it was impossible to hold the referendum on Election Day because only property owners can vote on it. The solution of course would be to print a separate ballot for Rotterdam which includes the referendum question, and then issue that ballot to those on the same list of eligible voters that will be used in June...but he would hear none of it and he couldn't even dispute the feasibility of something that simple...it would be no different and no more difficult than the necessary printing of separate ballots for different party members in primaries.
Right Gladfly. The timing of this is the usual trick to depress voter turn out. A separate June election when people are at camp? Give us a break.
This is a complete waste of taxpayer money. With the new election scanners it is a simple matter to add a question on a ballot for property owners only. Can't be done? Only because they know it can't be approved.
REMS Applies for Grants REMS is pleased to announce that on Friday May 28, 2010 a grant application was submitted to FEMA under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant. According to the FEMA website, "the primary goal of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations". Our goal in pursuing these grants is to provide our staff with up to date presonal protective equipment, a safer working environment and provide those we care for with state of the art equipment. In total, we are seeking $256,704.00 in funding under AFG.
What are we pursuing?
Ambulances Under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant, REMS is looking to receive funding to purchase 2 new ambulances. If awarded, this grant will allow us to upgrade our aging fleet offering the following benefits:
Decreased maintenance costs Decreased fuel costs because of a better fuel economy Decreased down time because of costly maintenance and repairs An overall operating savings
Personal Protective Equipment
The personal protective equipment, or PPE, is similar to a firefighter’s turn-out gear but is manufactured with EMS in mind. This gear will provide our staff with the head to toe protection they need and deserve while operating in environments that require more protection than our standard uniform can provide. The PPE we are seeking includes helmets, EMS “turn-out” coat, EMS “turn-out” pant, gloves and boots. All protective equipment sought meets requirements/guidelines set forth by the National Fire Protection Agency.
Stretchers
This equipment upgrade will provide the residents we serve with one of the most up to date stretchers on the market. These stretchers are motorized and battery powered. The advantages to this is reducing the potential risk of injuries to staff while lifting a loaded stretcher and provide our patient’s with a more fluid, less jarring motion. These stretchers will also our patient’s with more options to position them comfortably.
Vehicle Exhaust Evacuation System
These systems attach directly to the vehicles while parked in the stations via a magnetic system and remove all vehicle exhaust while the vehicle is running or pulling out. This provides a healthier work environment to our staff.
I wonder what Princetown and Duanesburg think about this issue? They pay REMS for service....correct? I find it hard to believe that Princetown and Duanesburg would ask the already burdened taxpayers to fund a service that can easily be remedied with a reliable, viable, already equipped, stable private business that would charge per call/individual. Not to mention that most people are already paying for this service through their health care. IMHO
I have just been informed by the Town Attorney that absentee ballots will not be made available for the tax district referendum...another tactic to depress the opposition vote. We had it out...he claimed the public would be informed at the next town meeting, which of course will be just a few weeks before the vote when vacation plans are already solidly in place.
It is the intentional disenfanchising of voters, IMO.
I proposed to the town attorney that the vote should be delayed until November and a separate ballot should be printed to include the measure on the ballots of those confirmed eligible...but again,they are absolutely resistant to any effort at maximizing turnout, as they should be striving to do...not the other way around.
And here's another thing - multiple property owners will only have one vote, but when I asked him if all of their properties will be taxed he didn't know! And when I asked if one property per voting owner(s) were to be taxed, which one would it be...the one with the highest value that would yield the most possible per owner, since it will be based on assessed value...he didn't know!
In other words...they will make it up as they go along if they are successful in establishing this tax district.
Did Gerard vote in favor of the June 29th referendum date?
The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out for himself, without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane and intolerable, and so, if he is romantic, he tries to change it. And even if he is not romantic personally he is apt to spread discontent among those who are. ~ H.L. Mencken
I have just been informed by the Town Attorney that absentee ballots will not be made available for the tax district referendum...another tactic to depress the opposition vote. We had it out...he claimed the public would be informed at the next town meeting, which of course will be just a few weeks before the vote when vacation plans are already solidly in place.
Doesn't that also constitute a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? How will those who are physically challenged or disabled be able to participate in the vote and express their views?
Any Rotterdam town residents interested in filing a complaint about what appears (to me) to be an illegal action?
"If we can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them, they must become happy."
In addition to those who are home-bound due to physical disability, the lack of the provision of absentee ballots to those who are in the military, on vacation, in the hospital, ill, incarcerated or otherwise unable to appear at the polling location(s) could result in the disenfranchisement of voters who want their positions considered and preferences known. The reported refusal by the town government to provide for the issuance of absentee ballots may also lead to a claim of intentional suppression of the vote.
Although I am not a resident of the Town of Rotterdam, I believe that it is important that all property owners have the ability to express their positions regarding the creation of a new tax district that will exist in perpetuity.
I will investigate this issue further including reviewing any established law, contacting elected officials in state government, and contacting the federal government office responsible for enforcement of the ADA provisions.
"If we can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them, they must become happy."
Great analysis from both Gladfly and Chris Tomaselli. Both make more sense than anyone on the current TB. Typical to schedule a separate vote make the majority NO! jump hoops. This should be scheduled on Primary Day.
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