I'm still sitting back wondering how Ms Donovan EVER got put in this position.  Must be nobody else wanted it -or there were under the table deals.

Quoted from bumblethru

I can see how the reps don't get the 'real conservative' support or vote. Supporting an unnecessary tax is irresponsible.

Does Ms. Donovan realize that this is not about 'saving rems'? In fact this has absolutely NOTHING to do about rems at all!!
This is about imposing and forming an unnecessary tax!  The article was misleading to the electorate in rotterdam. This letter just may come back to bite the rotterdam reps in the a$$ yet again!

The Town Board voted on a separate resolution at one of its meetings in October --- they explicitly said that
if the property owners approve the tax district that REMS will be the ambulance provider and if the
referendum fails then the contract will go out to bid.

So bottomline --- a YES vote is a vote for REMS

One problem, the town board just can't select any company they feel like and give them the taxpayers money without sending it out to bid to get the best price. If they do what you say they will find themselves in court. My vote is still going to be NO.

Quoted from Shadow

One problem, the town board just can't select any company they feel like and give them the taxpayers money without sending it out to bid to get the best price. If they do what you say they will find themselves in court. My vote is still going to be NO.

EXACTLY!!! They will be breaking state law if they just hand it over to ANY ambulance service before going out to bid........resolution or not! And yes, rotterdamians will be paying yet again for legal fees incurred by their elected officials.

It's funny, but every single town board member voted a while back in favor of 'selecting' rems IF this taxing district went through. Who gives legal advice to rotterdam's town board?????

The legal understanding that they acted on -- was that if the tax district is approved .. they are NOT
required by law the contract out for bid.    The same way that the town is not required to put out to
bid the assigning of the fire districts -- they don't send out to bid the contract or agreement to provide fire
protection service in each fire district.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

The legal understanding that they acted on -- was that if the tax district is approved .. they are NOT
required by law the contract out for bid.    The same way that the town is not required to put out to
bid the assigning of the fire districts -- they don't send out to bid the contract or agreement to provide fire
protection service in each fire district.

That's a convenient "understanding"...they don't ask for bids for fire districts because there is no one else to bid on them.

Quoted from Shadow

One problem, the town board just can't select any company they feel like and give them the taxpayers money without sending it out to bid to get the best price. If they do what you say they will find themselves in court. My vote is still going to be NO.

I agree Shadow...it seems to me that pre-designating REMS in that resolution would be just as illegal as designating them in the
referendum question. If the tax passes and the contract does not go to bid I think legal action will be initiated.  

then why does del gallo's letter state the vote is for a tax district not a service  in bold

did he forget???

is godlewski whispering sweet nothings in his ear????

Quoted from bumblethru

I can see how the reps don't get the 'real conservative' support or vote. Supporting an unnecessary tax is irresponsible.

Does Ms. Donovan realize that this is not about 'saving rems'? In fact this has absolutely NOTHING to do about rems at all!!
This is about imposing and forming an unnecessary tax!  The article was misleading to the electorate in rotterdam. This letter just may come back to bite the rotterdam reps in the a$$ yet again!

I have spoke with Ms. Donovan about this in a short conversation.  I believe that I understand where she is coming from and am understanding the reason for voting for this a bit more.  

It all comes down to oversight.  The idea is this.  

The first choice is that you have what is going on there right now, with people picked by REMS to decide how they are going to go about spending the money that is given to them directly out of the general fund.  This money would have to be added back into the budget, otherwise I don't know how REMS would get the other money.  Maybe they would have to find other places in the budget to take the money from, or it would be coming from a mid-year fund balance raid.  

The other choice is to have the community able to speak up and be able to make decisions on what is going on.  If the taxing district is approved, this would mean that the residents would have the ability to go to the polls to make decisions for REMS, as we can through the fire districts.  

It's coming down to whether you want to spend the money and have no voice (taxation without representation, via the general fund balance) or if you wish to be able to enter your voice into the issues.  

I am against higher taxes, but the fact is we're going to pay this tax either way.  I think that the residents should have power over where their money is going to go and I will support this tax district.

Vote YES, December 14th.

I'd like to hear how people disagree with me.  The funny thing is that the people who disagree with me are going to be the same ones that say that people have to stop voting the party line and actually think for themselves.  Well, guess what.  I'm doing it.  I will be voting for it, which is thinking for myself, just like my votes in November for Angelo and Susie (although for a different reason, totally).  

Quoted from gadfly

That's a convenient "understanding"...they don't ask for bids for fire districts because there is no one else to bid on them.

One could always start a for profit corporation ... and then try to buy the votes to get awarded the fire
protection service contract.

And that is not too far fetched as at one time we did have PRIVATE fire companies in America ... and for all
I know there may be some out there today -- since private companies are even running prisons now.

kevin

this assumes the town board could come up with the votes to provide $$ with a failed amb dist vote

but you maybe correct

andy brick will most likely show up in feb 2011 with a parade of those needing "free" services and the town board will cave in fear of losing their $10k/yr positions  - because $10k is worth it vs $320K

here is an idea - all new senior housing requires the developer to supply BLS within the complex for help getting up and out of bed at 3am for a "tinkle"

and i know this post will return to haunt me in 40 years when i mess my shorts in bed because i cant get up

If the tax district doesn't pass, there will be no need for the town to come up with funds to subsidize REMS because
Mohawk Ambulance will be the only viable option.  Mohawk doesn't require the taxpayers to subsidize their operation.
Further, their proposal to the town, if it still stands, will provide $150K (or so) to the town fund.

It's getting pretty bad when residents think that they have to tax themselves with no other choice. A bid to provide ambulance service to the Town of Rotterdam should have been sent out to all interested parties and the the company that provides the best service and price should be selected. Mohawk provides ALS service and is capable of using the new service of contacting the hospital while in transit. Rems provides BLS service and it not equipped to contact the hospital while in transit even though REMS is manned by some great people they haven't ever been able to operate like a real business and show a profit, pay all their bills, and have enough money left over to set aside for new equipment.