Careful Gadfly, these whiners complain to the administrators if you hurt their feelings

The 10 cents per thousand tax is based on raising $240,000 from the ambulance district tax.  
That is the number that was stated in August 2009 and the same number that is being stated
today.    There has been NO increase in the amount projected to be raised by the tax district at
the 10 cent per thousand rate.

Thus --- the last few posts claiming that the cost to the taxpayers has risen are all LIES.  
The anti-REMS crowd has to resort to lying and deception in a feeble attempt to make their case.

Quoted from 147

Careful Gadfly, these whiners complain to the administrators if you hurt their feelings

she has nothing to worry about

police dispatch is called almost every time she enters town hall on a non meeting day

Dunzy wouldn't know Media Access Control (MAC) address  from a "Big Mac"

Just under 72 until the ambulance district is approved and Rotterdamians can sleep well knowing that
REMS will be there to serve them for many years to come.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

  
The anti-REMS crowd has to resort to lying and deception in a feeble attempt to make their case.

This vote isn't for REMS, it is formation of a taxing district.  Anti-Taxing District or Pro Financially Solvent REMS

Quoted Text

ROTTERDAM
Tax for rescue unit up for vote
BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter

    Years of mulling a subsidy to support the town’s ambulance service will come to a head Tuesday when property owners vote on a proposal for a tax district to fund the Rotterdam Emergency Medical Services Inc.
    The issue of whether to approve the proposed district or choose an alternative has gripped the town lately, as evidenced by signs that have popped up on lawns. Some believe the proposed tax of 10 cents per $1,000 of assessed value will ensure local control of Rotterdam’s not-for-profi t ambulance service and provide the adequate funding it needs to modernize its operations.
    “For the amount that this tax is going to be, it seems that it’s worth it to continue the level of service and the type of service the town of Rotterdam has come to expect,” said Frank Salamone, an attorney representing REMS.
    Others see the tax as unnecessary, considering the Mohawk Ambulance Service continues to offer its service at no cost. The Schenectady-based for-profit ambulance company has pumped tens of thousands of dollars into a massive publicity cam- paign to convince residents that an additional tax isn’t necessary.
    The final decision will be up to the residents who can make it to Town Hall on the day of the vote and prove that they own property in Rotterdam. There will be no absentee or provisional ballots, so property owners will be required to show they own land in the town.
    Town Attorney Joe Liccardi said election inspectors should have upto-date lists of eligible residents, but urged residents to bring whatever proof of property ownership they can readily provide. He said the town Assessor’s Office will be staffed throughout the election, so any ownership disputes can hopefully be resolved.
    Some confusion of the intent of the vote remains, especially after a town-issued letter stated that a beneficiary of the tax district hasn’t been selected. But on Friday, Supervisor Frank Del Gallo summarized: A vote for the tax district is a vote for REMS, while a vote against it means a vote against using tax dollars to support an ambulance service.
    “If you want to pay taxes for an ambulance district, vote yes,” he said. “If you don’t want to pay taxes for an ambulance district, vote no.” ...............>>>>..............>>>>..........http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01102&AppName=1

Quoted Text

REMS taxing district best for Rotterdam

    I have been reading the recent articles about Rotterdam Emergency Medical Services and the proposed taxing district before voters.
    With a taxing district, our town will have an EMS district similar to many towns and villages around the Capital Region. This system has been in place in several communities for years. It remains affordable and the EMS systems that serve these communities are providing superior service to their residents.
    Rotterdam taxpayers pay hundreds of dollars for fire protection in their given districts. These districts are funded by taxpayers for volunteer fi re personnel.
    Rotterdam’s eight fi re districts have a combined budget of more than $3 million — and they have more than double the number of fire apparatus than the city of Schenectady. This system has been in place for decades and no one ever questions its existence.
    The REMS taxing district will cost significantly less and the district will supplement its revenue with insurance reimbursements. The taxpayers will have 24-hour-a-day staffing and the same quality care that our current service has provided for decades. If Mohawk Ambulance were to serve the town, they would be the only EMS provider for a majority of Schenectady County. This leaves the door open for longer response times, no mutual aid company during busy periods, and less knowledge of our community and its needs.
    I currently work as a paramedic for the town. I know the value of quick response times, servicing your community and maintaining a system that works for the residents.
    MARK KARL
    Rotterdam Junction

http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r03204&AppName=1

Mark you forgot to mention the fact that MAS would be hiring REMS employees and using present ambulance garages so how would the response time increase. You wouldn't be worrying about your salary would you. You're telling half truths and still using fear tacticts to influence the vote. If the tax district vote passes and the cost becomes part of the budget there is still a process that can be used to force the town to put the issue up to a vote on election day when most residents will be able to vote on it.

Quoted from CICERO

This vote isn't for REMS, it is formation of a taxing district.  Anti-Taxing District or Pro Financially Solvent REMS

The Town Board has already voted BY SEPARATE resolution that if the tax district is approved that REMS
will be the provider.   You anti-REMS people need to stop distorting the truth.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

The Town Board has already voted BY SEPARATE resolution that if the tax district is approved that REMS
will be the provider.   You anti-REMS people need to stop distorting the truth.

       Don't get all cazy!  The Forum won't decide this vote, probably about a 100 members, most may not even be eligible to vote.  About an even distribution of signs for each position from what I can see Town wide so can't use that as a parameter on the vote.  Probably most property owners have already decided from information they have received in the mail, or the Gazette and Spotlight articles.  I guess we will know Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

The Town Board has already voted BY SEPARATE resolution that if the tax district is approved that REMS
will be the provider.  

Is there a possibility that this resolution was illegal? I'm no attorney, but through some research, this may very well pose a problem if this taxing district passes. I believe there is a state law that discusses this.

There should be a vote for a taxing district FIRST.
Then it should go out to bid.
This becomes the 'taxpayers' decision....not 5 men in a room.

Quoted from bumblethru

Is there a possibility that this resolution was illegal? I'm no attorney, but through some research, this may very well pose a problem if this taxing district passes. I believe there is a state law that discusses this.

I'm no attorney either Bumble but I agree...if the rigged referendum passes, I don't see how that resolution can stand.

Quoted from bumblethru

Is there a possibility that this resolution was illegal? I'm no attorney, but through some research, this may very well pose a problem if this taxing district passes. I believe there is a state law that discusses this.

There should be a vote for a taxing district FIRST.
Then it should go out to bid.
This becomes the 'taxpayers' decision....not 5 men in a room.

The Tommasone crew and the Town were reprimanded in a report by the State Comptroller because of the no bid contract awards for the Town's computer needs.  The Comptroller indicated that other vendors/providers could have done the same work, ie. it was not a sole source provider.  Similar in this case, there is another provider other than REMS should the tax district pass.  It all boils down to what the outcome of the vote is, what the Town does, and who challenges the Town.  I have always felt Mohawk's legal team is ready and waiting to see how this plays out.  Nothing to base this on, just that MAS had been relatively quiet almost like they have an ace in the hole.

The town of Rotterdam has a very bad track record when it comes to following the rules and has lost a number of lawsuits in court when challenged.

"Mark you forgot to mention the fact that MAS would be hiring REMS employees and using present ambulance garages so how would the response time increase. You wouldn't be worrying about your salary would you. You're telling half truths and still using fear tacticts to influence the vote. If the tax district vote passes and the cost becomes part of the budget there is still a process that can be used to force the town to put the issue up to a vote on election day when most residents will be able to vote on it."

He works part time idiot....no salary....no benies....get your facts before you bash...listen to the scanner once in a while....Mohawk responded to a cardiac arrest on Mariaville Rd......turns out they didn't know that Duanesburg Rd and Mariaville Rd were different roads.....20 minutes later.....just saying....I could care less either way but in the words of the ESPN pre-game show on sundays....."C'mon MAN"!!!