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DUANESBURG
7 arrested, drugs seized during Bisco event
BY KATHLEEN RONAYNE For The Daily Gazette

    The Schenectady County Sheriff’s Office made seven drug arrests at traffic stops during the Camp Bisco Festival July 15-18 at Indian Lookout Country Club.
    “I would say there is a steady influx of drugs coming in and out,” said Lt. Jason Temple. “We make arrests as best we can and so do the other agencies.”
    The sheriff’s department held traffi c stops to control the steady flow of vehicles at the festival.
    Seized were 1,185 pills of ecstasy, 4.1 ouches of cocaine, 30 grams of Ketamine, 21 Xanax tablets, 30 Ambien tablets, 3.5 ounces of marijuana and $5,123 in cash.
    In addition to the seven drug possession arrests, one arrest was made for driving while ability impaired by drugs, and seven arrests were made for other vehicle and traffi c violations.
    Temple said the number of arrests was relatively normal for the concert, but the officers made two or three large drug busts.
    “The amounts [of drugs] are large but the arrests are about the same,” he said. .....................>>>>.........................................>>>>.................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r00904&AppName=1

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DUANESBURG
Men charged with dumping, burning demolition debris
BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter

    State Department of Environmental Conservation investigators have cited an Esperance man with dumping and burning debris from the ongoing Countryside Mart demolition at his uncle’s farm in Duanesburg.
    Robert R. VanderVeen, 28 of Oak Hill Road, was arraigned on the misdemeanor charges of illegal solid waste disposal and illegal refuse burning in Town Court this week. Also charged was his uncle, Robert E. VanderVeen, 48, of Sheldon Road in Duanesburg, who was cited for operating a solid waste management facility without a permit, a violation, and allowing the open burning of refuse, a misdemeanor.
    “We take the despoiling of our land and air very seriously,” said DEC Regional Director Gene Kelly in a statement Wednesday.
    Authorities said the nephew, who owns Picture Perfect Lawn and Landscape Inc., was hired to demolish and remove debris from the Countryside Mart at the intersection of Route 20 and Route 7. But instead of taking the material to an authorized junk yard, he allegedly brought it to Seven View Farm, a dairy operation run by his uncle about six miles away on Sheldon Road.
    DEC spokesman Rick Georgeson said the nephew hauled more than 70 cubic yards of debris to the farm. Investigators were led to the site after apparently receiving a complaint about the ongoing burning on the property.
    When investigators checked into the tip, they found debris actively burning. These materials included metal, foam insulation, sheetrock, wire, assorted plastics and so-called adulterated wood, which include glues or adhesives.
    If convicted, the nephew faces fines up to $52,000 and two years in prison. The uncle could faces a fine of up to $15,000 per day on each of the charges, depending on the duration of his offenses.
    Georgeson said the owner of the Countryside Mart property, David Vincent, was completely unaware of the illegal disposal transpiring at VanderVeen’s farm. He said investigators interviewed the owner and determined he had no culpability in the case.
    “He had no idea about it,” he said.
    Vincent declined to comment Tuesday. A call placed to the VanderVeen farm was not returned. .....................>>>>............................>>>>...............http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01501&AppName=1

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DUANESBURG
Voters to decide on job’s status
BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter

    Duanesburg voters will have a chance to choose whether to keep the highway superintendent’s post an elected position or give members of the Town Board the power to make a civil service appointment to the seat.
    Board members unanimously passed a resolution calling for the referendum following more than two hours of discussion during a well-attended public hearing at the Duanesburg Volunteer Ambulance Corps’ building Thursday evening. If residents approve the referendum in November, embattled Highway Superintendent Steve Perog could be ousted from his position, despite having nearly two years left on his term.
    Residents speaking during the hearing were divided over the issue, with some expressing concern over giving up their democratic right to vote and others saying the change was the only way to correct a town Highway Department that has spiraled out of control in recent years. Yet despite this divide in opinion, those who spoke were united on one thing: Their disdain for Perog’s tenure in offi ce.
    “I refuse to be held hostage by a person who was elected and who we have no control over,” said Ken Chrinian. .................>>>>.....................>>>>.....................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01303&AppName=1

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Keep Duanesburg highway chief accountable to voters

    Re Aug. 13 article, “Voters to decide on job’s status”: Duanesburg is considering a change for the highway superintendent position, to go from elected by the people to appointed by the Town Board.
    The New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways Inc. (NYSAOTSOH) opposes this change. Currently, the highway superintendent is accountable to the people of the town and should remain that way.
    According to the state comptroller, the single largest expense in New York state’s towns is maintaining their local roads. By having an elected highway superintendent, the voters decide directly who will administer the largest share of their tax dollars. Highway superintendents are responsible for maintaining a town’s roads in the most cost-efficient manner while ensuring the safest possible roads.
    Every two to four years, the voters have the opportunity to give the highway superintendent a job review. If no longer an elected position, the only way a town resident has the ability to make a change is by voting out the council members who appoint the highway superintendent. Since council members can have a term of four years and are up for re-election on a rotating basis, this means that residents only have a chance to switch the appointed town highway superintendent every six to eight years — and that would be very diffi cult.
    These hard-working professionals are responsible for maintaining safe roads for over 70 percent of New York’s drivers. They are constantly reviewing new methods of road repair. As a full-time elected official with this sole purpose in mind, they are constantly in touch with their constituents’ needs. If the position is no longer elected, town residents will lose the ability to make a direct change for themselves.
    The assumption often made is that taxpayer dollars will be saved. The position of highway superintendent is a full-time job, with many overtime hours worked in response to highway emergencies. What will happen when overtime is needed to support an appointed position?
    It does not seem wise to take the power from the people and transfer it to the Town Board. Under current state law, elected town highway superintendents must be residents of the town. They are not only physically more accessible to residents, but also more likely to be trusted and accessible when issues arise.
    The bottom line — our roads are the only local service used daily by nearly every resident. During snow and weather emergencies, the highway superintendent works 24/7, and by law does not charge the taxpayers any overtime. If a resident needs their road plowed at 4 a.m. to get to work, or even worse if there is a medical emergency, the highway superintendent is there to help. Will the appointed town highway superintendent be available at all hours in a manner that is cost effective? So why does Duanesburg want to change this position?

    THOMAS “WILLIE” REIFSTECK
    Middlesex
The writer is president of NYSAOTSOH.

http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r00503&AppName=1

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Careful what you wish for in Duanesburg

    Steve Perog has not been the most popular highway superintendent ever elected in Duanesburg — to put it mildly. Indeed, it seems he’s been a lightning rod for controversy — some clearly motivated by partisan politics, some perhaps legitimate — ever since taking offi ce in 2009.
    So now the Republican-dominated Town Board, which has tried unsuccesfully to get Democrat Perog to quit, has decided to change the rules by asking voters to change the highway superintendent’s position from an elected one to a politically appointed one. It’s certainly within their right to do so, but voters — no matter what they think of Perog — should resist.
    As Monday’s letter from the head of the state highway superintendent’s association put it, voters shouldn’t easily relinquish their right to hold someone in an important job like highway superintendent directly accountable for his actions. Handing the responsibility off to a group of partisan politicians would enable them to consolidate their power and serve their interests better than their constituents’. And their constituents might then have to wait through at least two (staggered) election cycles to effect real change.
    Perog has made some serious political mistakes since coming in — mostly, it seems, by taking advantage of his position to ingratiate himself with voters and others not connected to the ruling party — and it seems unlikely that he would be re-elected if the election were held tomorrow. But even though the next one isn’t scheduled until November 2011 — which would give Perog almost another year and a half in office — voters shouldn’t change the system. For the most part, it has worked for them not only in Duanesburg but for New Yorkers in rural communities everywhere. (In Schenectady County, for example, all the towns except Niskayuna elect their highway superintendents.) ..................>>>>...................>>>>.....................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r00901&AppName=1

DONT LET THE GOVERNMENT IN UNLESS YOU DONT WANT THEM TO LEAVE......DONT GIVE IT TO THEM!!!!!!

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Issue in Duanesburg is competence, not politics

    Re Aug. 20 editorial, “Careful what you wish for in Duanesburg”: For the editors to even hint of partisan politics is inaccurate. Those who take the time to read the minutes of Town Board meetings know this is not partisan politics.
    After three unqualified highway superintendents, it is clear the taxpayers need a competent person in that position. The current superintendent has publicly stated he does not know how to prepare a budget or bid specifications. On top of this he has violated the Taylor Law and four times violated DEC [Department of Environmental Conservation] laws. He is a liability to the town.
    An appointed highway superintendent position works well for many towns, including Niskayuna. Duanesburg functions with a number of key positions that are staffed by appointment. We don’t see residents attending board meetings complaining about these individuals. I’m confident that an appointed highway superintendent will have the appropriate qualifications, something the recent elected superintendents have been lacking.
    The Town Board has recognized a persistent problem of unqualifi ed people holding that position. They are willing to take on the responsibility of appointing a qualified person. If they fail, they have tremendous political liability, especially at election time.
    The voters will see a qualifi ed appointed highway superintendent if this proposal is passed in November. If it doesn’t pass, will we see qualifi ed candidates in 18 months or [do] we elect a fourth unqualified person?

    PAUL H. FINNEGAN
    Delanson

http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r00904&AppName=1

As a former resident of the Town of Duanesburg, I spoke with friends and neighbors on both "sides" of the dispute between the Town Supervisor and Town Board and the Town Highway Superintendent.   I heard complaints and concerns regarding the on-the-job conduct of Mr. Perog.  I also heard from those who believe that the issue is motivated by partisan politics and personalities.

Though I offer no assessment of Mr. Perog's performance or the motivations of those on either side, I oppose the proposal to change the method of selecting the Highway Supervisor from being elected to being appointed.  I believe that the residents of the town should and can determine who can best perform the job.  An appointed position becomes patronage.  

The system in place has worked for many years.  Don't let the current situation, which will pass with time, result in the elimination of choice by the taxpaying residents of Duanesburg.

I would leave t alone if I were them. Let the people who voted for him enjoy his "service" for the next year and a half and maybe it will be a lesson learned for a handful of them who think that voting all democraps in because of "The Messiah" is a good thing. After all, they all rushed out to join the socialist cause as soon as possible by electing democraps and now they have one in there. Let them keep him!

Let the folks choose.....because THAT is what is lacking in public schools....the ability to make informed or uninformed decisions and taking the
consequences....

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Duanesburg doesn’t need a highway dept.

    I read with interest your Aug. 20 editorial, “Careful what you wish for in Duanesburg,” about the vote in Duanesburg to make the highway superintendent an appointed position. I agree that the position [should] not be appointed.
    It seems the Duanesburg Town Board has a real problem with highway supervisors. They have battled with the last three. Other towns in the area don’t seem to have this problem.
    I can understand why these people have had it in for the Town Board. As with Mr. Steve Perog, the Town Board has cut his salary in half. I don’t understand how the board could do this. And what did they do with the money they took away from Mr. Perog? Did it go into the highway department or did it go into a general fund?
    I think what the voters of Duanesburg should be voting on is whether to keep a highway department or consolidate it with the county. I’m sure that would save the town a lot of money, and it would end the bickering between the Town Board and the highway supervisor. Then, maybe, they would have something else to talk about at Town Board meetings other than the highway supervisor.

    DONALD P. RUSSO
    Delanson

http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r03207&AppName=1

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Keep elected highway superintendent in D’burg

    As a former resident of the town of Duanesburg, I spoke with neighbors on both sides of the dispute between the Town Board and the town highway superintendent. I heard complaints and concerns regarding the reported onthe-job conduct of Highway Supervisor [Steve] Perog. I also heard from those who believe that the issue is motivated by partisan politics and personality differences.
    I can offer no personal assessment of Mr. Perog’s performance or the motivations of those on either side. However I oppose the proposal to change the method of selecting the highway superintendent from being elected to being appointed. I know that the residents of the town should and can determine who can best perform the job. An appointed position becomes political patronage The appointee becomes less accountable to the taxpayers.
I also oppose the consolidation of the town highway department with the county department. When power is ceded to higher levels of government, the decisions are no longer made by those from the community who have the best interests of the citizens in mind. The system in place has worked for many years. Don’t let the current situation, which will pass with time, result in the elimination of choice by the taxpaying residents of Duanesburg.

BRAD LITTLEFIELD
Clifton Park

http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01104&AppName=1

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DUANESBURG
Highway superintendent’s fate in limbo as vote looms
BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter

    Wanted: Town highway superintendent for a full-time job that may or may not start in November.
    Duanesburg began advertising to replace the embattled Steve Perog this week, even though town residents won’t vote on a referendum to abolish the elected offi ce of highway superintendent until November. If residents do decide to abolish the position, it’s unclear whether Perog is legally allowed to serve out the remaining year of his four-year term.
    Supervisor Rene Merrihew said she’s been advised by the town attorney that Perog’s tenure with the town will come to an abrupt end if the referendum is passed. She said the wording of the local law that will be instituted in the event of the referendum’s approval indicates that the Town Board will appoint a new candidate to the position immediately afterward.
    “It’s my understanding that it’s immediate,” she said. “And if the referendum passes, then starting Nov. 3, we need someone to start running the highway department.”
    Perog disagrees. He said his attorney has assured him that he’ll be able to remain in offi ce through 2011, when his term expires.
    Of course, Perog wasn’t offended by the advertisement. Instead, he said he’s planning on applying for the position, which is advertised as paying a $40,000 salary.
    “I’m thinking about sending my résumé in,” he said Tuesday.
    Repeated attempts by The Daily Gazette to clarify this disparity of opinion with the state Department of State were unsuccessful, as the state’s spokesmen could not offer any immediate insight. ...........>>>>............>>>>............http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01104&AppName=1

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DUANESBURG
New budget includes tax increase
BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter

    Duanesburg residents are likely to see a slight boost in their taxes next year as a result of the town’s tentative 2011 budget.
    The budget allocates $1.94 million to support the town’s highway and general funds. In total the spending plan will increase the tax levy by $45,507, or roughly 4.2 percent.
    Under the proposed budget, residents can expect to pay about $1.27 per $1,000 of assessed property value, which is about a 7-cent increase over last year’s fi gure. A resident owning a home worth $75,000 could expect a tax bill of $92.25 before special districts are added in.
    Supervisor Rene Merrihew said health insurance premiums and retirement costs were the main drivers of the budget increase. For instance, employee benefi ts for the four-member Highway Department cost the town about $180,000, which reflects a $54,000 increase over the previous year’s budget.
    “Again, state retirement was a killer,” she said. “And health insurance was a big increase also.”
    The budget also has a $22,000 increase in the highway superintendent’s salary to reflect the position being full time. Merrihew said the board previously slashed the salary after both candidates for the position indicated they would do the job part-time. ..........................>>>>........................>>>>.....................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01301&AppName=1

Upon review of this and the other budgets locally, it appears that Duanesburg has done well to control spending and the tax increase this year.