Your 2008 county tax will not soar by the near double digit rate that was associated with the preliminary budget. The Democratic leadership that you placed in the County Legislature has approved a tax rate increase of only 4.5% (as many of us predicted would occur in this election season). The majority members have toiled and made the tough decisions, cutting a few dozen vacant government job openings. They have sold several parcels of county owned property to reduce the impact of the spending to the taxpayers. This is truly an "austere" budget as stated by Legislator Fields. NOT!
As residents of the tenth highest taxed county in the entire nation, you will likely climb in position on the list. Perhaps, some day, we will be #1. Not a position of desired distinction for property owners in this county.
The taxpayers are getting what they deserve. They have elected tax and spend Democrats to the legislative body. They have enabled the growth in the size of government and supported the creation or continuation of entitlement programs and government services. They are supporting the continuation of one party control of city government, county government, the Metroplex Authority, and now the Schenectady public access television station.
At the public hearing regarding the 2008 County Budget, there were fewer than a dozen residents in attendance and even fewer who spoke and expressed their concerns. I guess my neighbors are willing to pay higher taxes to support government waste.
The Republicans minority members presented some proposals that were soundly rejected by the overwhelming membership of the majority party. Jasenski sided with the Republicans as he is pandering for votes during his reelection campaign. In my opinion, even the Republican ammedments didn't go far enough to reduce the size of government and decrease government spending.
If there is anyone who, like me, still cares about limiting the size and authority of government and reducing government spending, get off your computer and get out during the next week to support the election campaigns of those who will fight for change. Call into radio talk shows, write letters to the Editor of the local newspapers (though they won't be printed if your positions are conservative in tone), and Get Out the Vote. "Of the people, by the people, for the people ..."
The average resident would not have known about the cutting of already vacant jobs. Even if they attended the meetings. There are always inner-workings that go on behind the scenes. And unless you travel in the political circle, you'd never know. And I'm sure there are other issues that are going on behind the scenes that the residents should know about but are not privey to. But again....unless you travel in that circle, the taxpaying residents will never know.
The residents can only make decisions on what information is given to them, be it through the media or general conversation with other residents. ONLY THOSE IN THE POLITICAL CIRCLE HEAR THE INNER WORKINGS! Attending the meetings isn't the end all for gathering governmental information.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Attending the meetings isn't the end all for gathering governmental information.
Good morning bumble,
I agree that meeting attendance is not an "end all". However, it is a first step. To your point, the public isn't provided the information about what occurs behind closed doors. But, public attendance at these meetings does serve notice to our elected representatives that we are watching their actions and hearing their words. I have been told by some in the Republican minority of the County Legislature that the attendance and participation (during privilege of the floor) of the public provides support that is needed to influence change.
The residents of Schenectady County have created for themselves the problem of one party rule. With each change that is ordered by the majority party (e.g., Gardner's appointment to the SACC Board, consolidation of legal services from DSS to County Attorney's office) they are consolidating control. The ideas and legislation proposed by the Republican minority members are being summarily dismissed by Savage or being repackaged and presented as Democratic sponsored legislation (e.g., Illegal Immigrants receiving NYS drivers licenses).
If we don't fight to demand change, it will soon be too late. The public will no longer have a voice in the government that controls, rather than serves, the public.
I am in agreement with you. I do believe that the more people who attend meetings the more empowering the minority becomes and the more the majority knows people are waking up and watching.
My point was that it is difficult to rally the troops when some really don't have anything 'specific' to rally about. It is hard for most residents to make a case with, 'taxes are too high' and 'there are too many dems on the county legislature and city council'. Cause believe me when I tell ya that is about all that most residents know. OH, except for the sex offender law. Now THAT was specific and was the topic all through the media.
So my other point being is that unless you travel in the politcal circle, what other facts are available?
I AM agreeing with you, but do ya get what I'm sayin'?
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Farley defended the amendments, saying they would save county taxpayers millions over the long term by making government more efficient.
That is an oxymoron if I ever heard one......somethings just need to be gotten rid of....we are not efficient animals, so when we build up the government what do we have???....the most expensive inefficient machine ever, that seeks autonomy and kingship......that is not government for the people by the people......
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
Our property value goes down and our taxes still go up.
It is the value/effort we put on our homes/neighborhoods.....yeah, it's all nice to have a brandy new home with a mortgage that kicks your butt every month, 'nice' neighborhoods without 'caught/convicted sex offenders'(it's always the unknowns and 1/2 truths that scare us)......taxes will ALWAYS go up, the $$ value will always be at the whim of the markets.....but it is PEOPLE that keep the true value of a neighborhood......do we always need money to be happy??? It is,,, just chickens
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
The county also eliminated or reduced contracts with the Law, Order and Justice Center and Catholic Charities.
Catholic Charities is funded 'mainly' by the government. The rest is contributions and private donations. It is basically just a different name for welfare. I know some people receiving services from Caholic Charities.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
I am in agreement with you. I do believe that the more people who attend meetings the more empowering the minority becomes and the more the majority knows people are waking up and watching.
My point was that it is difficult to rally the troops when some really don't have anything 'specific' to rally about. It is hard for most residents to make a case with, 'taxes are too high' and 'there are too many dems on the county legislature and city council'. Cause believe me when I tell ya that is about all that most residents know. OH, except for the sex offender law. Now THAT was specific and was the topic all through the media.
We need to rally about our rights to be heard. Remember, this is exactly what originally caused the Revolution from Britain, taxation without representation. You ned to go and let them know exactly what you're thinking. And to also let them know that they will be held accountable.
So my other point being is that unless you travel in the politcal circle, what other facts are available?
I AM agreeing with you, but do ya get what I'm sayin'?
That's really my point. If you don't go to the meetings, you're not in the circle. If you're not in the circle, you don't have the facts. If you don't have the facts, you can't make suggestions about how to make improvements. If you don't have suggestions, no changes can be made. Remember, not every suggestion is going to be implemented, but the more that you have, the better chance that SOMETHING can be changed.
Just like I told someone else, if you don't go to the meetings, you're not going to get the full story, just like the comment I posted on here that came from a legislator that didn't make it into the paper. If I wasn't there, would anybody know this comment was made?
Schenectady County property owners: Note that Schenectady County has faired the worst of those counties in the Capital District region in the housing market down turn. We have the tax and spend Democratic controlled county and city governments to thank for this. During the public hearing on the 2008 county budget, I informed the Legislators of the effect of high property taxes on the real estate market. The residents of the 10th highest taxed county in the entire nation was awarded with a 4.5%+ increase in the county property tax rate. Our position on this list of distinction will only climb.
Send a message to the Democratic politicians next week on Election Day. Vote them out. We can't afford their arrogance or their wreckless spending.
If the people continue to elect these dems, than perhaps they are getting just what they deserve. You have 2 kinds of people out there. The ones that really don't care how expensive it gets to live in Schenectady, cause there are enought government programs that will assist them. The other ones are the ones that will go out an look for a second job, if necessary, to accomodate the rising costs of taxes. Unfortuantely, already 60% of the city is already on public assistance. What's a few more, huh?
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Logged
I'm not seein' the picture here....someone help me out....
