You're correct when saying Reagan was a conservative Republican who had to compromise with a Democratically controlled senate and house of reps. Much like our county, Republican/Conservative representation is overwhelmingly out numbered by Democrats. The only difference is that Reagan was able to drop the top income tax bracket from 70% to 28%, grow the GDP 3.4%, decreased inflation, and created 16 million jobs, during his 8 years. And the Democrats and Teachers Unions got to keep the Department of Education. Good Negotiation Ronald. Oh yeah..... He played a big part in defeating the Communist Soviet Union.
Please name me one small victory the County Republicans can claim in say the last 5 years??
Ronald Reagan was able to articulate his positions, and when he wasn't able to negotiate behind closed doors with the Democrats, he would take the message to the people. He would give a speech, framing his position masterfully, weakening his Democratic counterparts, forcing compromise.
Well, I guess if some folks want to get things accomplished in Rotterdam, they may want to try Silva. I mean he is the lone dem on the board and is obviously trying to flex his little dem muscle.
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
Posted on: 06/11/08 Ross Marvin, Spotlight Staff email: marvinr@spotlightnews.com
The Rotterdam Town Board voted 3-to-1 to reappoint County Legislator Angelo Santabarbara, R-Rotterdam, to a three-year term as chairman of the town’s Industrial Development Agency.
The position carries a $5,000 annual stipend, but Santabarbara said he would not accept payment. Instead, the freshman county Legislator will use the money to establish a number of scholarships for students who excel in math and science at area high schools.
In fact, Santabarbara presented two inaugural $750 scholarships to students at Schalmont High School’s awards night on Friday, May 30.
Supervisor Steven Tommasone said Santabarbara’s use of his salary showed the IDA chairman’s dedication to the development, both economic and educational, of his community.
“We’re not only worried about creating jobs, but making sure we have a highly educated work force,” said Tommasone. Still, board member John Silva, who cast the board’s lone dissenting vote, thought it was inappropriate for an elected official to chair the town’s economic development wing.
“The IDA should be as non-partisan as possible,” said Silva. “I don’t believe that the chair of our IDA should be a county legislator as well.”
Tommasone disagreed with Silva. He cited Santabarbara’s background as a civil engineer as his chief qualification for the job.
Board member Michael Della Villa was absent from the meeting.
Santabarbara, who was first appointed as chairman of the IDA to fulfill the remainder of departed chairman Art Brassard’s term last summer, insists that his post as a legislator won’t interfere with his work at the IDA.
“We’re not funded by the taxpayers,” said Santabarbara, who noted that the Rotterdam IDA is a nonprofit benefit corporation that attempts to attract business projects to the town.
Santabarbara cites the establishment of a small business grant program as his greatest accomplishment as head of the IDA. Last year’s program gave nine $2,500 façade grants to local businesses who matched the grant with $2,500 or more of their own money.
This year, the IDA has expanded its grant program. The program offers 10 matching fund grants in the amount of $5,000.
Santabarbara said that in his second term as chairman he would also turn his attention to the Hamburg Street corridor.
Last month, the IDA authorized a $4,850 land-use study that would specifically consider uses of the former Grand Union site.
A larger study of the area, released at a town board meeting on Wednesday, May 28, determined that the site may be conducive to a small village or “Main Street” development approach that could line the street with boutique shops, pedestrian walkways and on-the-street parking.
Santabarbara said the IDA has yet to make up its mind about the area and would await the results of the new study. “We haven’t determined the best use yet,” said Santabarbara. “It’s too early to tell.”
A larger study of the area, released at a town board meeting on Wednesday, May 28, determined that the site may be conducive to a small village or “Main Street” development approach that could line the street with boutique shops, pedestrian walkways and on-the-street parking
well, of course....ya dont need a study for that....would it be easier for big box wham bam thank you ma'am, sure, but damn cheesy as hell....just like Altamont ave which is also falling into the 'trash' catagory.....
the mobil owner is not a good property care taker..... the runway owner is a good property care taker but, likes to plaster cheesy signs on the polls in front of the station..........
...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
Santabarbara said the IDA has yet to make up its mind about the area and would await the results of the new study. “We haven’t determined the best use yet,” said Santabarbara. “It’s too early to tell.”
A new study? It's too early to tell? I believe that we are in 'overtime'!
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
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