If any of these candidates (current and future) are serious about saving money and seeking "change", I propose they give up their stipends for sitting on the Town of Rotterdam Board. This would mean the money stays in the Town Budget coffers. $10,000 x 4 board members x 4 years and $15,000 x 4 years for the Town Supervisor, could offset at least one piece of new equipment, pay for the Rotterdam EMS to stay in Rotterdam, etc. Why further line the pockets of current lawyers and millionaires with our tax money when they don't really need it. The first one who gives up the stipend will get my vote!
I pledged several months ago to return 50% of my after tax Legislative salary to the not-for-profit and volunteer fire departments and ambulance corps whose districts include areas that are within the Towns of Rotterdam, Princetown and Duanesburg. See the web page on my site.
Brad you're the only one who pledged to give part of your pay back. The rest of the council will never agree to do anything close to what you're doing. The "No New Tax Party" should do real well this year, people like what the party stands for.
The difference between me and my opponents is that I am not running to enrich myself or to advance the interests of a party or any special interest group. I am running to represent the interests, views, and needs of my friends, family members, neighbors and residents of District 4 who yearn for a government of the people, by the people and for the people; a concept that our founding fathers envisions but that has seemingly been lost in the years since our nation was born.
I seek to govern with the help, support and input of residents like you who have vision about and desire for a better community. And, I will solicit those who are willing to serve to do so in a capacity wherein each can contribute their special skills, experience, and knowledge.
If any of these candidates (current and future) are serious about saving money and seeking "change", I propose they give up their stipends for sitting on the Town of Rotterdam Board. This would mean the money stays in the Town Budget coffers. $10,000 x 4 board members x 4 years and $15,000 x 4 years for the Town Supervisor, could offset at least one piece of new equipment, pay for the Rotterdam EMS to stay in Rotterdam, etc. Why further line the pockets of current lawyers and millionaires with our tax money when they don't really need it. The first one who gives up the stipend will get my vote!
Sorry mm, but I totally disagree with you on this one. Giving up ones salary to keep rems in business is irresponsible and STILL not financially conservative. Our government should not be in the ambulance business....PERIOD! Not when we have the private sector ready, willing and capable of servicing the area at no cost to the taxpayer. Nor is it a reason to vote for a candidate. It is people like you, who will vote for someone based on their giving up their salary as opposed to ideology, that got us in this mess. (like I'd vote for bob 'no change' if he didn't take a salary? NOT!!) That is just plain nuts!
I disagreed with the increase in our town board's wages this last go around. But I, as well as other residents, do not mind these people getting a stipend little salary for doing the people's work....correctly!
As far as brad giving up 50% of his salary to non-profits, I also disagree with that sentiment. Even though it's well intended, it is my tax dollar that is intended to pay his salary, which he in turn, has openly stated that he will give to non-profits. I disagree. Maybe I don't want anymore of my tax dollars going to non-profits...maybe?
Both of these scenarios will just entice entitlements! Be careful what ya wish for here!
This is clearly not a popularity contest people! Just vote for conservative candidates and pay 'em!
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
Brad we're hoping for a landslide vote for the No New Tax Party come November because the ideals of your party are what we've wanted for years. The No New Tax Party will have plenty of support from the residents because we believe in what you're doing and will help if we can.
Too gimmicky. I vote a candidate for their ideological convictions. It's honorable for Brad to donate his money to a non profit cause. But I would vote for Brad based on his right of center political lean.
I'm not concerned about the $10,000 a year a town board member makes. I would like to know how much the town attorney/Republican chair makes off the town. My guess is that you can add up ALL the town board salaries and still not be close to the town attorney's fleecing.
Why further line the pockets of current lawyers and millionaires with our tax money when they don't really need it. The first one who gives up the stipend will get my vote!
That's a pretty cheap vote. So once they get in, you're fine with them steering tax dollars wherever they wish? That's a lot of power you give somebody without any strings attached. You're fine with town officials signing contracts with say,,,,,,,,,, a private law firm, who just so happens to be the Rotterdam Republican Party Chair?
I was told by several others that my pledge to donate 1/2 my legislative salary would be viewed by some as "gimmicky". I choose to make the pledge anyway because I believe in service to the community motivated by a desire to make a difference, to have a positive impact on people, not potential self-enrichment.
I believe that those who volunteer their time and efforts to help others receive tenfold what they give. I volunteer my time to the fire department, the Duanesburg Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and other organizations because of the satisfaction that I get in doing so. Each of us has causes that we support for our own reasons.
And, when the game is over and we are called home, we will be judged based on how we lived our lives and how we touched the lives of others.
As for bumble's comments, I respect his/her opinion on this even though it is opposed to my position. While I will accept the salary for serving as County Legislature, how I choose to spend those funds is my perogative. My commitment to support not-for-profit organizations who provide for the public safety is a personal one.
Okay I guess I rankled some of you, but at least I got conversation started. No! I would not want unnecessary spending of course not! Besides any large items would have to go for a public referendum anyway. Unfortunately, I DO believe that this no new tax party is just a smoke screen. I do not have a problem with minor incremental increases in my taxes yearly. In fact I would rather see that then get hammered with some major tax hike down the road that will make me have to work two jobs to pay the taxes. Again, I don't want to line anymore millionaires or lawyers pockets with money they don't need.
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