Friday, November 30, 2007

HOW A 5% CUT IN THE POLICE BUDGET WOULD IMPACT YOU..

During the budget hearings I asked department heads to provide members of the Town Board with a list of possible cuts. Chief Kapica followed up on the request and submitted the following statement. If his department is cut by 5% there will be a savings of $750,000. The tax increase would go from 23% to 21% if all of the following cuts are made.
PAUL FEINER

As per your request, I have re-examined the Police Department's budget in an attempt to find other non-essential areas where cuts can be made. Even though you previously informed me that you would prefer not to cut programs, I am assuming that your new posture on this makes everything fair game and obviously, I would prefer to eliminate programs rather than diminish our ability to respond to calls from the public or investigate crimes. The elimination of our Drug Abuse, Resistance Education Program (D.A.R.E.) would result in a savings of $10,090. If you intend to do this, you will need to advise me very soon as the schools will need to find an alternative curriculum to address the drug and alcohol issue in next year's school year and we will need to advise Ardsley that we cannot assist them with their DARE program. The elimination of the Summer Youth Camp will save about $32,050 and elimination of all other Community Affairs Programs ( 3 on 3 basketball; our Police Explorer Post and the Youth Court) will realize $7,430 more in savings for a total of $49,570. I think we would need to refund a contribution made by Pat Lanza that was specifically for the Youth Camp in the amount of $5,000, which would reduce these savings to $44,570. All these programs continue to be well attended and have been enormously successful. I have also done some preliminary calculations as to the impact of a 5% budget cut on the Police Department. Essentially, such a reduction, which would approximately result in a savings of $750,000, would require laying off 14 police officers. In order to somewhat mitigate the devastating effect this would have on the department would require the following action; 1) Reduction of the number of patrol sectors in town from 7 to 6. This would increase response times but help offset the loss of 6 positions; 2) Eliminate all community policing and housing posts. This would offset the loss of 7 positions but obviously have an adverse impact in Fairview and Hartsdale; 3) Eliminate one position in the department's training unit, which would affect our ability to train personnel. While this reorganization would help offset the loss to the Patrol function, it would provide no backup resources to address filling the positions of officers lost to long-term disabilities (presently there are four), child birth, attendance at school, etc. Realistically, to further mitigate this would result in the loss of one traffic officer and several detectives who would need to be returned to the status of police officer and assigned to patrol. This would obviously affect our ability to investigate crimes. Under this scenario, our ability to provide services would be seriously reduced. I have not projected 10% or 15% cuts because it would be impossible for us to function with any effectiveness under either of these scenarios. IN CLOSING, I WISH TO EXPRESS MY STRONG OBJECTION TO ANY CUTS IN POLICE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL. WE ARE BARELY ABLE TO KEEP PACE WITH THE DEMAND FOR SERVICES WITH THE PEOPLE WE HAVE. TO REDUCE PERSONNEL LEVELS WILL ENDANGER THE PUBLIC AS WELL AS THE POLICE OFFICERS WHO SERVE THEM WHILE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASING RESPONSE TIMES AND RESULT IN CUTS IN OTHER POLICE DEPARTMENT SERVICES THAT PEOPLE IN GREENBURGH HAVE BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO AND DESERVE. Chief Kapica

2 SCHOOLS IN GREENBURGH ARE TOP 100

U.S. News & World Report has entered the world of high school rankings, releasing its first list of "America's Best High Schools."


Two School districts in Greenburgh made US NEWS top 100 schools...


#28: Edgemont Jr./Sr. High School, Greenburgh
#91: Irvington High School, Irvington
Congratulations!

Thursday, November 29, 2007

MANAGEMENT BUDGET REVIEW COMMITTEE

We have received a shock this year with the 2008 budget. It is also a wake-up call. We all, myself, the Town Council, and members of the staff and also the public, had become a bit spoiled, and now we learned that revenues and ratables are falling while expenses keep going up at a faster rate than we realized. It will require tight controls in all areas of the town government. It will also require a fresh look at our operations to see how we can be more efficient and to see what fundamental changes can be made to improve the town’s financial position now and in the future.

As soon as the new Town Board takes office next month, I will ask the Board to create a management committee to review all aspects of our operations. That committee wil be totally non-political. We have in town many executives and company managers and I hope that we will enlist them on this committee. I would expect this committee to do an up and down examination of each department to review systems, work practices, personnel, benefit programs, and the like. We need to know what various programs cost and whether they should be eliminated or scaled back. It will help all of us -- your government and also the public -- to be much smarter about what we do and how we do it. I would expect this committee to report back to the Town Board before the next budget season so that the Town Board has the time to study the recommendations and implement them, if appropriate.

I know that there will be some upset among our staff. However, as I said we have received a wake-up call, and we need to respond. If we do not, the large tax hike next year will be a preview of coming attractions, and we cannot allow that. Taxes can be controlled in several ways, but the principal one is to reduce spending by modernizing our operations and making them more efficient and realistic. If we do not act immediately the town will suffer greatly. This is a major step to prevent this from happening.

Interested in joining the committee? E mail me your bio at pfeiner@greenburghny.com

TOWN BD AGREES TO COMPROMISE: BUBBLE/COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

The Greenburgh Town Board and I worked out a compromise. The Town Board unanimously approved a resolution authoriziing an agreement with Sportime to rent the tennis facilities at AF Veteran Park during the off season months. The Board also agreed to use $405,000 from the tennis bubble lease to fund a comprehensive plan for the town. Members of the Planning Board, Zoning Board, Conservation Advisory Council have been pushing for a plan to study long term infrastructure, land use, flooding, parking and economic needs facing the town. In addition to infrastructure enhancements and the construction of a clubhouse (at Sporttime's expense) the town will receive the following payments from Sportime.
Year 1-$192,500.00; Year 2-$195,000.00; Year 3-$197,500.00; Year 4-$200,000.00;
Year5-$205,000.00; Year 6-$207,500.00; Year 7-$210,000.00; Year 8-$212,500.00;
Year 9-$215,000.00; Year 10 $217,500.00; Year 11-$220,000.00; Year 12-
$222,500.00; Year 13-$225,000.00; Year 14-$227,500.00 and Year 15-$230,000.00.
The good news: All the members of the Town Board worked cooperatively to work out a compromise plan. I announced that I will sign the comprehensive plan agreement and the bubble agreement on the same day. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a great working relationship between Town Board members.

ON ANOTHER MATTER-- We held a very long meeting (that ended around 1 AM) and heard from the public about the proposed town budget. Almost everyone who spoke expressed opposition to the proposed 23% town budget tax hike. On the other hand, Police Chief John Kapica warned the Town Board that people move to Greenburgh for town services. The Town Board will hold a public meeting on the budget this coming Monday evening at 7:15 PM.
PAUL FEINER

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

9/11 MEMORIAL WALL GETTING LANDSCAPING ENHANCEMENTS-SIDEWALKS

The area around the 9/11 Memorial Wall at Richard Presser Park (Webb Field) on Central Ave is getting an attractive enhancement, thanks to a $97,000 federal grant obtained from US Congresswoman Nita Lowey. Construction work has started on a new sidewalk along Central Ave (bordering the wall). There will be benches, planters, seasonal plantings, ornamental trees, evergreen trees and beautiful flowers. The sidewalk will be completed (weather permitting) in about 3-4 weeks.

The 9/11 wall was organized by the Westchester Arts Council. The Rotary Clubs donated funds for the construction of the wall. There are 2,000 tiles. Westchester residents have attended workshops expressing what 9/ll meant to them on 6 by 6 colorful tiles. Images range from the patriotic, such as people saluting flags, to the pastoral, including scenes of grassy fields and other lovely places far removed from the destruction of that day.

FROM A POTENTIAL SPORTS FACILITY DEVELOPER WHO WANTS YOUR INPUT...

Nice speaking with you again. As I stated in our conversation, I would be interested in using the Westchester Golf Range on Dobbs Ferry Rd.as a place to build this sports and recreation facility. Included in this would be an indoor basketball and soccer/lacrosse facility, health club (relatively small in size) and outdoor fields along with a scaled down golf range. The traffic would not be excessive, fields would be offered to the Town rec dept., health club memberships for local residents would be heavily discounted and hours of operation would be reasonable. We could run clinics, a sports camp during the summer months. The plan would include buffers so as not to make the facility stand out and enough parking offered so cars would not line the streets.
As you know, there is a major shortage in the town and county and this would help offer relief to both as well as to offer a teaching and practice facility to our kids, senior citizen, classes on issues that are relevant to society (i.e. obesity) etc. We could hold local tournaments that would be limited in size.
I hope the residents around the property site can appreciate what I am trying to do and will accept a proposal such as this one.
Thanks for your help.. If you could keep my name off I would appreciate it.

Monday, November 26, 2007

GREENBURGH DEMOCRACY WEEK OF NOV 26--POST YOUR COMMENTS

Please feel free to post your comments about town issues.

On Wednesday night the Town Board will hold our 2008 BUDGET HEARING. TELL US WHAT SERVICES, IF ANY, YOU'D LIKE TO SEE CUT FROM THE BUDGET.

The alternative: paying an average of about $400 a year more in taxes for town services.

THE TOWN PORTION OF YOUR ENTIRE TAX BILL IS UNDER 20%.

HEARING NOV 28: E HARTSDALE AVE PARKING

NOTICE
Proposed Change to
Snow Parking Rules on
East Hartsdale Avenue

Deliberations on the proposed changes to the Snow Parking Rules for East Hartsdale Avenue will continue during the Town Board Meeting on Wednesday, November 28, 2007, which will begin at 7:15 p.m. You are invited to attend the meeting and make your feelings known to the Town Board. The proposed change would allow overnight parking at the metered spots on East Hartsdale Avenue during the winter months unless a Snow Emergency is declared. No parking would be allowed on the avenue throughout the entire period a Snow Emergency remains in effect. This, of course, could occur anytime during the day or night and will apply outside of the December 1 through March 15 period during which the existing Snow parking rules are in effect. Since this change WILL affect all residents and retailers on East Hartsdale Avenue, you are encouraged to attend the November 28 meeting of the Board and express your opinion on the proposal.

For additional information, contact the office of the Greenburgh Town Clerk at 993-1500.

TENNIS COURT BUBBLE TO BE VOTED ON WED--TO GENERATE $192,500 IN YEAR ONE...2 MILLION IN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AT NO COST TO TAXPAYERS

I am pleased that the Greenburgh Town Board will be voting on the following resolution at the meeting of the Town Board on Wednesday night. The town will receive $192,500 IN THE FIRST YEAR (RENT)...AND 2 MILLION DOLLARS IN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS to enhance the tennis courts. The following resolution will be voted on Wednesday night.
PAUL FEINER
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TOWN BOARD
OF THE TOWN OF GREENBURGH TO ENTER INTO
AN AGREEMENT WITH ISLAND TENNIS, L.P. D/B/A SPORTIME TO LICENSE TENNIS FACILITIES LOCATED AT ANTHONY F. VETERAN PARK

WHEREAS, the Town of Greenburgh is the owner of a certain parcel of land in Town known as Anthony F. Veteran Park; and

WHEREAS, the Town wishes to license a portion of Anthony F. Veteran Park for the construction and operation of additional tennis facilities to serve residents of the Town of Greenburgh and others; and

WHEREAS, Island Tennis, L.P. d/b/a Sportime has responded to the Town’s requests for proposals to construct and operate such additional tennis facilities at Anthony F. Veteran Park, which the Town Board finds to be a proposal which will best serve the needs of the Town; and

WHEREAS, the Town seeks to enter into a License Agreement with Sportime which shall become effective upon full execution by the parties and shall commence on the first day Licensee opens for business which shall be after the issuance of certificates of completion for construction of the facilities and shall terminate on August 31st of the fifteenth year (15 years) after the Commencement Date; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to this License Agreement, Licensee shall be required to pay to the Town of Greenburgh a “Minimum Guaranteed Annual License Fee” for each License Year of the Agreement until Cumulative Gross Sales of Sportime, as defined in the License Agreement, equal $35,000,000; and

WHEREAS, the Minimum Guaranteed Annual License Fee beginning in Year One of the License Agreement and subsequent years is as follows:

Year 1-$192,500.00; Year 2-$195,000.00; Year 3-$197,500.00; Year 4-$200,000.00;
Year5-$205,000.00; Year 6-$207,500.00; Year 7-$210,000.00; Year 8-$212,500.00;
Year 9-$215,000.00; Year 10 $217,500.00; Year 11-$220,000.00; Year 12-
$222,500.00; Year 13-$225,000.00; Year 14-$227,500.00 and Year 15-$230,000.00; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to this License Agreement, the Licensee shall pay the above Minimum Guaranteed Annual License Fees in twelve (12) equal monthly installments, payable on the first day of each month of the License Year however, if during the Term of this Agreement, the Cumulative Gross Sales of License exceed $35,000,000, then the License Fees for that License Year shall be equal to ten (10%) percent of Annual Gross Sales, but in no event less than the above Minimum Guaranteed Annual License Fees; and

WHEREAS, any revenues or expenses generated as a result of the License Agreement between the Town and the Licensee shall be credited to the town outside the villages or “B” fund unless the Town is directed otherwise by Court Order; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to the License Agreement, the Licensee shall initially make a capital investment provide of no less than two million ($2,000,000) dollars and maintain after construction, at its sole cost and expense, the following minimum improvements:

(A) Construct, renovate and/or expand a total of nine (9) tennis courts as follows: reconstruct four (4) existing hard tennis courts (presently known as courts 9,10,12, and 13) and finish surface with a Deco-Turf product; reconstruct and enlarge a fifth (5th) existing hard tennis court (presently known as court 11) and finish to match above courts; replace two (2) existing hard tennis courts (presently known as courts 7 and 8) with newly constructed soft “har-tru” surface courts; construct two (2) new soft “har-tru” surface courts to match above for bank of four (4) “har-tru” courts. Above court improvements will include all necessary infrastructure, foundations, utilities, drainage, irrigation, fencing, and indoor and outdoor lighting. Two (2) new air structure enclosures (commonly known as “tennis bubbles”) will be custom manufactured and will be installed annually by Licensee to enclose the nine (9) courts specified above. The above Improvements, in their entirety, shall provide, when air enclosures are installed and inflated, a complete and usable indoor facility as depicted on the site plan in Schedule “A”, which facility will also be fully usable during the outdoor season, with air structures removed.

(B) Construct a 2,400 square foot clubhouse which will consist of a Lobby, Public Space, Nursery, Men’s & Women’s locker room facilities, Pro Shop, Offices, and Vestibule; and

WHEREAS, notwithstanding the above, the Town may terminate this License
Agreement if the proposed additional tennis facilities have not been completed and/or are not in operation within twelve (12) months from the issuance of building permits for construction of the tennis facilities;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Greenburgh hereby authorizes the Supervisor to enter into a license agreement with ISLAND TENNIS, L.P. d/b/a SPORTIME to construct and operate additional tennis facilities at ANTHONY F. VETERAN PARK for the Minimum Guaranteed Annual License Fees outlined below:

Year 1-$192,500.00; Year 2-$195,000.00; Year 3-$197,500.00; Year 4-$200,000.00;
Year5-$205,000.00; Year 6-$207,500.00; Year 7-$210,000.00; Year 8-$212,500.00;
Year 9-$215,000.00; Year 10 $217,500.00; Year 11-$220,000.00; Year 12-
$222,500.00; Year 13-$225,000.00; Year 14-$227,500.00 and Year 15-$230,000.00

Submitted: November 25, 2007

Sunday, November 25, 2007

BUDGET HEARING WEDNESDAY NIGHT--$325,000 NEEDED TO CUT TAXES BY 1%

The Greenburgh Town Board will be holding the first of two budget hearings on the 2008 budget this Wednesday night at 7:15 PM. To cut the tax hike by 1% we have to find $325,000 to cut from the budget. Your suggestions are welcome.

Friday, November 23, 2007

IS THE COMMUNITY READY TO SUPPORT REMOVAL OF HEALTH SPA ON CENTRAL AVE AND THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE PROPERTY?

The health spa on Central Ave (near the Dilmaghani rug store) has been vacant for years. It's an eyesore. A number of years ago the owner of the property wanted to tear down the property and build a small shopping center at the location. There was community opposition to the plan and the developer never pursued the proposal.
Tearing down the eyesore and developing the property could bring needed revenue to the town and Edgemont school district. What actions, if any, should the town take to encourage the property owner to demolish the spa and develop the property. Would a pre-development proposal meeting with community, school and town leaders be a good starting point to discuss options?

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

UNUSED OFFICE PARK LAND FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING..WATERWHEEL FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING...HOUSING AUTHORITY BUS TOUR DEC 9

Westchester County has contacted me advising that they are looking into a new opportunity for the creation of affordable housing: studying the feasibility of developing affordable housing on unused office park land. I believe that this idea is a creative initiative-- worthy of follow up. I support the study and will ask the Planning Dept, Town Board to cooperate with the study. Greenburgh is one of the municipalities in Westchester with office parks. I agree that the development of new housing on office park sites has some benefits, including better land utilization, reduced environmental impacts over construction on greenfields, enhanced 24/7 security, possible housing for office buildings workers within walking distance and improved landscaping to enhance the area. I will also ask that this suggestion be forwarded to the Greenburgh Affordable Housing Committee.



At last nights Town Board meeting the Town Board members agreed to issue an RFP (Request for Proposal) for developers to turn the waterwheel property in Ardsley into affordable housing.



Members of the Town Board and Greenburgh Housing Authority will be taking a bus tour of the Greenburgh Housing Authority sites on Sunday, December 9th from 3 PM to 9 PM. We will meet with housing authority tenants, discuss concerns and work hard in the coming months to address quality of life matters. If you’d like to join us on the tour, please e mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com



HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

KAPICA: MARINE UNIT TO BE STAFFED BY VILLAGE POLICE

Greenburgh Police Chief Kapica met with the Town Board in work session today and advised the Board that in 2008 the village police departments will be responsible for patrolling the Hudson. The town worked with the villages in setting up the marine unit and was able to help the river villages secure donated police boats. The chief indicated that he needs the resources of his police dept to patrol unincorporated Greenburgh streets.

SHOULD USER FEES GO UP IF TAX HIKE COULD GO DOWN?

The Commissioner of parks has discussed with the Town Board the possibility of increasing fees by over $60,000. If the Board approves the fee hikes the town will generate additional revenue, enabling the tax hike to be reduced slightly. He has submitted a draft of possible fee increases to the Town Board. What do you think?
Tentative Budget Proposed for Preliminary Budget Difference

B.15.2001.00 Recreation Fees $425,000 $440,000 increase by $15,000

B.15.2025.00 A.F.V. Park Fees $360,000 $409,000 increase by $49,000



Total Increase $64,000

Monday, November 19, 2007

MEDIAN HOME PRICES HAVE GONE UP IN GREENBURGH

The October, 2007 issue of Westchester Magazine reports that median home prices have gone up 74% in Greenburgh since 2000. The median price is $620,000.

WEEK OF NOV 19 GREENBURGH DEMOCRACY POST YOUR COMMENTS

Please feel free to post your comments about town issues. Have a happy thanksgiving!

THIS WEEK...
BUDGET DISCUSSIONS CONTINUE ---any suggestions that can reduce tax hikes?
DISCUSSION: GREENBURGH HOUSING AUTHORITY (follow up: complaints from Westchester County)

Sunday, November 18, 2007

2 MILLION IN CUTS PROPOSED..BUDGET HEARING NOV 28

The Greenburgh Town Board will hold our budget hearing on November 28th at 7:15 PM at Greenburgh Town Hall. Prior to submitting the proposed 2008 budget to the Town Board for consideration, I CUT over $2 MILLION DOLLARS from department budget requests. Some of the department heads have already started lobbying to have the funds restored. If you would like a copy of the list of budget cuts that I submitted to the Town Board, please e mail me and I'll forward the list to you. Many of the initiatives that were deleted from the proposed budget were worthwhile expenditures. We need to prioritize spending and have to do a better job of saying no, instead of yes to requests. Otherwise, tax hikes will be much higher.
Your suggestions re: additional cuts are welcome and will be considered.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

A SUGGESTION TO HELP SENIORS AVOID IMPACT OF TAX HIKES--WORK OFF TAXES

During the past year taxes at every level of government has gone up. The County Executive just announced a tax hike. Town taxes are going up alot this year, village school & fire districts have also been increasing taxes annually. These tax hikes are forcing people to vote with their feet --they are moving out of Westchester.
I suggest that the NYS Legislature authorize local governments, school districts to provide residents with the opportunity to work off part of their property taxes.
In Boston there is a program called the Senior Citizen Property Tax Work Off program. Seniors are able to reduce their taxes by up to $750 in property tax relief in exchange for volunteer service to the community. This is helpful to seniors who are house rich and cash poor. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino said. Seniors benefit by a reduction in their annual tax payment. The city benefits by the help of experienced volunteers.
Property taxes are a major problem for senior citizens. This concept also helps seniors who don't meet requirements for existing elder property tax exemptions. Departments (such as the library) with a need for additional volunteers would be able to benefit from program. Retirees could teach classes at schools.
Boston is not the only Massachusetts community that has this program. Townsend lets its qualifying seniors earn $500, while Newton seniors can erase up to $750.
Other major cities have sponsored similar programs in the past.
In 1976, Hartford enacted a property tax work-off measure that extended beyond senior citizens. In Connecticut's capital, any resident who was unemployed or with a property tax bill greater than 10 percent of their annual income could work off up to the entire property tax burden, according to a 1981 report in The New York Times.
While the Hartford program did not set age requirements, within five years, 70 percent of participants were age 50 or older. When I was a student in the late 1970s I urged the Scarsdale Village Board of Trustees to adopt such a program. The Scarsdale Village Board approved the plan but the NY State Legislature never authorized such a program.
I will be organizing a county-wide lobbying effort so that this program can be offered to residents at the county, municipal and school levels. If you are interested in being part of a lobbying initiative, please contact me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com.

Friday, November 16, 2007

FEINER ELECTED PRESIDENT WESTCHESTER PUTNAM MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION

Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner was elected the new President of the Westchester-Putnam Town Supervisors Association.

FEINER ELECTED PRESIDENT WESTCHESTER PUTNAM MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION

Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner was elected the new President of the Westchester-Putnam Town Supervisors Association.

DEPUTY SUPERVISORS FOR 2008--MORGAN, BROWN

I have decided to appoint Kevin Morgan and Sonja Brown as Deputy Supervisors for 2008-Morgan for the first six months and Brown for the second six months.

WILL A HOMELESS INDIVIDUAL DIE THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF NEW COUNTY POLICY? RALLY TUESDAY

Paul: Contrary to initial press reports, the county has not yet
restored the safety net it dismantled on August 6th.

1) The county still has not openly acknowledged that warming centers
should offer beds and not just chairs,
(unless each city's administration formally requests that its
homeless residents be allowed to lie down,
which has in most if not all cities not yet happened,
leaving warming center operators in a "the emperor has no clothes"
situation where they risk being defunded if they openly offer beds.

2) The county has still not reopened any safety net shelter in White
Plains, leaving 30-50 people living on the streets.

3) The county still has not rescinded its August decree that 24-hour
shelters with empty beds cannot make those beds available for safety
net referrals.

4) The county still has not restored its centralized night-time
emergency shelter placement and transportation system.

Please circulate this flyer announcing the protest being organized by
the Westchester Coalition for the Hungry and Homeless,
which will be held from noon to 1:30 next Tuesday, November 20th
outside the County Executive's office at 148 Martine Avenue (across
from the Galleria).
Thank you!
-Karl Bertrand

Thursday, November 15, 2007

ATTY GENERAL's meeting tonight...

Attorney General Andrew Cuomo will be holding a community meeting tonight at the Westchester County Center at 7 PM. If you are interested in learning more about the services the Attorney General’s office provides and if you would like to meet the Attorney General in person – you will find this meeting to be informative and helpful. Hear about issues such as health care, consumer protection, environmental protection and workers rights. Questions will be answered. For more information please call 422-8755

NEW HYDROGEN FACILITY OPENS IN GREENBURGH IN NON RESIDENTIAL AREA

Earlier this week there were news reports of the opening of a hydrogren station in White Plains. Greenburgh is also in the forefront of hydrogen technology. A new tenant of the premises across from the former Ciba facility on 9A (not in a residential area) is the General Motors Training Center that relocated from Route 9 in Tarrytown. The facility provides training on the engines to mechanics and technicians on GM vehicles powered on both gasoline and hydrogen. There is a small tank on the property for hydrogen storage that is protected by concrete bollards. Unlike the proposal on Cental Ave where hydrogen was to be produced onsite, the hydrogen at this facility will be brought in by truck. The Greenburgh Fire Inspector Larry Desimone had meetings with the Hastings Fire Chief. Together they visited the site.
PAUL FEINER

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

GUEST COMMENTARY: MAYOR JAY LEON ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING

To the Greenburgh Town Board:

It is my understanding that the SHORE PILOT proposal is on the agenda of the Greenburgh Town Board for this evening, Wednesday November 14th. Unfortunately I cannot attend the meeting. Please permit me to express my personal support for the PILOT in writing.

The Village of Ardsley's sole relationship with SHORE has been to approve its building permits and variances. The Board has not expressed any position on the foreclosure or the PILOT. Our financial interest in the project is very limited - all the village hopes to gain is $14,000 in back taxes (which does not include penalties and fines, which we would have received had the property been bought by a non-tax exempt purchaser) and 28% of the PILOT payments.

My support for the SHORE project and the PILOT is therefore based on my belief that it is the right thing to do. The building will contribute two affordable units to Ardsley's allotment, as assigned by the County. It will be a small step toward achieving the worthwhile goal of increasing the number of affordable housing units in the county. Since the tenants of the property will be paying rent each month, I see this as an opportunity to assist lower income workers in making a better life for their children.

SHORE has shown Ardsley its budget and they have assured us that the only way they can make the project financially viable is to limit their property taxes. To date, they have demonstrated that they are a reputable organization that operates with integrity to support their laudable goals. They have adhered to all of our zone code requirements without complaint or request for special treatment.

The $5,000 SHORE has offered to pay as part of the PILOT is actually more than what the previous owner would have been paying had they not been delinquent on their property taxes. Furthermore, it is debatable whether SHORE is obligated to pay any taxes at all, in light of their tax exempt status. It is therefore to their credit that they are offering to make payments rather than to pursue a fully tax-exempt strategy.

Based on the merits of the project, I therefore highly support the proposed PILOT program and I encourage the Town Board to approve it this evening.

Sincerely,

Jay Leon
Mayor of Ardsley

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

HUNDREDS OF CAMPAIGN SIGNS REMOVED THIS WEEKEND...

My campaign team removed hundreds of campaign signs posted around town this weekend. If we missed some signs please e mail me at feiner98@aol.com and we'll have volunteers remove our signs.

POLICE CLOSING IN ON EDGEMONT BURLARS--FROM TODAYS JOURNAL NEWS

Greenburgh police: We're closing in on Edgemont burglars

By REBECCA BAKER
THE JOURNAL NEWS


(Original publication: November 13, 2007)
GREENBURGH - Detectives think they have a break in a rash of burglaries that has plagued the Edgemont community this year, Police Chief John Kapica said yesterday.
Since interviewing one suspect and others found acting suspiciously in the area, stepping up patrols and raising awareness among homeowners, Kapica said, the number of Edgemont burglaries has dropped to zero. The last was at a home on Thomas Street a month ago today.
"They know we know who they are," Kapica said.
Greenburgh is working with New York City police to charge the suspect, a 28-year-old Port Chester man, with pawning a golf-themed tie pin and cufflinks in the Bronx that were reported stolen from a home on Edgemont Road.
"The possession of stolen property happened in New York City," Kapica said. "We can't charge him up here."
Kapica said the suspect is facing attempted burglary charges in Yonkers as well as federal charges in an unrelated crime.
Two other men were found on Clayton Road last month sitting in a parked car. Both men are on parole for burglary, Kapica said.
When approached by police, the passenger showed a false driver's license and was arrested. Kapica is pursuing charges against the driver for associating with a known felon - a parole violation.
The progress on the investigation was welcome news to Robert Bernstein, president of the Edgemont Community Council.
"We're relieved that the police have done such an excellent job in pursuing this," he said. "The crime wave unnerved so many of our residents."
Since April, burglars hit 20 homes and two businesses in the Edgemont section of town. The thieves stole cash, jewelry and other items from 17 homes; burglar alarms scared off would-be thieves at the other three homes.
The burglars entered some of the homes by smashing the glass of a window, patio door or sliding kitchen door, police said. All the break-ins happened at night.
In eight of the homes, the thieves entered through unlocked doors or windows, Kapica said. At one home, the thief walked in through a sliding door left ajar. Several burglarized homes had alarm systems that were never turned on.
Kapica met with more than 100 residents last month to discuss the rash of break-ins. The meeting followed a robo-call to more than 1,400 Edgemont residents telling them about the problem and to urge them to keep indoor lights, radios or televisions on a timer.
Kapica said residents have listened to his advice.
"Now, when you drive through Edgemont at night, it's really lit up," he said. "Burglars don't like to be illuminated."

FROM TODAYS JOURNAL NEWS...GREENBURGH/DOBBS FERRY LOOK TO SHARE

Greenburgh, Dobbs Ferry look to share some police services

By GERALD MCKINSTRY
THE JOURNAL NEWS


(Original publication: November 13, 2007)
In a move that could one day save taxpayers money and change how governments work together, Greenburgh and Dobbs Ferry are considering sharing some police services.


The town and village are applying for a $100,000 state grant to study the feasibility of sharing manpower within the two police departments.


"It's the start of the end of municipal border wars," Supervisor Paul Feiner said. "Within the next couple of years, you're more likely to see things shared."


Dobbs Ferry is expected to approve the application tonight, and Greenburgh is expected to do so tomorrow. If approved, the project will cost the town and village $10,000, which will be divided equally.


Greenburgh is made up of six villages, each with its own government, emergency protection and other services.


The grant application is not about consolidating any of those, Feiner said, but rather a way to look for savings and reducing some redundancies within the two police departments.


Feiner said Greenburgh and Dobbs Ferry could apportion dispatchers at night or some police units. He said the study would help determine exactly what could be shared and how much it would save.


Dobbs Ferry Mayor-elect Scott Seskin said there were duplicate services within the village and town and he believed that identifying them and implementing possible changes was a way to stabilize rising property taxes. It was certainly worth consideration, he said.


"We need to go ahead and save money where we can," Seskin said yesterday. "We have to look at the numbers. We need to show how it's going to affect us."


A study was the first step, he added.


"It's something everybody has got to be on board with," Seskin said. "This is very, very initial. This is how it begins."


The shared-service movement gained momentum throughout the state in recent years, and Gov. Eliot Spitzer in April established a commission to look for ways to create partnerships among local governments.


The Department of State administers a grant program - with $25 million this year - that is supposed to find tax savings and efficiencies through shared programs, cooperatives, mergers, consolidations and eliminations.


To date, grants have been awarded to communities to investigate matters like shared sewers, building and highway maintenance, police and other services.


Dobbs Ferry is no stranger to such talk, either. Earlier this year, it worked with its neighbor to the north, Irvington, on a similar study. That report, completed in July, looked at different scenarios including sharing police, contracting out and merging the two departments.


Under the different scenarios, it was estimated that each village could save from $50,000 to more than $600,000.


Mayor Erin Malloy said Irvington recently decided against merging and sharing services because there were serious concerns that the village would lose coverage. She said the village would look for other ways to save money.


"The biggest concerns was that the gains we might achieve would be offset by the distractions of a larger area to be policed," Malloy said. "There were some concerns of losing community policing."


Dobbs Ferry has 10,600 residents and 28 police officers while Irvington has 6,600 residents and 23 officers.


Feiner said applying for the grant was the "easy step" because "nobody objects to studies."


He said the tougher road might be ahead and he hoped this served as a "wake-up call" to leaders that taxes might be driving people out of Westchester County.


"There's a point when people are going to say we can't afford it anymore," he said.

Monday, November 12, 2007

WEEK OF NOV 12 GREENBURGH DEMOCRACY-- POST YOUR COMMENTS

Please feel free to post your comments about issues of concern.

VETERANS DAY TODAY
TOWN BOARD BUDGET REVIEW STARTS TOMORROW AFTERNOON 3:45 PM
HOW CAN WE CUT THE SIZE OF THE TAX HIKE?
WEDNESDAY EVENING, TOWN BOARD MEETING

Saturday, November 10, 2007

GUEST COMMENTARY ON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN BY ROBERT RENINGER

Paul,



I have read and carefully reviewed your memo to Mark Stellato about doing part of the Comprehensive Plan Study in house.

Before any substantial work is done on an updated Comprehensive Plan, the Town must first update the 1980 Zoning Ordinance.

On December 11, 2006 the Town entered into a contract with BFJ Planning to assist the Greenburgh Planning Department in proposing updates to the 1980 Zoning Ordinance at an already budgeted cost of $105,000.

On March 28, 2007, the Town Board established an in house Zoning Code Revision Committee. Greenburgh taxpayers were told that this project would be completed before a new Comprehensive Plan was proposed. I understand that NYS Town Law actually requires that the existing Zoning Ordinance be completely updated before a Town can adopt a revised or updated Comprehensive Plan.

Councilperson Sheehan was appointed Chairman of the Zoning Code Revision Committee. Has the Committee submitted any reports ? If not, the Town Board should place a high priority on getting recommendation from the Zoning Code Revision Committee. Proposed revisions to the existing Zoning Ordinance would very likely be the nucleus for an updated Comprehensive Plan.

I recommend that, before the Town burdens Greenburgh taxpayers with any additional costs for outside consultants, the Town Board should evaluate and adopt, as appropriate, the recommendations of the Zoning Code Revision Committee.



I have not yet completed my review of the 2008 proposed tentative budget. However, it is readily apparent that, if the Town needs any consulting services during 2008, priority should be given to implementing better financial and accounting controls. There are many unanswered questions concerning the decision by the four members of the Town Council to override the previous conservative spending policy of the Town Supervisor.

I believe that Greenburgh taxpayers would support expenditures for this type of consulting services. A Town Financial Plan is needed much more urgently than a Comprehensive Plan. I understands that Ferrandino Associates does not specialize in financial and accounting consulting.



Please consider the financial needs of Greenburgh residents. As noted repeatedly in the local press, many Senior Citizen taxpayers can no longer afford to live in the Westchester Towns which they financially supported for many, many years. This fact is especially true in the Town of Greenburgh.



Robert F. Reninger

Friday, November 09, 2007

The Town of Greenburgh Police Department will hold a press conference / equipment demonstration to unveil the Departments new Segway i2 on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at 11:00am at the Hartsdale Train Station.

The Segway personal transporter, equipped with a police package, will be deployed for patrol use on community policing posts within the Town of Greenburgh and will be the first of its kind in Westchester County.

This is a donation!



Event: Greenburgh Police Department unveils new patrol equipment

Date: Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Time: 11:00am

Place: Hartsdale Train Station located on E. Hartsdale Avenue.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN MEMO--CAN WE AFFORD $400,000?

This is a copy of a memo I sent to Mark Stellato, Commissioner of Planning earlier today re: comprehensive plan. The question is this: Can we afford to spend $400,000 on a comprehensive plan.
Another point: We are projecting that it will be difficult to keep tax hikes in unincorporated Greenburgh BELOW a 10% tax hike in 2009. The library construction borrowing costs will be increasing--we're borrowing an additional $7 million in 2008 for the library ($600-$700,000 extra in debt service that we will be paying for).
If we keep adding expenses to the costs of government in 2008 - we will definitely have a double digit tax hike in 2009. If we don't watch ourselves we're going to force people out of Greenburgh.
We need to prioritize spending.

Mark:
During the budget discussions I am sure that the proposed comprehensive plan will be discussed. As I indicated, the $405,000 cost is too expensive and needs to be modified or postponed.
When you meet with the Town Board I will ask you to provide Board members with an analysis as to what aspects of the plan you can do in house. My preliminary analysis indicates that we could save substantial dollars by doing the community outreach in house --instead of paying high consultant fees. There is probably additional work that can also be done in house, at a savings to the taxpayers.
Please review each aspect of the proposed plan and advise if your dept (or other depts) can do the work in house.
Also--can you restructure the proposed plan into segments--and advise the board --what studies do we need immediately, what parts of the plan are not as essential.
I am writing you this note in advance so you have time to prepare...
PAUL FEINER
EXAMPLES OF SPENDING IN THE PROPOSED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THAT COULD BE DONE IN HOUSE -NOT BY EXPENSIVE CONSULTANTS:
CPSC MEETINGS $19,500
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, ISSUE FORMULATION AND COMMUNICATION $35,000
DATA COLLECTION: $34,410
(SURVEY ANALYSIS PLAN; MAILING LIST, SURVEY TABULATION, ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION, OUTREACH LOG, WEB SITE AND VISIONING DOCUMENTATION

DATA ANALYSIS: $61,440

Thursday, November 08, 2007

STATE GRANT TO STUDY POSSIBLE BENEFITS OF SHARING POLICE SERVICE WITH DOBBS FERRY

Greenburgh Police Chief John Kapica has been working with Dobbs Ferry officials. The village has approached the town and asked if the town would be interested in joining with the village to apply for state grant funds to explore the potential benefits of sharing police services. The initiative was taken by the village of Dobbs Ferry. The Dobbs Ferry Village Board will be voting on the resolution at their November 13th Board meeting. The Greenburgh Town Board will be voting on the resolution Wednesday night. We need to look for additional ways to cut costs, save taxpayers money and make government more efficient. I support this initiative.

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

TAX CUTTING IDEA--RESURRECT TENNIS BUBBLE PROPOSAL

One of the big disappointments of 2006/2007 was the failure of the Town Board to approve an agreement that would have generated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the town in rent. The proposal would also have enabled the town to have our tennis courts reconstructed and resurfaced.
We're facing a big tax hike. Shouldn't this proposal be resurrected? It's a REVENUE PRODUCER. The following is from the town's web site: May 7,2005 (Supervisors Report):

BUBBLE OVER TENNIS COURTS...SIGNIFICANT REVENUE
Release Date: May 07, 2005

Sportimeis proposing that they be able to build, at their cost, a bubble over our tennis facility at AnthonyVeteranParkthat would be privatized during off peak seasons. The benefits to the town: guaranteed revenue---a March 2nd proposal (which is being revised) provides a guaranteed minimum fee of $125,000 to the town the first year to $271,645 the 15th year). During the term of the license the fee payable to the town will be 10% of gross receipts.

Sportime, at their expense, will pay for the bubble…RECONSTRUCT AND RESURFACE five existing hard tennis courts…construct 2 har tru tennis courts to replace the existing hard tennis courts…install outdoor lighting for the two newly constructed tennis courts, new drainage around the tennis courts and a sidewalk form the parking area to the clubhouse with connecting paths to the tennis courts. They will also, at their expense, resurface one outdoor basketball court and two handball courts and re-tile the existing tennis court restrooms.

THERE IS MORE…They will construct a clubhouse building at their expense of about 3600 square feet on two levels, to provide an indoor viewing patio, a lounge, locker rooms, a pro shop and reception and office facilities.

AND…THERE IS MORE………..Sportime will offer free programs for junior and adult residents---a pre scheduled tennis camp for junior residents featuring free introductory tennis instructions during December and winter breaks…free racquets for junior residents- a minimum of 500 free tennis racquets valued at $15,000 to be given away per year…one free introductory group tennis lesson to interested junior and adult residents (based on availability). And---membership in Sportime at $0 per month with a valid unicard. Residents of Greenburgh will have access to Sportime tennis facilities in Mamaroneck, Westchesterand in Manhattan.


A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO JANET LEFKOWITZ, Greenburgh’s outstanding Tennis Director for her hard work and dedication to the Town of Greenburgh. She deserves our appreciation for her commitment to making our tennis programs the best in America. This is the kind of initiative that makes financial sense. It’s prudent, responsible, enhances services without over-taxing residents.

PAUL FEINER

GreenburghTownSupervisor

OPERATION CLEAN SWEEP- SIGNS TO BE REMOVED NEXT WEEK

The Greenburgh public works department will conduct our annual “Operation Clean Sweep” to remove all signs on poles, right of ways next week. Candidates who want to reuse their signs for future campaigns should remove them within the next few days. In addition to removing the campaign signs –garage sale signs, carnival signs, etc.. will also be removed during “Operation Clean Sweep”.

GREENBURGH VOTERS ELECT NEW TOWN CLERK, TWO NEW TOWN BD MEMBERS

Judith Beville was elected Greenburgh Town Clerk. Sonja Brown and Kevin Morgan will be the two new members of the Greenburgh Town Board --effective January 1, 2008. The following are the partial vote counts for all the elected positions in Greenburgh:
Office SUPERVISOR-GREENBURGH
PARTY 70 Districts out of 83 Reporting (84)% Votes Percent
90% of Absentee Ballots Counted
DEM PAUL J FEINER 7,537 75%
NON PAUL J FEINER 458 5%
PAUL J FEINER Totals 7,995 79%
IND SUZANNE BERGER 1,832 18%
WOR SUZANNE BERGER 248 2%
SUZANNE BERGER Totals 2,080 21%
Office Totals 10,075 100%
TURN-OUT 18%


Office TOWN CLERK - GREENBURGH
PARTY 70 Districts out of 83 Reporting (84)% Votes Percent
86% of Absentee Ballots Counted
DEM JUDITH A BEVILLE 6,858 73%
NON JUDITH A BEVILLE 295 3%
JUDITH A BEVILLE Totals 7,153 76%
IND ALFREDA WILLIAMS 2,206 24%
Office Totals 9,359 100%
TURN-OUT 17%


Office TOWN JUSTICE-GREENBURGH
VOTE-FOR-THREE
PARTY 70 Districts out of 83 Reporting (84)% Votes Percent
81% of Absentee Ballots Counted
DEM DORIS T FRIEDMAN 7,132 29%
IND DORIS T FRIEDMAN 1,194 5%
WOR DORIS T FRIEDMAN 293 1%
DORIS T FRIEDMAN Totals 8,619 35%
DEM SANDRA FORSTER 7,046 29%
IND SANDRA FORSTER 1,225 5%
WOR SANDRA FORSTER 289 1%
SANDRA FORSTER Totals 8,560 35%
DEM A GORDON-OLIVER 7,281 30%
Office Totals 24,460 100%
TURN-OUT 15%


Office MAYOR-VILL OF ARDSLEY
PARTY 3 Districts out of 4 Reporting (75)% Votes Percent
88% of Absentee Ballots Counted
DEM JAY LEON 466 81%
NON JONATHAN B LEVINE 110 19%
Office Totals 576 100%
TURN-OUT 18%


Office MAYOR-VILL OF DOBBS FERRY
PARTY 9 Districts out of 9 Reporting (100)% Votes Percent
89% of Absentee Ballots Counted
NON SCOTT SESKIN 746 52%
NON ALLEGRA F DENGLER 680 48%
Office Totals 1,426 100%
TURN-OUT 22%


Office COUNCILMAN - GREENBURGH
VOTE-FOR-TWO
PARTY 70 Districts out of 83 Reporting (84)% Votes Percent
85% of Absentee Ballots Counted
DEM KEVIN P MORGAN 7,037 39%
NON KEVIN P MORGAN 346 2%
KEVIN P MORGAN Totals 7,383 41%
DEM SONJA M BROWN 7,177 40%
WOR SONJA M BROWN 385 2%
SONJA M BROWN Totals 7,562 42%
IND EDDIE MAE BARNES 2,244 13%
WOR STEVE BASS 692 4%
Office Totals 17,881 100%
TURN-OUT 16%


Office TRUSTEE- VIL OF ARDSLEY
VOTE-FOR-TWO
PARTY 3 Districts out of 4 Reporting (75)% Votes Percent
88% of Absentee Ballots Counted
DEM LARRY NARDECCHIA 483 51%
DEM PETER R PORCINO 473 49%
Office Totals 956 100%
TURN-OUT 15%


Office TRUSTEE-VIL OF DOBBSFERRY
VOTE-FOR-THREE
PARTY 9 Districts out of 9 Reporting (100)% Votes Percent
72% of Absentee Ballots Counted
DEM PAULA K DAMBROFF 786 29%
NON PAULA K DAMBROFF 581 22%
PAULA K DAMBROFF Totals 1,367 51%
DEM TERESA M WALSH 428 16%
NON TERESA M WALSH 380 14%
TERESA M WALSH Totals 808 30%
NON FREDERICK C BRODA 527 20%
Office Totals 2,702 100%
TURN-OUT 14%

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

TODAY IS ELECTION DAY!

Today is election day.
Vote for the candidate of your choice for
TOWN SUPERVISOR
TOWN BOARD
TOWN JUDGE
State & County Judges

Monday, November 05, 2007

ACTUAL QUOTES FROM THE TOWN COUNCIL RE: FUND BALANCE

Earlier today the other members of the Town Council sent out an e mail objecting to the 2008 proposed budget. I would like to encourage readers of these e mails to read the transcripts of the 2007 budget vote (posted on the town web site: www.greenburghny.com ---look on the left side: category—forms (miscellaneous).

Readers of the transcripts will read that I opposed depleting the fund balance. I preferred a gradual reduction of the use of fund balance.

I have also had spending differences with the other members of the Town Board.

* I wanted the town to sell the old Town Hall and use the proceeds to offset the costs of an expanded library. I also felt that the building, if sold, could have generated taxes every year for the town –keeping your taxes down. I WAS VOTED DOWN.

* I have objected to the use of outside consultants. Over a week ago the Town Board (over my objections) voted to spend $405,000 on an outside consultant. I asked that the consultant hiring be deferred until after the budget process is complete. The Board approved the contract.

* There are many other spending disagreements I have had with the Board members. I would be happy to speak to residents personally: call me at 993 1545 (office), 438-1343 (cell) 478-1219 (home).

PAUL FEINER

QUOTES FROM LAST YEARS BUDGET VOTE

December 19, 2006 Greenburgh 2007 Budget decision

BASS p5: there is plenty of fund balance
BASS p5: we are careful not to use too much of it

Sheehan p7: I'm quite proud of this budget And to get a budget that cuts taxes and also is much more transparent than the one handed to us is quite an accomplishment.

SHEEHAN p9: the supervisor has suggested not spending as much of the fund balance than what he wants to spend.

- We choose to give back a good part of it last year. And we are choosing to give a good part of it this year.

- And so here we are able to prove additional police protection. We're able to increase social service programs. We're able to increase leaf pro-leaf allocation money. And at the same time give the taxpayers a desperately needed break I'm proud of this budget.


FEINER p 10: Obviously the Board is able to reduce taxes by cutting into the fund balance. Š The question is do we use our fund balance now to provide residents with a very slight tax cut, or would it be more fiscally prudent to have a very small tax increase this year and hopefully be able to keep tax increases very low during the next few years rather than have fluctuations and taxes rates as we have seen at the county level and other levels of government. Š you are relying on a lot of luck [but] sooner or later there will be Š a bigger tax increase. And I think people want predictability and stability.

FEINER p10: I want the record to show [my] concerns, to highlight [my] concerns in terms of the unfunded liability increase.

FEINER p14: Šthe fact that we are eating into the fund balance by more than I had hoped, I predict there could be a bigger tax increase than people would want. It's going to be harder for people to predict. I would have preferred being a little bit more fiscally conservative. And I also would like to avoid the fluctuations.


SHEEHAN p17: I, along with Eddie Mae Barnes, Steve Bass and Diana Juettner, my fellow council members, do not believe in collecting or keeping more of the taxpayers' money than is necessary to meet the needs and reasonably protected needs of the Town.

FEINER p19: Nobody wants taxes to increase. But I think that most people in the Town would prefer very small, incrementalŠtax increases. They want predictability. I think they want stability.

FEINER p20: The bottom line is that in the future there are going to be tax increasesŠin the future. Šit's pay now or pay later. Would people preferŠa one or two percent increase every year or would they prefer a small dipŠnow and then a substantial increase next year?

12-01-05 Public Hearing
FEINER p 30: The former comptroller Norah McAvoy and Gisela Knight both warned the Town repeatedly that if we play politics with the fund balance, it will have a negative impact on our bond rating, on the financial stability of the Town.

=

GREENBURGH DEMOCRACY WEEK OF NOV 5 POST YOUR COMMENTS

Please post your comments about town issues/concerns

Sunday, November 04, 2007

THINK GLOBALLY...ACT LOCALLY ON THE ENVIRONMENT...ACTION STEPS YOU CAN TAKE

We had a great time yesterday at the StepItUp2007 National Day of Climate Action rally at the Dobbs Ferry Historical Society. We thank all who attended, despite the challenging weather. And special thanks to all those who filled out postcards – they will be in the mail tomorrow. Here is a gallery full of pictures from the day:

http://gallery.mac.com/emzazzera#100074

Check out our Event Report at StepItUp:

http://events.stepitup2007.org/november/reports/2140

And events throughout the rest of the Country (pick a state or zip code):

http://events.stepitup2007.org/november/reports



There is one more action related to StepItUp2007 we are asking you to take, if you are willing: Call your Congressional Representatives on Monday, November 5. Here is a link to StepItUp2007’s website that goes over the details, including telephone numbers:

http://stepitup2007.org/article.php?id=683

For most of the folks on our mailing list, this will mean making up to 3 phone calls, contacting the offices of Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator Chuck Schumer, and Representative Eliot Engle (if you live west of Broadway) OR Representative Nita Lowey (if you live East of Broadway). If your time is limited, we suggest contacting Senator Schumer, and/or your Representative, because Senator Clinton has already responded to this event, whereas the others have not. Please call even if you did not attend our Dobbs Ferry event, because the main idea of the call is to express concern about Global Climate Change, and to inform our elected officials about the 1 Sky initiative, with these 3 priorities:

1) Create 5 million green jobs that will conserve 20% of our energy by 2015.

2) Cut carbon 80% by 2050, 30% by 2020.

3) A moratorium on new coal-fired power plants.

FREE CONCERT TOMORROW--US MARINE BAND

The United States Marine Band (The Presidents Own Band) will perform a free concert tomorrow evening, Monday, November 5th at 7:30 PM at the Westchester County Center. Doors open to the general public at 7:15 PM. The event is being sponsored by the Westchester County Parks Dept. They are a terrific band. Enjoy!
PAUL FEINER

Thursday, November 01, 2007

HOUSECALLS TO DISCUSS 2008 BUDGET ...YOUR INPUT WANTED

The 2008 proposed budget has been released. We should look at the budget as a first draft. I welcome the opportunity to meet with residents to discuss budget issues and budget options during the next two months. The budget must be approved by the Town Board by December 20th.
If you would like to organize a meeting of your neighbors and want me or any other town officials to attend the meeting and provide you with a personalized briefing--- please contact me at 993-1540, 438-1343 (cell) or 478-1219 (h). I'm available weekdays, evenings and weekends. Other town officials may not be available on weekends. Meetings can be held at your home or at Town Hall.
Government must be a partnership with the citizens and elected officials. We need to have a community discussion: what services we need, what services we want, what services we can afford. We also should focus attention on looking for additional ways to save money, to stretch our dollars so we get the maximum value for our tax dollars.
Thanks for partnering in the decision making process of government.
PAUL FEINER

HOUSECALLS TO DISCUSS 2008 BUDGET ...YOUR INPUT WANTED

The 2008 proposed budget has been released. We should look at the budget as a first draft. I welcome the opportunity to meet with residents to discuss budget issues and budget options during the next two months. The budget must be approved by the Town Board by December 20th.
If you would like to organize a meeting of your neighbors and want me or any other town officials to attend the meeting and provide you with a personalized briefing--- please contact me at 993-1540, 438-1343 (cell) or 478-1219 (h). I'm available weekdays, evenings and weekends. Other town officials may not be available on weekends. Meetings can be held at your home or at Town Hall.
Government must be a partnership with the citizens and elected officials. We need to have a community discussion: what services we need, what services we want, what services we can afford. We also should focus attention on looking for additional ways to save money, to stretch our dollars so we get the maximum value for our tax dollars.
Thanks for partnering in the decision making process of government.
PAUL FEINER