tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post5934807853759652059..comments2023-10-30T06:13:34.382-04:00Comments on Supervisor Feiner: EDWIN MICHAELIAN MUNICIPAL LAW RESOURCE CENTER ANALYSIS OF PROPOSED ETHICS LAWPaul Feinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17087805120754057844noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-41731845111531802792007-07-26T12:44:00.000-04:002007-07-26T12:44:00.000-04:00Dear Anonymous 7/25 1:14PM,Don't kid yourself. Th...Dear Anonymous 7/25 1:14PM,<BR/><BR/>Don't kid yourself. There's plenty of competition out there to do these audits, especially since many are done during the summertime or in the old days the "slow" season.<BR/><BR/>When was the last time any of these municipalities or school districts went through a competitive bid process? The entity's financial management has a stake in not upsetting things, the elected leadership for the most part, no disrespect intended, wouldn't know what questions to ask and how to judge the bidders. That's why municipalities need audit committees made up of knowledgeable professionals who can provide oversight, just as they do for corporations.<BR/><BR/>The Government Finance Officers Association ("GFOA")is in favor of audit committees (one can go to their web site and find their position paper on audit committees). I am proud that the Village of Ardsley created one while I was a member of that Board.<BR/><BR/>It can be done and doesn't cost much. The benefits could be very significant. Think about the WESTHELP accounting fiasco and the role an audit committee could and would have played.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-41678595747764458852007-07-25T19:40:00.000-04:002007-07-25T19:40:00.000-04:00I would like to know how the conference call went ...I would like to know how the conference call went today concerning the ethics board. Paul please comment before the voting takes place.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-26371948984712362962007-07-25T13:14:00.000-04:002007-07-25T13:14:00.000-04:00the real problem is that there is no competition f...the real problem is that there is no competition for bennett kielson<BR/><BR/>one even wonders why they give campaign contributions in the first placeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-10504779599945962082007-07-25T12:05:00.000-04:002007-07-25T12:05:00.000-04:00Dear 2 more years? spare us...,Please don't omit M...Dear 2 more years? spare us...,<BR/><BR/>Please don't omit Mr. Bass as one who has accepted and so far kept monies from the Town's auditors.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-48505950510596959592007-07-25T11:37:00.000-04:002007-07-25T11:37:00.000-04:00re WestHelp - the state comptroller's office found...re WestHelp - the state comptroller's office found it was illegal. As usual, Garfunkel ignore that inconvenient truth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-86673926015157851472007-07-25T10:52:00.000-04:002007-07-25T10:52:00.000-04:00Suggestion - move Feiner's wall in front of Webb F...Suggestion - move Feiner's wall in front of Webb Field/Press Park to Garfunkel's front yard. As for Taxter Ridge, why dont you ask the villages how much they like it now that they are paying for it? <BR/><BR/>If Feiner is so marvelous, why is he stuck in Greenburgh, a dead end of his own making? Garfunkel and his ilk (like the "shadow") want to stick us with this peter (un)principled career politician like some sort of baby doc supervisor for life. As for the tree case, this was yes another monumental failure by Feiner in having the town woefully uninsured. Once again, ask villagers how they like paying for the bonds to pay the settlement to the victims of feiner's failure to have a tree maintenance plan in place because he is penny wise and pound foolish. As for WestHelp, Feiner told fib after fib about why the money was needed to payoff the neighborhood. Nevermind that Feiner made nice nice to the mayfair-knollwood folks who were cited by the federal courts for playing the race card when they sought to break off from the town. And we are still waiting for Feiner and Garfunkel to explain why Feiner takes campaign money from the town's outside auditors? Thats a disgrace. Do we really need two more years of this?? Sixteen years is enough.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-78902999777725973672007-07-24T23:33:00.000-04:002007-07-24T23:33:00.000-04:00By the way, anon 3:39 pmI don't know what you are ...By the way, anon 3:39 pm<BR/><BR/>I don't know what you are inhaling but it is certainly dangerous to your health and your remarks indicate the onset of dementia. Speaking of long-term care, I happen to specialize in that area of insurance, and I suggest you seek out a provider. <BR/><BR/>Taxter Ridge is where it is, and I have no clue why its acquisition is some sort of black eye for Paul Feiner. As I recall it was over-whelming support of the community, led by Danny Gold and others, and a unanimous vote of the Board that supported the purchase of that tract of land. WestHelp has been answered sufficiently (check the other blog, no one cares anymore, fool) and again the Board and the relevant commisioners signed off on that situation for years. The tree situation on Round Hill Road was handled strongly by the Supervisor and any proposed tree legislation, I believe, has been bottled up by one Steve Bass. <BR/><BR/>With regards to the library boon-doggle, the Supervisor had suggested the sale of part of the land for the use of either needed senior housing or an assisted living facility. He also called for a reasonable library rehabilitation for half the cost, and without major dislocation. The Town Board bought the Library Board's sales pitch, hook, line and sinker. So why is that the Supervisor's fault? In other words he should have campaigned against it, and next he would have been painted as a "book burner." So where is this smoking gun you are railing about. In essense, it was the Supervisor that has sought new blood to this moribund Board two years ago, and again, in this election cycle. So you want change? Well bringing on Suzaane Berger will solve none of your problems. She will just be a convenient doormat for the Sheehan-Bass-Bernstein axis to trample on at will. <BR/><BR/>Supervisor Feiner has been independent, progressive and innovative. In other words, many others and I don't know what you nameless critics want. Why don't you have the guts to sign your names, and stop worrying about whether your neighbors will know what type of a dolt you are. But my guess is that 99% of the anti-Feiner, cowardly, comments come from two or three people. At least three or four of us stand behind what we say.<BR/><BR/>My thoughts are that the Feiner arguments, which are being articulated here will carry the day. Hal Sammis has been a vocal critic of Paul Feiner for years and at least he has courage of his convictions to say what he believes. I apologise to no one and I support the Supervisor because I sincerely believe that he has done an honest and excellent job. <BR/><BR/>Richard J. GarfunkelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-57705712071047632422007-07-24T21:41:00.000-04:002007-07-24T21:41:00.000-04:00So when the curtain is lowered and the cast tradit...So when the curtain is lowered and the cast traditionally lines up for their applause, there won't be anyone there. And if long terms are bad, then ask Eddie Mae Barnes and Diana Juettner to pick out their favorite pasture.<BR/><BR/>Because on your list of faults are faults which received five votes in favor -- all but the Library which is the problem of just the Town Council. <BR/><BR/>But first, check your ticket stubs, the performance that you and your anonymous friend attended might have been that of "the great Bobby Bruce" master illusionist. The night you were there, did he do the trick where he made an entire School District vanish?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-81827853921740774082007-07-24T15:39:00.000-04:002007-07-24T15:39:00.000-04:00keep dreaming richardvoters are tired of 16 years ...keep dreaming richard<BR/><BR/>voters are tired of 16 years of feiner's gadfly antics. many residents esp long termers think town services have gone way down hill. Feiner's recent screwups in WestHelp, Taxter Ridge, the new home depot just north of greenburgh, the library and the tree case only show that as he stays longer on the job he is proving the truth of the peter principle. as another blogger noted, under feiner's watch, the town has basically ceased to exist and the villages are studying how to leave. this act has gone stale and its time to lower the curtain.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-68923818834344910762007-07-24T12:07:00.000-04:002007-07-24T12:07:00.000-04:00To:Anoymous 11:31With regards to your remarks abou...To:Anoymous 11:31<BR/><BR/>With regards to your remarks about Feiner and the developers. You are beating a dead horse. He has been in office, representing this area for 24 years. He has, obviously accumulated contributions and I assume he has been careful about their dispersal. <BR/><BR/>His opponent, Ms. Suzanne Berger has alreaded accumulated $21,000 in a very short time and therefore it is not unusual for a person running for public office to accumulate money. With regards to an inexperienced and untried canididate like Ms. Berger, her law firm, her lawyer friends, and the political bosses of Westchester have invested a lot in her campaign. Why? Power, that is all! They are making an investment, for possible future considerations. What else is new?<BR/><BR/>She's a moderate Democrat I suppose, though I have heard little from her mouth, reflective of public policy, in the last 5 years, and certainly Supervisor Feiner has been one of the most progressive Democrats in the County's history. His progressive and transparent record goes from here to the moon. He's been endorsed by RFK Jr. and the League of Conservation Voters (2005) and numerous progressive, good-government, open-government, conservationist and socially attuned groups. <BR/><BR/>So therefore, what is the real difference on ethics and issues? Berger certainly has no edge on ethics, and experience? She has none! She has to be close to 50 years old and has never held office and was defeated in a race for a local judgeship. Feiner is not much older and has been active in politics, shaping and initiating progressive policy since he was 15! By the way he has done an excellent job. The bond ratings have never been better, the town services are excellent, the parkland is great and the receation department provides wonderful services and he follows-up on non-partisan constituent needs on a 24/7 basis. Could Berger do the same? I doubt it. <BR/><BR/>Berger doesn't know much about Greenburgh, she has never managed a company or an entity of any kind. She even has talked about an expensive ($150,000+) town manager. So what does she bring to the table? Power to the bosses, inside and outside of Greenburgh, plain and simple. <BR/><BR/>Supervisor Feiner has never been in the pocket of developers, and he has always worked to prevent over-building. As I recall he was the author of "steep slopes" legislation.<BR/><BR/>Zoning laws and building needs always reflect the changes in society. The catchall phrase of being in the hands of developers is insincere, inaccurate and antidulivian.<BR/><BR/>The public will decide what is right and wrong for Greenburgh, and when the public learns the truth over the machinations of this rump Board ruled by Sheehan-Bass-Bernstein Troika, it will rise in indignation and thrown them out.<BR/><BR/>Richard J. GarfunkelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-52650673228182729152007-07-24T11:31:00.000-04:002007-07-24T11:31:00.000-04:00funny how garfunkel is silent on the other part of...funny how garfunkel is silent on the other part of the ethics law at issue in the journal news - the one stopping elected officials from taking campaign contributions from those with applications pending before the town or its boards. why? because this is how feiner raises his money. the proposed law would close this shameful practice. too bad we cannot make feiner give back what he took from his developer pals and their agents and associates. that feiner cannot see how corrupt this practice is just shows how unfit he is to be supervisor.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-11619983169328996372007-07-24T08:46:00.000-04:002007-07-24T08:46:00.000-04:00Today's Journal News Editorial is a major defeat f...Today's Journal News Editorial is a major defeat for the Sheehan/Bernstein Cabal. Yes Frances & Bob, we do have First Amendment Rights here in Greenburgh.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-81627659155608206992007-07-24T08:31:00.000-04:002007-07-24T08:31:00.000-04:00The reporter, Ms Rebecca Baker, in the Journal New...The reporter, Ms Rebecca Baker, in the Journal News hit the nail right on the head in her first sentence, when she stated, "Good-government advocates are questioning plans to change the town's ethics code, saying new rules about information sharing could violate the First Amendment."<BR/><BR/>The argument that was posed at Wednesday night's Town Board, was just that!<BR/><BR/>Basically it is an anti-whistle blower law they are trying to create, slip past the public, and be used against anyone who attempts to harness or restrict the power of the Board, including the Supervisor.<BR/><BR/>The law was legally and constitutionally critiqued by many observors on Wednesday. it was affectively pointed out that there were many, many, loop-holes, but the obtuse language was made to obscure the real gist of the changes. The changes were made to punish someone like Supervisor Feiner, who exposed the Troy Affidavit, that revealed a history of intrigue, illegal meetings, and double dealing by Edgemont power brokers. The deal, as anyone with a wit of intelligence knows, was to create a phony moritorium, based on protecting the Edgemont schools, pay off a developer for his time, and sweat, and get the taxpayers of Edgemont to buy a piece of land for the eventual purpose of erecting a villege hall as the centerpiece of the Edgemont secession plan.<BR/><BR/>But people like Christina Bottego of Common Cause were able to see through this charade and recognise its fabrication. She said the "abuse of information section would provide less transparency, not more." What else would you suspect from Bass and Sheehan, who pulled the wool over the eyes of their more gullible colleagues.<BR/><BR/>She stated clearly, "(It) seems set up to protect the governing body, rather than the citizens of Greenburgh."<BR/><BR/>Bottego said the proposed changes are "marginal" at best, noting that the Ethics Board has no enforcement power and can only advise the the Town Board.<BR/><BR/>Ironically with all of this heat generated by this new Ethics Board, the real story goes quietly by them. Candidate Suzanne Buerger, the Greenburgh Democratic Town leader has recieved a high percentage of her campaign contributions from the law firm whom she is "of counsel." In other words, who she works for. That is not unusual on its face, but she facilitated a Town contract, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, through the efforts of one Francis Sheehan, a Town Board member. It would not be a stretch to believe that these contributions were a type of reward.<BR/><BR/>Ms. Berger squealed at the Town Board meeting as she cried "Shut up" to her outraged critics. She claimed that these contributors were friends of hers at the law firm for twenty years. That's a bit strange because her former law firm Robinson Silverman Pearson... merged with Bryan Cave in 2002, and it is hard to believe that she knew even a fraction of these contibutors for twenty years!<BR/><BR/>Ironically, Berger has a history of representing firms like Barnes and Noble regarding "Freedom of Information" issues, but in this case she seems reticent to oppose her political benefactors.<BR/><BR/>Richard J. GarfunkelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-69360682800732035392007-07-23T11:18:00.000-04:002007-07-23T11:18:00.000-04:00Read todays Journal News July 23 and see what is ...Read todays Journal News July 23 and see what is written about the laws that the ethics board is trying to put into action. Many of the comments made on the blog were saying the same thing. Boy is Sheehan and Bass going to be Hopping mad that they cannot put forth the ideas that they want implimented for their benefit.Kudos go out to the reporter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-54257427018619744542007-07-23T07:03:00.000-04:002007-07-23T07:03:00.000-04:00"Ethics code changes raise concerns in Greenburgh"..."Ethics code changes raise concerns in Greenburgh"<BR/><BR/>http://lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070723/NEWS02/707230344/1018/NEWS02Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-20151341898434028942007-07-22T20:50:00.000-04:002007-07-22T20:50:00.000-04:00Dear 6:59 pm-Please tell us that you did not watch...Dear 6:59 pm-<BR/><BR/>Please tell us that you did not watch the performance of Candidate "SHUT UP" Berger on Wednesday night.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-37577728344866634132007-07-22T19:49:00.000-04:002007-07-22T19:49:00.000-04:00The ethics board that is in position to set down t...The ethics board that is in position to set down the laws to govern the town of Greenburgh, should be let go. It was quite evident that they are not working for the town but Sheehan.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-61209935669078592462007-07-22T18:59:00.000-04:002007-07-22T18:59:00.000-04:00if after 16 years of feiner its not self evident h...if after 16 years of feiner its not self evident he should be re-elected,he never will be. its time for him to leave officeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-1939234444606816732007-07-21T17:14:00.000-04:002007-07-21T17:14:00.000-04:00The ethics board needs a good lawyer,who woked wit...The ethics board needs a good lawyer,who woked with corporations ,to put forth good laws governing all .Sheehan wants them to hurry up with what they tried to put forth,which was totaly wrong. It was going after one person that being the supervisor. Come on now ethics board are you all blind not to see what Sheehan expects you to say.I as a lay person watching the meeting on Saturday,heard the same thing coming from Sheehan's mouth over and over again."contribution made by Kneilson"I may have spelled the name wrong. but you know dam well what his motive is .Get the supervisor.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-11325656806508174572007-07-21T17:00:00.000-04:002007-07-21T17:00:00.000-04:00The ethics board is not ready to adopt and new law...The ethics board is not ready to adopt and new laws,as of Wednesday night's meeting. They have too much work to do. Sheehan is pushing for them to come up with amendments right away ,reasons to many to write on this blog. The public at the meeting was right ,do not complete your final draft until the residents have the final word. But as you know Sheehan has the strong arm on every department in Greenburgh,so the publics' voice will not be heard.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-35530000310121859722007-07-21T16:11:00.000-04:002007-07-21T16:11:00.000-04:00Dear 11:25am-Please tell us that you did not watch...Dear 11:25am-<BR/><BR/>Please tell us that you did not watch the performance of Candidate "SHUT UP" Berger on Wednesday night.<BR/><BR/>It was embarrassing and that is not someone who has demonstrated that she has the leadership abilities to break the posturing and deep sleep by the existing majority of the board.<BR/><BR/>She also did not see any issue with funneling "blind" contributions to Town Board candidates through her Democratic party cash machine, completely circumventing, at minimum, the intent of the proposed Ethics Laws.<BR/><BR/>Is this the deal that you want to sign Greenburgh up for at this time?<BR/><BR/>Don’t count me in on that idea.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-26057785331132353022007-07-21T16:02:00.000-04:002007-07-21T16:02:00.000-04:00As a former comptroller what was your years of emp...As a former comptroller what was your years of employment. Did you have any troubles hiding the Westhelp monies ,,to be spent. Someone before Heslop has the answers ,maybe you're the one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-49242488134226079372007-07-21T11:25:00.000-04:002007-07-21T11:25:00.000-04:00garfunkel's paranoia is pathetic. garfunkel sees c...garfunkel's paranoia is pathetic. garfunkel sees cabals and conspiracies where none exist. garfunkel and feiner have lead greenburgh into a political dead end. yet, they have the audacity to ask the voters for more time to do......nothing other than keep paul in the supervisor's seat. feiner is probably the most disliked politician in westchester county. as a former comptroller who quit because she couldnt abide by feiner's ethical lapses and double dealing observed - he is a public servant for himself. 16 year of feiner is enough.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-59686479957638523222007-07-21T09:36:00.000-04:002007-07-21T09:36:00.000-04:00I'm starting to think that even if the ethics boar...I'm starting to think that even if the ethics board put forth a set of governing laws, the four council members would be able to go arround them to suit their fancy.I do not think that they ever paid attention to the laws in many of their desicions.The laws have been Sheehan's laws since he became a board member. Does it say that he has been correct by no ,means.His double talk has convinced the ethics board that their and his input is the way to go. WRONG,WRONG.Let's not make the mistake of passing something that only helps to give more power to Sheehan and company.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-35425985461110200862007-07-21T09:25:00.000-04:002007-07-21T09:25:00.000-04:00As of today the new laws provided by the ethics bo...As of today the new laws provided by the ethics board should be studied by persons of authority. The laws the way they read now are not ready to be voted on. Either they don't know what they are doing or are they influenced by the four council members.As Samis keeps saying three votes will be needed to defeat the resolution if the wording of the laws are not suitable to be enforced.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com