Work Session of the Greenburgh Town Council Members Tuesday, February 5, 2008
(All Work Sessions are Televised Live on Cable Vision Channel 76, Verizon Channel 32)
We were hoping to stream this work session live on the internet. There are some technical issues regarding software and hardware so the first streaming of work sessions may start later in the month. It’s possible that we will resolve the technical problems by Tuesday –but not definite. Sorry for the inconvenience.
1:00 p.m. Permanent Citizens’ Budget Committee to address E. Hartsdale parking
(Representation to include: parking authority, residents, businesses)
Reorganization – Review Town Board Rules and Procedures
2:00 p.m. Overtime Presentation – Comptroller’s Office… discussion: draft overtime request form
2:15 p.m. Executive Session – Personnel (interview: comptroller candidates)
5:30 p.m. Adjourn
The Town Board will meet with the Theodore Young Community Center Advisory Board at 8 PM at the center to discuss the community center.
February 12th Work Session (tentative)
· Sunrise Assisted Living
· Reorganization
· Court Audit Report / Review
· Town Board Meeting Agenda Review
· Library: cybermobile/Sunday hours—efforts to restore
· Theodore D. Young Community Center – Reorganization
· Update Carter Ledyard
· E Hartsdale Ave sidewalk sales—should they be expanded to include more weekends
· DEPT OVERTIME REVIEW
Please Note: There will be no Work Session on Tuesday, February 19, 2008.
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45 comments:
Judge Jenny: "The plaintiffs have alleged that you have selected an unqualified choice for Interim Commissioner. How do you plead, Mr. Feiner?
Defendant: "Not guilty. She has a passion for the job..."
Judge: "Sir, I only asked for your plea. Paul, I understand this person that you selected does not meet minimum requirements to the job title. What is your response to his? I asked you a question can you please answer it."
Defendant: "She's been with the town 28 years, we got good phone calls about her."
Judge: "Paul, look at me, take your hand away your face, look at me and answer the question please."
Defendant: "Uh, Umm, I can pick whomever I want to."
Judge: "Paul, I am holding a copy of the minimum requirements for the position. The person you selected does not meet them. Again, your response?" ( judge is rolling her eyes)
Defendant: "I want to answer this question at the end of the meeting (after everybody goes home)."
Judge: "Sir, this is not a town board meeting - this is my court - answer the question please."
Defendant: "She has a lot of good ideas and suggestions."
Judge: "Look at me, look at me Mr. Feiner. Again, what evidence do you have that she's qualified for the job? Can you produce her college degrees?"
Defendant: "She has lots and lots of passion."
Judge: "BALONEY! BALONEY! Does she supervise anyone Paul?"
Defendant: "No."
Judge: "Is any part of her job performance that exceptional to merit this consideration?"
Defendant: "No."
Judge: "Does she have more experience and education than the seven people above her? Does she have the support of the staff and the Advisory Board?"
Defendant: "No. Umm The housekeeper and there's a part-time life guard that likes her...sometimes."
Judge: "Do you have anything else to say in your defense sir? Do you think tax payers are best served when you don't pick the best person for the job?"
Defendant: "I won the election and ..."
Judge: "That's not what I asked you sir, ANSWER MY QUESTIONS! Do you have anything else? anything else?"
Defendant: "I was voted most interesting politician by Westchester Magazine seven years ago."
Judge: "Being interesting fades, dumb is forever." "You're wasting my time! JUDGEMENT FOR THE PLAINTIFFS. Paul, serve the taxpayers, find the right person for the job. FINISHED!"
11:13 HOW DID THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS GET THEIR JOBS. wERE THEY NOT CHOSEN?
iF THINGS HAVE TO CHANGE WITH THE CENTER SO BE IT IF NOT IT SHOULD BE CLOSED.iT COSTS THE TAXPAYERS TOO MUCH MONEY WITH NOTHING BUT HEARTACHES IN RETURN.
THE MORE ONE GETS FOR NOTHING THE BIGGER THE DEMANDS,
WELL I THINK A LOT OF THE TAX PAYERS ARE STARTING TO SPEAK UP ON HOW BADLY OUR MONEY HAS BEEN MANAGED.
IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE . WE HAVE SUMITTED TO THE CENTERS DEMANDS WITHOUT LOOKING INTO HOW THINGS WERE DONE.
BY THE WAY YOUR LITTLE PLAY IS A BIG JOKE.
YOU'RE MAD BECAUSE THE SUPERVISOR IS ASKING FOR AND HE WILL GET ANSWERS TO MANY OF THE QUESTIONS ONE BEING ''''WHERE HAS THE MONEY GONE TOO''''''
Great story by the Judge! The FUNNIEST blog entry I've ever seen. Great point about government inefficiency. How is this Interim Commissioner woman connected to Paul?
To the 12:43 poster...you obviously need a course in remedial reading, because someone here is trying to make a point about inefficiency. Those who control finances are the Town Council, not the people who work at the Center.
You're a hate monger!
If you're looking to get rid of waste, just remember, the Center is less than 5% of the total Town Budget.
The Public needs to put more demands on waste THROUGHOUT the Town.
Sorry to break your bubble there is too much waste at the center.
Some of the users have come forth and said just that,
5% or less means nothing .What counts is how is it spent.
I'm not a hate monger I like to see where and how taxpayers dollars are spent.
If the center was being run correctly and honestly there would have not been any changes made.
Since changes were requested there must be a good reason.
Listen to some of the users and then come back to the blog with the results.
Could everyone not be telling the truth.
There is a difference between a short term interim commissioner and a permanent commissioner. An extensive search is being conducted for the full time commissioner.
Let's see. So 11:13's solution to this is what? Leave the current commissioners in place, hire no interim commissioner, or hire an interim commisioner who has no familiarity with the Center -- as if someone would quit his/her job for an interim job. Whoever was picked for the job as an interim was going to start out with 50% of the people against them, Einstein.
Kudos to the Judge! One of the few intelligent postings made on this blog. Shouldn't taxpayers have a right to question King Feiner? I also asked the same questions about qualifications for this interim person. The only response I got was the political double speak.
Instead of putting so much time into misdirection, distraction, & putting a totally different spin on things, let's have some answers. I want to know that my tax dollars are going toward finding the best person for the job. This is also the point of the Judge. But what do we get instead? A vicious and racist attack on the Center. It's disgusting.
To 8:21: Your statements are incoherent. Why would anyone be mad about finding the best person for the job?
To 12:22: I would like to know why you know that 50% of the staff would not accept an interim director? Where did that come from? Please try to answer one question with some resemblance of intelligence. I would say, 99.99% of residents and staff are going to more readily accept someone who meets minimum qualifications than a political hack.
Let's respect the public enough to replace double speak with straight answers. Perhaps these answers are just too embarrassing for the Town Council and/or these political bloggers to honestly address?
Why not just have the highest ranking person at TDYCC be interim director?
To 10:31am: Excellent question! Paul refuses to answer. There are seven people above Ms. Whitehead. Each of whom meet the minimum requirements of having a college degree and beyond. Each of these people also have supervisory and administrative experience. On the other hand, Ms. Whitehead, and read this very carefully - this is fact and not hearsay - she doesn't supervise a single person, not one single person...how on earth did she jump seven spaces ahead? Perhaps Paul is trying to create a department of disgruntled employees and further destroy morale. He's obviously shown that qualifications, education, accomplishments, plus commitment and loyalty to the taxpayers mean nothing if you're willing to back-bite your peers.
This is disgraceful!
Again, how did Ms. Whitehead merit this promotion?
lower taxea, why don't you name the 7 people who are "above Ms. Whitehead" and the organizational chart to which you apparently are referring. Let's see who she "jumped ahead of."
To Anonymous 3:54pm:
#1..Aquatics Director (this is a management title)
#2..Assistant to the Commissioner (also a management title at Parks and Recreation held by former TDY Aquatics Director)
#3..Maintenance Foreman
#4..Program Coordinator (Arts)
#5..Program Coordinator (Youth & Adult)
#6..Senior Program Director
#7..Staff Assistant (equal to the title of Ms. Whitehead)
See Town Budget for specific dollar amounts.
Dear 4:17 Wether you like it or not the position will be filled as to whom the board feels is most qualified.
You had the best of two worlds not having anyone check on the center thoroughly now when we the residents have to pay higher taxes we want to see where the money is going.
Mrs. Whitehead may not even get the position.
This is a new year and this new board has their hands filled with trying to lower our taxes so we could survive.
I do not think that anyone going into that position should not be qualified to receive the salary that was mentioned.
I think that a few of the users have expressed their views as to what has to be done.and I think this new board will do the best that they can.
1..Aquatics Director (this is a management title)
#2..Assistant to the Commissioner (also a management title at Parks and Recreation held by former TDY Aquatics Director)
#3..Maintenance Foreman
#4..Program Coordinator (Arts)
#5..Program Coordinator (Youth & Adult)
#6..Senior Program Director
#7..Staff Assistant (equal to the title of Ms. Whitehead)
I'm not impressed that any of the people who hold these titles should be the interim Commissioner over the person who was selected. Why don't we wait until a permanent director is selected before criticism is directed at someone who will probably be a caretaker for a short period of time?
To 10:45pm: What about Ms. Whitehead's job performance merits such exceptional consideration as to jump ahead seven people above her on the organizational chart? This is a legitimate question, that neither Paul, the Council, or my fellow bloggers, want to touch with a ten foot pole. How does she go from $58,000.00 to $105,000.00 a year - how does that happen? Better still let's give some career advice to those seven people. What do THEY have to do to jump ahead that many steps? Something's missing here. There's a stench coming out of Greenburgh Town Hall. Lastly, who's going to replace her as Staff Assistant on an interim basis while she is serving as Interim Commissioner? Or does her short list of responsibilities not warrant such a measure? WAKE UP TAXPAYERS!
Do any of the people supporting Ms. Whitehead as interim commissioner actually work in the real world? If this happened in my office, promoting a "staff assistant" to interim commissioner there would be a complete breakdown in morale. People would go through the motions of doing their job, but no more. How can Paul not see this? Hal, you kept saying, just 3 votes, is this what you wanted? Doubling salaries for unqualified people?
Paul is whitehead a friend of your .She must be to merit a salary three times the previous amount received by the person doing the job.
Is Whitehead a miracle worker of some sort.
Why should she receive $105,000.00 dollars for a position that previously paid $59,000.00.
Will you be just leaving her to run all the jobs at the center.
Will the others loose their jobs to pay her salary.
You have to come up with an answer to this question.
We cannot pay her salary plus the others involved.
why not combined the rec center and TDYCC. The Rec center is managed well and they could improve the quality of activities at the tdycc. Go with what works.
Paul this previous blogger has a good Idea.
You have a good commissioner in the rec Dept.why not have him take over the center.
Oh boy what a saving that would be.
Mr. Feiner - You just don't get it! Yes, Hopeton and maybe William time had come; but an intelligent person who knows buisness understand how things should or/should NOT be done. Both of them are gone -that's a fact. Ok but here is the true story.
Fire Gerald Burns at Parks and Rec and put a secretary in his place with NOTHING TO OFFER,NO EXPERIENCE, NO PROGRAMMING SKILLS, NO MANAGEMENT SKILLS, NO EDUCATION OR JOB EXPERIENCE. OH no, you'd never do that-Oops-he's white You don't care a'bout them niggers at the community center.
Ms. Whitehead $58,000 salary is currently being GARNISHED - SHE can't pay her own bills HOW IS SHE TO MANAGE A 3.2 MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET. Several seniors are afraid to come forward to say she has stolen from them. WHY -cause her nephews are gang members in the housing projects-just last week another one was arrested. No one is hating on Ms. Whitehead, her character is questionable and her methods of borrowing money and never repaying seniors who need the money.
You are not impressed with staff - I guess not -since you never met with anyone prior to making everyone livid with the firing of Mr. White & Bland.
So here's your award
CERTIFICATE OF UPGRADE TO COMPLETE JACKASS IS PRESENTED TO PAUL FEINER IN RECOGNITION OF YOUR EGOTISTICAL ATTITUDE, ABILITY TO PISS OFF THE MASSES, TOTAL JUVENILLE BEHAVIOR IN PUBLIC AND TOTAL DEDICATION TO GETTING AHEAD WITHOUT THE REGARD FOR FREINDS, FAMILY, STAFF OR WHAT YOU PLACE YOUR LIPS ON - YOU ARE WITHOUT A DOUBT RECOGNIZED FOR THIS UPGRADE FROM HALF ASS TO FULL BLOWN COMPLETE JACKASS - by all the people you have come in contact with, since you are a legend in your own mind. It gives us great DISSATISFACTION to present you with this award. If anyone should doubt it, just plain be YOURSELF.
Oh -forgot to mention Paul Feiner has selceted the new commissioner already without interviews- Mr. O. Reynolds. What a sham Paul - you are what the last blogger wrote. A assssssssssssssssssssssss
I think it's disgraceful when people make unsubstantiated allegations against employees or individuals. Or...when people make outright lies about others. It's wrong. It's not fair. I want to make it very clear that all allegations (anonymous and non anonymous) about employees who allow their names to be used are investigated by the police. The allegations made by anonymous about the incoming interim commissioner are not true. Shame on those who will try to destroy other people's reputations by making up things.
made a typo on last : employees who allow names to be used --should be deleted.
What should be said is that all allegations are (anonymous and non anonymous) are investigated.
CLOSE THE DAM CENTER IT IS ONLY CAUSING MORE PROBLEMS WITH THE TOWN AND WHAT EVER IS DONE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED BY ALL THE MEMBERS.
iT IS CAUSING SO MUCH UNREST AND NAME CALLING WHICH WILL JUST BE ESCALATING INTO MORE TROUBLE.
THERE IS NO WAY THAT ALL THE MEMBERS WILL BE PLEASED WITH WHOM THE BOARD WILL PUT IN THE VACANT POSITION.
DOES THE BOARD NEED THIS TROUBLE I DOUBT IT.
THE NAME CALLING IS DEPLORABLE .tHIS IS NOT THE PLACE TO BRING OUT DIRTY WASH FROM SOMEONE WHO MAY NOT EVEN BE TAKING THE JOB IS IN POOR TASTE.
Enough already with the TDYCC!
The simple facts are that it does not serve the entire community and therefore should either be closed or restructured to promote town wide community interests.
There is no welcome mat at the door for all and every resident knows it.
I'm tired of all the pandering to one, small, community in Greenburgh and their interests.
Most people in the community support the center and recognize that the Town Board has the right to appoint their choices as commissioner and deputy commissioner. On February 15th Valerie Whitehead will be the new interim commissioner. THe community will support her.
Dear 10:57,
I beg to differ. Most people in the community don't even know where the center is located let alone support it.
Is it possible you are referring to the Fairview community when you say "the community"?
I am very offended by the use of the N word on a blog. The purpose of a blog is to provide everyone with the opportunity to express themselves -freely--and to highlight their concerns about issues. Show some respect, without making unsubstantiated attacked.
The center is known as the fairview center and it should be solely supported by the residents of fairview since they are the only ones using the place.
How could residents be taxed for something that cannot be used by others.
The building is in their area and it should be supported by them.
Leave the tax payers alone we are paying for so many things that none of us use.
Paul the person who used the N word is an African American.
He or she wanted to start a bad dialogue on the blog but up to now it has not worked.
What's really scary is that 4:13 sounds very, very close to the center. An employee? An active user or supporter?
Nice.
I'm not up to speed here. Why were Bland & White dismissed?
I do agree with the previous bloggers about the center not being for all who live in Greenburgh.
Only a hand full of people even know where the center is. The town of Greenburgh should have access to the center, not only the people in walking distance or in fairview.
Like the Recreation Center, its open to all!!!
Paul we are getting tired of paying taxes for services not for all in this town.
Close the center and have affordable housing built on the site.
This will bring in revenue not that the residents have to pay taxes and not be allowed to use the center.
It's in faieview they want it they pay for it.
was the person who used the "N" word a town employee. Were any computers at the TYCC used?
Why does Supervisor Feiner only decide to respond when someone goes off the deep end? BUT ignores the reasonable questions being raised about this Interim Commissioner? Also why does Council Women Sony Brown send me her number? (469-2314) Perhaps it's to calm residents, as 150,000 people are looking at this Blog, why not put the effort for an "IN WRITING" response?
AGAIN, WHY WAS MS. WHITEHEAD SELECTED FOR THE JOB? WHY?
The Parks Dept is well managed...as long as you're a rich WHITE person who swims and plays tennis! It's a TOP HEAVY Dept that gives away a FREE House in Hartsbrook to it's employees. Check your facts!
"IT SHOULD BE PRETTY EASY TO SEE WHETHER A PAYCHECK IS GARNISHED OR NOT."
Okay using the "N" word isn't good, HOWEVER a point is being made about the vast differences between how the Parks Dept and Community Center are treated.
Remember the Parks Dept spent 1.3 million on a new Center that wasn't needed. Money was spent due to an unwillingness to use available space at Fairview. Then they give up half their space to the Library during construction! Why hasn't anyone noticed??!?!?!??! Who is accountable for this monumental waste of tax paper dollars?? Where are all the new programs the Multi Center was supposed to have? Just HOW many more people use that new building since it was constructed? Don't worry, I won't hold my breath waiting for answers!
Racism COSTS big bucks!
Diane Crasto (receptionist at Parks Dept.) should be the next Parks Commissioner!!!!
Paul was it the "N" word that offended you OR someone noticing the segregation that you encourage that got your attention???
Okay using the "N" word isn't good, HOWEVER a point is being made about the vast differences between how the Parks Dept and Community Center are treated.
There in NO POINT to be made by using that word and since you think it can be used to make any point, you've just outed yourself for the horrible person that you are.
When you think this blog has sunk to the lowest point in the Pacific Ocean, 4:13PM comes up with the "N" word. And some soul attempts to justify it by saying the user is an African-American and, just trying to start a dialogue.
If fewer and fewer people- regardless of race- stop using that vulgar term, it will more readily, fade away.
As to the injection of race into the blog, all one has to do is lok at the dais during town board metting to rest assured Greenburgh is an integrated community. In the 30+ years I've live here, there have been no racial incidents to my knowledge, so let's not use this blog to stir the cold ashes.
Ed Krauss
Sorry Ed, racism is alive and well in Greenburgh. Be assured that the attacking blogger is a disgruntled center employee who knows the structure of the center & parks dept. Mr Feiner must follow through with an investigation to clear Ms Whitehead's name so that she can move the center forward with dignity and intergity. The stream of negative stuff regarding Ms Whitehead is the act of an out of control desperate coward whose use of the "N" word is to have us think that he is an African American. Not so. HE is white and also the author of the published petition that was signed by 17 employees discrediting Ms Whitehead. A review of the signees includes the name of this disturbed person.It's interesting that senior citizens' confide in him about the actions of Ms Whitehead and yet he never saw fit to bring their concerns to the attention of the administration.There are many people who support the actions of Paul Feiner and members of the town board to have Whitehead serve as interim commissioner. It will be a daunting task to pull the staff together. The choice of Whitehesad is a good one. She is capable of accomplishing this mission and should be compensated. Unless the plague is removed,the journey will be difficult if not impossible to progress and serve the people as they should be served.
Wow!!! Just a look at that list that was published in the Journal newspapers who are against Valerie Whitehead. Makes me wonder who are those stupid people who work at the center. Certainly not those folks who are suppose to be more qualified than Valarie. If they have degrees, thay didn't learn very much in college and their degrees should be revoked. It's funny how the people listed are some of the very ones who feel they are qualified for the job as interim commissioner. They don't have a clue. I wouldn't hire any of
them to be dog catcher. It's a shame they are continuing to help dismantle the center and before long, it will be no longer.. Wake up stupid, jealous sour overpaid people get on board or get out. When I come to the Theordore Young Center and see you sitting around taking up space I'm going to call the town supervisor and compplain that you are not doing your job and need to be replaced. I want to see my taxes at work doing the work of the town and not gossiping and sending out e-mails (I've received my share) on town time using town equipment.....and to all you so called qualified people why would anyone with a half a brain put a maintaince person in charge of the center. There is something seriously wrong with this.You and the rest of those quasi-qualified people need to back off because you are obviously following someone who is feeding you to the wolves. I have to aay that you are not very smart and since your names were listed in the newspapers, now everyone knows who you are, and none of you are deserving of a supervisory or the interim position. You all are cheating the taxpayers by using town time to spread your evil thoughts and deeds while you should be doing your job. You are probly upset because the party is over and the community is taking a serious look at the operation and how you HAVE BEEN GETTING OVER1111
Tephlon George, you've been outed along with your band of inept bandits who hang out at the TDYCC resort. It takes a whole lot of time(town time) and thought(on town time) and energy (rallying distructive forces) to stir-up such division. Forget it George and all of those other wanna-be commishes. You are a pitiful lot who are a poison to the whole Greenburgh community and to TDYCC. It's long over due for Paul Feiner to take control and SWIFTLY STOP
your defamation of Ms Whitehead's character. ALL OF THOSE through word, petition or deed know what they are trying to do and in the long run, it won't work.
The Feiner team has made its choice and rightly so,and did not choose anyone from that infamous petition list. Leave it to the media to let us see who the real unqualified trouble making town employees are. Supervisor Feiner has been the source of much criticism lately...But this time he got it right. And as for Valerie Whitead, there are so many people in the community who know, respect, and support her. At least now there is no question of who the relentless enemies are...right George!!!!oop's almost forgot those other band of wanna-be commishes...If you want to know who they are just ask George, or check out the Journal news. With all the concern by some fellow emplyees about the appointment of Ms Whitehead to an interim position, it makes one wonder, what are you hiding that we may not know?????Right George! You may have the papers, but you don't have brains enough to keep your ignorance to yourself.....enough said....
I work as the Director of the Senior Citizen Programs at the Theodore D. Young Community Center. I also serve as the Vice President of CSEA Unit 8215. It has been my honor and privilege to serve the residents of the Town of Greenburgh for nearly 20 years.
It was called to my attention that this blog has been used to both defame and character attack employees at the Ted Young Community Center.Somehow blog comments made their way to a staff meeting.
I discourage any employee from using Town equipment on Town time to do anything other their job including posting to this blog. That person will find a Union which DOES NOT support such efforts.Our Union does however FULLY SUPPORT those committed to their job and also those who practice "FREEDOM OF SPEECH".
However, it you are really looking to make an impact or positive change please include your name.
I commend the 17 people who did in fact include their names by signing a letter of protest. Rest assured this protest was completely civil with a one single agenda, the best future of our Center.If someone choose to take personal offense, none was intended. Doesn't this mean we don't like the Interim Commissioner? No. Was there anything personal included about her in our protest? No.At the same time do we feel she is good match for the job? Again,sadly,no.
When I think of all the positive changes which have resulted from civil protest throughout history, I'm very proud that 17 (and at least 15 more who would have signed but were concerned about reprisals) people I work with also risked perceived possible reprisals to made a stand for something they believed in.These 17employees are good people, hard working and dedicated.
Some of the comments left here are outrageous and not worth a second of anyone's time. Thought I find it most troubling and telling when reasonable questions remain ignored and only to be replaced with the most vicious of attacks.
If anything the adamant determination to avoid legitimate questions serves to strengthen the validity of our protest. To those attackers I say thank you!
Lastly while we disagree with some recent decisions, we continue to be fully committed to serving the mission of the Ted Young Community Center and putting the public interest first.
It's amazing Geo. how fast the nasty comments stoped abruptly after your exposure. Perhaps you and your sixteen fellow spreaders of vicious words & deeds will understand that what you say and do will get out; haunt you; and kick you in the ass, right Patrica!!!!!Just as with you & George, I remain anonymous... I,m sure you know how that is.
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