It seems the Village of Woodbury may well come into existence.
And then the fun will really begin.
Ralph (Mr. Republican Committee) Caruso and Bob (Mr. Democratic Committee) Donnelly will endorse a single slate.
They will say, that "in the interests of the people of Woodbury we are putting aside political differences and endorsing a NON-PARTISAN slate of the finest people that Woodbury has to offer."
This sort of ignores the fact that Donnelly does whatever Ralph tells him to do.
It also ignores that even if Donnelly was independent of Ralph (which he isn't) it would only make the slate bipartisan, not non-partisan.
What's the difference?
The difference is that Caruso's version of the town Republicans and Donnelly's version of the town Democrats, still comes down to the same handful of clowns that have been buzzing around Caruso for years - plus perhaps one or two new faces that they dragged in to hide behind.
It leaves out just about everyone else in town.
So they will trot out John Baranowski, who has been Caruso's pretend "intellectual" for years.
What makes a Caruso intellectual different than a regular Ralphling?
He lies using longer words.
Then they will trot out Bob Reveille. The strong, handsome type.
He'd look even better if he didn't have Ralph's arm up his butt.
Who else will this blue-ribbon, non-partisan, best-that-Woodbury-has-to-offer (Caruso version), slate have?
We'll keep you posted.
Tune in again.
Same Time.
Same Uncle.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
21 comments:
Anonymous said...
Dear Uncle B;
I’ve just got home from an enjoyable and relaxing vacation. Like most travelers, departing from their fun filled destinations, I felt the trip was to short, but returning home was a comforting thought. Well at least that’s what I thought… What’s happened in the short time I’ve been gone???
My mailbox is filled with preservation kits and letters from mayors of neighboring towns-----
I have called and sent the attached e-mail to Mr. Caruso’s preservation group in an attempt to get some answers regarding this “village of straw “ no one from the group has yet responded.
Dearest Uncle B can you please help me get this to them…..
Q. If a village of Woodbury is formed, how long will it take to become a functioning government?
Q. How will a new village government affect the current government of the Town of Woodbury?
Q. Would not a Mayor supercede the authority of a town supervisor? Or would they hold equal power in decision-making and policy decisions? The same for trustees Vs counclepeople?
Q.Exactly what would a village government be responsible for providing its residents? Would this duplicate the services already provided by the town of Woodbury?
Q. Who provided the cost estimates for a possible village, and how were said estimates derived?
Q. What can be done, if anything, to abolish a new village once formed? What if we decide we were mistaken and no longer wish to have a village overlapping our town?
Q. Do we have an example of a village overlapping a town in New York State? If so where and why did this occur?
Thank you in advance for your time,
Christine Martin
Highland Drive
Highland Mills
6:42 PM
The Uncle passed your questions on to wiser folks than I. Here are two sets of answers. As soon as time allows I will try to distill them down to one set of answers. Then maybe no answers at all, but wait, I progress too far.
If you have the time to read through all this and make a single set of answers from them, it will make life so much easier for the Uncle. Deal?
Your favorite Uncle Betty
How will the village government affect the current Town government: it depends on how much authority the village government wishes to exert. For example, the Village can leave zoning and planning ( including inspections) in the Town's hands, if it so wishes. Or it can take over those functions and become the authority on zoning and planning (and inspections). It would appoint its own Planning and Zoning Boards either way, but the Village would decide how much authority to assume for these Boards. The Village could expand its power and authority if the Village decided it did not like what the Town was doing, if it did not like the outcome of the Town elections or decided it did not want to work with the Town Government any longer. In that case, the Town would still have to have those Boards and functions, but they would become very minimal while the Village's authority expanded greatly. The Village would need to have more office and meeting space, office equipment and consultants to handle this increase in authority and responsibility while the Town would have less.
On the questions of who would have more authority--the Mayor/Supervisor and Town Board/Trustess , that too depends on how much power or authority the Village wishes to assume. If the village takes on more powers, the town's powers would shrink. The Town and its government would still exist but with much less authority and responsibilities. One cannot predict what future elected officials will do, but the Village has the power to take over most of the Town's governoring functions if it so desires. If that happened, the mayor would have more power than the supervisor and the village trustees would have more power that the Town Board.
Cost estimates for the village budget/expenes: The group advocating for the village created the unverified budget. It is the belief of some that this is a greatly understated budget. People who have worked on the Town's budget see gaps and omissions of expenses in this proposed budget---all under estimated. It is also believed that information about what happens to the fire district is incorrect and that the estimated budget makes many assumptions, including that the new village and the current Town Board will work together. If one takes out the estimated cost of office space ($2000/month rent is for minimal space) and for the proposed salaries, there is no break down for the rest of the budget. It would also be assumed that the start up costs, especially for legal fees, would be considerable if the village assumes more power. Given some of the behavior at public meetings and even some of the literature from those proposing the village, it is questionable how well they will work together with the current Town Board ( if one assumes that some of those advocating for the village intend to be candidates for the new village) Also the Village creators are assuming what unknown elected officials will do. The officials of the Town and Village set their own salaries. The village creators can propose these expenses, but they are not binding on those who get elected. If the tow boards do not cooperate, costs will definitely increase. It is believed that this budget is seriously inaccurate.
In terms of who will deliver the services, that is still being researched because this new village is so unique. It is unknown what will happen to Town employees if the village takes over the Town's functions. Again, the village creators make many assumptions but there is no obligation for elected boards to follow these assumptions on anything.
As to whether another village like this proposed one exists in NYS, thus far we have not been able to find one exactly like this one. There are villages that encompass the entire Town but this one is different because it already has a village in it (Harriman). That is excluded because you cannot have a village inside of a village. A village created of the entire Town, minus an existing village in the Town, is very unusual.
second response
1) Post-incorporation time line - Within 5 days of the date of incorporation, the town clerk shall appoint a village clerk.
Within 3 days of appointment, the village clerk must file an oath of office with the town clerk
Within 10 days of appointment the clerk must post and publish a notice of election for mayor and four trustees and appoint fourinspectors of election.
Inspectors of election must file oath of office within 3 days of appointment.
Within 60 days from the appointment
of the clerk, there shall be an election to choose a mayor and four trustees As soon as practicable after the election, the mayor and trustees shall meet to appoint a clerk and treasurer.
Immediately upon incorporation, a village board is conferred the following powers: To appoint a village clerk, treasurer, and attorney, to hold meetings of the board of trustees, to appoint a zoning commission, to engage necessary clerical assistants to the clerk, to designate an official newspaper...
2) For two years following the date of incorporation, all local laws, ordinances, rules and regulations of the town will remain in effect in the village IF they had been adopted by the village board of trustees. All such legislation must be enforced and administered by the town until the first day of June following the first day of January
(June 1, 2007) succeeding the date of incorporation at which time responsbility for enforcement and administration will shift to the village.
Beginning from the date of incorporation, the village is authorized to enact local laws, resolutions, rulea and regulations. Therefore, any carried-over legislation will remain in effect in the village unless the village enacts local laws which cover the same subject matter of any town legislation.
3) While the Mayor wouldn't supercede the powers of Supervisor, he/she would have more responsibility over legislation, etc.(more power). When a village incorporates, it remains a part of the town. All village residents continue to be entitled to vote in the town and take part in any services which are provided on a town-wide basis, and continue to be required to pay town taxes to support their share of the cost of such services (general government, recreation, library, etc.) The major exceptions are services which are provided by the town through the operation of "special districts." Any portion of a special district (such as sewer, water, fire, etc.) which falls within the area of the new village will cease to be a part of that district. Virtually all of the special district functions can be continued by contracting with the town (the proponents plan), PROVIDED THAT BOTH THE VILLAGE AND THE TOWN CAN REACH AGREEMENT. Where special district services are received by only a portion of the proposed new village, the village can set up special assessments to continue to provide funding for those services.
4) See above
5) The proponents of the village developed the PROPOSED budget. At the forums they held two years ago, they said it was developed with minimal costs in mind, i.e.,
P/T Mayor, trustees, village clerk, treasurer (combine village clerk and treasurer into one position -possible by law), contracting with the town for services @ $1.00/year,
$27 per $100,000 of assessed value (property tax), village attorney - per diem/as needed basis, ZBA/PB, Library - also contract with the town @ $1.00 per year (these services cannot be contracted). The proponents stated that the budget was developed based on THEIR past experience (?) and their thought of what it would cost to run the "office." It is quite obvious that this budget was ill-conceived, contains missing mandates that the village would have to have, and makes a lot of assumptions (if the Town decides not to enter into an agreement with the village, the village HAS TO provide those services to the residents in the village. The village CAN create a DPW, police department, water/sewer department, building department, trash collection, water supply system, fire department, etc.
6) Yes. Dissolution is a process whereby a village ceases to exist as a government entity. It is one of the few actions which can be directly initated by petition for placement on a ballot at referendum. A dissolution proposition may also be placed on the ballot by a village board acting on its own motion. Neither the residents of the town-outside-village nor the town board may initiate a dissolution referendum, nor may town-outside-village residents vote in the referendum (Harriman).
7) While the proponents used examples in Rockland and Westchester two years ago, there doesn't seem to be another area with this exact proposal, where it encompasses basically the entire town. The villages incorporated in Rockland were created mostly surrounding zoning issues. I'm unclear as to why those in Westchester were created.
Anonymous said...
Dear Fireman: Please read village law section #22-2210 Establishment of jOINT Fire Districts
The town board of a town or the town boards of more than one town, and the board of trustees of an incorporated village or the boards of trustees of more than one incorporated village located in said town or towns are hereby authorized to establish and/or extend in such town or towns and village or villages a joint fire district for purposes stated and in the manner provided in article eleven A of town law (which means nothing changes because it operates exactly as it does now), provided all of the territory in such joint fire district shall be contigious. Well, the basis of the map of the Village of Woodbury was based on the Map of the Fire District. Because the village proposal encompassed so many square feet , larger than the five square miles normally required for a village, the village people had to utililze the option of following a district, which is another method of getting around the five square mile requirement. They chose to mimic the Fire District. So, in that sense the village and the joint fire district would be contigious. What I am not understanding is why when a reasonable person can see for themself the evidence, which is not a spin, but facts based on clear language from the Village Law Book itself, and numerous interpretations of the atty general and comptroller, you would still try to get reasonable people to believe it is not true. Better yet, why in god's name is the fate of the village being decided on whether or not the town fire department gets to keep their club. this is absolutely crazy. noone wants to get rid of you guys. it would cost us an arm and a leg. but, damn, the outcome of the village should be based on the best interest of the people of woodbury and not the interest of the fire department (which, again, noone wants to change
Anonymous said...
If we fail to create a single Incorpated Village for the Town of Woodbury do you think The Southwest Woodbury Homeowners Association will petition the town to become a village? Could part of their village boundries include EARL RESERVOIR? Can these smaller villages take our parks and recreation? VOTE YES August 8 to preserve Woodbury.
12:55 AM
Theoretically, both a Village of Woodbury and the Town of Woodbury ultimately could share one government structure. This has been done elsewhere and required an act of a state legislature to permit it. In a similar (but not precisely the same) situation, the City of Stamford, CT was within the Town of Stamford, CT. When operating two governments with overlapping jurisdictions was no longer practicable, the Connecticut Legislature was asked to intervene. The legislature recommended consolidation and the voters of the City and of the Town of Stamford approved consolidation in 1949 and established one entity.
Incorporating as a village is NOT an irrevocable act. It is possible to dissolve a Village of Woodbury if and when we so desire, perhaps when all the available land in Woodbury has been developed consistent with our community's values.
It appears that a Village of Woodbury would be helpful right now. If at some point in the future that benefit vanishes, then we have recourse within the structure of our New York State government. I believe it is possible for us to have a village without going broke, but only if we understand where we are going and the choices available in the future.
Lois,
I agree that the village could be disolved at some future date. I hope that that is what will happen, but I do not count on it.
As to combined Town and Village governments, Mount Kisco (I think) is one example. But they have a town and a village with exactly the same borders ("coterminus" to borrow a word from the fire district debate)
Because part of Harriman is part of the Town we can't do that.
Now if Harrriman and Monroe felt it was worthwhile for the Town of Monroe to annex the Woodbury portion of the Village of Harriman, it might benefit everyone. Monroe would gain some rateables, the Woodbury-Harriman people might lower their taxes and the extra cost of a Village of Woodbury would largely or entirely disappear.
To anonymous who wrote to fireman,
You called the firehouse a club, now I'm not a fireman, but I hear the Fire Whistle ringing an awful lot, if I am not wrong, they don't get paid for what they do.........and again if I'm not wrong, what they do is the same thing the Fire department in big cities get paid to do, and they do it for free. This is your idea of a club? Just exactly what clubs do you belong to?
Sounds like Uncle Betty has a bad case of sour grapes since he/she/it may not be connected with the potentially new "in crowd" as she/he/it apparently is now. What a shame.
It is that same "in crowd" and their actions or inactions that have created this village issue!!!
Curious George
In the end, it still seems like the "sour grapes" belong to Ralph for his inability to get elected, and his demand that the zoning not change. Is it possible that if the new village is created that Ralph will deem himself the Mayor, Clerk and heads of the Zoning and Planning Boards as well...afterall, ain't Ralph da man??? PLEASE vote NO!
Dear He/She/It
If memory serves, Mr. Caruso set all of this in motion.
it makes no sense that kj would be for this village
didnt they have a lawsuit challenging it?
Good point!
Good going Donnelly
You're learning. This time you waited 29 minutes before you posted your agreement with yourself.
PS you're still a toad.
Back to the original subject, Ralph and Donnally fail to mention that existing parties legally CAN'T participate in the election. Whoopie-do for them, being so gracious in doing what they legally have to, heh.
Of course, Ralph's always been a strong believer in bi-partisan politics. Like working against his own parties candidates in the last election, despite being the CHAIRMAN of the republicans.
The lines, if there are any, have become so blurred between Woodbury's Republican and Democratic committees. Ralph Caruso seems to be the ultimate boss, with Bob Donnelly steering his committee towards whatever plans that Ralph has set in motion. Gone are the days of a two-party system. If the good people of the TOWN of Woodbury vote in favor of the Village, and allow Ralph's takeover, then we have only ourselves to blame.
John Burke should be ashamed of himself.He was elected to represent ALL the residents of Woodbury, but instead, it is crystal clear that he is representing Ralph Caruso and his agenda. Although there was speculation before the 11/05 election that the Democratic committee was in thick with the Republican committee, I just didn't want to believe it, but sadly, John has turned speculation into truth by his actions. First, as SUPERVISOR, he writes a Pro village letter for Ralph to print, and then he tries to take on the majority of the board in an effort to allow Ralph to spew his liteny of lies about the village at the televised town board meeting!! I thought the Supervisor was supposed to remain impartial, or at least pretend to be in public! I am so greatly disappointed in you Mr. Burke. To think I actually stuck up for you! What a thorough disgrace. But, I guess I won't have to worry about it, for if the Village does get created, Ralph will be kicking your backside, just like he did to those useless puppets in the past (remember Henry "use him and abuse him" Dobson??).
Burke's election sign on Caruso's lawn 9 months ago should have dispelled any doubt even then. But people are right to be angry over all the deception, scheming and corruption.
The only blessing I can see is that no matter what happens, Caruso's gang have stuck their necks out so far on this one, with so many blatant lies that no matter what happens people will know exactly who is to blame.
I just pray we have a community to live in when this is over...
Dearest Uncle Betty,
Thanks for passing along my questions. After reading the two sets of answers, I felt just about prepared enough to come to a decision. I then received a phone call from Mr. Ralph Caruso; he as well had his own set of answers. In one of his answers, he stated his groups [Preservation Kit] would be used as the “BIBLE” in running the proposed village. I found this a very strange statement on many levels; In fact, I get dizzy just thinking about it. He then closed our conversation by saying “If the Village of Woodbury is not voted in on Thursday, we’ll be printing Woodbury’s obituary in Friday’s paper.” Now that remark was just----ummm----not a very nice thing to say to someone who had a few questions.
I really had to wonder, why would anyone who feels confident enough with his or her answers, make such a statement? Could it be his answers were not strong enough to win my vote, or perhaps he thought a nice dose of fear would push me over the edge? Whatever---I have made my decision---I will be voting NO on Thursday, I do not now nor will I ever trust anyone who preaches a gospel of fear.
Your Adoring and most Grateful Nice
Christine Martin
Then you can't trust Swiller and Ocean either. They have been preaching fear and paranoia ever since Brodsky showed up.
You know so very much- give me one lie that Swiller has told and I'll give you 50 of Ralph's!
Parinoia can be justified if you're facing real threats. The difference is if one does their best to honestly educate people, or simply try and get them to serve your political ends. I don't think there could be a bigger contrast in this case.
To Blogger # 17?
Nice comment. By the way, are you trying to engage in some form of communication?
It would be very difficult to further this {discussion?} if you insist upon not using a name. Perhaps your own name would give you some creditability. Only a true coward secretly shouts out insults, and then hides among the crowd. Gentlemen however will always stand by their name. Mr. Swiller’s comments are posted along with his name----very gentlemanly ------------yours are posted without a name. I trust cowards even less then I trust fear mongers. Mr. Swiller has never offered me anything other then his honest opinion,
an opinion given without the use of fear or hate. I appreciate the fact that Mr. Swiller respects people enough to let them form their own opinions. Blogger #17 The first step in gaining respect is by giving it
Christine Martin
Post a Comment