Saturday, April 21, 2007
What's Wrong With This Picture?
Obviously, the problem here is very subtle.
Now try with this - some parts may be wrong, some may be a little off, some unclear and some dead on target - your assignment is to tell which parts are which (to help things along the Uncle has numbered the paragraphs):
Opinion (Times Herald Record)
The Woodburys get more costly
1) In August, a news story about the vote to create a Village of Woodbury atop the Town of Woodbury explained that "the central question for many people going to the polls on Thursday is whether turning most of Woodbury into one big village would prevent Kiryas Joel from seizing its western reaches and allowing more high-density housing."
2) The answer, then as now, is no. While the creation of this dual government may have made one route to high-density housing more difficult, it did not and could not, by law, prevent what most voters feared.
3) Now, it turns out that the residents of this dual form of government are going to pay dual taxes as well and at a much higher clip than promised.
4) Isn't that always the problem when people panic and are inclined to believe anything that promises to deliver them from the things they fear?
5) At the time of the vote, which approved creation of the dual governments by an overwhelming vote of 2,092-583, there were clear indications that no matter how well the legal strategy worked to prevent annexation or other incursions of people who wanted to re-create the housing profile of Kiryas Joel, the costs and complexity would not be too heavy.
6) Last week, we learned just how heavy they will be. Instead of the promised extra annual budget cost of $150,000 or so, the bill will be about a half-million dollars. And that does not include about a quarter-million dollars in one-time costs to set up the new government. Instead of an increase in taxes of about $100 a year, the increase is now projected to be $488 a year. Instead of a part-time clerk at $7,500, there is an extra $24,000 for the town clerk to take on the extra duties.
7) Proponents of the dual government will say that there are ways to reduce those costs, perhaps with lower town expenses, and lower town taxes, if the village takes over town services. It is easy to understand how people who believed first the promise that their vote would provide protection that it never could and second the promise that it would not cost that much would be willing to suspend disbelief one more time and believe that those costs will come down in the future, leaving the town and village to operate at only a slightly higher cost than the town did alone.
8) They also will have to believe that the creation of two governing boards will not result in competition and even more expense as factions within Woodbury — the same factions that have been at odds over several development proposals that had nothing to do with Kiryas Joel or with plans that remotely approached that density of building — seek out friendly treatment. The myth that the village would adopt the zoning of the town is still alive and still could become reality. If it does not, then future development proposals within Woodbury could be even more divisive and even harder to control.
9) With the exception of the people with higher property taxes, chances are there will never be a full accounting of what costs more, what costs less and what efficiencies fell victim to the forces of politics and bureaucracy.
10) If there is a benefit so far, it might be in the example this should set for others who rush to an untested and overhyped solution to an ill-defined problem. The truth is, neighboring governments can go only so far in controlling the activities of their neighbors.
11) Perhaps this will work out for those who feared a mini-Kiryas Joel, or several of them, from popping up within the borders of the Town of Woodbury. The people who want to promote that form of development might have to target other land in a different direction. But as a letter writer pointed out shortly after the vote last summer, one community cannot control the activities in another. County legislators denied a request by Kiryas Joel to put a water tower on land in a county park, so the village bought land right next door to put in the tower it wanted.
12) As an editorial before the vote warned, adding a village to a town would "create a competition between town and village officials over who controls what" and "certainly cost more in taxes than proponents of the plan say, because elected officials always seem to find a need for new jobs and ways to spend money."
13) So far, that appears to be the case. The editorial also warned that any chance of negotiating with Kiryas Joel and developers would be much more difficult with two Woodburys than with one. While that has yet to happen, it is only a matter of time, and with the extra costs as a guide, it seems safe to predict that the two governments will have less, not more, power to control the destiny of the Woodburys.
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92 comments:
Just out of curiosity, can there be a referendum to dissolve the village board and return to our previous status? I bet a lot of people would change their votes this time around.
Why did'nt the village board lease everything back to the town board with the fire department being kept status quo (letters from the town and village requesting such from the state)? Creating THIS village should serve ONE PURPOSE (1)"prevent Woodbury from being a MULTIPLE VILLAGE town". Anything else will cost money.
they don't say bigotry is a symptom of ignorance for nothing
How much do they charge?
The village board should, and from what I'm being told the town board wrote a letter to the village board with financial concerns regarding the village taking over the water & sewer dept. The letter asks the village board to join the town board in asking for special legislation so that the water sewer will remain with the town and there will be NO financial inpacts to the people in that district.
I guess the village board doesn't like that idea because at the budget hearing the water sewer is still in their budget.
It's amazing how very soon after they were elected they supported special legislation for the fire dept, even though it's against village law, but they will not support or even inquire about special legislation for the water sewer dept stating that it's against village law! So what that's why the town and village need special legislation!
The village board is going back on their campaign promises. They promised to keep everything the same and work with the town board to make sure everything remains the same!
I think both boards need to use their heads to work together to keep everything the same. You all need to start telling your attorneys what YOU want because you guys are supposed to do the right thing for the tax payers.
I do not care or want to hear that it's against town or village law!
I have been told that because of our situation we could probably get around some of those laws!
I voted to keep everything the same, and I was assured by some town board members that if I voted for this village board it would. Now I see this is not the case and it makes me leary of the village board, but also the effectiveness of our older more experienced town board.
I have one message to the town and village board, wake up and do what's right for the people, work out the details, but change almost nothing! If it's true and the town board wants special legislation then the village should jump on the band wagon and get things rolling. Remember the residents, you work for us.
To find the answer to your question take a look at the higher salaries to the Mayor, clerk and the tax collector which by the way no other village in Orange County has? Are we going to let three people run 10,000 for their personal quest for power and money? This was on the Community Parties web site and I guess they thought we would just forget their promise.
WOODBURY’S
COMMUNITY PARTY
HONEST - RESOURCEFUL - INORMED - QUALIFIED - ETHICAL
EFFECTIVE RESULT ORIENTED LEADERSHIP
DETERMINED TO MAKE OUR VILLAGE STRONG!
* Work closely with theTown Board
* Minimize all Village tax impacts, costs & expenses
* Maintain exsisitng Zoning
* Support & Respect our Town Employees
* Keep all Town Services intact & fully functional
* Support our Fire Companies & maintain current protection levels
* Competently & diligently defend against all annexation attempts
* Seek out & obtain various Grants to further reduce taxes
* Pursue affordable senior and work force housing solutions
So either the Preservationists are now rearing their butt-ugly faces and are on the attack, or the Town board is worried about their own finances...either way, someone wants to use the Village and it's board as the proverbial scapegoats for their own mistakes, miscalculations and/or wrongdoings. Instead of picking apart the current Village Board, perhaps our time would be better spent looking at the "fathers" of the Village itself...Ralph Caruso and John Burke! Seems to me that they didn't really bother doing all the investigations necessary to see this whole Village thing all the way through BEFORE spreading it around like wild fire. They didn't pay attention to the actual costs, nor were they truthful in their reasons for the necessity of creating a Village. If there is blame or suspicion, it should be directed at THEM, certainly not at the Village Board. One must also wonder since Ralph and John were basically connected at the hip prior to the 11/06 Village election, did John make decisions for the Town in anticipation of Ralph and his crew winning the Village seats? Could that be effecting the Town's budget now? Just a thought. We must never forget that "for every action, there is an equal and opposite REACTION"!!!
i think you are trying to deflect the issues that are being discussed. The community party platform states all TOWN departments will remain intact. Why aren't they bending over backwards to make sure they keep their promise?!?!
If the town board feels they have a shot at special legislation then why would the village board not support their efforts?
I am not casting stones at the village board, nor the town board I'm just discussing the issues.
hey village board, listen up. you promised to keep things the same. you promised to consolidate departments. your party "promised to keep all town services intact". unfortunately, no matter how you spin it. you - not the town, are costing us money. trying to deflect this back to the towns' poor financial planning is baloney. this is nothing more than power going to your heads and keeping yourself in power. why would you want to take control of the sewar department when in fact it is the same department or district that serves the town. is it you just want to "own" it. by owning it you are costing me money. And, if you own than you should assume the debt that goes along with it. You know the Town just took out a bond on the sewar district. How clever of you to saddle the town with the bill and you take control of the assets. This is nothing more than a little short man, who stood in the background behind his wife saying nothing, now finding the voice to exercise his testosterone. How sad that you never found confidence in your own right. How sad that by becoming a board member you feel empowered. Listen, go to a shrink and work it out stop wasting my tax dollars. As for the rest of the village board stop putting your own personal agenda at my expense. I hope the town fights you on every level. Try justifying your legal expenses. yes, it is your fault for wanting everything. you lied to me and I am pissed off. You were supposed to be a shell of a government but you became a monster. I hate to say it but maybe Ralph would have been better. At least fiscally I guarantee you he would hav e cared. You people care only about yourselves and your spouses. Oh, and Stephanie we got you figured out. You are a little lying manipulative witch. Don't think for a minute that people aren't giving you up. So deny, deny all you want. The public is seeing you for who you are.
must be one of ralphs cronies. or criminally insane. (or both).
It looks like Ralphs team should have been the group to put in office .I beleive that they would have been much more frugal with our tax dollars ......Maybe next year we can vote two (2) of the current trustees out of office and the following year get rid of the rest of them ......... including the mayor
Did you know that if the Village takes over the Sewar Department, the Town will have to pay all the Sewar Dept. employees their back sick time and buy out their pensions and vactions? Another cost to the Town of Woodbury Taxpayers. Did you know that the Village would have to bond all their new salaries, whatever the salaries would be? Did you know that they would have to start a new union and the start up fees with beginning a new union? Did you know that the legal fees will skyrocket in that start up cost? Did you know that the Mayor's husband will be vying for Chief of Police? Did you know that they want to take over the Police Department? How convenient, the Mayor and her husband the Chief of Police running the Village of Woodbury.
So this is why Ralph hasn't been at the meetings. He's been sending all his little lackeys to gather what they think is factual information and then together they post on this sight all their distortion. Hey, here's an idea...if we never had this stupid Village in the FIRST place, we'd be a hell of a lot better off. So, if you really want the truth, why not ask John Burke, and Mike Queenan, and Ralph Caruso. THEY are the ones responsible for this crap. THEY are the ones that said it wouldn't cost anything. They are the ones that never bothered looking into what departments HAD to be taken over BY LAW BY the VILLAGE!! To try to turn this whole mess around and say that the current Village Board is only out for themselves and want to spend ,spend,spend is nonsense. Is that why 2 of the bd members don't take salaries? Be real. Had Ralph & John layed out ALL the facts in their original rag sheet and their subsequent issues, perhaps the whole Village idea would have been trashed,but thanks to their scare tactics, it was voted in. Once again, those posters "in the know" sound like Ralph's posse, Town board members or disgruntled Town employees. Big John backed this whole Village thing when he was in bed with Ralph, so why don't you get ALL your answers from him? So far he's staying mum, which is disgraceful given the fact that he so badly pushed for this ridiculous thing. And just for the record, if Ralph and his lame bunch of trustees WERE in office, there would be no Town left, since he would have declared himself KING of ALL that is Woodbury! Just look at how WRONG he was about the Fire District. Did he EVER mention the specifics in his rag sheet about the actual COST of having to follow through with state mandated Village law? Of course not, since HE didn't even know it himself. Face it people, this is a learning experience for everyone. It's just a crying shame that those the lit the match didn't take the time to see what they were actually torching!
Boy, this is taking sore losers to the extreme!
The village board is trying their best to make good of a terribly bad and sad situation. No one said it would be easy, and no one has all the answers. The 5 people that were elected by an overwhelming percentage of votes have been working very hard to do the right thing for all residents, while trying to keep their campaign promises. As they muddle through laws and unique situations, they are trying to do what is best for everyone, but as we all know, this is not a perfect world, and they will not be able to please 100% of the people 100% of the time. They deserve to be given a chance. They have often said that if ANYONE has an idea, or a way they think it may be done better, then that person(s) is welcome to come to them and share their ideas. So, dear misinformed posters, if you think you have a bright idea, why not bring it to the Village board and have them listen? We are all in this together, like it or not. Shouldn't our energies be used to make it work??
PS-To the poster with all the "Did you knows..." I think you need to do your homework and stop making things up. Your scare tactics are eerily familiar...will you be issuing them in print and putting them on our garbage cans again??
FYI- the Village has no intention of taking over the Police Department. Get you so called facts straight loser.
FYI...There are THREE trustees not taking salaries. Part of their commitment to keep expenses down!
To the ego that posted this "This is nothing more than a little short man, who stood in the background behind his wife saying nothing, now finding the voice to exercise his testosterone. How sad that you never found confidence in your own right."
Since you find a need to point out the obvious in his stature, it's plain to see that YOU are either too stupid or too ignorant to understand the workings of the Village. This particular trustee has never stood behind anyone, rather he has voiced his opinion when he sees fit, rather than foam at the mouth about nonsense the way you and your croanies always seem to do.
Both he and his wife have put in countless hours of volunteer work to make the Woodburys a better place to live, and now as trustee he will ensure that it remains that way.
When is the last time that YOU made a difference, other than to take up valuable space & oxygen?
Thank goodness he, like the rest of the Village board are confident, mature leaders and won't find it necessary to address your dribble. Instead, they will continue to work together to fulfill the the jobs they were elected to do.
Interesting comments... were all of you at last weeks Village meeting to discuss the budget? I dont't think so. There were only 8 people there and not one of them demanded answers!
To set the record straight to the poster that suggested that we talk to the village board and give them our ideas, we don't need to, the town board did it for us. They asked the village board to jion them in supporting special legislation so the water-sewer did not have to be transfered. It WILL cost us money, I do not know how much, but you would have to be stupid to believe otherwise!Even the times herald record editorial believes it will.
I agree we should not be bashing the village board. we should give them a chance to see that everything needs to remain the same and go above and beyond to get to that goal.
I'm going to have to correct you on that, there were a couple of people, including Tony Houston from the paper, that did "politely" ask for answers or explanations.
Do you honestly think that everything can just "stay the same"? If that is what you think, why can't we just dissolve this aberration and go back to the way it was??
How does the poster know what the Town board says to the Village board? Are there open meetings between the Town and Village Board? Are there any minutes to these meetings? Prove that what you are posting is true? Are you a Town Board member that is miffed because the Village is trying to conduct business the way the State tells them they have to, but maybe you want to play the overbearing big brother/sister and are demanding it be done your way? Since you seem to know so much, where is the proof that any of what you are saying is true?
I heard the meeting was quite.
I didn't hear of anyone contesting dollar amounts yet I have read comments about them here. Too bad there was a planning board meeting that night, more of us could have been there.
Those that whine the loudest seem to always be the most UNINFORMED!! Case in point- I find it particularly funny that Carol M got up at one of the recent Village meetings and plainly stated that she has always been confused about what departments the village was supposed to take over and not take over. Well that's a laugh in itself she she was one of the biggest supporters of the development of the Village! just goes to show that those who keep complaining know just about nothing...they're the ones who are costing us so dearly!
I heard that there was a letter sent to the village from the town asking the village officials to support special legislation so that the town can keep the water sewer dept. I have not seen the letter myself, but was told by a town board member on Friday when I approached to ask about the costs of departments transfering to the village.
Why don't you FOIL it. I have no proof, just what I've been told. Quite frankly I do not have time to FOIL and talk shit at meetings like some other people.
Again, I am just discussing the topics on Uncle Betty. I have no ill will towards the village or town boards. I think most if not all of those individuals are doing their best in a horrible situation that Ralph Caruso caused with his pack of lies. But now the town and village boards need to work together to accomplish protecting the tax payers! I don't care how they do it, but I know it can be done.
I am NOT a town board member or a Ralpling. Why do you keep saying that? I do not have to agree with you. Again I think you are trying to deflect the real issues here!
Now that adds up...no time to FOIL something for truth and merit, but time to rant on and on with Uncle Betty!?!?
This is all useless dribble. Unless
you complain to the people involved, you are all just wasting precious time. Do something productive.
no time to FOIL something for truth and merit, but time to rant on and on with Uncle Betty!?!?
That's right. At least I have a life. Again if you think a town board member was making up a story about a letter than GO FOIL IT!!!!!!!!
My goodness we are very nasty. Sounds like someone with something to protect!
Have a nice life.
BTW I did complain to someone involved. That's how I found out about the letter!
So, you answered that the Village does not intend to take over the Police Department. That's great. But, what about the Mayor's husband going to be our next Police Commissioner. How come you didn't contradict that one? Curios, hmm.
First of all, will you learn how to spell. Secondly, what the hell is a police commissioner in Woodbury? Thirdly, is Bob K getting ready to retire anytime soon? And finally, if Cliff wants the job, I guess he'll just have to go about trying to get it just like any other qualified person. You morons make me laugh, heartily, with all your fabricated stories.
And personally, after reading all this back and forth, I do believe that a certain Town Board member (who shall remain nameless) is actively participating in much of this backbiting nonsense. Suffice it to say that you're walking a mighty dangerous path in promoting this junk. It will indeed come back to bite YOU if you continue.
Did the Town Board at any of it's public meetings state to the audience or on TV that they sent the Village a letter about the special legislation for the sewer/water depts? Seems like a pretty important matter that should be announced to the residents.
If this letter that the previous poster has knowledge of actually exists, did he/she bother asking anyone on the Village Board about it? If so, what did they say? If not, I would think in fairness that you certainly would try to find out before making accusatory statements. Perhaps there is a very good reason that they didn't sign on, like time restraints. It is my understanding that come 6/1/07, the transition must be in place. Seeing how things move so slowly on the state level, perhaps there wasn't enough time. Or, perhaps there were other legal and/or financial issues to consider. Why is information from a single Town bd member the final word? I think you should give the Mayor & Trustees a fair chance to explain.
You guys are all dicks!
There seems to be some awfully angry people on this board. I wonder how much of this is true. The points that seem to stick out, the ones causing so much pain, are: 1. was there actually a letter. 2. how hard the village board works. 3. the mayor's husband going to be the next commissioner 4. the "promises" of the community party. How much truth is there to these statements. If there is any truth I can see why people would be trying so hard to deny these statements and deflect the truth. How come we can't find out. Is the village taking over the Sewar Department? If so, why? How much will it cost us and if it is alot, why are you doing it. Is it true that a Special District was created for the Fire Department? Why can't the same scenario apply to the Sewar Department? Is the Mayor's husband going to be the next Commissioner? Why are there so many secrets and why isn't the truth posted. Someone seems to know. Stop bashing and just answer what has been put out there, please.
Do you mean sewER department and police CHIEF?? You just revealed yourself as the poster of MOST of the nonsense in this thread!
If you wanted answers,you should have attended the Village budget meetings, yes OPEN meetings with NO secrets. There you would have been greeted by the "big bad" Village board and given a lengthy copy of the proposed budget, again NOT secret! Since the public hearing was held over for a second night, you would have had at least 2 opportunities to ask as many questions as you wanted, but alas, would you? Of course not, because it's easier for people like you to stir the pot of gossip and innuendo to spark fear, rather than EVER get to the truth. Why not attend an OPEN Village meeting, bring a list of your questions, stand up to the microphone and ask??? Yes Virginia, they allow open dialog in these here United States of America!!! And guess what, I'll just bet that you get answers right there on the spot!
To the poster who said...
"Stop bashing and just answer what has been put out there, please".
You are a moron, and your asking other morons to tell you the truth!
All you bloggers are pathetic.
The new mayor Stephanie Weeks said she ran her own busisness. What busisness was it? Sgt. Weeks probably deserves the Chiefs spot but I doubt that will ever happen now. Anyway we should disolve the Police Department and let the State Police do the job. It would save the Town/Village big bucks.
"Anyway we should disolve the Police Department and let the State Police do the job. It would save the Town/Village big bucks."
That was Ralph's one big idea years back.
A bad idea then, a bad idea now.
There are , no doubt, some other small police departments in NY State that are as well run and professional as Woodbury's. But I seriously doubt that there are any that are better.
If we turned over policing to the Troopers we would get a fraction of the service from a group of officers with no connection to the community who answered to bosses 100 miles away who couldn't give a rat's ass about the particular needs or interests of our town and wanted nothing nothing better than for us to leave them alone.
Rumor has it that a response from the board will be seen in the paper within a day or two. It may be signed by one member but apparently all back what it will say. It won't be good.
To the last poster...a response to what?
I am curious as to how someone knows so much. How do you know that the Town Board will have a response?
Why don't all you taxpayers who are complaining about the Village Board attend some meetings. The Village Board doesn't need the headache of taking over the Sewar Departmemt. They don't need to spend countless hours dedicating themselves to running this Town for a few dollars. They are just a couple of regular people who want what is best for the Village of Woodbury. Instead of second guessing their decisions, why don't you give some help.
RESPONSE TO WHAT????? To the editorial, to the Village's budget, to the "infamous" letter...TO WHAT????
I agree, how does "someone" "know" so much, unless of course the "someone" is a Town board member, the Supervisor or the Town Clerk???
I doubt it's the Supervisor, he doesn't have a computer.
RESPONSE TO WHAT????? To the editorial, to the Village's budget, to the "infamous" letter...TO WHAT????
You people are so stupid. You sit at your computer complaining to this blog, when the majority of you voted to this ridiculous Village. Hey, you got what you wanted. Are you so naive that you thought that the Politicians would actually do what they promised? Did you just arrive on this planet. Give me a break. That idiot Caruse is sitting around laughing at all of you. Then he'll be back at the next election, shoveling the bullshit, and once again you fools will get scared and believe him. You know who is to blame, every person that pulled that lever in favor of the Village, and never checked the acuracy or facts of creating one. You screwed yourselves and me. And the people that didn't vote at all...your even worse. Remember, we know exzctly who voted and who didn't. And if you didn't vote, shut the F--K UP!
RESPONSE TO WHAT????? To the editorial, to the Village's budget, to the "infamous" letter...TO WHAT????
TO WHAT????
I heard that the town board wrote a letter to the village board advocating the use of gelatin in the fire company's equipment because it would make negotiations easier.
And then I heard that the next village board meeting was going to be in the village of highland falls because our village board thought it would be better because of the climate.
What busisness did Mayor Weeks run prior to this election? Maybe she has no experience so the village has no leadership.
What experience does Ralph Caruso have? He claims to be many things but he is just a dimwit who is willing to do the dirty things for Larkin, so he gets to ride on Larkins coattails.
Larkin should be concerned being associated with such a LOSER!!!
Another attempt to deflect the issue. What in the world does Larkin or Hitler or George Washington have to do with a question about Stephanie Weaks? Is that how you run government by refusing to address the issue. Give me a break and just answer the question. Stop hiding behind childish antics.
Obviously the Ralphilings are once again trying to compare apples to tennis balls by trying to degrade Stephanie. So, to uncover the mystery, I believe she ran her own hair salon business. There, is that something bad? It was her own business, so she must have been responsible for maintaining a budget, payroll, insurance, etc.
What is Ralph's claim to fame? Could not get re-elected to the Town Board. Twice could not get elected to the Republican majority legislature, and that was even with Larkin's $$ help!! Could not get elected as Mayor to the Village that he scared people into creating! That's a 3-time LOSER, with NO experience.
So if you are trying to weigh things, to me it looks like Mrs. Weeks is DEFINITELY the better bet. At least she is willing to work with her trustees, as opposed to Ralph who wouldn't even allow his running mates to speak at a public forum!
Then there is his whole Preservation group. You've got Carol Mullooly who can hardly add 2+2, since she is always in a state of self-admitted confusion! And Ralph's poor wife, who although appears to be a very nice person, seems to have to kowtow to Ralph's every command. I could go on and on, but why bore you all??
Point being, the election is OVER, and for all those who can't seem to move on, why not try to make a difference by volunteering and making suggestions instead of rehashing the same garbage all the time. Or, if you think you're so very right, then get your asses in gear and run for the Village board or Town board next time around?
You forgot one. Don't forget that after years of running the ZBA like Hitler, Ralph was finally sent packing from that position too! has anyone even seen him in public?
Now, if we can only get rid of Larkin.
who's the clown that runs the ZBA now ?? why did they appoint him to chairman ? Watch the meetings and you will see for yourself how incompetant he is !
Burke proves he's got an axe to grind and IS in bed with Caruso...
***********
Woodbury says new village's costs can be averted
By John Sullivan
Times Herald-Record
April 26, 2007
Woodbury — Taxpayers unhappy about the half-million dollar cost of creating an extra layer of government now face the additional burden of learning that the projected amount fell short by $215,000.
Supervisor John Burke said the additional cost stems from a shift of unionized workers from the town's water and sewer districts and building department to the village. By contract, the town must pay those employees accumulated sick and vacation time when they leave its employ, he said.
He said the village failed to mention this cost when it proposed its new $2.2 million budget, which the Village Board plans to vote on at 7:30 tonight at the Highland Mills firehouse.
Burke is asking that the department employees and the districts remain under town control to avoid the $215,000 administrative cost. The village has so far been cold to the idea, he said. "We've said time and time again that we are willing to work with the Village Board," he said. "It simply just hasn't worked out."
The village contends that taking over operations, such as that of the building and fire departments, and water and sewer, would remove $1.1 million from the town's budget. But the village essentially encompasses all of the town, except for a small portion of the Village of Harriman. Thus, switching the services would not result in a savings to taxpayers, but would result in added administrative costs, Burke said.
Mayor Stephanie Berean-Weeks declined to discuss the issue, saying only: "We worked a lot of long hard hours to put down a fiscally responsible budget."
Woodbury residents voted to incorporate the village in August, in what many considered an attempt to prevent the neighboring Village of Kiryas Joel from encroaching on their community.
Opponents of the move feared it would add unnecessary taxes. They also feared that having two governments managing essentially the same municipality would result in turf battles.
Burke said that the $215,000 would need to be paid to about a dozen employees by the time they move to the village — either on June 1 for the building department or Jan. 1 for the water and sewer district. Burke said keeping the employees, their offices and equipment in the town makes more financial sense.
"Both boards initially began this process of transition to have minimal impact on the residents of Woodbury and I think it's safe to say that in reviewing (the village's) budget ... they have to deal with increased administrative costs, which we believe can be avoided," Burke said.*****
Soooooo....
Is anyone at all surprised that Big John sat silent through the budget meetings and then skips off to the newspaper with his revelation?? If he was an honest man he would have also stated that Village law mandates that those departments be taken over, and also state the consequences to the Village if they refused. But that shows how much John believes in HONESTY and the WHOLE TRUTH! Makes you wonder who is really doing the deflecting. What has the Supervisor and the Town board got to hide? I hope THEY get hung out to dry. Can't believe that John Burke wrote a letter of support in Ralph's "PACK OF LIES KIT", and then when his pal and his daughter lose the election, he pretends that he's going to work WITH the Village. Have you been polishing that knife every night John while practicing that fake grin in the mirror? You're nothing more than a pompous, egotistical ass just like your mentor Caruso, and you should be ashamed of yourself! Using the residents of Woodbury like you have! Better start looking for a new job John, because come November you'll see how your little game back-fired! And if McNeil and Aronowitz have also signed on to this disgusting behavior, then they can kiss their asses goodbye as well!
NOW you have seen the article. I have heard that even John's name is the only one in it, the entire town board concurs. Oh you who montitor this "chat" room that are board members either confirm or deny the statement.
hey, wait a minute. You know darn well that the Town Board advised you of this cost to the Town. You also know that the Town Board asked you to join in on special legislation to have the Town maintain control over the sewer department and the rest of the departments so that all these administrative costs could be avoided. Please don't say that State law mandates that these departments be turned over to the Village. The Village board certainly jumped on board when it came to authorizing special legislation for the FIRE DEPARTMENT to remain a town entity. How come you were so eager to join the Town Board on that matter. You know darn well that the Town/Village of Woodbury has special circumstances. The fact that you basically inhabit the same boundries makes our situation unique. You used that uniqueness in applying for special legislation for the Fire Dept. Why didn't you use that same uniqueness for control of the Sewer/Highway Department. You know darn well that if you wanted to you could. But, you avoided the Town Board when they asked. You even shunned them. Now you are saying that they are not truthful. It is you THE VILLAGE BOARD who is not truthful. It seems you are power hungry and don't give a damn about taxes or their impact to the residents. You can and should allow the Town to maintain control of the various departments; thus, minimizing everyone's tax burden. But, alas, Power has raised its ugly head. You want control so that you can be in control. It is disgusting. You are going back on every campaign promise you ever stated. Your feeble attempts at blaming Ralph, Carol, John Burke and everyone else is nothing more than obvious attempts to deflect your own bullshi !
What happened to the spirit of cooperation? Why would Burke and the board not discuss this with the Village board instead of reporting it in the paper? Boy, as a resident I certainly don't feel like you've got MY back John. It's more like you're bent on discrediting the current Village board just to salvage Ralph and his flaming band of morons. No wonder Woodbury is the laughing stock of the entire county and state. We're looked at as a bunch of idiotic whiners who can't make up our minds. Now Burke has proven that he is certainly unwilling to work with the Village board, rather he wants to cast doubt on their abilities. To use your terminology John, you're now treading up a very slippery slope. I hope you are ready for the consequences. Those grapes must be awfully sour!
To the last poster. Mr. john burke certainly did discuss this with the village board. He even sent them a letter telling them about the consequences. That is the infamous letter that previous posters on this blog have talked about. The letter is foilable. The Town Clerk knows it and so does everyone else. Again, you are trying to blame the Town Board for the Village board's lustfulness. John Burke has begged them to talk about it but the Village board keeps ignoring the issue. Well, it is in black and white. Let the Village board try to deflect blame however they like. It is on the Record, literally, and with the Town/Village. Check out your information before you try to bash John and say how he doesn't have your back. It seems the only back the Village has is their own and their families. Why doesn't somebody post the foiled letter from the Town to the Village and let the Village answer to that.
I think John and the board should have thought more about casting that first stone....you've opened up a Pandora's box that certainly will come back to bite you!
If John 'cares" so much, why didn't he address his concerns at the public hearings for the Village budget, of which he was in attendance BOTH nights? Seems like he was kind of laying in wait??
Again, the Village does not have the people's interest at heart. You are now threatening the Town Board. How truly dedicated a public servent you are (or spouse). Again, why not try answering why the Village is so quick to absorb everything with little regard to tax implications, instead of protecting your spouse. It seems like a protective spouse trying to defend their poor little village board member.
FYI..The Woodbury Fire Dept. already had a request in for special legislation BEFORE the Village was voted in because they saw the writing on the wall and wanted to remain in control. Both the Village and the Town joined them AFTER the fact.
As far as certain people not making public comments at Village meetings, I'd bet my bottom dollar that if the Village meetings were televised, the comments and accusations would be plentiful!
It was only a matter of time that the people resposible for creating this nightmare would come forward. John pushed for the Village as much as Ralph. As far as working with the Village, He did, but time constrants and State Laws are not allowing "Grace Periods". Like evertyhing else about this Village, things are being rushed.
To "Again the village does not...
Which spouse is protecting whom? There are two couples involved here.
Again, special legislation can be applied for. Do you really think that the State is going to spank you for not coming in on time with their requirements. Come on!
To the Town Bd member that is insisting that the pro-Village posts are by a Village board member or their spouse- WRONG...I'm not related to any of them, but i do know who you are, hee hee!
I heard that there is going to be a meeting between the village board and the town board at the OK corral! The village board is going to have Colt handguns and the town board is going to have two shot rifles. There will be plenty of blood and guts!!! It seems like thats what you morons want.
Tickets will be sold by the idiots posting on this site who are trying to make out that there is a big war between the village and town boards.
Grow up, all of you!
Will John be wearing his 10 gallon hat & will Lorraine be riding her Harley?
"We've said time and time again that we are willing to work with the Village Board," Burke said. "It simply just hasn't worked out."
Hey John- "saying" it and "doing" it are two different things, as YOU well know. It's so easy to runn off to the paper instead of being a real leader and getting the job done. Face it, every time you don't get your own way, you scoop up your marbles, run to poppa Ralph and the newspaper. Baby- grow up.
Lets get back to the original thougth to this thread. Can we disolve this village? Obviously, NOONE could have seen all these problems and maybe it would be better to just simplify things, put it all under one government instead of two.
"NOONE could have seen all these problems."
I beg to differ with you. Had Ralph Caruso, Mike Queenan, John Burke, Carol Mullooly, Don Siebold, and all those people who walked those Village petitions STOPPED, for one minute, and thought this whole crazy idea out- from start to finish, THEN, and only THEN would they have seen that this was an awful idea. But no- in their attempt to steam-roll the residents, they yelled FIRE where perhaps there was only the smell of smoke! So now we're stuck, at least for a period of time,with the Village. So, in their continuing attempts to deflect the blame for this black hole of an idea, they want to make the sitting Village board the bad guys and the scapegoats. BULLSHIT!!
The Village board is made up of 5 hard-working, selfless individuals that are trying their bast in a confusing, thankless, extremely difficult situation. John Burke (and if the rest of the board truly IS signed onto this "run to the newspaper" behavior,then they're included) seems to have just been waiting to pounce, and that is absolutely disgusting behavior for a Town Supervisor.
A better idea might be to scrap the Town and it's board and let the Village prevail!
This is what happens when you fail to do the research and hope others have done it for you.
Ignorance is not bliss! It's costly!
I did not see anyone else from the town board quoted in the paper, but John Burke. Why accuse the rest of the town board when only he made comments. You better stop threatning people on this blog, because no one will take you seriously.
If you know so much then answer the question that has been posted time and time again. Why will the village board not consider special legislation?
I would indeed like to know. At this point what is there to lose by doing so?
Stop casting stones and deflecting by attacking everyone and answer the question.
Who's threatening anything? The truth will always conquer anyway.
Just as I thought, you can't answer the question.
If you can't answer the question then you have lost all credability on this blog.
OK, how do you know the Village hasn't considered it? Why is John's way the ONLY way or the RIGHT way or the BEST way? Who made him Prince? (Can't be King, cuz that title belongs to Ralph).
WHo has any credibility on this blog?? You???
The people on this blog who are attacking anyone and everyone are pathetic people who do not have the courage to do the job. It is easier for them to sit on the sidelines and attack. And they may or may not be associated with Ralph and his crew. If they aren't then they are no better the Ralphlings. They use the same tactics and are bullys, cowards and liars just like ralphlings.
The town did this.. the village did that...
Anyone with a brain in their head will see these bloggers for what they are.
And they ought to be ashamed of themselves. All of them.
And now the righteous have spoken. I guess that means Uncle Betty should say good night.
You never answer the question. You just go back to John blah blah blah or the town/village blah blah blah.
Again don't act like you know so much when you don't.
If the village board considered it then I hope they let the town board in on it! Or is it a secret.
If you know they considered it then I will agree with others on here, you must be a village board member or a spouse of one.
Well, since YOU weren't at the meeting last night, I guess YOU shouldn't really have anything to say now, should you!?! if you WERE there, then you would already KNOW the answer! So, YOU MUST be a Town board member! Stupid logic, just like yours!
Sure....
Let's move on. So now that the Village budget has been adopted, what is the tax rate and when will I get my bill? When does it have to be paid by? I want to make sure I have enough time to send the bill to Ralph and the Preservation Party for the additional amount over and above what he told me it would be. Thanks!
I guess you weren't at the Village
meeting either because you would know that the tax rate was on the first page of the budget.
When did I say I was at the meeting?
The Village tax rate appears to be approx $1.39.../ $1k of assessment for those outside of the water and sewer district.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm...90 posts for quite some time.....I wonder who is out of town this weekend???????
Lordy, lordy, look at that. here it is Monday and those that were away must be posting again. Hmmmmmmmmmmm
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