By Kristine Coulter, staff writer Southern Dutchess News. 84 East Main Street , Wappinger NY 297-6810 For more, buy this weeks issue.
Fishkill- Organizers of the Fishkill Tea Party movement and some members of the Fishkill Democratic Committee joined forces at a meeting recently held at the Fishkill Recreation Center to air their concerns about the Town of Fishkill deficit.
“We didn’t feel we could continue with protests against the federal deficit when we knew there was a deficit problem in the Town of Fishkill,” said Todd Harvey, organizer of the Fishkill Tea Party that was held at Dutchess Stadium in April of 2009.
“The Republican Party needs to stand up and demand more action,” said Todd Harvey a resident of Florida. His family owns a business in Fishkill.
Todd Harvey’s cousin, Lex Harvey, who is a member of the Fishkill Republican Committee, said he was repeatedly assured that the town’s financial position was on a good footing. He said he did not ask to see enough proof that the town’s financial condition was in good condition without raising taxes.
“We have to have a board that works together.” remarked Lex Harvey
Fishkill Councilman Brian Callahan, who attended the meeting, as did Councilman Bob LaColla, said “I think that everybody in town should get involved…we all have a big stake in this town.” Callahan and LaColla are both Republicans.
LaColla said there needs to be openness, honesty and people dealing in good faith. He added that as far as the budget is concerned, “real numbers” are needed.
Fishkill Democratic Committee chair Ozzy Albra, who worked with organizers of the meeting, said it was the “botched” economic policies of Supervisor Joan Pagones, Republican, that got the town into it’s current financial conditions.
Pagones recently said anyone who wishes may go back and look at the budgets since she has been supervisor, and previously when she was a councilwoman, and look at her record.
“I don’t think that we can wait for a year and a half (until the next election for town officials). I don’t think I’m overstating that,” said Lex Harvey. “You have to take an interest in your community because it’s ours.”
Andrew Fodorgahrd, Fishkill resident, said he attended the meeting “just to find out what they’re talking about. I know there’s a deficit. I want to see what they have to say.” Fodorgahrd said he was a Democrat.
Carol Jempty and her husband, Fishkill residents, attended the meeting. I thought it was very informative. We heard a lot of good things. A lot of bad things about what’s happening.” said Carol Jempty.
Robert Jempty said he thought the meeting was very good.
Fishkill resident Jonathan Dallar said he expected to see more than the approximately 50 people that attended the meeting. “I was interested in finding out between the facts and the rumors. Honestly, my concern is we’re still involving party politics.” said Dallar.
“ I certainly admire the Tea Party movement in this country as a whole. I don’t think it applies here.” said Pagones
She thinks the recent meeting was an opportunity for people who have been disgruntled for a while to come together.
“We know we have certain disgruntled individuals. We have not received one phone call from residents to say” What is going on with this?,” said the supervisor.
“I did accept responsibility,” said Pagones about the financial condition of the town. “Even though the economy led to what happened in the town.”
A five-year plan for the town’s financial conditions will be discussed in October meetings, said Pagones. Right now town officials are trying to schedule times for the meetings with two fire departments. The meetings will be held at the firehouses, said Pagones.
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