Letter published in todays Southern Dutchess News
Last week the paper covered two very important stories in Fishkill. The first was the front page story about how Supervisor Pagones passed a resolution thjat makes it harder for a councilperson to place a item on the agenda. At the meeting, which I attended, Pagones clearly showed her displeasure when a councilman dared to question how $320,000 of taxpayer money was spent, in regard to payments made to a Syracuse law firm. For those that don't know, that firm was hired to apply for grants to cover the massive debt in Fishkill. As of now, not one grant has been recieved due to his work, during a nine month period. As we all know, Fishkill is at least $4.9 million in debt. Highway equipment has broken down. Police cars are running well over 100,000 miles and basic needs such as road flares and paper products are lacking. But Pagones found $320,000 to pay lawyers up front, while town employees and residents are left with scraps. Pagones also indicated that the rule was put in place to prevent a filibuster. Well, why would you need that rule when the board is 5-0 Republican? We all know the reason and it's truly "chilling."
The next story, on page two, was about the budget. In that story, Pagones created a "finance committee," consiting of herself and councilpersons Malvarosa and Ferguson, the same exact people that that put us $4.9 million in debt. This is contrary to law, which requires a public meeting if a "quorum" is met. In this case three out of the five board members present. But as Fishkill residents know, rules never stopped Pagones from doing what she wants.
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