Recently, the paper reported on how the Town of
Fishkill, raised taxes by 53%, on a failed budget resolution. On November 19th
2012, the 5-0 Republican town board, not only failed to pass a budget, they
failed the citizens of Fishkill. They also disrespected the Fishkill Republican
Party that runs the town and nominated them based on character.
First let’s have a little background. In late 2009, the
NYS Comptroller issued a stinging audit report on the finances of Fishkill. This
was followed up by Moody’s downgrading us to just above “junk bond” status. This
made Fishkill the worst run town in NYS.
In 2011, the Fishkill GOP, decided to primary out the
incumbent Republican Supervisor. Supervisor LaColla, Councilman Bush and
Councilman Curry, where successful running on a campaign. Of fiscal
responsibility, accountability and a willingness to make the tough decisions.
The citizens of Fishkill in the General Election, by a small margin, also
decided to keep Fishkill a 5-0 GOP board.
As a citizen that has attended every board meeting this
year. I can tell you exactly how the budget process went. Supervisor LaColla
first proposed a 38% tax increase, and then it jumped to 63%. Councilman Curry
asked if the board could spread out the increases. Later Fishkill Comptroller
Dawn Lee, presented a 4 year plan with the 63% increase, a 5 year plan with a
53% increase and a 7 year plan with an even less increase. The board asked the
Comptroller for her advice. She responded that a 63% was a hardship and
recommended the 53% increase. No board member at the time offered any other
alternative and the 53% tax increase became the preliminary budget.
The Public Hearing for the budget was cancelled due to a
minor snow event. It was then moved to November 14th and the debate was
spirited. Councilman Callahan stopped the vote. As he wanted Councilman Buck,
who was absent on his second honeymoon to attend. Callahan also stated that Buck
should be present, as “He worked on it all year.” The board was unable to make
contact with Buck and the vote was set for November 19th, the day before the
state deadline.
On November 19, in a full house and a non-televised
meeting. With the biggest vote in modern
Fishkill history, Buck was once again absent. Discussion with the public was
allowed and the vote was then up for remarks. Councilman Curry indicated that he
would be voting no, because the Comptroller under “orders” from the Supervisor
denied him access to the budget. Curry then read a letter from
absent Councilman Buck.
Buck who was absent, stated in his letter. That he would
vote no if present, his reason? Supervisor LaColla, “ordered” his Comptroller
not to give board members the proposed budget. Now, I am not here to defend
Supervisor LaColla. But I cannot remember once when this issue came up at a
board meeting. For arguments sake, let’s say Buck is correct. Did Buck speak out
at a board meeting? Did he go to the press? Or the citizens of Fishkill? Nope,
he waited till the day before a mandatory vote to speak up. He sure showed a lot
of courage while absent.
Councilman Callahan also decided to vote against the
budget, his reason? He was concerned for those living on fixed incomes would not
be able to afford food or medicine. Well his concerns are valid and moot. As the
budget resolution failed and the preliminary budget with a 53% tax increase
became law. Also, don’t forget the 2% Property Tax Cap override, which was
passed in a 5-0 vote earlier in the year that allowed all of this to
happen.
In closing, the 3 members of the 5-0 Republican board,
who doomed this process. Failed to propose any alternative, they failed to call
for an investigation on how the town’s fiscal vitality was ruined. They failed
to call for a Forensic Audit as many have called for. They failed to keep their
campaign oaths of fiscal responsibility, accountability and a willingness to
make the tough decisions.
They are a group of people who placed their interests
over that of the citizens of Fishkill. They all abdicated their duties and
should be ashamed. After all, a 5-0 Republican board raised your taxes 53%. They
can spin it any way they want, but these are the brutal facts.
Ozzy
Albra
Fishkill
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