Letter to Southern Dutchess News

Last week the paper published a story on Fishkill’s recent audit. In that story, the Republican Supervisor who runs a 4-1 GOP town board. Stated that there were “no surprises” in the audit. Is he kidding? The Supervisor, who is covering for his Republican predecessor by refusing to conduct a forensic audit, even read the audit?

 

In the audit, the Supervisor makes a claim that he found the $750,000 missing from the Siscar Sewer project. How could he find something that was right in front of him? The Supervisor was a Councilman when the developer gave Siscar the sewer monies. Did he just forget about it? The Supervisor also seems to think that over $850,000 that was budgeted as revenue from the Siscar district, that “never” existed was found by him, how so?

 

The Fishkill GOP has not only let the former Republican Supervisor off the hook, they are just totally disregarding $850,000 of illegally allocated money that never existed. Why is the Republican Supervisor allowing such criminal activity to go unchallenged? I guess the Fishkill Republican Party could care less what the voters think. In fact, the 4 members of the GOP board decided is was easier to raise Sewer taxes 135% than to hold those that ruined Fishkill's economy accountable. The 2 Republican candidates who were at the 135% tax increase vote, sat quiet and complied, just like they would do if elected. Never mind that one candidate was the GOP Chairman under Pagones and the other one has Pagones running his campaign. So much for that new “voice.”

 

Too bad the voters think otherwise. Earlier this month there was a Conservative Party primary where the Democratic/Independent candidates received 40% and 20% of the vote. That’s right, there is a strong showing by Conservatives in this town who are sick and tired of Fishkill Republicans raising taxes without accountability. As a Conservative Democrat, I am looking forward to taking the Fishkill GOP’s record to the rest of the voters in town. I wonder how many Republicans in town are also sick and tired of the Fishkill GOP raising taxes without accountability.

 

I urge my fellow Conservatives and Republican friends to balance this board before it’s too late. Re-elect Tim Tuttle for Councilman along with Mr. Thomas Knips. The Fishkill GOP does not deserve a 5-0 board, unless of course you like high taxes without accountability.

 

Ozzy Albra

 

Fishkill