Hi all...
Join 79 other Dutchess residents signed on for budget sanity at http://www.PetitionOnline.com/SaveDuCo!...
[...and send message now to all 25 of us re: below at countylegislators@co.dutchess.ny.us-- and pass it on...]
The County Executive has proposed for next year alone $3.6 million in massive, cruel, and unnecessary cuts in the 2010 Dutchess County Budget for Grace Smith House, Family Services, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Literacy Connections, Astor Home for Children, Dutchess County Community Action Agency, Child Development Council, Child Abuse Prevention, DART, Mid-Hudson Library Systems, Mental Health America of Du. Co., Youth Bureau, Hudson River Housing, Mediation Center, Lexington Center, Daytop, MARC, Narc Addiction Control Services. etc. (meaning over 40 layoffs)...
[as has been made eloquently clear by these nonprofits, eliminating $3.6 million in funding for these pro-active and preventive services (such as youth activities, gang prevention, child abuse prevention, domestic violence legal services, domestic abuse response, early intervention, literacy, day care, foster care child advocacy, environmental education, 4-H, the arts, libraries, and animal protection) will end up costing Dutchess taxpayers far more than if these valuable, problem-solving services were saved!]
And-- let's not forget-- the County Executive has also proposed to completely eliminate county funding for sheriff road patrols (forcing towns to hike local taxes $5.3 million), our county's senior home care program ($289,000), and the Human Rights Commission ($200,000); funding restored to keep five-day weeks at our county Office for the Aging Senior Friendship Centers ($153,000), and full funding for Dutchess Community College restored-- not cut by $500,000, as proposed by the County Executive-- avoiding another 25 layoffs within county government (these proposed layoffs would leave our county workforce with literally 53 less staff than in 1987, according to the County Executive's own Nov. 1st budget message)........[while at same time County Exec wants a new $400,000 security force(!)...]...
[see http://www.co.dutchess.ny.us/CountyGov/Departments/CountyExecutive/17362.htm ]
Fact: The vast majority of economists agree (despite Paterson's proposed cuts) that the worst thing to do in the middle of a recession is for government to hurt the local economy further with layoffs; people without jobs can't pay taxes and will cost county taxpayers money when they need services-- Dutchess County simply can't afford this type of a Grover Norquist sensibility ("I simply want to reduce government to the size where I can drag it into the bathroom and drown it in the bathtub"-- Norquist).
Again-- for sure-- there are common-sense cost-savers and revenue alternatives to avoid all this...
Now it's up to you all to make sure Dems locally don't do wrong thing-- abandoning base, hurt turnout!...
Send a message NOW to all 25 of us on this-- at countylegislators@co.dutchess.ny.us-- fwd along...
Fact: There are revenue alternatives to the ten million dollars' worth of budget cuts proposed above:
Restore sales tax on clothing/shoes under $110....................................$5.4 million in new revenue
Continue mortgage tax.................................................................................$1.6 million in new revenue
New Board of Elections efficiencies..........................................................$1 million in new revenue
Municipal Electricity/Gas Alliance membership (as in 23 co.'s)...........$300,000 in new revenue
Canadian Rx option for county employees/retirees (as in 5 co.'s)......$1 million in new revenue
Bail loan fund for some accused of nonviolent misdemeanors...........$1 million in new revenue
[ http://www.MEGAEnergy.org http://www.PetitionOnline.com/SaveOnRx http://wwwOARTompkins.com ]
And-- don't forget-- the County Executive has proposed that literally $11 million of your money and my money (county $) be spent on the "Dutchess County DPW Aviation Division" over the next 3 years!...
It's true-- he's proposed this as part of his "2010 Capital Improvement Program for Dutchess County":
http://www.co.dutchess.ny.us/CountyGov/Departments/CountyExecutive/CE2010BudgetMsg.pdf ...
[let me know if you want to know all of the details on this (2010, 2011, 2012) and I'll send them to you!]
Again-- you're all also invited to speak up at the official county budget hearing itself as well-- tomorrow (Thursday Dec. 3rd) at 7 pm at the Bardavon at 35 Market Street in Poughkeepsie-- see much more on this here: http://dutchessdemocracy.blogspot.com/2009/11/county-budget-update-14th-annual.html ...
Finally, you're all also cordially invited to join us Monday Dec. 7th at 5 pm for our 14th Annual Holiday Interfaith Candlelight Vigil for Economic Justice and a Just County Budget-- in front of our County Office Building at 22 Market Street in Poughkeepsie-- with Grace Smith House Ex. Dir. Judy Lombardi, Dutchess Outreach Ex. Dir. Brian Riddell, Rev. Gail Burger of the Dutchess Interfaith Council, Rabbi Paul Golomb of Vassar Temple, Mar Peter-Raoul (Cofounder of Marist Praxis Project for Public Citizenship), & Ann Perry/Holy Light Pentecostal Church...
Yep-- letters sent to all 25 county legislators at countylegislators@co.dutchess.ny.us really do matter...
So-- one last time-- join 79 signed on to http://www.PetitionOnline.com/SaveDuCo -- pass it on!...
Joel
242-3571/876-2488
joeltyner@earthlink.net
p.s. It's also been proven repeatedly that a robust system of community-based senior home care saves tons of money for families-- and tons of tax dollars compared to nursing home placements for those same seniors. As Robert Gumson, Unit Manager for VESID Independent Living Services, told all of us assembled at the Taconic Resources for Independence's 19th Annual Celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act (at Wallace Center in Hyde Park this July), literally sixty to seventy percent of all senior citizens in nursing homes here in New York State don't need to be there-- and many tax dollars could be saved locally if Dutchess County followed the good examples of Warren and Washington counties and fully took advantage of a Pataki-era Medicaid waiver program to expand a true system of home care for seniors...
[see: http://www.ADAPT.org ; http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/07/19/finally_long_term_home_health_care/ ; http://homecaremag.com/news/aarp-endorses-empowered-home-act-20090608/ ]
p.p.s. Truth is that much Monday-morning quarterbacking has been written re: debacles in NJ, VA-- see:
"Eight Reasons the Democrats Lost VA and NJ-- and How to Recover" by Paul Rogat Loeb
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/11/06-0
Click on these eight others for corroboration...(let's not let Dutchess Dems abandon base locally!)...
[fact is ...we Dems still have majority/control over budget for 2010; budget cuts/layoffs can be avoided!...]
See: http://www.tnr.com/article/the-insider ;
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7034922 ;
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2009/08/are_democrats_setting_themselv.html ;
http://www.american.com/archive/2009/june/no-bed-of-roses-for-democrats-in-the-garden-state ;
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/11/gov_corzine_hurt_by_scant_supp.html ;
http://www.ppionline.org/ppi_ci.cfm?knlgAreaID=450021&subsecID=900211&contentID=255206 ;
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7034922 ;
http://www.openleft.com/diary/15933/which-is-the-bigger-problem-lower-democratic-turnout-or-voter-shift-toward-republicans ....
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Comments here below from some signed on to http://www.PetitionOnline.com/SaveDuCo ...
79.
Valerie Dimond
No cuts to nonprofits!
33 S. Randolph Ave. Poughkeepsie, Ny 12601
78.
Andrew Bush
I firmly support the petition.
151 College Ave., Apt. 2, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
77.
Claudia Gorman
please don't cut nonprofits' funding
12569
76.
Sarah Womer
Please pass onwards
Beacon, NY
75.
Chris Grabowski
protect victims of violence
box 163 124 raymond ave poughkeepsie ny 12604
74.
Kevin Barratt
Use common sense. Cuts can be made where lower income people won't be hurt.
12580
73.
James M Halligan
Please help to keep all funding for kids in the acts
31 Beyer Road Middletown NY 10941
72.
Evan Roby
Save victim-centered programs
12604
71.
Jared Saunders
save victim-centered programs
box 1533, c/o Vassar College, 124 Raymond Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
70.
Danielle Morvant
Stop funding cuts!
#1931 Vassar College, 124 Raymond Ave. Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
69.
Susan Servino
Please rethink the cuts to the DC budget- these services are desperately needed.
Poughkeepsie 12603
68.
Nicholas A Dressler
I support this petition - don't cut funding to victim center programs!
124 Raymond Ave, 12604
67.
Lucy Richardson
Please help victims of domestic violence
2 Eastover Ct, 40206
66.
Emily Hamilton
Please restore anti-DV funding!
Box 3367; Vassar College; 124 Ramond Ave; Poughkeepsie NY 12604
65.
Caroline Warren
Cutting funding for victim-centered programs will be detrimental to our community.
124 Raymond Ave. Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
64.
Dan Maciejak
Especially in times of recession, joblessness and economic distress, social services must not be cut. If there is no help for disadvantaged people, depression and anger will lead to criminal activity making life unsafe and unsavory for all of us. There are sane, conservative ways to help pay for the budget, and if you need to, why not impose additional "sin" taxes on cigarettes and alcohol; a luxury tax on expensive jewelry and cars; a VAT on restaurant meals, etc.? Small amounts in these areas multiply and could staunch fiscal leaks. The proposed budget cuts are radical, mean-spirited, short sighted, and will shred the hitherto strong fabric of Dutchess County, making it much less livable. And why is 11 million being proposed for DPW Aviation division? How will that help the people? The County Executive must care for the population as a whole, Please, do the right thing.
12572
63.
Peter Conklin
save
8 circle dr Hyde Park NY
62.
Christopher Holmes
Former, p/t resident. My friends & family reside in Dutchess.
610 Hasbrouck Apts. Ithaca NY 14850
61.
Katie Atkins
These programs are integral to the safety and well-being of countless Dutchess County residents. Cutting them will leave people with nowhere to turn for help.
12604
60.
Elizabeth M. Ashton
I support this petition!
189 Haight Hill Rd., Stanfordville, NY 12581
59.
Dana J. Tompkins
This is a continuation of the far rights' stategy of taking from the poor and giving to the rich, cut from the bottom and leave the entitled alone.
73 College Lane Millbrook, NY 12545
58.
Katia Chapman
The nonprofit organizations provide valuable services to people in need and should not be cut.
12604
57.
Ellen Geissal
These programs are not expendable. Without them, victims in Dutchess County will have nowhere to turn. We cannot allow this to happen.
12604
56.
Peter Muhn
Please do NOT cut funding for these non-profit orgs. Cutting funds will destroy a support structure that is a neccessity for many within our community.
12604
55.
Estefania Fadul
-
12604
54.
Clayton Masterman
.
124 Raymond Ave, Poughkeepsie NY, 12604
53.
Janice M. Viola
please pass a sane budget, restore cuts
19 Monell Avenue,Poughkeepsie, Ny 12603
52.
Lindsey Andon
Think about the impact that these budget cuts will have on thousands of individuals within our community. Reconsider alternatives that will not take away resources for those that need our help the most.
124 Raymond Avenue, Box 1124, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
51.
Richard McHugh
we need a sane budget that all residents participate in.
154 chelsea rd ,wappingers falls;ny 12590
50.
Dyana Boxley
Please reconsider these cuts. The people that you will be effecting with these cuts are countless! And the loss of these programs will be felt throughout the county.
12604
49.
Angeline Prichard
I fully give my support.
12604
48.
Dana Harris
I have read the petition
124 Raymond Ave, Box 3847 Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
47.
Ana Orians
we need this money to keep all levels of our community safe, happy, and healthy
box 2845, vassar college, 124 raymond ave, poughkeepsie, ny, 12604
46.
Noah Lipkowitz
12604
45.
Tonia Shoumatoff
Cutting all these programs will hurt many people....cut from the top not the bottom
12592
44.
Zachary Huckel-Bauer
save victim centered treatment centers
124 Raymond Ave, Poughkeepsie, New York; 12604
43.
Lauren MacLean
Please reform the budget to reflect these crucial changes!
124 Raymond Avenue, 12604
42.
Robert Kurth
We can fund these groups and have a county people want to live in or we can continue to encourage more McMansions
12 Alden Pl. Millbrook NY 12545
41.
nikki
meh
10520
40.
Jonathan Miller
Please do not cut funding for domestic violence workers.
124 Raymond Avenue; 12604
39.
Chris Doscher
Please stop the budget cuts, these groups are in great need.
124 Raymond Avenue, 12604
38.
Walter Fisher
Please stop these horrible cuts!
12604
37.
Irene Beauregard
Support victims, fund victim-centered programs.
124 Raymond Ave, Box 2477, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
36.
Eli Stiefel
This bill is incredibly important. I can't belive funding was taken away from these organizations with such viable other options available.
124 Raymond Ave Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
35.
Kelli Devitte-McKee
Its a sad time in this world....
12604
34.
Jill Scharr
This is not a financial issue. It's a moral one.
12604
33.
Gillian Kosinski
I hereby sign this petition
124 Raymond Ave, Box 1476, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
32.
Brittany Hunt
I do not support these cuts at all.
12604
31.
Sydney Hessel
This issue is so important; please do not abandon funding...
124 Raymond Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
30.
Margaret Kurth
restore funding to Dutchess Co non-profits
12 Alden Pl. Millbrook NY 12545
29.
Dianne Engleke
These cuts are short-sighted, and will cost more money in the long term....certainly more than the dollars temporarily saved.
283 Silver Mt Rd. Millerton 12546
29.
Dianne Engleke
These cuts are short-sighted, and will cost more money in the long term....certainly more than the dollars temporarily saved.
283 Silver Mt Rd. Millerton 12546
28.
David Reagon and Janet Reagon
Please end these insane proposed cuts.
23 Benson Rd Wassaic, 12592
27.
Alli Tilden
12604
26.
Lloyd Hamilton
Restore the funding
12572
25.
Nora Edwards
The services that are being cut are essential to the county's safety and security.
10 Aldrich Rd Wingdale, NY 12594
24.
Ashley Farrell
Please do not cut these important funds!
124 Raymond Ave, Poughkepsie, NY 12604
23.
Alexander
Please!
124 Raymond Ave. Poughkeepsie NY 12604
22.
Liz Pugh
i support this petition
124 raymond avenue, poughkeepsie, ny 12604
21.
Chantal Daigneault
Create a sane budget WITHOUT cuts to Cornell!
12538
20.
Robin F. Laurita
This cannot be allowed to happen, the cost in human misery would far exceed, the cost of maintaining the programs.
3 Skyline Drive, LaGrangeville, NY 12540
19.
Kylie Cannon
Please use taxpayer money wisely!
124 Raymond Ave. Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
18.
Becky Aleman
PLEASE save these integral community resources and consider the damage that could be done by cutting funding.
124 Raymond Ave 12604
17.
Karina Costa
Cutting the County budget and important community programs is not the best way to handle difficult economic conditions!
12604
16.
Amanda Giglio
As a concerned constituent of Dutchess County and employee of Battered Women's Services, these program cuts are absolutely tragic. So many lives will be negatively impacted by these cuts and I hope this petition helps the Dutchess County legislators recognize the gravity of their potential actions.
12604
15.
Sarah Muenzinger
Please protect Domestic Violence Services in Dutchess County!
124 Raymond Ave. Poughkeepsie, 12604
14.
Sandra Larkin
we nee to think clearer
21 davis rd, 12578
13.
Nora Lindner
Please save DART, CV, and Grace Smith house.
Poughkeepsie, 12604
12.
Katherine Ullman
These proposed cuts leave people in need (mainly women and children), and those who work tirelessly to help them, without the support of their local government. Dutchess County should know better.
124 Raymond Avenue Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
11.
Lisa Servino
POUGHKEEPSIE NEEDS THIS SERVICES
8 north clover street poughkeepsie ny 12601
10.
Richard R Carlson
A progressive tax is what we need.
3 Bowdoin Ln.,Wappingers Falls N.Y.,12590-3920
9.
Anna Weisberg
Please find equitable ways to revise the budget instead of cutting from these valueable, even life-saving, programs
12603
8.
Judith Nichols
Please support this petition for a sane Dutchess County Budget.
12603
7.
Abby Laufer
12604
6.
Julia Golomb
12604
5.
Emily Michelman
Family Services is very important to our community. There are smarter ways to cut cost.
124 Raymond Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
4.
Katherine Sherman
These programs need more funding, not less
Vassar College, 12604
3.
Ruth Sawyer
Indeed
25 Meyer Ave, 12603
2.
Michele O'Brien
Times are understandably difficult, but why make it harder for those in our community who will be hurt the most?
136 College Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
1.
Juliana Halpert
I absolutely agree.
12604
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