Quoted from huskyhowls

Thanks DVR, Okay, let me be clear, ALL property owning taxpayers.  If you pay property taxes in Rotterdam, then you should be able to vote.

Schalmont and Mohonasen are typically polling places.  I have volunteered for the school budget vote for a number of years at Mohonasen.  Would they have to be paid poll workers for a referendum?  

Seems like there needs to be some more issues resolved before this vote should proceed.  Why can't we table it for a few months?  I believe in our right to vote.  It seems like the opportunities for all property owning taxpayers are somewhat limiting.

I believe the poll workers for this referendum will be paid.

As far as resolving issues -- I think that the basic mechanics have been in place since the resolution to hold
the referendum was passed.  
Whether or not the mechanics were clearly communicated to the voters is a fair topic for debate.
The pros and cons of a tax district are a fair topic for debate.
I just think some people are arguing about the mechanics and not debating the pros and cons of the
actual proposal.

Quoted from huskyhowls

The Tommasone administration would put out a newsletter a few times a year.  

The Tommasone Administration tried to pass this taxing district with 3 men in a smoke filled room.

Quoted from 713

If the schools wouldn't grant permission, there are many other locations that could serve as polling places
including the Senior Center, the local fire stations, and churches.  Further, the cost of a few poll workers is
minimal.  The argument in defense of a single polling place is disingenuous.

I am not defending a single polling place -- just offering my thoughts as to why they may have chosen to
go that route.

"The Tommasone Administration tried to pass this taxing district with 3 men in a smoke filled room." Cicero

Just got the town letter--what a crock.  I had to call to find out if both of us could vote because my name on one piece of property and the spouse on another.  This is bull$hit if ever I saw it.  Who thought this scheme up?

According to the letter I just received, assumedly correct, I stand corrected on one point below.

MR & MRS? sorry, 1 vote, total even tho both incomes go to pay the tax bills

Both parties listed as homeowners, will be able to vote. If you have a husband that is for it, and a wife against, it essentially negates the vote.

Quoted from 147

Out of area homeowners - no absentee ballots.
Military serving out of the area - no absentee ballots.
Homebound (disabled) (most likely to use service) - no absentee ballots.
MR & MRS? sorry, 1 vote, total even tho both incomes go to pay the tax bills
Inclement Weather? - no alternative date set.
Notice to residents? We're two weeks prior, not all residents have been informed. (so much for travel plans, holidays, vacations, etc)
One voting location, make it a little more inconvenient
$ investigation - called for, not completed.  Guess we have to vote before we know what's in the bill.


This whole thing STINKS. There's no other single word for it, except may, FIXED.

So, we got our letter.  

Can you belive this STUPID DEMS in town !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TOTALLY LAME a** EXCUSE about it being "unduly cumbersome" to allow an absentee ballot.  FOR CRYING OUT LOUD.  

Did you see that "corporations, partnerships, llc's" are entitled to vote through a "designated agent."   So, what that really means is that Walmart, via a deisgnated agent, could vote on this taxing district.  I use Walmart as an example, an excellent example, because they are the biggest supporters of putting people out of work, doing so much business with China.  They won't even sell the bedding stuff that's made over in Cohoes, I think it's Softex is the business.  So, Walmart can have a voice, but an American stationed in Afghanistan, fighting for our freedoms, fighting to stop the Taliban, that American is being denied the right to vote.

And, super wealthy Walmart can vote, but a homebound person who may be the very person who may need ambulance service, will be denied the right to vote only because DV's dem buddies think it would be "unduly cumbersome" to allow them to vote.

The information sheet references a section of the town law.  Well DAMN IT!!!!!!!!!!   FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!   It's a TOWN LAW.  It's not like trying to get a change in state law introduced, go through committees, hearings, etc, and votes in order to get it changed.  These DINGBATS on the town board could this week, initiate legislation to change the law, it could be passed in a matter of probably a month, and it could allow the homebound and the miliatry have their right to vote.  

Then so incredibly SIMPLE, get a list from the county BOE of all those who regularly vote by absentee because they are homebound and send them the ballot.  And for anyone who may have become homebound or whatever since Nov 2 could apply BY MAIL just as they do for general elections.   And getting a doctor's note should be easy too.

Come on you dems, postpone the vote, change the town law, set a date for the ambulance vote to a date in the spring when wintry weather is not an issue, and let all people vote!

Since the rotterdam fire depts are supporting this vote, one would have thought that they would have opened their doors for a polling place. There's the big Taj Mahal on the west end for the western rotterdamians, then the one of the others on the east side.

There should ALWAYS be absentee ballots!

Question.......what is the difference between an ambulance taxing district vote, and a school taxing district vote? Why do only property owners vote for one but everyone can vote for another?

Quoted from bumblethru

Question.......what is the difference between an ambulance taxing district vote, and a school taxing district vote? Why do only property owners vote for one but everyone can vote for another?

            I know that New York State General Municipal Law dictates the voting qualifications for Special Tax Districts as the owners of the properties.  This is because the tax is soley funded via real property assessment.  For School District votes, New York State General Election Law governs.  You must prove residency for at least 30 days prior, be a US citizen, be at least 18 yrs. old, and registered with the County or School District.  It  may be because some of the school taxes are paid by property owners, and some of the school budget is funded via New York State.  The State money is probably generated from income and sales tax that everyone in the School District contributes to.  Just my guess on your question.

Quoted from bumblethru

Since the rotterdam fire depts are supporting this vote, one would have thought that they would have opened their doors for a polling place. There's the big Taj Mahal on the west end for the western rotterdamians, then the one of the others on the east side.

There should ALWAYS be absentee ballots!

Question.......what is the difference between an ambulance taxing district vote, and a school taxing district vote? Why do only property owners vote for one but everyone can vote for another?

A school district vote falls under a different law than an ambulance district vote.

Quoted from CICERO

The Tommasone Administration tried to pass this taxing district with 3 men in a smoke filled room.

In hindsight, it probably would have been a good thing if they had just approved the ambulance district in
2009 -- if it was legally permissable for them to have done so.

Quoted from mikechristine1

The information sheet references a section of the town law.  Well DAMN IT!!!!!!!!!!   FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!   It's a TOWN LAW.  It's not like trying to get a change in state law introduced, go through committees, hearings, etc, and votes in order to get it changed.  These DINGBATS on the town board could this week, initiate legislation to change the law, it could be passed in a matter of probably a month, and it could allow the homebound and the miliatry have their right to vote.  

smart idea

it is a state law that establishes who can vote in referendums to establish special districts
the local law has to reflect state law  

btw --- how much money is Mohawk Ambulance spending to influence the referendum ????

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

it is a state law that establishes who can vote in referendums to establish special districts
the local law has to reflect state law  

btw --- how much money is Mohawk Ambulance spending to influence the referendum ????

Funny, I haven't seen them sending out postcards, financing signs to place on town property, etc.  

Quoted from huskyhowls

All taxpayers should have the opportunity to vote on this referendum.  Absentee ballots should have been an option for anyone whether they be elderly or not.  There also should have been at least two more voting locations like Mohonasen and Schalmont schools to be fair to all residents.

The Tommasone administration would put out a newsletter a few times a year.  Why wasn't a newsletter with other important information for Rotterdam residents drafted?  Not everyone has access to computers and websites.  This certainly isn't a recent topic and there was plenty of time to provide the pros and cons to residents.  

I haven't received any information from the town officially on this referendum.  I read this forum, the town website and the newspaper and that's how I keep informed on what's happening in Rotterdam.

because some in office have trouble with the english language
you know
readin
riten (long I)